Business
New Chief Marketing Officer at AIA Insurance

AIA Insurance last week announced the appointment of its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Sasith Bambaradeniya, effective January 2023. He counts over 15 years of experience in marketing, communications, strategic planning and operations leadership and is a proven marketing leader who had spearheaded some notable and award-winning campaigns and disruptive innovation in the local insurance industry. AIA said in a news release.
Commencing his career at the company as a Management Trainee, after which he accrued a unique combination of varied experiences across industries, the most recent being the CMO of Fairfirst Insurance Limited.
“With an appetite for creativity, empathy lead innovation and transformation, he brings to the table a diverse palate of experience and is expected to add flavour to AIA’s leadership and rich talent pool,” the release said.
“Sasith’s forte includes varied portfolios in product management, e-commerce, brand development and communications. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and bachelor’s degree in Business, Major in Marketing and Management from the University of Newcastle, Australia,” it added.
AIA’s CEO Chathuri Munaweera said of the appointment, “Sasith is a highly experienced, talented young Marketing leader with a proven track record of building brands while leading successful customer and sales centric approaches to marketing. I am truly pleased that he joins team AIA Sri Lanka and the Executive Committee. With Sasith at the helm of Marketing and supported by our very able Marketing team, AIA will continue to be groundbreaking in brand leadership, unparalleled propositions and transformative marketing.
“I am delighted to join AIA’s strategic journey and growth ambitions” said Sasith, while committing to offer his best to the company; “Having started my career at AIA, it has always had a very special place in my heart as it provided me the ideal launch-pad to accelerate my career aspirations. I am thrilled to be back where it all started. Together with team AIA, I am committed to helping move the business forward and upwards whilst making a meaningful impact on communities across the island.
Business
Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.
His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.
Business
IIHS Foundation in Biological Studies offers fast-track route to global health careers

The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.
Business
Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.
Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.
Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.
In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
-
Features5 days ago
RuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
News5 days ago
Orders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features6 days ago
New species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
News4 days ago
Prof. Rambukwella passes away
-
News6 days ago
Photo of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe
-
Opinion5 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part IX
-
Features6 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part VIII
-
Features2 days ago
The Truth will set us free – I