Business
Dialog Axiata in partnership with Doc990 donate critical medical consumables to Lady Ridgeway Hospital
In its continued efforts to support the country’s health care sector facing shortages of medicine and medical equipment due to the prevailing economic crisis, Dialog Axiata PLC, in partnership with Doc990, donated urgently required consumables for blood gas analyzers to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), the country’s largest children’s hospital.
This donation of medical consumables for blood gas analyzers, which is one of the essential medical equipment in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), will enable the hospital to provide essential and life-saving medical care to children and help ensure Cardiothoracic surgeries to continue without interruption. The announcement also reiterates Dialog’s continued commitment to both vulnerable communities and Sri Lanka’s service sectors against the backdrop of the country’s ongoing economic crisis as highlighted in their latest relief initiative, Manudam Mehewara, launched in partnership with like-minded corporates.
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are grateful for the service provided by the dedicated medical teams at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital who are working tirelessly around the clock to care for their young patients, even amidst the challenges posed by the economic crisis. We are pleased that this donation will ease the burden on the hospital’s patients and the medical professionals while supporting all those in need of critical care. This initiative is a step forward in our communal duty of further enabling and supporting the Sri Lankan healthcare sector during these challenging times.”
Speaking on the donation, Dr. Wijesuriya, Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital stated “We greatly appreciate Dialog Axiata PLC for stepping forward to donate consumables for blood gas analyzers to the Cardiothoracic ICU at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children. This donation is an act of goodwill by the Company as we are currently facing a severe shortage of medical equipment. The donation of these lifesaving medical equipment will enable critically ill paediatric patients to get required and appropriate care in a timely manner. We are grateful for the longstanding relationship Lady Ridgeway has with Dialog and Doc990, as they have always risen to our hour of need. Our doctors, medical staff, and young patients have always benefited from their generous and vital support.”
Doc990, operated by Digital Health Private Limited, is Sri Lanka’s pioneering digital health solutions service provider, offering medical services to subscribers from the convenience of their mobile phone. Launched in 2016, Doc990, a subsidiary of Dialog Axiata PLC, connects users with more than 5000 doctors in over 140 hospitals through its digital health platform which is accessible to users via www.doc.lk, by dialling 990 or via the Doc990 app, available on Android and iOS. Doc990 offers a range of medical services including doctor channelling sessions at hospitals island-wide for physical consultations while connecting users virtually with qualified Doctors, quality pharmacies and laboratories through digital health tech, with the aim of transforming the delivery of integrated healthcare through home-based solutions.
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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