Business
Bank of Ceylon celebrates 43 years of banking excellence in the Maldives
The Bank of Ceylon, one of the most esteemed financial institutions in the Maldives, commemorated its 43rd anniversary on May 28th 2024, marking over four decades of distinguished service and significant contributions to the economic development of the island nation.
Established on May 7th 1981, and granted its banking license on January 26th 1982, the Bank of Ceylon has been a pillar of financial stability in the Maldives, earning a reputation for reliability, stability, and customer-centric service as one of the oldest and most respected banks operating in the country.
The anniversary celebration, held in a grand ceremony, was graced by the honorable Chief Guest, Ranga Goonawardena, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives. Prominent attendees included the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon, Kavan Rathnayaka, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, W. P. Russel Fonseka, Deputy General Manager – International, Treasury and Investment, G. A. Jayashantha , Deputy General Manager – Corporate & Offshore Banking, Rohana Kumara and the Country Manager of Bank of Ceylon Maldives, Ms. Manjula Herath. Loyal and dedicated customers, along with other esteemed guests, gathered to commemorate this remarkable milestone in the bank’s history.
Under the pioneering leadership of its first Country Manager, M S M Liyawdeen, the Bank of Ceylon, Maldives has embarked on a journey marked by notable achievements. Over the years, the bank has financed numerous pivotal projects in the government sector, including the upgrade of Male International Airport Phase IV, the purchase and repair of Surveillance, Fire Fighting and Coast Guard Vessels, the upgrade of the internal flooding system, and the construction of various government buildings. Additionally, the Bank has provided budgetary support credit facilities to the Government and State-Owned Enterprises.
Beyond the government sector, the Bank of Ceylon, Maldives has been a key financier for major projects in Resort Development, Tourism, Construction, Real Estate, and businesses in the wholesale and retail sectors. Bank has taken part in providing credit facilities at the inception of Guesthouse business in Maldives and built many success stories for Startups.
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.
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.
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.
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