Business
A 12-year journey creating sustainable livelihoods in the Northern Province – ILO Knowledge Forum
International Labour Organization (ILO), successfully conducted a two-day knowledge forum, based on its flagship Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation (LEED+) project. Implemented in several districts in the Northern Province, the LEED+ project is nearing its closure after two successful phases, the first of which was initiated in 2011.
This Knowledge Forum is a culmination of the project’s 12-year journey of creating inclusive and sustainable decent work opportunities for rural communities. The project also has a strong focus on vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities.
A part of the ILO’s Global Jobs for Peace and Resilience programme, LEED+ is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Government of Norway. The project was implemented in collaboration with national and sub-national government stakeholders, private sector, as well as grassroots entities.
‘The LEED+ program has directly benefitted more than 43,000 families over the past 12 years providing skills and knowledge to foster business growth and generate sustainable income,’ Australian High Commission Sri Lanka, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, Erika Seymour said.
‘Despite the passage of more than a decade since the conclusion of the civil war, the lasting repercussions continue to affect communities in the Northern Province. Thus, it is crucial for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to support these communities and promote development in these regions. The LEED+ project has played a significant role in equipping individuals from these communities with valuable skills, empowering them in their pursuits, and facilitating the attraction of private sector investments’. Commented Royal Norwegian Embassy Sri Lanka, First Secretary/Deputy Head of Mission, Hilde Berg Hansen.
As a result of the 30-year civil conflict, the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, which is home to over a million people, has encountered unique obstacles in achieving socio-economic progress and advancement. With unemployment and poverty rates higher than the national average and the highest share of households in poverty, the Northern Province is among Sri Lanka’s poorest regions. Towards addressing this, in its first phase the LEED project utilized a strategy of revitalizing the northern cooperative sector, alongside connecting small-scale farmers and fishers in the region with businesses from across Sri Lanka. Building on the lessons and success from phase one, in its second phase LEED+ placed greater focus on facilitating partnerships in select agriculture and fisheries value chains. Generating economic incentives for both producers and investors on equal terms, the resulting win-win situations have seen companies expanding their footprint, and setting-up of processing centres in the North, thereby creating further employment opportunities.
As the LEED+ project enters its last year of operation, it aims to implement exit strategies that involve institutionalizing successful models to ensure their continued expansion even after the project concludes. By embracing the LEED+ approach and inclusive business models, the project has fostered public-private partnerships to stimulate promising value chains, ultimately contributing to the long-term employment, productivity, and economic growth of rural communities. Through collaborations with the private sector, the project has identified potential value chains relevant to the region, paving the way for increased investments in the Northern Province.
Simrin Singh, Director of ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives stated ‘For over a decade, the LEED and LEED+ project has implemented strategies centered on improving livelihoods and job creation. The project has remained agile, innovative, and grounded on the realities of the region. Its success, in capacitating the Cooperatives, and creating links between producers in the North and the private sector, has delivered short term wins, but also presented long-term solutions. By creating an eco-system of necessary support services, knowledge inputs, and market linkages, decent work opportunities for women and men will continue to be generated. Essentially, the ILO’s role has been to plant the seed, facilitating and building opportunities that connect businesses to communities, so that everyone can share the gains of growth and ultimately no one is left behind.’
Based on the well tested solutions from over a decade of LEED and LEED+ implementation in the Northern Province, the ILO has made a clear human centered, economic and business case for development policies that prioritize addressing regional disparities, and adaptable approaches tailored to the distinct requirements of various sectors and regions.
Business
Dialog Enterprise partners with the National Chamber of Exporters to enable digital transformation of Sri Lankan exporters
Dialog Enterprise, the ICT corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, has partnered with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) as the official Digital Technology Partner to empower Sri Lankan exporters with cutting-edge digital solutions and Technology expertise.
This collaboration aims to equip exporters with advanced technology-driven capabilities to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and improve competitiveness in global markets. As Sri Lanka’s No.1 ICT solutions provider, Dialog Enterprise will support NCE and its members with tailored technology solutions, digital transformation initiatives, and expert-led training programs to help businesses embrace Digital Transformation.
“With the government focusing on increasing exports, an export earnings target of $18.2 billion has been set for 2025. The NCE, as the exclusive private sector chamber working with Sri Lankan exporters and service providers to exporters, has engaged in many market access initiatives. The government is also progressing towards a digital economy, and we believe that Sri Lankan exporters must be part of this initiative and advance in the digital arena. It is crucial to ensure that our exporters utilise effective digital platforms to enhance their business activities, including productivity, cost efficiency, and competitiveness in international markets. We believe it is timely to have a Digital Technology partner to help our exporters remain competitive in terms of technology. In today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace, Sri Lankan exporters must integrate digital solutions to stay ahead and drive sustainable growth. This partnership with Dialog Enterprise marks a significant step in ensuring our members have access to the latest technological advancements and expertise to optimise their business operations,” said Shiham Marikar, Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer- NCE.
