Business
Coca-Cola clocks 60 Years in Sri Lanka
USD 99 mn. Investment in last 20 years
Coca-Cola’s journey in Sri Lanka began 60 years ago in April 1961 when consumers tasted their first ice-cold sip of Coca-Cola from a 300-millilitre glass bottle, the company said in an anniversary statement.
“By establishing its footprint in Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola has invested in the future of its business, demonstrating long-term commitment, while adding economic value to the country. The Coca-Cola system has invested US$99 million in Sri Lanka over the past two decades and created thousands of jobs directly and indirectly.” it said.
Through this evolution, for 60 years, Coca-Cola has silently broken new ground with impactful environmental and social projects that deliver enduring value to the nation, refreshing communities by making a difference.
“Coca-Cola’s vision is to craft the brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and Kinley to refresh people and create a more sustainable business and better shared future that makes a difference in people’s lives, communities and our planet. The company is continuously evolving to cater to consumers better and is now providing more convenient packages, innovating, and introducing new lower and no-sugar drinks,” it said.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary in Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola recently took the initiative to spread positivity with the ‘60 Days of Kindness’ radio campaign to reward people in need and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to spread kindness and compassion.
Recording its 60th year in Sri Lanka for posterity, 12 local artists have been commissioned to design Coca-Cola bottles three feet tall. Each artist has been given a theme central to Coca-Cola and once complete, the pieces of art will be auctioned for charitable causes, the release said.
“Reflecting on its enriching journey, Coca-Cola can take pride in having built close community ties, achieving growth and expansion of its beverages portfolio, and embarking on impactful sustainability initiatives,” it said.
“In its ‘Give Back Life’ campaign, Coca-Cola is on a journey towards collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle it sells to achieve PET plastic neutrality in Sri Lanka, while through its water stewardship project of rehabilitating three ancient water reservoirs in Anuradhapura and Monaragala, the company has achieved 203% water positivity.”
“Today, as the country faces the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, Coca-Cola committed LKR 130 Mn towards the COVID-19 response in 2020 and has further pledged LKR 45 Mn in 2021 to support those on the frontlines. No matter the crises the nation has faced, Coca-Cola has always endeavoured to stand in solidarity with the people in Sri Lanka.,” the statement concluded.
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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