Business
Aitken Spence records PBT of Rs. 4.8 Bn with a triple digit growth of 412% and strong growth in EBITDA during Q4 of 2023/24

The leading blue-chip conglomerate, Aitken Spence PLC achieved robust fourth-quarter results, significantly contributing to an improved financial performance for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The Group reported a strong PBT of Rs. 4.8 billion with a growth of 412%. During Q4 the Group reported an impressive EBITDA (earnings inclusive of equity accounted investees, before interest expenses, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) of Rs. 8.8 billion recording a growth of 44%, showcasing the contribution from all sectors towards the fourth quarter results of 2023/2024.
The strong profits of Q4 were primarily driven by the enhanced performance of the Group’s local hotels further augmented by the substantial increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka facilitated by the Group’s destination management segments. The Group’s maritime and freight logistics sector also recorded an improved quarterly performance compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year, and significant improvement over the first three quarters.
For the year ended 31st March 2024, the Group reported a PBT of Rs. 6.7 billion. The Group reported a strong performance across most businesses with the Tourism sector being the major contributor. The Group’s local hotels made a notable recovery with improved occupancies and the overseas hotels contributed with substantial improvement in the cashflows of the Maldives hotels. The significant work and pioneering strategic alliances forged by the Group’s destination management segment to open up Sri Lanka to new markets played a key role in the impressive results. Additionally, while the Maritime & Freight Logistics sector sustained a consistent performance, the sector’s overall earnings were hampered by the negative effect of the weaker exchange rate on revenues which are linked to foreign currency and the steep drop in freight rates witnessed during most part of the year.
During the financial year, the Company secured strategic partnerships to expand its presence in UAE from the Group’s freight segment. Moreover, several new Joint Venture (JV) collaborations were formed to expand services in international freight forwarding, leverage expertise in managing international port operations, offer BPO services to offshore clients, and conduct R&D in food technologies.
Significant accomplishments during the year included the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Container Freight Station (CFS) by the Group’s Logistics segment. This facility, spanning over 100,000 square feet and strategically situated in Mabole, was designed to meet the expanding needs of the regional supply chain community. Additionally, the Group’s apparel segment saw the acquisition of two apparel manufacturing units in Koggala while the Group’s plantation segment advanced with the expansion of the berry cultivation project.
Other key highlights during the financial year 2023-2024;
Aitken Spence won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards for Diversified and Best Presentation among other awards. The only company in Sri Lanka to have been recognised among the Top 10 for 18 consecutive years.
Among the Top 3 companies for being the Most Awarded in the diversified category
Aitken Spence was recognised among the Top 10 Most Respected Entities by LMD
Among the Top 10 Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka organised by AICPA & CIMA and ICCSL (International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka).
The Annual Report of the Company was recognised at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting and TAGS Annual Report awards.
Listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1983, Aitken Spence is anchored to a heritage of excellence spanning over 150 years and driven by a team of more than 13,000 across 16 industries in 11 countries: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji, India, Oman, Myanmar, Mozambique, Bangladesh and Cambodia, Singapore and UAE.
Business
UAE Pledges Support for the Promotion of Energy, Tourism, Investment and Foreign Employment Sectors

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated that the UAE will prioritize the promotion of the energy, tourism, foreign investment and foreign employment sectors while further strengthening its longstanding ties with Sri Lanka.
The Deputy Prime Minister who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation made these remarks during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (22).
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this visit aims to further strengthen and expand the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations, with a focus on achieving mutual economic benefits through deepened cooperation for both countries.
Extending his best wishes on behalf of the UAE and its people to the new administration of Sri Lanka, the Deputy Prime Minister assured the UAE’s full support for the new government’s development agenda. Furthermore, he praised President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s dedication, efforts and commitment toward rebuilding Sri Lanka, as well as his positive approach toward relations with the UAE.
In response, President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka has now established an investment-friendly environment. He assured that unlike in the past, the country would not allow the re-emergence of an unstable climate that discouraged investment. The President also stressed that there are now strong legal frameworks in place to protect investments. The President also briefed the delegation on the government’s steps toward debt restructuring and achieving economic stability. Additionally, he outlined investment opportunities available in port terminal development, port city development, the tourism industry, the energy sector and transportation sector.
President Disanayake further emphasized that the new government’s objective is to position Sri Lanka as the region’s leading investment hub and premier tourist destination.
Among those present at the meeting were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Minister of State (UAE) Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh; UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Khaled Nasser Al Ameri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs (UAE) . Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs (UAE) Abdulla Balalaa, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the UAE, Ahmed Burhaima, Director of the Policy Planning Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE) Muath Alwari, Senior Media and Content Specialist at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (UAE) Maitha Al Mansouri, Desk Officer for Asian Affairs and Pacific Department (UAE) Ms. Huda Al Abdali and several other officials.
[PMD]
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.
Business
Team Bileeta celebrating its 15th anniversary

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.
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