Business
DFCC Bank’s “Samata English” programme furthers commitment to sustainability through education
In steadfast commitment to empowering Sri Lanka’s youth with essential English language and soft skills, DFCC Bank completed its Samata English Programme for the 5th year running. The programme reached a remarkably successful conclusion, with students receiving their certificates at special Awards Ceremonies conducted by the respective DFCC Bank Branches, through which 81 students were honoured for their dedication and hard work for the batch of 2022. DFCC Samata English is undertaken with the support of Gateway Educational Services Pvt Ltd, an education services partner, who conducts the study programme.
The DFCC Samata English Programme has been a ray of hope for rural youth aged 18-25 who have completed the GCE Advanced Level Examination. It has effectively bridged the gap between education and employment, equipping these aspiring professionals with the linguistic and soft skills needed to excel in the competitive job market. The Bank also provides individuals who successfully completed the programme with internship and work opportunities, while in upcoming editions, a placement programme will also be introduced.
DFCC Bank’s unwavering commitment to Developing Resilient Communities has found expression through this initiative, aligning seamlessly with one of its core sustainability pillars –Education– one of the “6 Es” of the Bank’s long-term sustainability vision, which takes centre stage through this initiative. Furthermore, DFCC Samata English also happily aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, leveraging partnerships for sustainable development through its collaboration with Gateway Educational Services.
Over the past five years, the programme has directly impacted the lives of approximately 800 young individuals across the Island, including in regions such as Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Ampara, Rathnapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya and Hambantota. The programme’s top performers were provided internship opportunities at the Bank.
The programme’s significance goes beyond just language skills, explained Nilmini Gunaratne – Vice President- Head of Marketing and Sustainability at DFCC Bank, “Developing English language skills in young people helps to unlock a world of opportunity for them. Fluency in English enhances their employability and provides access to a limitless realm of information and global perspectives through the Internet. Learning these skills can help our youth engage as global citizens, broaden their horizons, and take advantage of opportunities at home and abroad.”
Samata English exemplifies DFCC Bank’s dedication to sustainable development, empowering the younger generation with the knowledge and tools to navigate a dynamic and competitive world, contributing to a brighter and more prosperous future for Sri Lanka.
The 3-month Spoken English course covers essential aspects like communication skills, grammar, listening, reading, and writing. It includes activity-based learning for practical experiences. Additionally, a one-month Soft Skills segment covers teamwork, time management, presentation skills, and interview preparation. Through DFCC Samata English, DFCC Bank supports breaking language barriers and creating employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youth through education, contributing to the nation’s future beyond finance.
Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLIC Life), the nation’s largest and strongest Life Insurer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sameera Dharmasena as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 22nd September 2026.
Dr. Dharmasena is a distinguished insurance professional with over 21 years of experience in the Sri Lankan insurance industry, having held senior leadership positions across several leading insurance companies affiliated with some of Sri Lanka’s largest business conglomerates. His extensive career spans both local and multinational insurance environments, bringing together broad industry expertise, strategic leadership and a strong commitment to the advancement of the insurance profession.
By Hiran H. Senewiratne
The CSE yesterday indicated mixed reactions as the oil price hike and other external and internal factors moved the All Share Price Index on a downward trajectory.
The All Share Price Index went down by 18.26 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 1.19 points.
Turnover stood at Rs 1.3 billion with five crossings. Those crossings were: Pickme crossed 500,000 shares to the tune of Rs 77.5 million; its shares traded at Rs 155, Lanka IOC 542,000 shares crossed for Rs 70 million; its shares traded at Rs 130, Access Engineering 800,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 64 million; its shares traded at Rs 80, Dipped Products 1 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 63 million; its shares sold at Rs 52 and Sampath Bank 450,000 shares crossed for Rs 63 million; its shares sold at Rs 140.
In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Pickme Rs 134 million (854,000 shares traded), Cal Found Rs 110 million (8.5 million shares traded), Dipped Products Rs 109 million (1.8 million shares traded), Access Engineering Rs 80 (999,000 shares traded), Kotagala Plantations Rs 50 million (6.2 million shares traded), JKH Rs 44 million (2.3 million shares traded) and Sampath Bank Rs 28 million (199,000 shares traded). During the day 46 million share volumes changed hands in 10696 transactions.
It is said that transport sector related counters, especially Pickme, led the market. Further manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH and Dipped Products, also performed well. Banking sector counters, especially Sampath Bank, performed significantly.
Meanwhile, People’s Leasing & Finance announced that its debenture issue to raise up to Rs 10 billion was oversubscribed after receiving applications exceeding Rs 10 billion , closing the issue on September 23.
Colombo Dockyard disclosed share dealings by director-related entity Senthilverl Holdings, which purchased and sold 17,086 shares at Rs 119 and Rs 122 each, on September 22.
Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 330.00/80 to the US dollar in the spot market from Rs 329.50/75 the previous day, while bond yields edged up slightly, dealers said.
First Energy SL (Pvt) Ltd has won two awards at the Sri Lanka Clean Energy Week Leadership Awards 2026 for a building-integrated solar installation at the new People’s Bank head office in Colombo. The awards were presented on 21 August 2026 at Hotel Marino, Colombo, during Sri Lanka Clean Energy Week, an industry event organised by SolarQuarter.
The company received Project of the Year: Building-Integrated Solar (BIPV) and Technology Innovation of the Year: Building-Integrated Solar (BIPV). Both awards were made for the same project.
The installation sits at the top of the bank’s 24-storey head office, where solar modules form a waterproof architectural roof over a terrace more than 75 metres above street level. First Energy says it is the first system of its nature in Sri Lanka.
Conventional rooftop solar is mounted onto a finished building. In a building-integrated system the modules are the building element itself. Here the array takes the place of what would otherwise have been a solid pergola roof, and has to keep rain out as well as generate electricity.
The architectural design called for a pergola with a set spacing and a particular quality of filtered light on the terrace below. Standard solar modules are made in fixed sizes with minimum light passthrough, and none suited the design. The modules were therefore fully custom-made to the architectural requirements, featuring both custom dimensions and a reduced cell density, allowing part of the daylight to pass through to the terrace.
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External and internal factors combine to send bourse on a downward trajectory
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