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Kumar Anthony Paul Fernando: Forgiveness incarnate

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“Beautiful Memories silently kept of one that we loved and will never forget” is what’s inscribed in Kumar’s tombstone by his family. It’s been one year for the 12th of September 2020 since my good friend Kumar Fernando left us to go to his creator. Even though he is no more with us, his memory and influence will always live on, in the lives of those who knew him, and were touched by his generosity and kindness. Kumar’s life has left an indelible imprint in the life of his close family and friends and this void can never be filled.

I got to know Kumar initially in 1972 while we were in school, but it was much later that we both entered the same profession as planters and worked in the same area and thus became close friends. This culminated in him inviting me to be his ‘best man’ at his wedding in 1976, a moment I still cherish.

Several years later after excelling in his chosen career as a Planter in Sri Lanka, he had the good fortune of being selected to work in Transkei, South Africa, where he worked with distinction for the Magwa Tea Corporation for 14 years, rising to the position of General Manager – Operations before he decided to leave Transkei for Melbourne, Australia at the pinnacle of his career.

His new home, Melbourne Australia offered Kumar many opportunities. Due to his versatility, entrepreneurial competence, and dedication he set up a successful restaurant business with his wife Nelu in a very short space of time. As always Kumar worked tirelessly to set it up, and the business flourished even in a highly competitive environment like Melbourne, purely because of Kumar’s commitment, perseverance and hard work.

Kumar unhesitatingly shared his success with others by unselfishly sharing his time and advice specially with many Sri Lankans who were learning the nitty grittier of business in Melbourne. I have had personal knowledge of some people whom he has helped, and these were some of his very endearing qualities that are rare in today’s world. Another quality that I found in Kumar as the years went by is that he could easily forgive those who wronged him and even go to the extent of helping such people and encouraged others to do so too.

By this quality he was practising the biblical principles of ‘forgiveness’ which many find hard to do. I know that this characteristic of forgiving others came very easily to him, entirely because of the grace he carried from the Lord. Forgiving and caring for people and assisting them came very naturally to Kumar. During my few visits to Melbourne, we used to discuss this area of forgiveness and spirituality in detail and I was amazed by his faith.

In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 6: verses 27-28 Jesus says ‘but to you who are willing to listen, I say love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you”. I can clearly say that Kumar lived and practised the Lord’s instructions and this is the legacy he left behind for his close friends and family. While I know that Nelu and his children Tehani, Ayesh and Sudesh and the extended family will continue to miss Kumar immensely, they can be proud that Kumar’s life was exemplary, serving the Lord and living the Word to his best always.

Visiting Melbourne will never be the same for me, I will miss Kumar and the special times we shared. I will always hold dear the fond memories I have of him and I am proud to have been his close friend for there many years. I know that the Lord Jesus has granted him eternal rest.

Rohan M Fernando



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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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)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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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

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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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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