Business

BCI Campus unveils new state-of-the-art facility marking milestone in academic excellence

Published

2 years ago

2023/08/23

The BCI Campus, unveiled a new state-of-the-art ‘Christ the King (CTK)’ building, which is ‘Redefining Higher Education’, in Negombo recently with an aim to ‘Transform Education, and Shape Futures’, marking a significant milestone in academic excellence.

The inauguration ceremony of the new facility of the BCI Campus, also recognized as the Benedict XVI International Institute of Higher Education, was graced by the Chief Guest, Most Rev Dr J D Anthony, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, who represents His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and Founder of BCI.

In attendance were distinguished guests including, Dr Sandro Veronesi, Chairman of the Calzedonia Group, the Principal Sponsor of the BCI Main Academic Building, and his delegation, Rev Msgr Nevillejoe Perera, National Coordinator for Sri Lankan Immigrants in Italy, Members of the Governing Council and Academic Senate of BCI, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, Commander Western Naval Area and Rear Admiral Hiran Balasuriya, Director General, Civil Engineering from Sri Lanka Navy, Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman Board of Investors of Sri Lanka, Senior Professor Udith Jayasinghe-Mudalige, Vice-Chancellor of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Principals of the surrounding schools, Officials from the Ministry of Education, Members of the Academic and Non-Academic staff of BCI and Representatives of BCI student body.

The CTK building is an eco-friendly complex equipped with state-of-the-art digital technology. The purpose-built seven-story academic facility comprises 16 Lecture Halls, including seating for 940 students, eight (08) Discussion Rooms accommodating 316 chairs, a 250-seat Mini-auditorium and 45-seat Conference Halls. It is also furnished with a 8592 sqft office area for academic administration.

The new facility stands as a testament to BCI’s commitment to providing the best educational facilities for students. The purpose-built complex comprises a host of modern facilities to the campus, elevating the learning experience. The facility also enables BCI to expand total seating capacity to accommodate over 2500, cementing its position as the largest private higher education Institute in the region.

The inauguration of the new facility marks a milestone in providing Sri Lankan students with an exceptional international standard of education, right at their doorstep, within a highly conducive environment for learning. The CTK building symbolizes BCI’s dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative educational ecosystem.

Rev Fr Quintus Fernando, Rector/Vice Chancellor BCI, welcoming guests said, BCI has a very unique privilege that only a few Institutes of Higher Education in the world can boast of. That is to be blessed by a Pope at its inauguration. BCI is also one of the few Institutes in the world and, perhaps, the only one in Asia, named after late Pope Benedict XVI, one of the greatest intellectuals of our times, who inspired and encouraged His Eminence to establish this Institute in Sri Lanka.”

Rev. Quintus added, “Given the unprecedented situation of the country, the successful completion of the BCI Main Academic Building is a rare miracle. The Holy Bible says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). The Lord did want to build this academic facility for His children, and He did send His People to achieve the task.”

The BCI Campus is a renowned private degree awarding institute, with recognition from both the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka. BCI offers a diverse range of in-demand degree programs through the Schools of Business, Computing, and Education, as well as the Academy of Music & Art. Students at BCI experience a holistic learning journey, supported by top-notch facilities and faculty.

During the event a felicitation message of His Eminence was read out. It noted, “The Catholic Church affirms the inalienable right of every human being to education and acknowledges that ‘she has a role in the progress and development of education’ (Gravissimum Educationis). Responding to this specific call, the Benedict XVI Catholic International Institute of Higher Education was founded with the lofty purpose of serving the youth in their higher educational needs. BCI was founded in 2015 and has experienced rapid growth, emerging as the largest and most modern higher education facility. Marking a major milestone in the short history of BCI, it was awarded with the Degree Awarding Status by the Ministry of Education in 2020. This building was designed to integrate educational technologies required by 21st century learning environments, as our idea is to provide a world-class education to our students. I invite the students who will be using this new facility to be equipped with knowledge and skills, and most of all to acquire virtues and values to become upright and responsible citizens that our society so desperately needs.”

BCI Campus takes pride in its commitment to nurturing well-rounded, accomplished global citizens. Through a blend of academic excellence and co-curricular and extracurricular activities, the institution prepares students to make meaningful contributions to society.

The Campus offers students an extensive in-house library, sophisticated computer center, organizes seminars, workshops and cultural events to enhance students’ engagement, and a welcoming cafeteria.

As the newest landmark on the BCI Campus, the CTK building symbolizes the institute’s dedication to empowering students with the tools they need realize their true potential and become well-rounded, and accomplished global citizens.

