Atlas, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 learning brand, successfully concluded Atlas SipSavi Naththal Poronduwa, a national initiative that saw strong public participation in supporting children at risk of dropping out of school due to financial hardship. At a time when more than 22,000 Sri Lankan children leave school each year due to rising economic challenges, the initiative reinforced Atlas Sipsavi’s long-standing ‘No Child Left Behind’ promise by turning seasonal generosity into meaningful educational support.

The initiative reached 10,000 students, with beneficiary schools carefully selected to ensure support reached those most in need. The collected books were distributed to children at risk of dropping out, including those whose education had been disrupted by recent adverse weather, ensuring students had essential learning resources at the start of the new school term. Through its flagship Atlas SipSavi programme, the brand focused on improving access to education by providing essential learning tools, scholarships, and infrastructure to create better learning environments, bringing its purpose of ‘making learning fun’ to life in a meaningful way. As part of the initiative, the public was invited to donate schoolbooks, with each contribution matched one-for-one by Atlas. Donation boxes were placed at all Keells outlets island-wide and at Sarvodaya District Offices, making it easy for communities to take part.

John Keells Logistics (Pvt) Ltd (JKLL), one of Sri Lanka’s leading third-party logistics solutions providers, has successfully expanded its operational engagement with Colombo West International Terminal (Private) Limited (CWIT), through inter-terminal transport services within the Port of Colombo. This enhanced engagement further strengthens CWIT’s efforts to improve operational efficiency, reliability, and scalability across terminal activities.

Inter-terminal transport plays a critical role in modern port operations, requiring high levels of coordination, precision, and operational discipline. JKLL’s appointment for ITT operations reflects CWIT’s confidence in the company’s demonstrated capabilities in managing complex transport operations within a high-throughput port environment.

The ITT operations are underpinned by JKLL’s technology-enabled logistics framework, incorporating real-time fleet tracking, performance monitoring systems, and data-driven operational planning. These capabilities provide enhanced visibility and control over transport movements, while ensuring compliance with established safety, productivity, and service quality standards.

The awarding of this engagement to JKLL is a testament to the successful implementation of the Inter-Terminal Vehicle (ITV) operations undertaken by John Keells Logistics at CWIT during the previous year. The ITV assignment was executed through structured operating procedures and disciplined service delivery, contributing to improved cargo movement, operational coordination, and service continuity within the terminal. The performance outcomes of the ITV operations provided the basis for the subsequent expansion of the partnership into ITT services.

CSE trading was slow at the outset yesterday but later sprang to life due to bargain-hunting of valuable stocks at lower costs. The All Share Price Index went down by 265 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 75 points. Turnover stood at Rs 5.3 billion with nine crossings.

The top seven crossings were reported in Melstacorp, where 2.4 million shares crossed at Rs 164 each, Access Engineering 4.4 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 315 million; its shares traded at Rs 71.50, ACL Cables 3.3 million shares crossed for Rs 304 million; its shares traded at Rs 92, Hemas Holdings 2 million shares crossed for Rs 61 million; its shares sold at Rs 30.50, Laugfs Gas 1 million shares crossed for Rs 59.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 57.50, Colombo Dockyard 254,000 shares crossed for Rs 33 million; its shares sold at Rs 130, and JKH 1.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 30 million; its shares sold at Rs 20.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; ACL Cables Rs 447 million (4.8 million shares traded), Hemas Holdings Rs 371 million (12.2 million shares traded), HNB (Non-Voting) Rs 183 million (524,000 shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 164 million (806,000 shares traded), Prime Lands Residencies Rs 148 million (2.9 million shares traded), Aitken Spence Rs 143 million (1 million shares traded) and Colombo Dockyard Rs 115 million (916,000 shares traded). During the day 150 million share volumes changed hands in 37217 transactions.

It is said that mixed reactions were noted in all sectors. Manufacturing sector; JKH and ACL Cables performed well. In the banking sector HNB performed well. In the real estate sector Prime Lands performed well.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 311.00/10 to the US dollar in the spot market, from Rs 311.00/05 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted flat at 9.55/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 was quoted at 9.60/66 percent.

A bond maturity in 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.65/75 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.22/25 percent, down from 10.20/30 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted flat at 10.47/53 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted at 10.50/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 10.70/75 percent, up from 10.70/73 percent.

By Hiran H Senewiratne