Business
‘Finding myself in nine generations of family history’
A review of Nirmala M. Pieris’s The Abeyesundere Family of Galle
Reading about one’s family history can feel like standing face to face with the forces that quietly shape our lives. Our values, temperaments, and ways of seeing the world are inherited and absorbed long before we are conscious of them. When I sat down with Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris’s The Abeyesundere Family of Galle: A Family History of Nine Generations, I felt hopeful and excited. While I had an inkling of my background through stories shared by my late grandmother, Eileen Abeyesundere, I realised I actually knew very little. This book not only filled those gaps but also exceeded my expectations.
I met Nirmala at her home to collect my copies, and that visit alone felt like stepping gently into a piece of history. Her awe-inspiring walauwwa-style manor, lined with ancestral portraits, reflected a deep love for heritage and sentimentality. Standing there, it was easy to understand what might inspire someone to undertake the task of documenting nine generations of family history.
As I read, the sheer effort behind the book became increasingly evident. Nirmala has gone to great lengths in her research, drawing from archives, oral histories, and repeated visits to libraries, institutions, and even cemeteries. Her writing is structured, analytical, and precise, with claims carefully cross-referenced across multiple sources. Just as importantly, she is refreshingly transparent about gaps in the historical record, clearly acknowledging where connections could not be made. I was particularly fascinated by her exploration of how the Abeyesundere name itself evolved over time.
This book feels especially significant today. As families expand, histories and their essence are easily lost. Ironically, while so much of modern life is digitally recorded, much of it is fleeting, easily skimmed, and quickly forgotten. A content-rich book like this is a keepsake, something to return to across generations. It serves as a grounding anchor — a reminder of one’s roots in an increasingly fast-evolving world.
Beyond family lineage, the book thoughtfully situates the Abeyesunderes within Sri Lanka’s broader political, cultural, and socio-economic landscape. Shifting industries, entrepreneurial ventures, and emerging opportunities are woven into the narrative, showing how each generation adapted to changing circumstances. In doing so, the book appeals as much to readers interested in history as it does to those connected to the family.
I was especially moved by reading about places once familiar to me, such as Fred’s Rhue estates, where I walked as a child collecting rubber seeds and listening to foxes howl at night. Reading about Villa Lucilla, the ancestral home of my grandparents, Eileen and Joe Abeyesundere, in the heart of Galle, was equally poignant. Though I never lived there, the book allowed me to reconstruct what life within those walls might once have been like.
Despite the depth of factual analysis, the book is remarkably readable. Nirmala balances rigorous research with quirky, cheeky, and heart-warming anecdotes, complemented by evocative photographs that bring people and places to life. A detailed index further adds to the book’s thoughtfulness and usability.
On a personal level, the book prompted more than one quiet “aha” moment. Certain traits I recognise in myself, even a lifelong, slightly puzzling attraction to horses, began to make sense. Being an only child, it was unexpectedly touching to learn that I shared this distinction with the earliest documented ancestor, my great-great-great-grandfather, Pemyano William Abeyesundere. As I step into my transformational middle years, this book feels perfectly timed. It has given me not only knowledge, but perspective — a steadier sense of belonging, and the quiet reassurance that understanding where we come from can profoundly shape how we move forward.
By Trevina Abeyesundere
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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