Kandy-based 18-year-old martial artist Dunila Deneth Amunugama is emerging as a rising talent in Sri Lanka’s combat sports arena, driven by nearly a decade of disciplined training and growing competitive exposure.

Amunugama began his martial arts journey around nine years ago and has since trained across multiple disciplines, including Kyokushin Karate, boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing. He says Kyokushin Karate remains his foundation and preferred discipline, crediting it for instilling discipline and mental strength.

He trained under Sensei Nalin Sri Bandara during his formative years and attained his Black Belt 1st Dan on September 15, 2025, marking a key milestone in his progression.

Amunugama has competed at national-level Kyokushin Karate tournaments and organisational meets, while also participating in referee seminars conducted under Sri Lanka Karate-Do, further broadening his technical understanding of the sport.

In addition to his sporting pursuits, he is a biomedical engineering student at ESU Campus, Kandy, and an alumnus of Green Hill International School. He is also engaged in voluntary service with the Sri Lanka Red Cross, balancing academics, sport and community work.

Beyond competition, Amunugama has stepped into coaching, training young students and sharing his experience with the next generation of martial artists.

His international exposure includes participation in martial arts programmes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which he says helped him gain broader insight into global training standards.

Looking ahead, he aims to compete in KFL events and MMA championship bouts, with ambitions of reaching higher competitive levels and representing Sri Lanka on the international stage.

Dunila Deneth Amunugama

“Martial arts is not just about fighting, it is about discipline, respect and continuous growth,” Amunugama said.

Pix and text by SK Samaranayake

A new Sri Lanka-based cargo airline, WEAIR, is set to enter the country’s aviation sector later this month, aiming to boost regional air freight capacity and strengthen Colombo’s position as a South Asian logistics hub.

The airline has entered into a strategic operational partnership with a Ukraine-based cargo carrier holding a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which will initially support flight operations under a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) arrangement until WEAIR secures its own Sri Lankan AOC.

WEAIR Chief Marketing Officer Indrajit Joseph said the arrangement would ensure regulatory compliance and uninterrupted launch operations, following an earlier plan to commence services by end-May.

Backed by Luxembourg-based IOTC, the carrier is positioning itself as a next-generation cargo operator, with Group CEO Thinesh Ganeshakumaran at the helm. The airline is scheduled to commence operations on 28 May 2026.

Industry officials said the entry of a dedicated cargo carrier marks a significant shift for Sri Lanka’s logistics sector, which has traditionally relied on passenger belly-hold capacity and foreign operators.

WEAIR said it plans to improve reliability and capacity for time-sensitive shipments including apparel, perishables, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce goods, while linking Colombo with key destinations across South Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Initial operations will be carried out using a Boeing 737-800 freighter, with a phased fleet expansion programme planned.

The company has also indicated long-term ambitions including a potential Colombo Stock Exchange listing by 2029 and future expansion into passenger aviation services.

The National Savings Bank has launched an countrywide digital banking drive aimed at promoting financial inclusion and accelerating the country’s transition towards a cashless economy.

The campaign, which combines town-storming initiatives with digital literacy programmes, seeks to raise public awareness on the convenience, safety and accessibility of digital banking services, with special emphasis on NSBPay and NSB QR payment platforms.

NSB said the initiative aligns with the national vision of advancing digital transformation and expanding access to banking services, particularly among underserved communities and small businesses.

The bank has already conducted activations across key locations in the Southern and Western Provinces, including the Colombo Fort Railway Station and Liberty Plaza, where large numbers of customers were introduced to digital banking services through hands-on demonstrations and real-time onboarding assistance.

According to NSB, the campaign has generated encouraging public response within its first six days, with growing interest in mobile banking applications and QR-based payment systems.

A key feature of the initiative is the promotion of NSB QR payments in support of the government’s efforts to build a digitally connected and cashless economy. The system enables customers to make secure payments by scanning QR codes through mobile devices, reducing dependence on cash transactions.

The campaign also focuses on onboarding small and micro-scale merchants in busy commercial areas to the digital payment ecosystem.

NSB said its on-ground engagement strategy includes live demonstrations, assistance with app registrations and practical QR payment experiences aimed at building public confidence in digital banking technologies.The bank said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to innovation, accessibility and inclusive banking services across Sri Lanka.