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Business

Dialog delivers strong growth, stronger national contribution in FY 2025

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Friday 6th February 2026, its consolidated financial results (Reviewed) for the year ended 31st December 2025. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).

Group Performance

The Group delivered a strong performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Digital Pay Television businesses recording a positive Core Revenue growth of 16% Year to Date (“YTD”). Group Headline Revenue reached Rs179.6Bn, up 5% YTD, despite the continued strategic scaling down of low-margin international wholesale business. In Q4 2025, Revenue was recorded at Rs46.5Bn up 2% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”) and 2% Year-on-Year (“YoY”).

The Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs86.0Bn up 30% YTD supported by Core Revenue performance and Cost Rescaling Initiatives. On a QoQ basis Group EBITDA demonstrated a modest growth to record at Rs23.0Bn up 2% QoQ with an EBITDA margin of 49.5% in line with the Revenue performance. Group EBITDA margin reached 47.9% for FY 2025, up 9.2pp.

Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs20.8Bn for FY 2025, up 67% YTD mainly resulting from robust EBITDA growth, despite higher tax and net finance costs. Normalized for forex impact, NPAT growth was recorded at +>100% YTD to reach Rs22.1Bn. On a QoQ basis NPAT grew 3% to reach Rs5.9Bn resulting from strong EBITDA performance.

On the back of strong operational performance, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”)

of Rs49.3Bn for FY 2025 up >100% YTD.

Dividend Payment to Shareholders

In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 6th February 2026, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.50 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 5.0% based on share closing price for FY 2025. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.

Company and Subsidiary Performance

At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to be the primary contributor to Group Revenue (76%) and Group EBITDA (74%). Aided by sustained growth in the Data segment and cost-rescaling initiatives, Company revenue was recorded at Rs135.8Bn for FY 2025, up 18% YTD, EBITDA rose 32% YTD to reach Rs63.6Bn. On a QoQ basis, Q4 2025 Revenue was recorded at Rs34.8Bn, down 1% QoQ due to a reclassification of Hubbing Revenue, while EBITDA decline 1% QoQ to record Rs17.0Bn, largely attributable to network restoration costs and donations made in relation to the Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts. Furthermore, NPAT was recorded at Rs15.6Bn for FY 2025, up 41% YTD. Normalised for forex impacts, the company NPAT was up +>100% YTD to reach Rs17.0Bn. On a QoQ basis, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.5Bn, down 6% QoQ.

Business

Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships reach 25-year milestone

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ceylinco Life has announced the launch of the 25th consecutive edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence among the children of its policyholders.

Under the 2026 programme, the life insurance market leader will present scholarships with a total cumulative value of Rs. 22.7 million, continuing a rewards initiative that has now been conducted without interruption for a quarter of a century. Since its inception, the Ceylinco Life Pranama Scholarships programme has benefitted 3,466 students across the country, representing a total investment of Rs. 240 million in nurturing academic achievement and outstanding performance in sports, arts and other extracurricular pursuits.

Business

Sri Lankans’ artistic genius glowingly manifests at Kala Pola ‘26

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The spirit of Sri Lanka as it was ably captured by an artist.

The artistic genius of Sri Lankans was amply manifest all over again at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ which was held on February 8th at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 7; the usual, teeming and colourful venue for this annual grand exhibition and celebration of the work of local visual artists.

If there is one thing that has flourished memorably and resplendently in Sri Lanka over the centuries it is the artistic capability or genius of its people. It is something that all Sri Lankans could feel a sense of elation over because from the viewpoint of the arts, Sri Lanka is second to no other nation. With regard to the visual arts a veritable dazzling radiance of this inborn and persisting capability is seen at the annual open air ‘Kala Pola’.

A bird of Sri Lanka created from scraps of iron waste.

All capable visual artists, wherever they hail from in Sri Lanka, enjoy the opportunity of exhibiting their work at the ‘Kala Pola’ and this is a distinctive ‘positive’ of this annual event that draws numberless artists and viewers. There was an abundance of paintings, sketches and sculptures, for instance, and one work was as good as the other. Ample and equal space was afforded each artist. Its widely participatory and open nature enables one to describe the exhibition as exuding a profoundly democratic ethos.

Accordingly, this time around at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ too Sri Lankans’ creative efforts were there to be viewed, studied and enjoyed in the customary carnival atmosphere where connoisseurs, local and foreign, met in a sprit of camaraderie and good cheer. Many thanks are owed once again to the George Keyt Foundation for the presentation of the event in association with the John Keells Group and the John Keells Foundation, not forgetting the Nations Trust Bank, which was the event’s Official Banking Partner. The exhibition was officially declared open by Chief Guest Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.

By Lynn Ockersz