Business

Japanese Embassy to follow up on President’s discussions in Tokyo

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/29

Kotaro Katsuki (left) the Acting Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka - the Chief Guest at Build SL Housing and Construction International Exhibition 2023 - ceremonially opens the exhibition for the general public on May 26, at BMICH Colombo. The Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka hosted the 18th edition of the exhibition through May 26-28.

Acting Ambassador inspires hope on resuming ODA projects spearheaded by Japan
Hopes transparency and consistency will be enhanced through reforms
Urges Sri Lanka to work on rooting out corruption and reforming SOEs
Says Expo 2025 in Osaka can enhance attractiveness of Sri Lanka to the world

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Kotaro Katsuki, the Acting Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka said in Colombo on May 26 that the Japanese Embassy would follow through the bilateral economic cooperation and business discussions President Ranil Wickremesinghe had during his visit to Japan last week.

“President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the 28th Nikkei Future of Asia Conference held in Tokyo. During this visit, President Wickremesinghe held bilateral discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Minister of Finance Suzuki Shunichi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa and Minister for Digital Transformation Taro Kono. President Wickremesinghe also exchanged views with the business community at economic events, which we believe will lead to stronger bilateral relations and we will be following through the action items of these business and economic events,” he said.

The Ambassador made these remarks while delivering the keynote speech as Chief Guest at the ceremonial opening of the ‘Build SL’ Housing and Construction International Exhibition 2023, organised by the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to Japan last week engaged in a pivotal business roundtable on ‘Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival and Opportunities for Japanese Enterprise,’ where he presented the nation’s commitment to stabilising and liberalising the economy while earnestly inviting new Japanese ventures.

The Acting Ambassador further speaking at the Build SL launch ceremony said,” It is my great pleasure to be invited to the Build SL Housing & Construction Expo 2023 of Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka. I congratulate Sri Lanka on obtaining the approval of the IMF Executive Board on March 20th for its Extended Fund Facility. This came after a lot of work done by the Sri Lankan authorities and recognition from the international community on the reforms that have been carried out such as fiscal reform. We welcome this major step towards the revitalization of the Sri Lankan economy. The ‘Build SL’ exhibition comes at a very timely moment, which brings together companies in the construction industry with great potential to stimulate economic growth of this country.”

“Last year, Japan and Sri Lanka celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations established in 1952, and the construction of the Inginimitiya Irrigation Dam began in 1978 as the first Official Development Assistance (ODA) project.”

“In the 80s, development projects were carried out at the Colombo Port. In the 90s, Baseline Road improvement and Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Bridge expansion projects were implemented. In the 2000s, the Colombo International Airport improvement project and the construction of the Southern Expressway, the first expressway in Sri Lanka, and Colombo Outer Circular Highway as well as local road improvement and development projects added to the list. In the 2010s, consultations for Phase 2 of the Bandaranaike International Airport Improvement Project began, as well as major bridges construction project of the national road network and the landslide disaster protection project of the national road.”

“It’s a great honour to see some of the Japan’s iconic ODA projects adorning Sri Lanka’s currency notes in circulation blending with other distinct national symbols.”

“After my arrival in Sri Lanka in August 2021, the Golden Gate Kalyani Bridge, was completed in November of that year, This Bridge has become a landmark in the metropolis of Colombo and has contributed significantly to easing traffic congestion on surrounding roads, and is the first ever extradosed engineering design in Sri Lanka. We are delighted to have been able to transfer Japanese state of the art technology to Sri Lanka through this project.”

“The Japanese Embassy building in Gregory’s Road is currently undergoing refurbishing. In all of these projects, Sri Lankan construction companies have been good partners of Japanese companies in its implementation and the construction industry has made a significant contribution to the country’s development. However, we are aware that the entire industry has been severely affected by the current economic crisis, which has led to the suspension of public works projects.”

“Allow me to touch upon some contributions by Japan in response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. In order to support Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan has provided up to approximately 93 million USD worth of inundated grant assistance to Sri Lanka since 2022.”

“Sri Lanka has been going through difficult times due to a series of adversities such as the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the ongoing economic and social crisis. However, now is a great opportunity to recover from this situation. To that end, based on the IMF agreement, we would be delighted to see Sri Lanka assiduously work on a series of reforms such as rooting out corruption and reforming state-owned enterprises.”

