Business
Ideal First Choice’s Gulf Oil Lubricants powers Gajaba Supercross 2022

Kicking-off the first racing event for 2022, the Gajaba Supercross 2022 held recently was exclusively sponsored and powered by Gulf Oil Lubricants, distributed in Sri Lanka by Ideal First Choice (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the Ideal Group.
Gulf Oil Lubricants is Ideal First Choice’s latest venture and part of its vision to continue to provide a world-class service experience to the motor vehicle industry.
Since the lubricant range was launched to the country and showcasing support for sports, Gulf Lubricants has come forward to exclusively sponsor the country’s leading motor racing event, the Gajaba Supercross 2022, the first racing car event for the year.
The Gajaba Supercross 2022, was held with much enthusiasm from 5-6 February at the Gajaba Regiment Racecourse Track in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura, after a hiatus of nearly two-years due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Both car and motorcycle races were conducted under several categories according to engine capacities with over 90 drivers and 80 riders participating in this national level event.
Based on a strategic partnership, Gulf Oil Lubricants India appointed Ideal First Choice as the national distributor for world-renowned Gulf Oil Lubricants in November 2021. Since its introduction to the Sri Lanka market, Gulf Oil, a unique brand and well-established player in the global lubricant industry with a strong presence in over 100 countries, has flourished locally and achieved great marketing success.
Gulf Lubricants is a Dubai-based lubricant business that is now a recognized lubricant brand in countries worldwide. Gulf Lubricants manufactures and distributes lubricants for all automobiles, heavy vehicles, motorcycles and supplies factories their requirements. Gulf Lubricants is an eco-friendly lubricant brand that reduces air pollution.
Gulf Lubricants India operates Gulf Lubricants, which is very popular throughout Asia. Gulf Lubricants India is a business arm of the Hinduja Group, one of the top ten companies in India. Gulf Lubricants is a well-recognized lubricant brand, especially in the SAARC region, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Business
Grand Leisure Resort brings luxury senior care to Negombo

Grand Leisure Care and Wellness Resort has officially opened in Kochchikade, Negombo, introducing a resort-style senior living facility designed to international standards. Offering a blend of comfort, medical care, and wellness, the facility features private rooms with bathrooms, pantries, and modern living spaces. With 24/7 medical staff, wellness programmes, and family accommodation options, Grand Leisure caters to both independent and dependent seniors. The resort includes gardens, entertainment facilities, and high-speed internet to support residents’ well-being and connectivity. Positioned as a high-quality alternative to traditional elderly homes, it is open for short-term recovery or long-term stays, said a release.
Business
COYLE welcomes new chairman Manjula Wijesundara

The Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) last week announced the appointment of Mr. Manjula Wijesundara as its new Chairman for the year 2025/26. A COYLE news release described him as a “respected entrepreneur and passionate advocate for business-led development” and said he steps into leadership with a bold theme that reflects the needs of the hour—”A Year of International Growth.”
With the global economy undergoing profound shifts, the appointment marks a timely change in COYLE’s strategic focus, the release said.
In his inaugural remarks, the new Chairman articulated a vision for strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through robust international engagement and enhanced global market access for Sri Lankan businesses. His message was clear: sustainable economic recovery will come from expanding the nation’s presence beyond its borders.
“As Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, we must look outward and act with purpose. The next phase of our growth lies in our ability to compete, collaborate, and lead in international markets. This year will be about building bridges—with policymakers, global partners, and emerging economies—to position Sri Lanka as a trusted trade and investment partner,” Wijesundara stated.
Under his leadership, COYLE will actively pursue stronger relationships with international chambers, diplomatic missions, and trade bodies, laying the groundwork for more meaningful bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Chamber’s focus will be to support and amplify the voice of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs globally—especially in sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, ICT, and manufacturing, which continue to be among the country’s highest foreign exchange earners.
Wijesundara believes that strong international relations not only open new doors for exports but also attract critical investments and partnerships needed to modernise Sri Lanka’s industries and infrastructure. “In an interconnected world, diplomacy and business must go hand in hand. Our vision is to be a trusted ally in economic diplomacy,” he noted.
As part of this agenda, COYLE is preparing to lead a series of structured engagements with foreign policymakers and trade delegations. These efforts are aimed at helping Sri Lankan businesses overcome barriers to market entry, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, and build long-term partnerships across key regions including South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe.
By taking a proactive approach, the Chamber hopes to influence international trade conversations and ensure that Sri Lanka remains competitive in an increasingly protectionist global environment. COYLE also aims to foster stronger diaspora business linkages that could be leveraged to expand the country’s export footprint.
Business
Dialog Axiata Connects Sri Lanka to the World with the India-Asia Xpress Subsea Cable Strengthening Redundancy and Global Data Connectivity

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, announced the launch of the IAX (India Asia Xpress) submarine cable system—a significant investment aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka’s international network and future-proofing the country’s digital infrastructure. Consequently, Dialog’s total investments in international connectivity infrastructure surpassed USD 100 million.
This milestone was achieved through collaborative efforts with a consortium of regional telco partners and global hyperscalers, led by Reliance Jio—underscoring Dialog’s commitment to building strategic alliances that drive technological advancement and innovation.
The IAX cable system significantly enhances Sri Lanka’s global connectivity by providing high-speed, high-capacity bandwidth, catering to the growing demands of 5G, AI, and other data-intensive applications. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the IAX cable integrates seamlessly into Dialog’s existing subsea infrastructure, ensuring scalable and efficient data transmission between major global content hubs in Mumbai, Chennai, and Singapore. This development further cements Sri Lanka’s role as a key player in the region’s digital transformation.
To commemorate this strategic milestone, Dialog hosted an official launch event at the Dialog IAX Submarine Cable Landing Station in Matara. The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including His Excellency Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia; Mr. Harvinder Singh, Consul General of India; Mr. Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad; and Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, along with other representatives from Dialog.

Launch of the IAX Submarine Cable (photographed from left to right): Mr. Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Ms. Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Mr. Ranga Kariyawasam, Group Chief Technology Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Mr. Harvinder Singh, Consul General of India; His Excellency Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia; Mr. Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Axiata Group Berhad; and Mr. Supun Weerasinghe, Director and Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC.
The integration of the IAX cable reinforces Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure with enhanced resilience and redundancy. By complementing the existing BBG (Bay of Bengal Gateway) and MSC (Maldives Sri Lanka Cable) systems, the IAX cable strengthens network reliability, mitigating risks associated with single points of failure. Dialog’s advanced Cable Landing Stations in Matara and Mount Lavinia ensure seamless, uninterrupted connectivity, offering businesses and consumers a more secure and robust digital experience.
Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are pleased to strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital backbone with the launch of the IAX submarine cable, made possible through collaboration with our valued global partners. This investment reinforces our commitment to empowering Sri Lankan lives and enterprises with world-class infrastructure, ensuring the nation stays ahead in an increasingly digital world. By improving network reliability and expanding capacity, we are working towards a more resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem.”
As a key player in the region’s connectivity landscape, Dialog continues to drive Sri Lanka’s position as a critical hub for global communications infrastructure. Through continuous investment in cutting-edge network solutions and strategic partnerships, Dialog is shaping the future of digital connectivity, empowering enterprises and consumers with world-class infrastructure that supports economic growth and technological innovation.
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