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Compass for more human business

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UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Executive Director Rathika de Silva, UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Chairman Dilhan Fernando, UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative and UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Board Representative Azusa Kubota and UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche.

Together with the Board and Team at Global Compact Network Sri Lanka it was an honour to present plans for more sustainable business at Network Sri Lanka’s ‘Compass 2024’ last week. Amidst unprecedented social, economic, health and environmental crises, further complicated by geopolitical tension and conflict, growing inequality and financial stress, there has never been greater urgency to sincerely embrace responsibility in business.

Initiator of Global Compact, the late Kofi Annan advocated greater humanity, “We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculations of short-term profit, and one which has a human face. Between a world which condemns a quarter of the human race to starvation and squalor, and one which offers everyone at least a chance of prosperity, in a healthy environment. Between a selfish free-for-all in which we ignore the fate of the losers, and a future in which the strong and successful accept their responsibilities, showing global vision and leadership.”

Politicians globally have failed to rise to the challenge. Climate change costs the world US$16 million per hour; governments agreed at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow 3 years ago to phase out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies to fight global warming. Yet the IMF reports that global fossil fuel subsidies have since risen $2 trillion to $7 trillion.

The Ten Principles governing Global Compact, define a principles based approach to doing business; human rights, labour, anti-corruption and environment. These and Sustainable Development Goals they connect with, are the human face of business that late Kofi Annan proposed in 1999; they define more humane business; doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to do.

Yet only 15% of the SDGs were on track in 2023 with more than half regressing, stagnating or only partially on track. The first of several key message in the 2023 SDG progress update states, “The SDGs are in peril. The world has entered an age of polycrisis and hard-earned SDG progress is threatened by the climate crisis, conflict, gloomy global economic outlook and lingering COVID-19 effects.”

With the prospect for a better world so clearly and practically set out in the SDGs, the universal lack of progress is impossible to comprehend, prompting current UN Secretary General to observe, “Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.”

The Global Compact is a blueprint for the collaborative, science based, measurable and impactful actions and outcomes we need to integrate into business. Businesses were desensitized to humanity by flawed economic theory in the 1970s. Yet the truth is that operating without considering social and environmental responsibility implies an abhorrent and extractive form of capitalism that is outdated and parasitic.

Sri Lanka has inspiring examples of responsible corporate initiatives for the benefit of people and planet. That is laudable but together we can do more, especially within the framework for collective and informed actions that the Global Compact embodies.

I am not advocating anything other than genuine capitalism that requires the creation of social and natural value alongside conventional economic value. Anything less would be profiting at the expense of people and nature, effectively theft, from less fortunate people in our community, from Nature and from unborn generations.

My appreciation and respect for the Compass 2024 event and connected plans, to the Global Compact Network Team, led by Executive Director Rathika de Silva, and Network manager Janani Wijetunge, and Global Compact partners UNDP, represented by Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, and Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.

Dilhan C. Fernando
Chair of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.

Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.

A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.

These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.

Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments

Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.

Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.

“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.

The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.

Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.

“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.

Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.

She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”

Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.

As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.

For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.

By Ifham Nizam

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.

Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.

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