This strategic partnership will extend technical empowerment and digital expertise to digital entrepreneurs, manufacturers, SMEs, apparel exporters, retail businesses, agriculture and other industries that rely on digital technology to expand their reach and enhance operational efficiency. With Dialog Enterprise’s industry-leading ICT portfolio, including converged connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, exporters will have the tools to digitally transform their businesses and unlock new opportunities.
The collaboration will also introduce training sessions and industry expert support, ensuring NCE members stay ahead of the latest technological advancements and best practices in digital business operations. Additionally, Dialog Enterprise and NCE will work together to host future industry events and initiatives, focusing on technology adoption, digital security, and automation, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in the global trade ecosystem.
“At Dialog Enterprise, we believe that technology should be a catalyst for business growth and global expansion. As Sri Lanka’s No.1 ICT solutions provider, we invite businesses across all industries to partner with us in driving digital transformation, unlocking new efficiencies, and creating competitive advantages,” said Navin Pieris, Group Chief Officer – Dialog Enterprise.
Through this partnership, Dialog Enterprise reaffirms its commitment to empowering Sri Lankan businesses with world-class ICT solutions, ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed in an increasingly digital-first economy.
Bileeta (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneering Sri Lankan technology company, proudly celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025. From its inception, Bileeta has championed innovation and digital transformation—thriving enterprise digitalization in the era of AI. What began as a bold vision to create a world-class ERP platform has evolved into a globally recognized provider of next-generation enterprise solutions, empowering organizations across multiple sectors.
Established in 2010, Bileeta was built on a mission to humanize technology and empower organizations with innovative digital solutions. This mission led to the creation of Entution, Sri Lanka’s first-ever cloud-based ERP platform powered by business process architecture —developed entirely by local talent.
As part of its growth journey, Bileeta has expanded its global footprint by partnering with leading international channel partners and establishing regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. These strategic moves have strengthened Bileeta’s presence in Asia and enabled the company to serve its growing international customer base better.
In 2014, the company launched Entution ERP, a cloud-based solution designed to streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and deliver real-time business insights. In 2018, Bileeta introduced Entution Vesta, a Health Commodity and Vaccine Information Management System that transformed lifesaving medicine and vaccine distribution across national healthcare systems. Over 6,000 healthcare facilities in Nepal adopted the platform, and Gavi and The Global Fund have recognized it as the most comprehensive eLMIS (Electronic Logistics Management Information System) for low- and middle-income countries. Today, Entution eLMIS supports the medical supply chains of Nepal, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe—a milestone achievement for the Sri Lankan ICT sector and a testament to the country’s growing influence in global digital solutions.
With over 100 organizations, 16,000+ users, and more than 40 million transactions processed through the Entution platform, Bileeta has significantly impacted sectors, including healthcare, livestock, Agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services.
CEO Sanji De Silva reflected on the company’s journey: “From the beginning, our goal was to build a product that could compete with the best ERP platforms in the world.
We started with just 18 people and a big dream—to become the ERP vendor of choice for global organizations. Today, we’re proud to see that dream realized and Sri Lankan innovation recognized worldwide. Our solutions are now adopted by organizations across various sectors, including four national Ministries of Health. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our technology is helping organizations become more profitable, scalable, and sustainable.”
Bileeta’s evolution continues with the integration of AI-powered functionality such as demand forecasting into Entution, enabling businesses to optimize inventory, anticipate trends, and improve supply chain efficiency. These innovations reflect Bileeta’s commitment to powering the future of ERP and enabling smarter, data-driven enterprise operations through AI.
A landmark renewable energy initiative is underway in Sri Lanka’s northern islands of Delft, Nainativu, and Analativu—driven by a generous USD 10.995 million grant from the government of India.
Speaking to The Island Financial Review, EFL General Manager Projects Logistics Mohamed Niyas stressed that this grant is not only enabling a state-of-the-art hybrid energy project but also laying the groundwork for energy independence, sustainability, and cross-border cooperation in the region.
The project, executed by U-Solar and powered by Ryse Energy wind solutions, introduces a hybrid model integrating solar, wind, and battery storage systems, replacing the islands’ reliance on costly diesel generators. But behind this transformation lies another innovation—Sri Lanka’s first Hybrid Logistics Solution, architected by EFL.
Delivering this project to three remote islands required overcoming formidable logistical challenges—from handling sensitive renewable equipment, to navigating tidal patterns, to securing suitable jetties for unloading. The Indian grant made it possible to meet these challenges with strategic precision and cutting-edge logistics.
Niyas added: “This is a powerful example of how international collaboration can unlock sustainable solutions for isolated communities.”
“With the support of the Indian grant, our logistics model could be as innovative as the energy system itself. We didn’t just move equipment—we delivered the future of energy to people who needed it most.”
By Ifham Nizam
-
Business4 days agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
News3 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Features6 days agoNipping the two leaves and the bud
-
Features5 days agoProf. Lal Tennekoon: An illustrious but utterly unpretentious and much -loved academic
-
Features6 days agoAvurudu celebrations … galore
-
Foreign News4 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
News6 days agoCounsel for Pilleyan alleges govt. bid to force confession
-
Editorial4 days agoSelective use of PTA