The ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand has once again become a crossroads of global dialogue, this time hosting the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical dynamics and economic uncertainty, the gathering has underscored a central theme: the growing interdependence of nations in addressing shared challenges.

Delegates from a wide spectrum of countries—including Canada, the United States, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Tuvalu, France, Finland, Germany, India, Thailand and Pakistan – have converged in Uzbekistan to deliberate on pressing issues shaping the Asia-Pacific region.

Their presence reflects not only the geographic diversity of ADB’s membership but also the urgency of collective action in an increasingly interconnected world.

At the heart of discussions are the vulnerabilities and opportunities within global supply chains, energy markets, and emerging technologies.

With ongoing geopolitical tensions disrupting traditional trade routes and economic alignments, governors repeatedly stressed the need for resilience, adaptability, and cooperation. The consensus emerging from Samarkand is clear: no country can navigate these challenges in isolation.

A significant portion of the dialogue has focused on climate resilience, an area where the ADB has received strong endorsement. Governors welcomed the bank’s expanded efforts to help member nations adapt to climate risks, particularly through investments in sustainable infrastructure and disaster preparedness. In a region highly susceptible to climate shocks from – rising sea levels in the Pacific to extreme weather events in South Asia – the urgency of such initiatives cannot be overstated.

Digital connectivity has also emerged as a key pillar of development strategy. Delegates highlighted the transformative potential of technology in bridging economic gaps, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation.

The ADB’s role in upgrading digital infrastructure across developing member countries was widely praised, with many calling for accelerated implementation to ensure that no nation is left behind in the digital economy.

Equally important is the push for resource mobilization and the unlocking of private capital. Governors emphasized that public funding alone would be insufficient to meet the region’s vast development needs, particularly in critical sectors such as energy security, water management, and mineral resource optimization. The ADB’s initiatives to crowd in private investment were therefore seen as essential to scaling up impact and delivering sustainable outcomes.

Energy security, in particular, remains a focal point amid volatile global markets. Delegates called for diversified energy sources and increased investment in renewables, aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Water security, another pressing concern, was discussed in the context of both scarcity and equitable access—issues that are increasingly intertwined with regional stability.

Beyond economic and environmental priorities, the meetings also highlighted the ADB’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.

Governors commended the bank’s progressive policies in these areas, noting that inclusive growth is fundamental to long-term development. However, they also urged the ADB to translate its vision into tangible, measurable outcomes on the ground.

By Sanath Nanayakkare
in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

By Ifham Nizam

In a landmark move that signals a shift in corporate philanthropy in Sri Lanka, Janashakthi Group (JXG) has entered into a pioneering partnership with the President’s Fund to provide financial support for children requiring urgent medical care—irrespective of ethnicity, religion, region, or social standing.

Addressing journalists at the Hilton, Colombo, Managing Director/Group CEO Ramesh Schaffter said the initiative was not born out of obligation, but conviction.

“Nobody asked us, because nobody had to. From our very inception, Janashakthi has stepped up where we have seen a need,” Schaffter said.

He added: “Today, we are stepping up again—not alone, but in partnership with the highest charitable institution in the country, the President’s Fund.”

This collaboration marks the first time a corporate entity has formally aligned itself with the President’s Fund in such a comprehensive and structured manner. While individuals and organisations have contributed financially in the past,

Janashakthi’s approach goes further—committing to match funding for medical cases approved by the Fund, effectively doubling the resources available for life-saving treatments.

At the heart of the initiative lies a simple yet powerful principle: every Sri Lankan child deserves equal access to healthcare.

“Which child? Any child. Which province? Any province. Which race? Any race. Which religion? Any religion,” Schaffter emphasised. “They are all children of Sri Lanka—the next generation that must take their place in this nation.”

The mechanism is deliberately streamlined. The President’s Fund, with its established network of medical experts and evaluative processes, will continue to vet applications and determine eligibility. Once approved, Janashakthi will mirror the financial support extended.

