Business
Cargills PLC’s continued investments directed at hopeful young people: Ranjit Page
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Success comes with dedication, sweat and passion for work
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There are no overnight rewards like ‘Shanida Wasanawa’
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Cargills wants to project itself as a right model for the nation
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman & CEO at Cargills Ceylon PLC said Saturday that the new and ongoing investments made by his conglomerate are mainly aimed at increasing the confidence of the young people about a positive future for them.
“I am sad to see when young people are leaving the country and as a corporate, we feel it’s our duty by the nation to make investments that support the young people to think about Sri Lanka as a country where a good future lies ahead for them. If we don’t do that we will be failing in our duty. Our trusted Cargills Brand is now 178-years-old and Sri Lanka offered us the opportunity to grow it to the position where it is today, and therefore, we have to take ownership of the responsibility to help the country move forward with a hopeful young people,” he said.
Page made these remarks to The Island Financial Review at an event where he opened the fourth Cargills Square in Katubedda, a destination complex where visitors can shop, dine and watch a movie; all under one roof. The three Cargills Squares previously opened are operating in Jaffna, Gampaha and Dematagoda.
The deputy chairman said that plans are afoot to build the fourth Cargills Square in Bandarawela in two months.
Responding to a query he said,” “The Square at Katubedda alone has cost Rs. 1.5 billion. I think that we have to make investments of this nature and create an environment conducive to youth aspirations. This Square is not designed for old people like me,” he said laughing.
On a more serious note he said,” Individually as a corporate if we don’t take ownership of the challenges and don’t invest, then we are failing in our duty. That way we can’t project ourselves as a right model for the nation. If we don’t build an environment to create confidence in the youth, who would? If we don’t pick up the tab and plow money into projects like this, who would? We are not asking for tax relief when we invest. We pay taxes, provide jobs and strive to create space for the youth to feel optimistic about their future.”
“People, conveniences and entertainment should be centralized in the provinces across the country and not just in Colombo. Cargills Squares are built on that concept. We continue to believe in the future of Sri Lanka. Cargills commenced its journey in 1983 after July riots. And when the country faced other turbulent events, Cargills PLC navigated through them with determination. We never looked back.”
“As a company we have to fulfill our role for the youth of this country and facilitate and empower them to do their bit to make Sri Lanka a better place to live. Sri Lanka will always be there although we won’t be in it. As long as Sri Lanka is there, Cargills brand will continue its journey together with Sri Lanka. It’s a journey of Sri Lanka and not of Cargills. But Cargills will continue to serve as a right model for the nation. Our collaboration with the farmers and the dairy sector is a good case in point in this regard,”
Responding to a query on the policy framework on doing business in the country, he said,” The policy framework is changing slowly. There is much more to be done. I think as a nation we have understood that we can’t live on free things. Corporates and individuals who have to pay taxes have to pay taxes. However, I am sad to see that taxes are having an impact on the daily wage earners and low-income individuals. So they must be looked after through appropriate mechanisms”, he noted.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
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
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
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.
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