Business

Call for urgent action by the Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sri Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/21

Sri Lanka is in the grip of a collapsing economy causing immense suffering to its people.

Acute food, medicine and fuel shortages are crippling the day-to-day lives of the people giving way to despair and frustration and driving them to the streets to express their dissent against a government that has failed them. This crumbling economy if not salvaged with strategic thinking and wholesome planning for the future, will eventually bring the country and its people down to their knees. As in all crises, women are the worst affected with multiple roles they play on a daily basis, compelled to deal with long queues for gas, fuel and essential food items. Seven deaths in fuel queues (08/04) and the first death owing to lack of medicine have been reported.

Daily-wage earners and those dependent on micro, small and medium enterprises and other vulnerable, marginalized communities who live on the edge of acute poverty owing to their ethnic, religious, caste, gender and sexual orientation, are the worst affected by this ever-deepening crisis.

Most of these communities are still suffering from the effects of the trauma and tragedy of a conflict and war of over thirty years, the tsunami, Easter bombings and the Covid-19 pandemic.

These vulnerable communities are once again compelled to face another crisis.

Women shoulder numerous burdens – having to earn an income, unpaid care work as well as dealing with the struggles of their children who are already facing challenges in their education, deprived of the pleasures and joys of childhood. All these take their toll on women, their health and their mental wellbeing. The frustrations and fears faced by the families often get translated into acts of violence against women and children and inadequate support services which do not offer lasting solutions to women survivors of violence, almost always push women back to situations of recurrent violence in the home.

Let us keep in mind that this country is overwhelmingly dependent on women’s labour – through the plantation, garment and migrant labour sectors. Let us also keep in mind that women’s labour has been and continues to be exploited through their unpaid care work, lack of welfare facilities and redress mechanisms for rights violations including in their work environment.

Women’s spaces, freedom and aspirations have been curtailed through unfair social and economic practices. Women who contribute to the wealth of this country have the right to demand that their voices be heard.

We demand accountability from those who have been the cause of this plight of our country. We demand a healthy economic and political vision for our country which includes adequate investment in health, education and care services that would improve human productivity and the overall wellbeing of the people of Sri Lanka and urge reduced spending on defense.

We need solutions and interventions that take into account the pressing concerns of women, working people and the marginalised communities of our country, who make the majority of this country.

Call for urgent action:

1. Nominate women and men who have no allegations of corruption, hold a vision and a love for their country, to seats of authority. Appoint a minister of finance who has the relevant expertise in the field. Call for the immediate resignation of all political figures who have failed our country.

2. As an urgent measure, expedite the establishment of the National Commission of Women as proposed in the Sri Lanka Women’s Charter.

3. Strengthen the Samurdhi and Cooperative systems and increase budget allocations to these institutions to enable non-discriminatory distribution of essential ration items to all households.

4. Ensure immediate food security through:

a. imposing strict price controls on goods especially essential food items, kerosene and gas.

b. providing urgent support and subsidies to the farmer and fisher communities.

c. providing nutrition packages for pregnant and lactating mothers as per budget 2022, ensuring school midday meals programme and household level relief for children.

5. Take immediate State action to restore the smooth functioning of the Health sector with adequate supply of medicines, essential medical equipment, health products and reproductive health services throughout the country.

6. Set up urgent support schemes with efficient officers who are not corrupt who would offer their services without prejudice and discrimination and address issues of starvation, homelessness, destitution and all forms of violence against women. Ensure timely responses and a people centered approach at all times.

7. Utilize public revenue to set in motion social security programmes that would ease the present crisis.

8. Ensure equal representation of capable women who are themselves affected, in advisory boards, committees and in all planning measures that address the current crisis.

9. Above all – refrain from using state violence, threats and manipulations on peaceful protests and people’s spaces and urge all politicians to desist from inciting communal violence.

We urge all citizens’ collectives – women’s collectives, trade unions, student movements, religious institutions cooperatives, farmer & fisher collectives, NGOs, all professional bodies and progressive political movements to join us in our call for urgent action in addressing this nationwide humanitarian emergency that if left unattended will destroy our country and our future generations.

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Business

SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

SLT-MOBITEL marks its triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026

Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development

In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.

Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.

Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.

“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.

Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.

However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.

Business

Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The panel discussion at the engagement

Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.

The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.

In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.

Business

American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories.

American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.

Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.

For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.

Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.