Business
CEB successor company breaks into top three in competitive BESS tender
By Ifham Nizam
National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd. (NTNSP), has secured third place in Sri Lanka’s fiercely contested 160 MW/640 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tender, beating a number of established private-sector energy players in a major competitive procurement exercise just six months after the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
The result marks a significant early indication that a newly restructured CEB successor company can compete on a commercial footing with established players in the rapidly expanding energy market, Senior Engineer Pubudhu Niroshan told The Island Financial Review.
More significantly, Niroshan said NTNSP’s entry into the tender helped intensify competition and contributed to a roughly 10% reduction in the lowest bid compared with the previous 160 MW/640 MWh BESS procurement, potentially delivering a more favourable outcome for electricity consumers.
“Entering such a highly competitive bidding process within just six months of restructuring and emerging third is by no means an easy task, Niroshan said.
He said the achievement had to be viewed in the context of the calibre and number of competitors involved in the process, adding that NTNSP had demonstrated that a successor company emerging from the CEB restructuring could step into a competitive commercial environment and hold its own against established businesses.
The significance of NTNSP’s participation, however, extended beyond its third-place ranking.
According to Niroshan, the company’s decision to enter the BESS procurement created an additional layer of competition, forcing other bidders to sharpen their commercial offers.
‘The first and second-ranked bidders had NTNSP as another competitor. That itself created additional competitive pressure, he said.
The BESS procurement involved a total capacity of 160 MW/640 MWh, with the programme divided into individual projects.
The procurement was designed to bring private and other eligible project proponents into the development and operation of battery storage facilities, providing an important mechanism for integrating renewable energy and strengthening the electricity system.
The outcome, he said, was particularly important for electricity consumers because greater competition in procurement could ultimately translate into lower costs for the power system.
‘Once you have several serious players competing, offering a fair and competitive price becomes essential. That is ultimately good for the consumer, he said.
Niroshan also referred to concerns previously raised by NTNSP before the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding prices submitted for BESS projects under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism.
He said subsequent market developments had provided support for the view that some of the prices submitted under the FiT mechanism were comparatively high.
For Niroshan, the experience also demonstrated why competition must remain at the heart of the restructuring of the electricity sector.
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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