Business

Culture, cuisine, dance and destination featured at Sri Lanka Cultural Festival Stockholm

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/8

Several Swedish and Sri Lankan partners came together last week to present Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, cuisine, dance and destination at the ‘Sri Lanka Cultural Festival’ held in the Etnografiska Museum and Matamekka, Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen, Stockholm. The festival also portrayed the myriad facets of Sri Lanka’s arts, literature, heritage and history, creative industry, ayurveda and wellness, film and music etc. The event which concluded on 28th August 2022 witnessed a high visitor count of 1300. The event was also done in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

The 5-day Cultural event was launched at the Etnografiska Museum on 24 August with Sri Lankan cuisine, exotic traditional Sri Lankan dances including poojanatuma, Surambavalliya and Nagaraksha and classical music amidst a distinguished audience and partners. Master Chef Rohan Fernandopulle, Bocuse d’ Or President Sri Lanka, teamed up with Swedish Chef Carola Magnusson to present authentic Sri Lankan dishes showcasing the island’s rich culinary heritage. Live stations of hoppers and Kottu projected the islands unique dishes. Freshly brewed Dilmah Tea presented the finest selections of Ceylon Tea.

Sri Lanka’s muti-faceted, all-year-around destination featured throughout the festival. The tourism booth, video presentations, posters, banners and flyers depicting the diverse attractions that the island offers such as pristine beaches; lush forests; gushing waterfalls; wildlife and ancient cities, adventure and rich and diverse culture presented the diversity and richness of the island destination.

The Festival also included presentations at the Etnografiska Museum of a variety of unique items from Sri Lanka brought out for the festival by the Museum. Additionally, from private collections, professional creations – replica paintings of Sigiri Apsara, Mulkirigala (19thC Thelapththa Jatakaya), Dodanduwa (19thC, Vessanthara Jatakaya), Replica statues of Avaloketheeswara Bodhisattva (9th C, Veheragala) in brass, and the unique Ethpahana (Elephant lamp 12th Century Dedigama-Punkagama) in bronze, conceptual painted pottery using traditional temple imagery on earthen-ware pots, and other creations presenting the finest Sri Lankan sculptor tradition/ expertise were on display. Silver, brass, wooden handicraft and batik creations projected Sri Lanka’s creative industry. Amongst the commercially relevant displays were, Ayurveda and wellness products; authentic Sri Lankan spices.

Sri Lankan literature corner attracted many visitors. Sri Lanka novels such as Madol Duwa, translated to Swedish presented Sri Lanka literature tradition. Films produced by Swedish producer Stefan & Lavonne Quinth on various themes including Sri Lankan wildlife films were screened daily at the Etnografiska Museum Auditorium. The producers have been-closely associated with filming Sri Lanka for over 40 years.

Children were exposed to an additional flavour of Sri Lanka through painting of the islands wild life such as the walikukula (jungle fowl)- the national bird, the Asian elephant, leopard, whale, dolphin, peacock etc. The Sri Lankan dressing booth was a popular stop at the event, providing a delightful experience of dressing in traditional saree, osariya and sarong.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Stockholm together with Sri Lanka Tourism received excellent partnership of the Etnografiska Museum, Stockholm; Carola’s EKO of Swedish Chef Carola Magnusson; Master Chef Rohan Fernandopulle, President Bocuse d’ Or; Dilmah Tea- Sri Lanka and agent Tekompaniet, Stockholm; Swedish Film producers Stefan and Lavonne Quinth.

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Business

Sri Lanka secures IMF staff-level deal for USD 700 million tranche

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund to secure the next tranche of funding under its ongoing bailout programme, marking a key step in the country’s fragile economic recovery.

The agreement, announced this week, will enable Sri Lanka to access approximately USD 700 million, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. The funds form part of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme agreed following the 2022 economic crisis.

The latest development covers the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s reform programme, indicating that the country has made sufficient progress to move forward, while highlighting the need to sustain reform efforts.

Sri Lanka’s economy has shown signs of stabilisation in recent months, supported by improved revenue collection, easing inflation, and a gradual buildup of foreign reserves. However, the recovery remains vulnerable to both domestic and external pressures.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

Israeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Initially CSE trading was somewhat volatile despite the ceasefire in West Asia but it experienced further volatility after Israel attacked Lebanon yesterday.

However, the IMF delegation which is now in Sri Lanka to release two tranches of its relief package created some positive sentiments for the market, analysts said.

The All Share Price Index went down by 73.06 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 10.57 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 2.96 billion with six crossings. Those crossings were: JKH 5.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 807.6 million and its shares traded at Rs 19.70, CIC Holdings two million shares crossed for Rs 54 million; its shares traded at Rs 32, Access Engineering 600,000 shares crossed for Rs 44.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 74, Central Finance 116,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 27.5 million ; its shares sold at Rs 237, LMF 250,000 shares crossed for Rs 22.8 million; its shares fetched Rs 91.10 and Kelani Cables 200,000 shares crossed for Rs 21 million and its shares traded at Rs 105.

In the retail market seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Dialog Rs237 million (7.5 million shares traded), LMF Rs 203 million (22 million shares traded), Colombo Dockyard Rs 199.7 million (1.1 million shares traded), HBA Foods Rs 163 million (18.5 million shares traded), JKH Rs 156 million (7.8 million shares traded), JKH Rs 156 million (7.8 million shares traded), Softlogic Holdings Rs 117 million (9.6 million shares traded) and Acme Printers Rs 107 million (15.6 million shares traded). During the day 133.3 million share volumes changed hands in 23666 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, like JKH, performed well, while food sector counters, especially LMF and HBA Foods, performed well. Other sectors too performed somewhat well during the day.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted a Rs 315.42/48 to the US dollar in the spot market from 315.30/40 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were quoted higher.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

Business

HNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Highlights from the new brand reveal as HNB Assurance transforms into HNB Life

Marking 25 years of trust, growth, and service excellence, HNB Assurance PLC has unveiled its new corporate identity, transitioning to HNB Life PLC a strategic evolution that reflects the company’s forward-looking vision and commitment to empowering lives with protection and the freedom to thrive, no matter where life takes them.

This milestone signifies more than a change in name or visual identity. It represents a deliberate transformation shaped by strong performance over the past few years, during which the company has achieved remarkable growth, strengthened its market position and enhanced its customer-centric capabilities.

The newly introduced logo, inspired by the form of a wing, symbolises HNB Life’s role as a proactive enabler. It reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting individuals in navigating life’s journey with confidence, empowering them to pursue their aspirations and live life on their own terms.

The official unveiling took place at a launch event attended by key stakeholders, strategic business partners, well-wishers and employees.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman, Stuart Chapman highlighted the significance of this transformation, stating, “As we mark 25 years of progress, the transition to HNB Life reflects our strategic intent to evolve with the changing needs of our customers and the broader market. This new identity embodies our purpose, to enable and empower individuals to achieve what they truly aspire to in life, with confidence and security. As a company we are extremely excited on what the future holds for as, as we build on an incredible foundation laid over the past two and a half decades.”

The new Vision of the Company is “To be the leader in empowering lives with protection and freedom to thrive, no matter where life takes them”.