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Cement raw material shipments kick off Hambantota Port operations 2022

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Dubai Crown (left) discharging slag and Xin Hai Tong 23 (right) discharging clinker at the Hambantota Port

Hambantota International Port (HIP) had a robust start to the new year, with 6 supply cargo ships at the port in January 2022, discharging raw materials for the cement industry. The consignees were Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., and INSEE Cement, leading cement manufacturers operating in the Southern part of the country.  Both companies entered into strategic partnerships with HIP in the latter part of 2021, to increase their supply chain efficiency. HIP handled a total volume of 265,163.34 MTs of cement raw material for the 2 manufacturers in January this year.

Vessels Tang Binh 245, Unity and Dubai Crown carried shipments of clinker, gypsum and slag for Lanwa Sanstha Cement. These were the first ships calling at the port with raw material for Lanwa Sanstha Cement, following the signing of the agreement with HIP last year to establish a covered conveyor belt and two ship unloaders within the port premises.  The facility which is currently under construction, will deliver raw material consignments directly to their manufacturing plant at the Mirijjawila BOI zone.

Tang Binh 245 at the Hambantota Port to discharge 27,607 MT of clinker.

“Two major cement manufacturers, INSEE and Lanwa are currently working with HIP.  While HIP is developing and offering services as a multipurpose port it is also supporting industries and enabling the development of adjacent areas. As much as HIP will see a considerable increase in our bulk volumes, with the commencement of the Lanwa factory, we expect Lanwa Sanstha Cement to have a significant advantage through the logistical arrangements of our port operations,” says Johnson Liu, CEO of HIPG.

Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, CEO of Lanwa Sanstha Cement says their plant, which will be the first of its kind using cutting edge European technology, will soon commence operations.  “We will commence manufacturing during the first quarter of this year and optimise production to meet market demand. We are very happy with our collaboration with Hambantota International Port, and the handling of our first three cargo ships for the year carrying raw material for our manufacturing process went smoothly.  The port crew was efficient and worked with remarkable speed, which is of great value to us,” he said.

There were 3 consignments of clinker and slag for INSEE Cement also in January. INSEE who has worked with HIP since 2018 was the port’s first customer for dry bulk cargo, enabling the port to handle a volume of over 1 million metric tonnes for them last year.

The Hambantota International Port expects their partnerships with the two cement manufacturers to strengthen their supply chains and productivity, enabling them to meet the high demand for cement in the construction industry.  HIP, which is on a steady track to becoming a fully functional multi-purpose port, with continuous testing of its systems for optimum efficiency, is now delivering productivity levels setting benchmarks in the region.



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

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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.

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Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

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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.

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American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

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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.

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