Responding to Ths Island Financial Review, he added:

“We are not here to reinvent the wheel,” Schaffter noted. “If the President’s Fund supports a case—whether treatment is in Sri Lanka or overseas—we will match it. If they give one, we give one. If they give two, we give two.”

This alignment ensures efficiency, credibility, and speed—critical factors in medical emergencies where delays can cost lives.

Beyond the operational framework, the initiative reflects a broader rethinking of corporate responsibility. Moving beyond conventional labels such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Janashakthi is reframing its philosophy in more human terms.

“We just want to call it compassion—profit with a compassionate face,” Schaffter said. “Every corporate body has a responsibility not just to make profits, but to give back meaningfully to society.”

Importantly, the Group has made it clear that the initiative will not be used as a platform for publicity.

“We are not doing this for advertising mileage,” he stressed. “You will not see us parading children or showcasing beneficiaries. The purpose of this press conference is awareness—not recognition.”

This ethos is consistent with Janashakthi’s past interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group quietly supported 14 hospitals with over Rs. 40 million worth of critical equipment, including ventilators, oxygen systems, and even the refurbishment of entire wards—without public fanfare.

“If this effort can save even one child, it will be worth it,” Schaffter said.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the President’s Fund, G.G.S.C. Roshan, welcomed the partnership, noting that it would significantly enhance the Fund’s capacity to respond to urgent medical needs, including cases requiring treatment overseas.

“The President’s Fund already supports such cases, sometimes even facilitating treatment in countries like India or Singapore when necessary,” he explained. “With Janashakthi coming alongside us, that support can now be strengthened.”

The initiative is funded through contributions from Janashakthi’s operating businesses, effectively channelling a portion of corporate profits directly into life-saving interventions.

Group Chief Marketing Officer of JXG, Ghamike De Silva, stressed that this was not a one-off gesture but part of a sustained commitment to social responsibility.

“This is a significant financial commitment drawn from our business operations,” he said. “It reflects our belief that success must be shared—especially with those who need it most.”

Respoding to The Island Financial Review JXG Founder & Chairman Emeritus C T A Schaffter issued a broader call to action for Sri Lanka’s corporate sector, urging others to follow suit.

“This is a journey of recovery and progress that cannot be achieved by the government alone,” he said. “Corporate citizens and individuals alike must carry part of the responsibility. There is much more that can—and must—be done.”

His remarks were also deeply personal. Reflecting on his own childhood marked by loss and hardship, Schaffter spoke of growing up dependent on the generosity of others.

An emotional Schaffter added:

“When you have lived without, when you have relied on charity, you understand what it means to need help,” he said. “That understanding shapes how you choose to give.”

As Sri Lanka navigates its path toward economic recovery, initiatives like this highlight a growing recognition that financial performance and social impact are not mutually exclusive—but mutually reinforcing.

By embedding compassion into its business model, Janashakthi is not merely funding healthcare—it is redefining the role of corporate Sri Lanka in nation-building.

And in doing so, it may well set a precedent for others to follow.

Dialog Enterprise, the corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka’s number one ICT solutions provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Seceon Inc to strengthen its managed security services portfolio with advanced AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities.

Through this collaboration, Dialog Enterprise will deploy Seceon’s aiSIEM platform to deliver next-generation Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, enabling enterprises to gain full visibility across networks, endpoints, cloud environments, applications, and identities while detecting and responding to threats in real time using machine learning and behavioural analytics. The unified platform integrates SIEM, UEBA, SOAR, threat intelligence, and data lake capabilities into a single solution, allowing for faster threat detection, reduced investigation time, and automated incident response.

“Partnering with Dialogue Enterprise allows us to bring our AI-powered security platform to a broader enterprise landscape in Sri Lanka. Our aiSIEM platform is designed to simplify security operations while delivering advanced threat detection, automated response, and comprehensive visibility across complex environments. Together with Dialog Enterprise’s strong market presence and service capabilities, we are well-positioned to help organisations proactively defend against evolving cyber threats,” said Chandra, CEO & Founder of Seceon Inc.