Business

Hameedia declares ‘Every day should be Father’s Day’ by offering 1,000 gift packs to deserving fathers

Published

3 years ago

2023/06/22

Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear brand synonymous with style and quality, is celebrating Father’s Day by offering 1,000 special gift packs to fathers from all walks of life.

Hameedia invites the general public to nominate fathers, with a brief description in any language as to why he is special, by sending all submissions via direct messages on Hameedia Facebook or Instagram or by emailing marketing@hameedia.com. After a grand draw, 1,000 deserving fathers will be rewarded with an exciting Hameedia gift pack that is sure to bring joy into their lives.

There is no doubt parents undergo great hardships to raise their children. They ensure that every aspect of their child is taken care of including health, education, food, clothing and more. As these children grow up, they pursue higher studies, obtain jobs, get married, build homes, buy vehicles and start their own families. During the process of achieving such life goals, often the parents are sidelined and sometimes even neglected to the point where they live the rest of their years struggling to come to terms with how poorly their children are treating them and often end up depressed and unhappy. Understandably, parents from underprivileged communities undergo even more hardships during their life journey. Through this timely initiative, Hameedia aims to create awareness of the immense contributions made by fathers in bringing up children and how there must be a consistent effort by the children to take better care of these individuals and appreciate them daily or as often as possible.

Hameedia’s Managing Director Fouzul Hameed stated, “Parents go through great pain and suffering to bring you up in life. Once a year celebrations such as ‘Mother’s Day’ and ‘Father’s Day’ are fine but what we must all remember is to celebrate them every day in our own little way. Even a small gesture of love, kindness and caring is enough to brighten up their lives and we must make it a habit to pay special attention and appreciate them regularly. Every religion teaches about the importance respecting elders and taking good care of parents especially when they’re old and feeble. Parents also have the responsibility of bringing up children in a way where they learn to respect elders and won’t abandon or neglect parents. Even if our modern, busy lifestyles leave us with little time, we must find a way to look after them well and give them all the resources to live happy, comfortable lives. That is why I firmly believe that ‘Every day should be Father’s Day’ and not merely celebrate them once a year.”

Established in 1949, Hameedia has grown to become leaders and trendsetters in the Sri Lankan retail fashion industry having always delivered expert custom tailoring and the best in men’s fashion. Hameedia is a multi-brand retail store that offers customers optimal satisfaction in terms of a world-class retail experience and high-quality products merged with global trends. Hameedia’s collection of quality menswear brands include Envoy London, Le Bond, Signature, Roseavelt, Van Heusen, Louis Philippe, Park Avenue, Raymond, and Adidas.

All News Advertisement

Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.