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Brandix delivers inspired solutions to National Olympians as Presenting Partner

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Brandix Apparel Limited, a leading apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, has committed its support for the Sri Lanka Olympic Team as a Presenting Partner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Rajiv Malalasekera, Chief Executive Officer – Brandix Apparel Solutions Limited symbolically presented the sponsorship cheque to Suresh Subramaniam, President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka at a media event held recently to felicitate the participating athletes and announce the sponsors.

As part of the support extended to the Sri Lanka Olympic team, Brandix created specialized t-shirts as an inspired solution in gearing them for the international sporting arena. The t-shirt fabric, an innovation by Teejay Lanka – a company within the Brandix Group of companies – includes a base polyester material made from recycled PET bottles collected along the coastline of Sri Lanka and is developed with the support of Eco Spindles. The fabric is further processed using ‘Smart Undyed Technology’, which enables zero use of synthetic dyes while also providing 85% water and 12% energy savings. The ultimate sustainable activewear solution incorporating both recycled raw material and energy and water optimization, the t-shirt is conducive for athletes, with advanced moisture management technology and antibacterial technology that enables moisture absorption and evaporation, causing zero impact from the material to the athletes’ skin.

“Brandix is honoured to partner the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka as a Presenting Partner, supporting the journey of our accomplished athletes representing our nation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At Brandix, we have one purpose ingrained in our DNA – ‘To Deliver Inspired Solutions through Inspired People.’ We are glad therefore to have the opportunity to integrate a vertical supply chain and sustainability effort to provide an innovative clothing solution for our national Olympic team in the spirit of ‘from our Inspired People to yours’. We believe that inspiration is the foundation to excellence, and our Brandix Associates are proud to have the opportunity to support their fellow Sri Lankans as they embark on an inspiring journey to make Sri Lanka proud,” stated Rajiv Malalasekera, Chief Executive Officer – Brandix Apparel Solutions Limited.

Suresh Subramaniam, President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka also commented on what the sponsorship means for the national body and the Sri Lanka contingent of athletes. “With the past year and a half being challenging for everyone, we are immensely proud of the attitude and commitment demonstrated by every Team Sri Lanka athlete and everyone involved in the process. I am especially humbled by the support shown by valued partners like Brandix, who defied all barriers to join hands with the NOC Sri Lanka and support the team all the way to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s National Contingent for Tokyo 2020 includes Mathilda Karlsson – Equestrian; Nimali Liyanarachchi and Yupun Abeykoon – Track & Field; Niluka Karunaratne – Badminton; Matthew Abeysinghe and Aniqah Gaffoor – Swimming; Milka Gehani De Silva – Artistic Gymnastics; Chamara Dharmawardena – Judo; and Tehani Egodawela – Shooting.

 

 



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Business

AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics

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The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:

New business performance and embedded value

Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)

Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025

EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis

IFRS earnings

Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share

AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)

Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025

Cash generation and capital returns

Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share

Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share

US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back

Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share

Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:

“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.

“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.

“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.

“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

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British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication

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The British Council team answering questions on Corporate English Solutions from leading corporates about professional development skills courses

The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.

The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.

CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.

Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.

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Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026

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Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.

Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.

Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.

Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”

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