“Moreover, in order to make the economy more export-oriented and competitive as mentioned in the 2023 budget, it should entail further strengthening of the manufacturing industry across the board and promotion of the export industry by connecting it to the global supply chain. In considering future assistance to Sri Lanka, Japan would like to support Sri Lanka’s effort to make its economy more resilient.”

“In addition, it is essential to attract foreign investment in order to achieve sustainable and stable economic growth by way of improving the investment environment. We hope that transparency, efficiency and consistency will be enhanced through the reforms, which are taking place.”

“Now, I would like to catch up on future-oriented initiatives spearheaded by Japan that will lead to further development of both Japanese and Sri Lankan companies and collaboration between our respective companies.”

“The first initiative is related to climate change and decarbonisation. In October 2022, our two countries signed an agreement on a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). With the collaboration between Japanese and Sri Lankan companies and the support from the Japanese government, this Joint Crediting Mechanism will allow for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by harnessing decarbonisation and renewable energy technologies to Sri Lanka. With this program, it is hoped that Japanese companies will find it more attractive to invest in the field of renewable energies or decarbonization projects in Sri Lanka with their innovative technologies and solutions.”

“Japan is going to hold Expo 2025 in Osaka in April 2025. This event will present another great opportunity to attract attention and investment from Japan to Sri Lanka, in the field of trade, investment and tourism. The Sri Lankan government has already expressed its intention to participate in this event. I hope that both the private and public sectors of Sri Lanka will jointly make the most out of this Expo 2025 to promote the attractiveness of Sri Lanka to the world. I hope that these initiatives will bring about new business opportunities for both Sri Lankan and Japanese businesses.”

“In the future, the development of the construction industry in Sri Lanka will become increasingly important for the country to overcome the current economic crisis and achieve sustainable development. Japan will continue to be involved in the resumption of ODA projects, including the Bandaranaike International Airport expansion project, which is currently suspended due to the situation in this country and in order to move forward, it’s important for the Sri Lankan Government to work on restructuring its debt and to improve the economic and financial situation in a transparent manner working closely with the IMF, Paris Club and other entities.”

The Acting Japanese Ambassador concluded his remarks by expressing Japan’s determination to continue to stand by Sri Lanka as its partner, and to support Sri Lanka to reach its full potential towards building a strong and vibrant economy.

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People’s Bank drives push towards cash-lite economy

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12 hours ago

2026/05/10

Thilina Walpola

Marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation journey, the National QR Payment Adoption Programme was recently launched with the objective of accelerating the country’s transition towards a cash-lite economy. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on physical currency by promoting the widespread use of QR-based digital payments, enabling individuals and businesses to conduct fast, secure and convenient transactions via mobile devices, said a release from the People’s Bank.

It said: As a leader in digital banking, People’s Bank proudly aligns with this landmark national initiative, reinforcing its commitment to building a digitally empowered economy. The Bank supports the programme through its flagship digital wallet “People’s Pay”, which offers a seamless platform for QR-based transactions and a range of everyday financial services.

In line with the programme’s objectives, customers can perform QR transactions without incurring additional charges, while merchants benefit from zero fees on transactions up to Rs. 5,000. To further encourage adoption, valuable gifts will be awarded to selected winners among LANKAQR users, enhancing engagement and promoting digital payment usage across the country.

People’s Bank’s participation reflects its ongoing digital transformation strategy, which has evolved beyond traditional online banking to deliver an integrated, lifestyle-oriented financial ecosystem. The Bank continues to set industry benchmarks by offering secure, efficient and user-friendly digital platforms, ensuring customers have uninterrupted access to banking services anytime, anywhere.

At the heart of this initiative is People’s Pay, a sophisticated digital wallet designed to streamline everyday financial transactions while catering to the evolving needs of the modern consumer. The application features a seamless self-registration process, comprehensive tri-language support, and secure storage of payment details, ensuring both convenience and security for users.

In addition, the People’s Pay app enables customers to make real-time bill payments and QR-based transactions with exceptional ease and efficiency. The facility to link multiple bank accounts further enhances flexibility and convenience, while the transaction limit provides users with greater financial control and improved security.

