GS1 Lanka marked its 10th Annual General Meeting with a focus on the next stage of product identification in Sri Lanka, as businesses prepare for the wider adoption of 2D barcodes and the growing demand for trusted product information.

Addressing the AGM, GS1 Lanka president Revan Fernando noted that GS1 has been giving Sri Lankan products a globally recognised identity for more than 30 years. He pointed to the shift from traditional barcodes to 2D barcodes as the next major step, particularly as consumers increasingly look beyond a product’s identity to information they can trust about its origin, ingredients, authenticity and use.

GS1 Sunrise 2027 is a global industry initiative aiming to transition retail checkout systems to read 2D barcodes such as QR codes and Data Matrix codes alongside traditional 1D UPC stripes by the end of 2027

Under its Sunrise 2027 initiative, GS1 Lanka is working with the retail and healthcare sectors to prepare businesses for the transition to 2D barcodes. Unlike a conventional barcode used at checkout, a GS1 QR code can also connect consumers to a wider range of product information and support traceability and product verification through GS1 standards.

Fernando also called on brands to get involved in the transition, noting that the change will require businesses to rethink how they use the limited space on product packaging and how they communicate with consumers. GS1 Lanka will also introduce a new retail information platform to help member brands provide richer product information and improve the presentation of their products to consumers.

GS1 Lanka CEO Alikie Perera said the organisation’s work is increasingly focused on helping Sri Lankan businesses keep pace with changes in global supply chains and consumer expectations. The next phase will place greater emphasis on 2D barcodes, GS1 Digital Link, traceability and digital product information, as businesses prepare for a more connected and information-rich marketplace.

At the local level, GS1 Lanka continued its awareness programmes for entrepreneurs, SMEs, manufacturers and exporters, covering product identification, barcode standards, traceability, supply chain efficiency and market access. The organisation has also seen growing adoption of GS1 Activate and Verified by GS1, with more than 5,500 member companies registered on the platforms and over 20,000 product records uploaded.

The AGM concluded with a recognition of the contribution of GS1 Lanka’s members, partners, Board and team, while setting the direction for the organisation’s continued work to bring global standards and new product identification technologies into wider use among Sri Lankan businesses.

The government has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the detention of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the ex-official in late February this year. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers have jointly raised the issue on 20 July, 2026.

Drawing attention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to what they called alleged arbitrary detention of Sallay, former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody, resulting in the grave deterioration of his health, and imminent risks of retaliation through further torture and ill-treatment resulting in irreparable harm, should he be released from hospital and returned to custody, the UN sought the government explanation with a 60-day period.

The UN has stated: “This communication, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government, will be made public via the communications reporting website at the 60 days mark. Should your Excellency’s Government respond within 60 days, both the communication and the response, may be published before the 60 days mark. The communications and responses

will also be made available in the subsequent periodic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.”

In the absence of the government’s response, the UN posted the letter, dated 20 July, 2026, addressed to President Dissanayake. The full letter can be accessed https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31125

The Army, last week, vacated an area, within the wartime high security zone in the Jaffna peninsula. The Defence Ministry said that an extent of 187.56 acres of land, belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has been released by the military. The released land, located in Grama Niladhari Division J/233, Kankesanthurai West, within the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) Divisional Secretariat Division, had been utilised by the Sri Lanka Army since the middle of 1997.

The release of the 187.56-acre extent forms part of the initiative to make State land available for the proposed investment zone in Kankesanthurai, thereby facilitating future investment and economic development in the area.