Business
Construct 2020 brings the No. 1 Construction exhibition in Sri Lanka
CINNOMON GRAND, COLOMBO –
National Construction Association of Sri Lanka ( NCASL), today launched the premier Construction Exhibition with a decade long success story as its 20th consecutive exhibition. The 2020 edition, presented at the Oak room of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel with revolutionary hi-tech, Smart, Future shaping and consumer focused approach.
Construct 2020 has marked its position as,‟ Sri Lanka‟s No 1 Construction Exhibition” to provide services on all construction needs of the nation. The exhibition is scheduled to be held on 20th , 21st and 22nd of November 2020, at the Bandaranayaike Memorial International Conference Hall ( BMICH ), Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The exhibition will expose visitors to the vast number of choices and alternatives in Housing and construction with close to 250 trade stalls including reputed brands as partners and expected to be hosted at the exhibition.
Sri Lanka‟s largest and most promising construction industry related exhibition showcasing building materials, building services and construction equipment among a wide range of other standardized services.
The Chairman NCASL, Mr. Susantha Liyanarachchi speaking at the occasion said that it was a tremendous achievement to successfully complete 20 years and that 2020 marks a new era for the exhibition. He highlighted that the exhibition is highly focused on the segmentation and specifically focused in consumer needs with the strong belief that a solid foundation with high quality service is the key to success rather than organizing just a construction trade fair. Construct 2020 Committee Chairman Mr. N.G.K.Karunawansa addressed the gathering and said that the exhibition will be conducted by following the Covid 19 health guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Health.
The exhibition will be productive to all stakeholders with a vision of the future development. Anyone who is visiting the exhibition will benefit from the maturity and experience of the event where his/her expectations are fullfiled with utmost satisfaction. Committee Chairman futher stressed that this is the most important area that empowers any individual to make effective choices among options and participation would also benefit by passing on information to others.
2020 edition partners are Alumex PLC as the Platinum Sponsor, Mascons Group as the Gold Sponsor, Nippon Paint as the Silver Sponsor, Elcardo Industries (Pvt) Ltd as the Bronze Sponsor.
Home Land Skyline Pvt Ltd is the Official Real Estate Partner and Anuradhapura Holdings Pvt Ltd is the Official Paving Partner.
Construct 2020 sponsors and partners have officially handed over their sponsorships to officials of Construct. Construct Committee members and NCASL officials invited all who are aspiring construction to visit Construct 2020 in their new journey and benefit from the vast opportunities that will be present at the expo.
Further information may be found at www.constructexhibition.lk
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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