Business
Cargills continues its support for SMEs to overcome market access challenges
- Acts on a mission to leave no one behind
- Helps entrepreneurs with disabilities to get the exposure they deserve
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Cargills launched its Village to Home programme in 2020 to provide vital support to the country’s small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) who were severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and left without market access.
Even though the pandemic is behind us, Cargills has continued the Village to Home programme to empower local entrepreneurs. The 19th Village to Home programme took place on 24th and 25th of June at the Cargills Food City Torrington Square with the participation of 24 SMEs.
Since its inception, the programme has provided over 800 SMEs with a platform to showcase their products to the extensive customer base of Cargills. To address the hardships faced by SMEs, Cargills provides a platform to these entrepreneurs to generate additional income and also extends technical assistance to help them bring their products to market. Furthermore, the Cargills Bank extends crucial financial support to these entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand their production capacity.
Cargills provides these monthly trade stalls free of charge, bearing all expenses associated with the programme. Importantly, the entrepreneurs retain all the income earned through the programme, ensuring a direct benefit to their business.
As an extension of the programme, selected SMEs are also provided with dedicated gondolas or base inside Cargills retail outlets for their products. This opportunity allows them to reach and even wider customer base and drive further growth for their business. A notable feature at the Cargills Village to home programme was the exposure it had provided to several entrepreneurs with special needs who are courageous enough to look at the bright side of life and support their own lives through self-employment.
The stalls by Cocoon Foundation for social reintegration of handicapped, marginalized individuals and E.A.S.E Foundation dedicated to educating and supporting both people with disabilities, their families and society, were visited by many kind-hearted clientele of Cargills. Apparently, they didn’t want these disabled entrepreneurs to be isolated and left with little hope. They purchased products at these stalls and encouraged the disabled SME community to face their future with renewed hope.
Dinen Oshitha from E.A.S.E Foundation, a 33-year-old immobile entrepreneur in Hokandara had been brought to the event by his parents. Despite his immobility he had great hopes for his selling cactus arrangements to hotels, wedding receptions, meeting venues and to compassionate buyers. He said that he started with a small capital investment with the support of his parents. He had learned about the business on the internet during the pandemic period and chosen it as a viable means of livelihood.
“When my parents are no more there to help me through the challenges of my life, I want to be able to take care of myself and my financial obligations. I love my small business as it keeps me passionately engaged in a worthwhile pursuit, and more so, it’s my journey of being self-reliant when my parents are no more there.
My only dream is to be able to live my life without being a discomfort to anyone. I must prepare myself for that unpredictable future. At present, I earn about Rs. 30,000-35,000 in a good month for business, but it depends on the orders I get. I am intent on expanding my cactus décor products and improving my business,” Dinen said.
Interested individuals can contact Dinen’s mother on 0766619061 to place an order for his products. Other disabled and autistic young adults also showcased their products at the event which included food products, handicraft, soap, greeting cards, decorative sewing etc.
Alongside that, Cargills Village to Home 19th programme witnessed a diverse range of products, offering a vibrant shopping experience to customers. It was encouraging to see them exploring and supporting local entrepreneurs while appreciating the fine-quality of goods.
UNDP Visiting Representative Ms. Asuza Kuboto explores products showcased by the disabled SME community at the 19th Cargills ‘Village to Home’ programme on 24th of June, flanked by Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman & CEO at Cargills Ceylon Plc
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
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.
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