Business
Airport travel made easy: ‘Get your Uber Ride at a dedicated spot at BIA’
Uber today announced the launch of a dedicated pick-up spot for riders at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo. Travelers arriving in Sri Lanka can now easily find their Uber ride at this designated area and make travel-related stress and guesswork a thing of the past. This is an industry-first for Sri Lanka.
At the Uber pick-up spot located at the Arrival Terminal in BIA, travelers will now have access to kiosks for pertinent information about hailing an Uber. Drivers will also benefit from designated parking spaces and cashless transactions. With improved amenities for driver partners and clear wayfinding signage for travelers to the Uber pick-up spot, this airport partnership will raise the bar for airport travel and benefit riders and drivers alike. BIA will earn LKR 700 and applicable VAT from every pick-up that Uber gets at the airport, adding to a revenue stream from app-based aggregators.
Globally, Uber has changed the airport experience for the better by bringing convenience and affordability. The company has partnerships with over 600 international airports and has a dedicated airport team that works closely with the local airport authorities to bring best-in-class experience and safety for customers every time they choose Uber. The partnership with the BIA will further promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination to a wide audience of travelers and enable them to use their familiar Uber app to travel from the airport seamlessly.
Shiva Shailendran, Director Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We are always working towards bringing the best of Uber to Sri Lanka. The addition of a dedicated pick-up spot at the Colombo airport will help provide a reliable, recognizable, and seamless mode of transportation from the airport to the city and contribute to Sri Lanka becoming a world-class tourist destination. In addition to our strong rider base in Sri Lanka, travelers from over 70 countries are familiar with Uber, and have it as their preferred choice when traveling abroad. We hope that international travelers as well as returning Sri Lankans, will benefit from the pick-up point and get a world-class experience every time they ride with us.”
Travelers can choose from a wide range of Uber offerings at the airport and get top-rated drivers with high-quality vehicles. Depending on their need, number of people and luggage they’re carrying, they can choose between Zip, Premier, or XL from the app. They also have the option to book multi-stop, multi-hour rides with Uber Rentals.
Now, Uber has added Uber Vans for a larger group of people from the airport. Affordable and easy to locate, this latest offering will make group travels easier. Every Uber Van can accommodate upto 10 individuals along with luggage and can be an ideal choice for long trips and groups traveling together. Available on the Uber app, riders will get vehicles such as Toyota Hiace, Caravan, among others at the tap of a button.
In line with Uber’s commitment to transparency, travelers will continue to benefit from upfront fares at the time of booking and now receive booking assistance at the kiosks if required. The estimated fare shown upfront will have airport parking fee and toll fee included, reducing friction between riders and drivers and enabling seamless travel. Travelers will be able to see the fare-break up and benefit from Uber’s 24/7 safety support.
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
MoU on Defence a significant new addition to Ranil-Modi consensus
Harsha says govt. grabbed credit for what he initiated
Patali, Sarath concerned over Defence MoU
-
Features1 day agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business2 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Business3 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business2 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports4 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features1 day agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Latest News6 days agoIPL 2025: Rookies Ashwani and Rickelton lead Mumbai Indians to first win
-
Sports3 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka