Business
AIA Sri Lanka sets new benchmarks in workplace culture

AIA Sri Lanka sets new benchmarks in workplace culture – winning Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka for the 12th year, Best Workplaces for Women and Young Talent, winner of the Wellbeing Champions and Sri Lanka’s Happiest Workplace in the life insurance industry.
AIA Sri Lanka continues to redefine the standard for workplace excellence in Sri Lanka, celebrating a remarkable series of wins that affirm its standing as a leading employer and a company that prioritises the happiness and wellbeing of its employees. AIA has been honoured as one of Sri Lanka’s Best Workplaces by Great Place To Work®, making it the only life insurer to achieve this recognition for 12 consecutive years. This historic milestone comes alongside several other prestigious awards, including the Best Workplaces for Women for the 7th consecutive year, Best Workplaces for Young Talent and the prestigious Wellbeing Champions award. AIA was also recognised as the Happiest Workplace in the life insurance industry award by LMD and PepperCube Consultants.
These accolades underscore AIA’s unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace culture that inspires, supports and celebrates its employees, creating an environment where happiness is at the heart of everything the company does. Recognised both internally by employees and externally by industry peers, AIA stands out as a beacon of corporate culture where innovation, inclusion and collaboration thrive.
The Great Place to Work® recognitions determined by direct feedback from AIA’s own employees speak to the company’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and motivated. Meanwhile, the Happiest Workplace award, given by industry peers through LMD and PepperCube Consultants’ surveys, further highlights the broader impact of AIA’s culture, one that resonates beyond the walls of the organisation. This external acknowledgment is a testament to the positive and inspiring atmosphere AIA has built for its people, a place where happiness is more than a byproduct; it’s an integral part of the company’s philosophy.
“AIA’s achievements at the Great Place To Work® awards are a reflection of our ‘people-first’ approach, which has been a cornerstone of our corporate philosophy. We believe that when our employees are happy, their excellence is amplified, leading to remarkable service and results for our customers,” said Thushari Perera, Director HR. “To be celebrated not only by our employees but also by our industry peers as Sri Lanka’s Happiest Workplace is an incredible honour and a powerful affirmation of our commitment to nurturing a workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.”
In addition to being a great place to work overall, AIA’s recognitions as a Best Workplace for Women and Young Talent highlight the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. These awards emphasize AIA’s dedication to supporting women in the workplace and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. By fostering an inclusive environment, AIA provides a space where each individual, regardless of gender or age, can thrive and achieve their full potential. “Our efforts to empower women and young talent are grounded in our belief that diversity strengthens our team and fuels our success. We are proud of the strides we have made to create a level playing field where everyone, from seasoned professionals to young graduates, can grow and excel,” said Thushari Perera, Director HR.
At AIA, happiness and fulfilment are central to the employee experience. The company’s dynamic work culture is designed to encourage collaboration, spark creativity and build lasting camaraderie among team members. Initiatives that support personal growth, work-life balance and open communication have created a workplace where employees feel empowered to bring their best selves to work each day. In addition, AIA’s programmes prioritize health and wellbeing, recognizing the holistic nature of employee satisfaction. This approach, which addresses both the physical and mental wellness dimensions of employees’ lives, has been integral to AIA’s ongoing success as a Best Workplace in Sri Lanka and as a company that truly values the happiness and wellbeing of its people.
With these awards, AIA Sri Lanka reaffirms its place as an industry leader in workplace excellence, setting new standards that inspire other organisations in Sri Lanka and across the region. By consistently achieving these honours, AIA demonstrates its deep-rooted commitment to a positive workplace environment that is both productive and joyful, a place where every individual feels supported, appreciated and encouraged to excel.
Looking to the future, AIA Sri Lanka remains committed to building on this legacy of excellence and continuing its mission to be a workplace where happiness fuels success.
Business
Stealer malware leaked over 2 million bank cards

Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence estimates that 2.3 million bank cards were leaked on the dark web, based on an analysis of data-stealing malware log files from 2023-2024. On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information, with nearly 26 million devices compromised by infostealers, including more than 9 million in 2024 alone. Kaspersky released its report on the infostealer threat landscape while the technology world gathers at MWC 2025 in Barcelona.
Kaspersky experts estimate that approximately 2,300,000 bank cards have been leaked on the dark web. This conclusion is based on an analysis of the log files from data-stealing malware, dated 2023-2024, that were leaked on the dark web market. While globally the share of leaked cards is well below one percent, 95% of the observed numbers appear technically valid.
Infostealer malware is not only designed to extract financial information, but also credentials, cookies and other valuable user data, which is compiled into log files and then distributed within the dark web underground community. An infostealer can infect a device if a victim unknowingly downloads and runs a malicious file, for example one disguised as legitimate software, such as a game cheat. It can be spread through phishing links, compromised websites, malicious attachments in emails or messengers and various other methods. It targets both personal and corporate devices.
On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information. Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence experts found that nearly 26 million devices running Windows were infected with various types of infostealers in the past two years.
“The actual number of infected devices is even higher. Cybercriminals often leak stolen data in the form of log files months or even years after the initial infection, and compromised credentials and other information continue to surface on the dark web over time. Therefore, the more time passes, the more infections from previous years we observe. We forecast the total number of devices infected with infostealer malware in 2024 to be between 20 million and 25 million, while for 2023, the estimate ranges between 18 million and 22 million,” says Sergey Shcherbel, expert at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.
In 2024, Redline remained the most widespread infostealer, accounting for 34% of the total number of infections.
The most significant surge in 2024 was in infections caused by Risepro, whose share of total infections increased from 1.4% in 2023 to almost 23% in 2024. “RisePro is a growing threat. It was first discovered two years ago but seems to be gaining momentum. The stealer primarily targets banking card details, passwords and cryptocurrency wallet data, and may be spreading under the guise of key generators, cracks for various software and game mods,” explains Sergey Shcherbel. Another rapidly growing stealer is Stealc, which first appeared in 2023 and increased its share from nearly 3% to 13%.
Business
UTE Delivers Sri Lanka’s Largest Cat D8 Tractor to NEM Construction

Caterpillar equipment dealer UTE has delivered the country’s largest Cat D8 Track-Type Tractor to NEM Construction Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant milestone in heavy machinery. This delivery strengthens the long-standing partnership between UTE and NEM Construction, which spans over 45 years. The Cat D8 is expected to boost operational efficiency in large-scale projects. As the sole authorized dealer for Caterpillar in Sri Lanka, UTE continues to provide top-tier machinery and after-sales support. The handover is particularly notable as Caterpillar celebrates its 100th anniversary. NEM Construction’s Chairman, Raja Nanayakkara, praised the Cat D8’s superior performance and UTE’s unmatched service and parts support, which have been key to the company’s long-term collaboration. This purchase highlights the continued trust in both Caterpillar and UTE’s expertise in supporting Sri Lanka’s construction industry.
Business
ComBank’s 2023 Annual Report tops Banking sector at ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s prowess in comprehensive disclosure of sustainability-related information to stakeholders has won its 2023 Annual Report two top awards at the 2025 Sustainability Reporting Awards presented by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
The Bank was adjudged the overall runner-up and the winner in the Banking category at these awards, repeating the achievement of its 2022 Annual Report which was similarly honoured by the ACCA last year.
The ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards recognise Annual Reports that clearly acknowledge and explain the economic, environmental and social impacts of the business to internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating the organisation’s policies, targets and long-term objectives towards the goal of sustainable development.
Commercial Bank’s 2023 Annual Report also won two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze at CA Sri Lanka’s ‘TAGS’ Awards 2024, excelling in the key aspects recognised by the awards programme which is dedicated to Transparency, Accountability, Governance, and Sustainability – TAGS.
The Bank won the Gold for ‘Corporate Governance Disclosure’ in the Financial Services sector, the Gold for the Best Annual Report among the private sector banks, the Silver for ‘Digitally Transformative Reporting’ across all sectors, and the overall Bronze award for Excellence in Corporate Reporting.
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