Business
Govt. focuses on South-South cooperation in energy sector
By Ifham Nizam
In a strategic move aimed at advancing national development efforts, the Sri Lankan government is intensifying its focus on South-South Cooperation in the energy sector. Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Power & Energy, reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to expanding partnerships with Southern hemisphere nations during a recent gathering in Colombo.
Jayawardena stressed the invaluable contributions from Chinese partners in renewable energy technologies at the Strategic Steering Committee meeting and summary workshop of the Biogas, Biomass, and Solar South-South and Trilateral Cooperation Project. This initiative, involving collaboration between Sri Lanka, China, and Ethiopia, aims to foster mutual understanding and facilitate knowledge exchange.
“We foresee an expanding arena for South-South cooperation, noted Jayawardena, highlighting Sri Lanka’s ambitious energy transition program geared towards achieving carbon neutrality. Leveraging international partnerships is pivotal to accelerating progress towards sustainable energy solutions.
Under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project has significantly enhanced local access to clean and renewable energy in Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Implemented in partnership with China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the initiative underscores a robust framework for technological exchange and capacity building.
In Sri Lanka, the project deployed 262 Solar Powered Renewable Energy Technology Applications across five provinces, benefiting over 233 stakeholders, including vulnerable groups and women. Key outcomes include the establishment of an Energy Data Management System (EDMS) and the development of Provincial Energy Plans for the agriculture sector.
Reflecting on the project’s impact, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka, praised its role in advancing Sri Lanka’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and supporting local communities.
From the Chinese perspective, Chen Qizhen of the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21 highlighted the collaborative efforts in promoting green, low-carbon development through technology transfer and innovation.
Ms. Charu Bist, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Ethiopia, underscored the project’s significance in addressing energy access deficits and promoting social equality in Ethiopia.
Ms. Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative of UNDP in China, emphasized the critical contribution of such partnerships amid global challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action.
The initiative exemplifies the spirit of South-South cooperation, fostering solidarity among nations towards achieving internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, observers said.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
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