Business
Aion sponsors KDU’s ‘Capture the Flag’
IT students from 21 universities competed at a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition and hackathon at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) recently with the sponsorship support of Aion Cyber Security (Pvt) Ltd., as part of the Company’s continuing efforts to nurture cybersecurity talent in Sri Lanka.0
The competition was organised in collaboration with KDU’s IEEE WIE Student Branch Affinity Group which focuses on the promotion and betterment of women engineers. The students formed 24 teams to compete at this event which was also a platform to showcase their prowess in cyber security and get recognised for it while challenging themselves to learn new skills and work together.
While the CTF contest challenges focused specifically on cybersecurity, requiring participants to use their skills and knowledge to solve complex puzzles and challenges related to information security, the hackathon enabled participants with different backgrounds and skills to collaborate on creative technology projects within a limited time to create functional software products.
The winners of the competition were presented with cyber security training opportunities in the corporate sector, which could significantly broaden their careers, the Company said. Aion Cyber Security not only sponsored the event but also mentored the organisers on how to host a hackathon, and created the challenges for the competition. Notably, this was the first-ever CTF-Hackathon competition to be held at the KDU.
The event was designed to promote innovation, creativity, and learning in the technology and cybersecurity communities, as well as to provide participants with an opportunity to test and improve their skills in areas such as cryptography, web exploitation, forensics, and more. Additionally, the event aimed to encourage participants to work collaboratively and create a functional software product within a limited time frame, while forging networking opportunities with peers in the tech industry.
Commenting on the event, Mr Abbi Pilapitiya, CEO of Aion Cyber Security said: “Silicon Valley is the hot bed for IT entrepreneurship globally. The ecosystem is built around universities which gather innovative talent, venture capitalists who fund, and start-ups that commercialise the ideas and make money which in turn motivates the next batch of talent. This cycle uplifts the whole system spirally. This is the model we should replicate in Sri Lanka, and Aion is happy to partner with KDU to groom local cyber talent.”
Mr Priyantha Perera, Chairman of Aion Cyber Security and the Sierra Group added: “Cultivating local talent has always been a top priority for us. Whether it’s in engineering, construction, or cybersecurity, we aim to nurture Sri Lankan talent and provide the latest technology to take to the region. With established offices in Singapore, Australia, and the Middle East, we are well-positioned to generate opportunities from those markets and create avenues for Sri Lankan youth and professionals in the cybersecurity industry to serve in regional markets.”
Dr. Asela Gunasekara, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and the Chief Counsellor of the IEEE Student Branch of KDU said: “Cyber security is regarded as the next frontier when it comes to modern warfare. KDU is an institution where we mould young talent to take responsibilities in the armed forces and the private sector alike. Hence it is imperative that we have such competitions to give them exposure. We are thankful to Aion Cyber Security for coming forward and assisting us in this endeavour.”
Earlier this year, Aion Cyber Security also hosted an awareness programme titled ‘Inside a Hacker’s Mind’ for over 100 cyber security professionals, with the participation of Ty Miller, the Director of the Sydney-based Threat Intelligence Pty Ltd., who has provided specialist cyber security training to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Department of Defense, military and intelligence agencies, and large technology and security companies around the world.
A subsidiary of Sierra Group, Aion Cyber Security was established in Sri Lanka just before the Covid-19 pandemic with the mission to nurture Sri Lankan talent for the growing needs of the industry. The Company offers Artificial Intelligence (AI) based bespoke cyber security management services supported by an expert Sri Lankan team consisting of industry-leading Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and consultants with more than 15 years of international expertise in cyber security, telecommunications, and information technology. Aion’s partners in the cyber security space include the Sierra Group, THREAT Intelligence Australia, and DELL Technologies. The Company has also embarked on talent pool development exercises where IT graduates are moulded into Cyber security professionals through training development with industry-level examinations.
By Ifham Nizam
As Sri Lanka gears up for a transformative shift in its energy sector, the Results Delivery Framework (RDF) 2025-26 lays out a strategic roadmap toward a cleaner, more sustainable and people-centric energy future.
Eng. Pubudu Niroshan Hedigallage, Director General, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat and a member of the Energy Committee, emphasizes the critical role of public awareness and global integration in achieving these ambitious goals.
“The success of our energy transition depends on people being on the same page, says Hedigallage. “We need a unified approach where policies align with public interest, ensuring energy security while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The RDF focuses on three main pillars:
Affordable and Secure, Cleaner Energy Supply
Smart and Sensible, People-Centric Energy
Strategic Global Integration in the Energy Sector
To achieve energy security and affordability, Sri Lanka is set to establish a National Energy Policy & Planning Office (NEPPO) in the first half of 2025. This office will serve as the central body for policy formulation and planning, ensuring a structured approach to clean energy adoption.
A key initiative is the “Rivi Bala Punarudaya” solar program, aiming to add 2,000 MW of solar energy within five years. “Solar power is one of the most viable solutions for Sri Lanka. It’s time to accelerate large-scale adoption, Hedigallage asserts.
Additionally, the government plans to begin competitive procurement for 1,000 MW of wind energy along the Puttalam-Jaffna coastal belt by mid-2025.
Hedigallage stresses the importance of policy reforms to align industrial and regulatory frameworks. “Introducing the Energy Transition Act in late 2025 will harmonize all sector-related laws, ensuring smoother implementation of new initiatives, he explains.
Other people-centric initiatives include:
Amendments to the Electricity Act to facilitate restructuring within the energy sector.
A Demand Response Program, developed with the Ministry of Digital Economy, to optimize energy consumption.
A techno-commercial collaboration program connecting universities, industries and utilities to drive innovation.
The Women-in-Energy National Program, launching in late 2025, to increase female participation in the sector.
Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the RDF aims to position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global energy market.
A state agency for green hydrogen initiatives will be established in late 2025 to explore hydrogen as an alternative energy source.
By early 2026, a digital risk management dashboard will be launched to monitor reservoir levels, fuel inventories, and energy demand in real time.
The Green Energy Certification Unit, to be established in 2026, will authenticate renewable energy usage with Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).
ESG (Environment, Sustainability, and Governance) frameworks will be introduced to ensure sustainable energy sector practices.
A global energy forum will be launched in 2026 to connect Sri Lanka to international energy value chains.
With these ambitious plans, Sri Lanka is set to become a leader in clean energy in the region. “Our energy future is not just about technology and infrastructure; it’s about people, policy, and partnerships, Hedigallage added.
Mintpay, a pioneering financial app reshaping how people pay in Sri Lanka, has announced a landmark partnership with Softlogic Restaurants. This collaboration aims to enhance the dining experience for food enthusiasts by offering convenient, secure, and flexible payment options. Softlogic Restaurants, renowned for its portfolio of beloved brands such as Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Crystal Jade, Delifrance, and Baskin Robbins, will now enable customers to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines through Mintpay’s seamless digital payment solution.
Mintpay Account Manager Sasra Wickrama Arachchi stated, “At Mintpay, we aim to transform every payment into a rewarding moment, and we believe this partnership with Softlogic Restaurants delivers on that promise, making every meal more rewarding.”
Mintpay Senior Business Development Executive Faziha Farhan added, “At Mintpay, we’re always expanding our network by partnering with brands that share our vision for seamless and rewarding payments. We’re excited to welcome Burger King, the first global QSR brand in Sri Lanka to integrate Mintpay, alongside other renowned Softlogic restaurants. This partnership marks another step in transforming the dining experience for all our customers, offering greater flexibility and convenience whenever they use Mintpay.”
Business
Haleon partners Sri Lanka Dental Association as Official Sponsor for World Oral Health Day 2025
Haleon Sri Lanka formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare; the first multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing organization in Sri Lanka, which commenced manufacturing in 1956 with the flagship brands Panadol, Iodex Eno etc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) as the official sponsor of World Oral Health Day 2025 in Sri Lanka. The formal signing ceremony took take place on Friday, February 28, 2025. The global theme for this year is “A happy mouth is … a happy mind” which emphasises the importance of oral health on quality of life and wellbeing.
The partnership between SLDA and Haleon; Marketers of Sensodyne aims to transform the conventional methods of celebrating World Oral Health Day. The landmark agreement reimagines World Oral Health Day with an awareness-driven approach themed “#BeSensitiveToOralHealth: Take the first step.” The month-long March campaign will educate Sri Lankans about proactive oral healthcare through strategic messaging across traditional and digital platforms, encouraging everyone to prioritize their oral health. The collaboration represents a significant commitment to improving oral health awareness and access to dental care across Sri Lanka.
Haleon and SLDA will work together to extend awareness that results in tangible healthcare benefits nationwide. Free dental screening facilities will be provided across the island, benefiting approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans.
Beginning March 20th, World Oral Health Day, will take place as a national event at Galle Face, Colombo will serve as the campaign centrepiece, offering free dental screenings, oral cancer assessments, and teeth sensitivity tests to increase public understanding of good oral health practices. All SLDA members will actively participate in this nationwide health initiative making quality dental care accessible to communities throughout the country.
President focuses on streamlining, integrating and developing the manufacturing sector for greater efficiency
Debutant Madara, Athapaththu fashion Sri Lanka women’s first T20I win in New Zealand
Passengers evacuate onto wing of burning American Airlines jet
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