Business
Environmentalists threaten legal action against Mannar wind power project
By Ifham Nizam
Environmentalists and civic organizations have come together to protest the detrimental effects of wind turbines fixed in the Mannar peninsula, stressing that they would take legal action against the project shortly.
Recently personnel representing both state and private institutions collectively decried alleged adhoc policies of the government in this regard that would lead to man-made disasters, particularly floods, which have been experienced with the turbines coming up.
Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage told The Island Financial Review that they would team up with other organizations to put an end to projects that would hamper nature and public welfare.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Adani’s 250 MW wind power project in Mannar is now available for public comment.
A study by renowned scientist, Professor Sampath Seneviratne of the University of Colombo, reveals that in total, about 15 million birds (of 250 species) from over 30 countries visit Sri Lanka.
The study also indicates that, however, an estimated 1 million birds from 150 species stay in Mannar during the migration period.
As the proposed 250MW wind farm covers the entire northern half of Mannar island that falls between the Adam’ Bridge Marine NP & its buffer zone & Veditaltivu NR & its buffer zone, the proposed wind farm can severely affect movement.
The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed 250MW Wind Power Project (Phase II) grossly devalues the importance of Mannar, a study points out.
Even though the EIA report proposed a narrow ‘Bird Corridor’ at the interior of the island, GPS-tagged birds in the Mannar Island show a wide use of the northern coast, while moving between the Protected Areas in Mannar (Adam’ Bridge Marine National Park, Veditaltivu Nature Reserve and Vankalei Sanctuary).
Some of the main reasons for the EIA to miss this important movement corridor along the north coast could be:
1. Wrong timing – The bird observations were done by observers walking in the forest – on foot – during the daytime from 6 am – 6 pm, while the bulk of the movement between protected areas happens between 6 pm – 6 am (at night).
2. Wrong season – The EIA did not cover the critical Migratory Period of birds during this study. Therefore, the observers failed to see the movement of large numbers of birds, as resident birds typically do not move in large flocks in Mannar.
3. The globally accepted technologies for the study of bird movement (that are available in Mannar) were not used to map the movement tracks.
4. It is surprising that the Central Asian Flyway and the Convention of Migratory Species of the United Nations were not stressed in the report.
5. Even though the EIA report states that a thorough review of information be carried out, the publicly available and widely circulated information on movement patterns of critical species of the Central Asian Flyway in Mannar was not referred to and seems to have been ignored. These satellite-tagged birds fly through the proposed wind farm.
6. The proposed narrow ‘movement corridor’ for millions of migratory birds seems highly arbitrary and lacks support from currently available information in the EIA report (on migratory birds in Mannar). The corridor is proposed conveniently away from the proposed wind farm based on – no study and no data (as stated in the report itself).
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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