Business

A national health wake-up call: Why wellness is the future of insurance

Published

11 months ago

2025/12/1

Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer, Union Assurance

The life insurance industry is built on a promise to protect what matters most: human life and financial security. Yet, a recent statistic serves as a stark wake-up call, demanding that we expand our role from reactive protection to proactive prevention. The finding that a staggering 76% of beneficiaries referred for HbA1C testing were diagnosed with diabetes under our ‘Suwamaga’ initiative reveals an alarming truth: Sri Lanka faces a silent, invisible epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

This figure is not just data; it is a critical public health indicator, underscoring the urgency of sustained, national-level screening efforts. The primary barriers to early detection – cost and lack of awareness – allow conditions like diabetes, often referred to by medical professionals as the “mother of all diseases,” to progress undetected until complications arise. It is our collective responsibility, uniting the public, private, and NGO sectors, to dismantle these barriers, making testing accessible, affordable, and convenient for every citizen. Proactive hubs, such as workplaces, can and should become frontlines for preventive care, ensuring education and awareness cascade to the grassroots level.

Beyond CSR: An integrated business strategy

For Union Assurance, a deep commitment to addressing national health issues is not merely a component of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); it is integral to our fundamental business model and long-term market strategy. As the nation’s first private life insurer, our brand vision is to empower human progress by creating sustainable societal impact. By focusing our resources on a national priority like diabetes, we are tackling a health challenge that directly impacts both our customers’ quality of life and the insurer’s risk profile.

This is the future of life insurance: promoting healthier lives reduces morbidity risk, which, in turn, strengthens the sustainability of our financial products. When we invest in preventive care, we are investing in longevity and vitality, ultimately building a stronger, more resilient customer base founded on trust and mutual well-being. This alignment transforms health advocacy from a charitable endeavor into a core strategic mandate.

Anchoring change in behavior

Screening is only the first step. The true power of an initiative like ‘Suwamaga’ lies in driving meaningful behavioral change. Our model is anchored on four strategic pillars designed to shift communities toward a culture of prevention: raising awareness, promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting early detection, and fostering deep community participation.

We have moved beyond the clinic to launch large-scale digital and traditional media campaigns, alongside strategic partnerships and workplace wellness programs, to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. These efforts, which have already motivated a remarkable 71% of participants to adopt healthier practices, are not about quick fixes; they are about fostering long-term well-being and empowering individuals to manage modifiable risk factors.

The power of partnership and a national call to action

We understood that tackling a health challenge of this magnitude requires more than just capital; it requires medical expertise. Our indispensable partnerships with the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health ensured medical accuracy, feasibility, and essential post-screening support, channeling high-risk individuals toward proper medical care and lifestyle interventions. These collaborations were also crucial in producing the Union Assurance Suwamaga Impact Report, which offers vital insights into the nation’s health landscape.

Tackling NCDs demands a united front. We invite policymakers, the public, and all corporate stakeholders to leverage the data in our Impact Report and join this multi-sector effort. Our shared goal must be to secure not just the financial well-being of our nation, but the health and vitality of its people. By embracing prevention as strategy, we empower human progress and fulfill the true promise of a life well-lived.

By Mahen Gunarathna,
Chief Marketing Officer, Union Assurance

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Business

Samagi Spice Exports to launch Ceylon Cinnamon based beverage range

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/16

Priyan

The SPICEUP range of Cinnamon based beverages being launched by Samagi

Samagi Spice Exports (Pvt) Ltd is set to introduce SPICEUP, a new Sri Lankan beverage brand, at its grand launch on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the University of Ruhuna, Matara.

With a history dating back to 1969, Samagi Spice is taking a new step in its business journey by expanding beyond traditional spice exports into value added consumer products.

Through SPICEUP, the company aims to connect Sri Lanka’s internationally recognized cinnamon heritage with contemporary beverage innovation, creating a distinctive identity in the country’s beverage market.

The SPICEUP range will feature a variety of products, including Original, Cream Soda, Power, GO, Cool, Burn, Memo+ and Zingy. Designed to offer consumers a range of refreshment experiences, the products will be available in two packaging formats: cans and plastic bottles, catering to different consumer preferences and occasions.

At the heart of the initiative is the potential of true Ceylon cinnamon as a value-added ingredient in the beverage industry. Rather than limiting cinnamon to its traditional uses, SPICEUP seeks to explore new opportunities for bringing this iconic Sri Lankan spice into everyday consumer experiences.

The initiative also highlights the broader potential of transforming the country’s agricultural resources into innovative products with commercial value.

The launch ceremony will be attended by legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya as the Chief Guest, alongside representatives from the Export Development Board (EDB), Industrial Development Board (IDB), Cinnamon Research Academy and other industry stakeholders.

A major highlight of the occasion will be the official unveiling of the SPICEUP product range, followed by the launch of the brand’s official website. The event will also feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Samagi Spice Exports and the University of Ruhuna, marking an important step towards strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.

The proposed collaboration will provide a platform for future research, product innovation and value addition involving true Ceylon cinnamon. By bringing together business expertise and university-based knowledge, the initiative aims to support the development of innovative, value-added products and contribute to Sri Lanka’s potential in international markets.

With its roots in the country’s spice industry and its ambitions in the beverage sector, SPICEUP is poised to begin a new chapter in Samagi Spice’s journey—one that seeks to bring the distinctive identity of Ceylon cinnamon to a new generation of consumers.

Business

Indian business leader urges SL entrepreneurs to tap into India’s rapidly expanding consumer market

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/16

Thilina Walpola

T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL)

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), emphasised that local enterprises can unlock substantial economic benefits by strategically aligning with India’s booming consumer base.

Addressing business leaders and policymakers at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, Krishnakumar highlighted that geographical proximity and rich cultural ties provide a natural foundation for deeper commercial collaboration.

He noted that instead of viewing bilateral trade narrowly, regional partnerships should act as conduits to build robust, scalable enterprises capable of plugging into wide-reaching regional value chains.

“For Sri Lankan exporters dealing in traditional staples as well as value-added goods, accessing India’s rising middle class presents a phenomenal growth window,” he said.

Drawing insights from Reliance Consumer Products’ rapid expansion – which scaled efficiently to thousands of employees and multi-billion-dollar metrics – Krishnakumar stressed that modern corporate success relies on disciplined execution, localised consumer understanding, and smart technology integration.

Furthermore, he underscored that while rapid growth is critical, businesses must consistently anchor their models in affordability and consumer trust.

Concluding his address at the summit, the RCPL chief noted that pairing regional trade integration with resilient business practices and predictable regulatory frameworks will be vital as Sri Lanka transitions firmly toward accelerated economic development.

Addressing the Summit during a subsequent fireside chat, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake underscored that a core concern currently being targeted by the government is developing a critical mass of local entrepreneurs equipped to engage with international enterprise counterparts.

Business

SriLankan Airlines wins prestigious SATA 2026 Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/16

Thilina Walpola

SriLankan Airlines has once again been honoured with the prestigious Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, reaffirming its continued recognition in the regional travel and tourism industry. The airline, which has received this award in previous years, was the only international airline to be recognised in this category at this year’s event. The 10th anniversary edition of the awards ceremony was held earlier this month at Hotel Barcelo Nasandhura in Male, Maldives.

Recognised as one of the key events on the Maldivian tourism and travel industry calendar, SATA celebrated its 10th anniversary on a grand scale, bringing together prominent industry stakeholders, including Government Ministers, distinguished dignitaries, diplomats and senior representatives from leading airlines and their respective head offices.

Commenting on the achievement, Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial, SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are honoured to receive this recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. Being named the Leading International Airline in the Visitors’ Choice Awards once again is a meaningful acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our passengers and strengthening our presence in the region. This award inspires us to continue enhancing the travel experience we offer and to build stronger connections with the markets and communities we serve.”

Complementing its commitment to service excellence, SriLankan Airlines offers an extensive flight network with convenient connections to destinations across the globe. In South Asia, the airline operates nearly 130 flights each week to 15 destinations across India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh. With schedules thoughtfully designed to suit the needs of travellers, SriLankan Airlines provides seamless connectivity for those visiting Colombo for business or leisure, as well as passengers travelling onwards to destinations worldwide.