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Dilum vows to break free from ‘prolonged illusion’ of one-stop-shop

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BOI unveils Investor Facilitation Centre

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The one-stop- shop or single window approval system for investors coming to Sri Lanka has been a pie in the sky over a long period of time and the Investor Facilitation Centre unveiled today will not be yet another one-stop shop that doesn’t serve its purpose, Dilum Amunugama, State Minister of Investment Promotions assured in Colombo last week.

“We had several rounds of discussions with the President who is also the Minister of Investment Promotions and he suggested that we name a competent official from the BOI and the President’s Secretary would appoint him/her as an official from the President’s Office so that this official will have the authority to go and discuss with any line ministry or agency and reconcile matters relating to FDI projects without creating undue delays. This is all about accelerating and streamlining the approval process. Any line agency can express their point of view in line with stipulated regulations and can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a project proposal. But it has to be logical and swift. It shouldn’t take six months to respond to a proposal. And when there are issues relating to environment, land allocation, waste water management etc., let me know and then I will take it up at ministerial level and see if conflicting issues can be reconciled and give the project the green light or not. I request all officials from different departments and line agencies present here to support the BOI in accelerating the approval process and attract much needed FDI to the country. We might not be able to swiftly change the way of state correspondence, but the IFC will directly involve in taking the documents forward without letting them dust on someone’s desk,” he said.

The minister said that if currently stuck FDI proposals are given the green light, it will bring the country about USD 3 billion and that will be an amount of foreign exchange Sri Lanka can raise more than from the expected IMF loan.

BOI Chair Eng. Raja Ediruisuriya said that IFC alone wouldn’t be able to bring in foreign exchange. “The only thing IFC can do is coordinating with the relevant agencies for fast-tracked approval of BOI projects. We are competing with countries like Vietnam and Cambodia because they are also trying to attract FDIs. So we have to be very competitive in this sphere. Our goal is to increase the FDI share to GDP by 2.6% between 2022-2026. Our target is to realize FDIs till 2026 by about 3 billion USD per annum. We can’t meet this target unless investors are not encouraged to come in. BOI is not only a service-oriented organization. We have targets to achieve. I therefore appeal all line-agencies to help us achieve these targets and help boost the national economy. Minister Amunugama went through 77 projects and found that about 10 line agencies were holding up these projects for a couple of years or even more. We need to improve our communication and collaboration to fast-track these FDIs. The collaboration between the IFC and your line-agencies is critical at this hour to increase our foreign exchange reserves,” he pointed out.



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Low-floor buses launched to boost accessible public transport for differently-abled

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A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday (21) from the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC).

The service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women can board the bus with ease, the Transport Ministry said.

Each bus has 30 passenger seats and separate seating areas have been allocated for passengers using wheelchairs.

The pilot project operates on routes from Makumbura to Colombo Fort and from Makumbura to Kadawatha. These routes also cover major hospitals including the Colombo National Hospital and the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.

Speaking at the event, Subject Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that while these buses prioritize the differently-abled community, they will also provide a comfortable and reliable transport service for all passengers.

He also noted that 122 low-floor buses are planned to be introduced into service before the end of this year, and that in the future the service will be expanded to areas such as Kandy, Batticaloa, Matara and Jaffna.

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Nestlé Lanka Announces Change in Leadership

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Nestlé Lanka Limited has announced the appointment of Manav Sahni as its Chairman and Managing Director effective 01 May 2026. He will be succeeding Bernie Stefan, who will be transitioning to a new global role within the Nestlé Group. Bernie Stefan led Nestlé’s Sri Lankan operations through a particularly challenging time since 2023 – and has successfully guided the company through a strategic turnaround, positioning it on a axis for sustainable growth.

Speaking on his tenure at Nestlé Lanka, Bernie commented “Leading Nestlé Lanka has been a deeply meaningful chapter in my Nestlé journey. I am grateful to have worked alongside an amazing and resilient team that continues to make a difference for Sri Lankans across the country. On a personal note, it was an amazing opportunity to live on this beautiful island and experience firsthand the openness, warmth and kindness of its people, which has been the highlight of my Nestlé career to date. As Nestlé Lanka marks 120 years of enriching Sri Lankan lives, it is especially humbling to reflect on the role we have played in building on this legacy – positively touching individuals and families, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing our sustainability commitments. I am thankful to my colleagues, partners and stakeholders for their collaboration and trust, and to the wider business community, including through my role as a Board Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, for the opportunity to reinforce Nestlé’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. I leave very confident in the strength of the team and the journey that lies ahead.”

Manav Sahni brings with him over 18 years of experience in the FMCG & Telecom sector. Prior to taking on the role as Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, he has been heading Nestlé’s Dairy business for the South Asia Region, where he expertly managed a highly diverse portfolio, driving sustainable business transformation.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka at such a pivotal moment in its journey. Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan households for generations, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delighting consumers with tasty and nutritious products, while strengthening the positive impact we create through our brands and initiatives.”

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Majestic Cineplex Returns Bigger Better and More Immersive

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Ceylon Theatres will unveil the newly revamped Majestic Cineplex on the 29th of April 2026, beginning a new chapter for one of Sri Lanka’s best known cinema destinations. Located at Majestic City Colombo, Majestic Cineplex returns with major technology upgrades, enhanced comfort, and a range of premium viewing options, reinforcing Ceylon Theatres’ long standing reputation for raising the bar in cinema entertainment experiences in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the upgraded Cineplex will be completely open to the public from 29th April 2026 onwards.

For generations of moviegoers, Majestic Cineplex has been a landmark venue in Colombo, and its latest transformation brings together the nostalgia of a familiar name with the excitement of a modern cinema experience. Leading the new screen line up is Majestic Platinum, which introduces Sri Lanka’s first and only digital LED cinema screen. Designed to deliver sharper visuals, deeper contrast, richer colour, and outstanding clarity, the auditorium features a 3D 4K Tricorne LED Cinema Screen together with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Majestic Platinum offers 226 seats, including 18 VIP recliner seats for those chasing a premium cinema experience.

The cineplex also features three additional theatres, each designed to offer a high quality movie experience. Majestic Superior includes Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, and 7.1 surround sound, with seating for 150 patrons. Majestic Ultra features the same advanced projection and audio systems with 149 seats. Majestic Gold offers a more private luxury setting with Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, DTSX surround sound, and 30 leather recliner seats, ideal for those looking for the most premium and exclusive experience.

Patrons can also enjoy an upgraded café experience with freshly prepared and ready to eat food available for purchase at the counter, along with convenience of being served to your seat. The new café experience, together with the upgraded theatres make for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience for everyone.

Discussing the relaunch, Ganga Rathuvithana, General Manager Operations at Ceylon Theatres said, “Majestic Cineplex has always been a special part of Colombo’s cinema culture, and we are proud to welcome audiences back with an experience that reflects the future of movie entertainment. We have always believed in investing in the best available technology, from introducing Sri Lanka’s first 3D cinema to now launching the country’s first digital LED cinema screen. Our revamped Majestic Cineplex is designed to give movie lovers something truly special.”

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