News
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya receives GSMA Chairman’s Award for outstanding contribution to the global mobile industry
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Executive Officer of Telecommunications Business and Group Executive Director of Axiata Group Berhad, was honoured with the GSMA Chairman’s Award at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain. The Chairman’s Award is the GSMA’s most prestigious award and recognises outstanding contribution by individuals and organisations towards the advancement of mobile communications worldwide.
Dr. Wijayasuriya represents the Axiata Group on the Board of the GSMA, which is the Governing Body of the Global Mobile Industry. Axiata stands as one of Asia’s largest telecommunications groups, with operations across Asia serving over 170 million subscribers. In his capacity as the CEO of Telecommunications Business, Dr Wijayasuriya oversees Axiata’s Digital Telecommunications Operations across Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. His portfolio also encompasses the Group’s Enterprise and International Businesses, as well as Axiata’s multi-country software and digital transformation unit, Axiata Digital Labs (ADL).
Operating companies of the Axiata Group including Dialog, have been consistently at the forefront of advancing the impact and cutting-edge capabilities of mobile communications across Asia. Dr Wijayasuriya alongside Axiata teams from across the Group have been actively involved in numerous strategic initiatives of GSMA in the region and globally. Most recently, Axiata Group has played a lead role in advancing the GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative in the region.
Dr. Wijayasuriya functioned as the Group Chief Executive of Dialog from 1997 to 2016 during which period, Dialog rose from the 4th entrant to the mobile sector, to become Sri Lanka’s largest telecommunications service provider and one of Asia’s most advanced Quad Play connectivity and Digital Services providers, a position the company has consolidated and grown to greater heights to date including leading positions in Sri Lanka’s Fintech and Digital Health sectors. During his tenure at Dialog, in 2016, the GSMA honoured Dr. Wijayasuriya with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Asian Mobile Industry’ Award – the highest honour at the Asia Mobile Awards. Dr Wijayasuriya is a Past Chair of GSM Asia Pacific, the regional interest group of the Global body. He was also named “Sri Lankan of the Year” by Sri Lanka’s premier Business Journal the LMD in 2008.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics
‘Sent to be killed’: How Russia forces migrants to fight in Ukraine
Babar Azam 71* helps Peshawar Zalmi extend lead at top
Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell if he doesn’t leave in May
Royal Challengers Bengaluru top the table after bowlers help thump Lucknow Super Giants
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News5 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
Features5 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business7 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business7 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Latest News4 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
-
News6 days agoAnura Solomons passes away
-
Features5 days agoCIA’s hidden weapon in Iran
-
Latest News4 days agoPrasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans