Business
Dialog & Ministry of Education Continue to Facilitate Equitable Access to Education in Sri Lanka
Furthering their shared mission of providing equitable access to education for all students across the country, Dialog Axiata PLC and the Ministry of Education revised their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operations of the Nenasa initiative.
In line with the Ministry’s vision for a digitally enabled education landscape in Sri Lanka, under the revised MOU, the integration of the eight Nenasa TV channels and the Nenasa Educational App with the Ministry’s National Learning Content Management System (LCMS) e-Thaksalawa will create a comprehensive smart education ecosystem. This ecosystem will comprise TV channels, a web-based LCMS, and an Education App compatible with mainstream operating systems. Going a step further, Dialog has facilitated free access on its network for the native content hosted on Nenasa, e-Thaksalawa and the LEARN (Lanka Education And Research Network) online platforms. The Nenasa Smart School programme will play a vital role in empowering competent smart Digital Educators and fostering the development of quality educational content at both national and school levels. In addition, the MoU will further facilitate the VAAYU project, an IoT-based air quality monitoring initiative, with selected Nenasa Smart Schools serving as air quality monitoring hubs.
Speaking about the initiative, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education said, “Dialog and the Ministry of Education have revised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the Nenasa initiative. This initiative encompasses eight Television Channels, specifically designed for students from grades 1 to 13. The updated MoU not only includes these channels but also establishes a comprehensive ecosystem consisting of educational apps as well as projects intended to foster the development of skilled digital educators. Moreover, the Ministry of Education has established a dedicated control centre to oversee this operation. It is important to highlight that Dialog offers all these services completely free of charge, with the aim of enhancing the local education landscape.”
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “Dialog is committed to providing equitable access to education for all students across Sri Lanka and this revised MOU with the Ministry of Education is a significant step towards this goal. The consolidation of these platforms will create a comprehensive smart education ecosystem, providing students with access to high-quality educational content, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Education to make this vision a reality.”
Dialog has invested over Rs. 600 million in the Nenasa TV operation, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive and accessible education. Over 2,500 schools nationwide have received television sets, accompanied by a tailor-made satellite television package from Dialog Television, ensuring free access to the eight Nenasa TV channels. These channels offer educational and edutainment content aligned with the local syllabus and are available to over 1.7 million Dialog Television subscribers at no cost. Complementary projects including the Nenasa Smart School and the Nenasa Educational App were launched, focusing on upskilling digital educators and providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
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.
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.
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.
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