In a strategic move to bolster the national QR adoption program, the People’s Pay app now facilitates Peer-to-Peer (P2P) QR transfers. This functionality allows users to generate both static and dynamic QR codes, enabling efficient transactions without the need to disclose sensitive account information.

The National QR Payment Adoption Programme represents a critical step in advancing Sri Lanka’s digital payments landscape. By fostering fast, secure and transparent transaction methods, the initiative aims to ensure inclusive participation in the digital economy, empowering citizens across all regions and communities.

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ANC Campus and Adelaide University launch new Australian study pathway for Lankan students

Published

12 hours ago

2026/05/10

Thilina Walpola

ANC Campus has announced the launch of a formal articulation partnership with Adelaide University at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, creating a clear progression pathway for Sri Lankan students seeking an Australian university degree.

Through this pathway, students can begin their university-level studies at ANC Campus in Sri Lanka before progressing to Adelaide University in Australia, subject to the relevant academic, English language, and entry requirements. By completing the first year through ANC’s Australian Diploma pathway in Sri Lanka, students can significantly reduce the overall cost of their Australian education journey, with estimated first-year savings of up to LKR 13 million when tuition and living expenses are considered.

The launch was attended by representatives of ANC Campus, Adelaide University, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), alongside members of the media, students, parents, and invited guests. Austrade’s presence highlighted the continued importance of Australia-Sri Lanka education links.

Speaking at the launch, Dayan D. L. Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of ANC Campus, said the partnership gives Sri Lankan students a credible and well-supported route into Australian higher education.

“For over two decades, ANC has worked with international university partners to help Sri Lankan students begin their global education journey with the right academic preparation and guidance. This partnership with Adelaide University gives students a clearer route to an Australian degree and gives parents greater confidence in the pathway their children are choosing,” he said.

Fernando added that international education is one of the most important decisions a family makes, and proper guidance is essential.

“At ANC, our responsibility is to guide students correctly. We must help them understand the pathway, the requirements, the destination, and the opportunities ahead. ANC prepares students for the highest likelihood of success.

Business

Union Assurance honours new batch of certified financial advisers

Published

12 hours ago

2026/05/10

Thilina Walpola

Union Assurance PLC, Sri Lanka’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, recently hosted the SLIM Certified Financial Adviser Graduation Ceremony at its Head Office premises, recognising 38 professionals who successfully completed the programme, a milestone that reflects the company’s focus on building a highly capable and accredited sales force.

The Certified Financial Adviser programme, delivered in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the National Body of Marketing in Sri Lanka, which was designed to elevate the expertise of the company’s high performing adviser force. Spanning 11 comprehensive modules covering areas such as Advanced Consultative Selling Skills, Negotiation Mastery, Digital Prospecting Techniques, and Emotional Resilience in Sales, participants underwent a rigorous learning journey that concluded with a formal assignment, bringing the full cohort to completion.

The programme reflects Union Assurance’s commitment to ensuring its advisers are positioned to serve customers with confidence, credibility, and genuine understanding of their needs; values that are central to the company’s purpose of protecting what matters most. The SLIM qualification also opens a structured educational pathway for graduates, with opportunities to advance through further nationally recognised certifications.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Agency Officer at Union Assurance, Imtiyaz Aniff stated: “We are pleased to recognise the dedication of our people who committed to this programme alongside their core responsibilities. The SLIM certification equips our advisers with the skills and credentials to serve our customers at a higher standard, and that directly supports the quality of advice we deliver. We look forward to seeing this cohort carry forward what they have learned and continue to grow in their careers.”

Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 80 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. The Company has completed nearly four decades of success with a Market Capitalisation of Rs. 45.6 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 92.8 Bn as of end December 2025. Set to protect lives and enrich the well-being of all Sri Lankans, Union Assurance offers Life Insurance solutions that cover the health, investment, protection, retirement and education needs of Sri Lankans. With an island-wide branch network and a workforce that is over 3000-strong, Union Assurance continues to invest in people, products and processes with a customer-centric focus to be responsive to emerging changes in the Life Insurance industry.