Business
Dhammika Fernando, chairman, Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association 2023/2024

STANDING:-Ms.Sepalika Jayawardena,Director, Plant Lipids Lanka(Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Chandani Ekanayake, General Manager, Amsafe Bridport Pvt Ltd, Tyronee Weckasinghe, Managing Director, Flintec Transducers Pvt Ltd, Neville Fernando, Director, Lanka Naigai Pvt Ltd, Lalith Madappulli, Managing Director, Lanka Hiqu Pvt Ltd, Jaison Joseph, Managing Director, Trinity Steel Pvt Ltd, Mark Muller, Crystal Martin Lanka Pvt Ltd, Lalith Kahatapitiya, Chairman, KIK Lanka Pvt Ltd, Nishantha Bakmeege, Managing Director, Screenline Holdings Pvt Ltd, Prabath Gunasekera( Chairman. Calico Color Pvt Ltd), Manjula Mahadanaarchchi, CEO, Lalan Rubbers Pvt Ltd, Shahid Sangani, Managing Director, Dynawash Pvt Ltd, Vasantha Dias , Secretary General, FTZMA
SEATED:- Hemantha Perera, Chairman, Isabella Pvt Ltd, M.H.Z.M. Marzook, Managing Director, Filotex Lanka Pvt Ltd, Jatinder Biala, Director, Isin Lanka Pvt Ltd,.Dilum Amunugama, Sate Minister, Investment Promotions, Mizukoshi Hideaki , Japanese Ambassador, Dhammika Fernando, Director, Tropical Findings Pvt Ltd, Ms. Renuka Weerakoon, Director General of BOI, Beauno Fernando ( Managing Director, Shore to Shore Pvt Ltd ), Sean Umagiliya, Managing Director, Dial Textiles Industries Pvt Ltd
ABSENT :- Fazal Abdeen, Managing Director, ATG Ceylon Pvt Ltd, Ritesh Singhal, Managing Director, Agromet Asia Pvt Ltd
Dhammika Fernando, Director of Tropical Findings (Pvt) Ltd is also the incumbent president of – Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management and Executive Board Member of the World Federation of People Management Associations-WFPMA. He was elected chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) as members voted unanimously in favour of him at the 42nd Annual General Meeting held at “The Winchester Ballroom”, Kingsbury Colombo on March 31.
Managing Director – Dial Textiles Industries Pvt Ltd , Sean Umagiliya was also unanimously elected as the Honorary secretary of the Association and Tyronne Weckasinghe , Managing Director of Flintec Transducers Pvt Ltd as the Deputy Secretary while Fazal Abdeen, Managing Director of ATG Ceylon Pvt Ltd and Nishantha Bakmeege Managing Director, Screenline Holdings PLC as Vice Chairmen.
M.H.Z.M.Marzook, Managing Director of Filotex Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, will remain as the Honorary Treasurer, while Manjula Mahadanaarachchi, CEO of Lalan Rubbers Pvt Ltd would deputize him as deputy Treasurer of the Association.
Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki was the chief guest at the AGM while The Sate Minister of Investment Promotion Mr. Dilum Amunugama and Director General of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Ms. Renuka Weerakoon were the guests of honour.
FTZMA is the leading Association representing the foreign direct investors in the various export processing zones in Sri Lanka. Since it commenced its operation from Katunayake Free Trade Zone over 40 years ago, the Association has been representing the foreign direct investments, expanding their presence to all Free Trade Zones in Sri Lanka.
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT

IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Business
Ceylon Energy and HJT China complete key power projects under SESRIP in Sri Lanka

Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
Business
Eventistry Sports launches Sri Lanka’s inaugural franchise padel league

Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
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