BETSS.COM, the digital platform of Sporting Star, is ushering Sri Lanka’s horse racing into a new era through a landmark three-year title sponsorship of the BetSS Governor’s Cup and BetSS Queen’s Cup.

This long-term commitment by Sports Entertainment Services (Pvt) Ltd, operators of BETSS.COM, marks a significant step in elevating two of the country’s most prestigious racing events—enhancing their visibility, engagement, and relevance in a digitally connected world. As a brand positioned as a “Patron of Elite Sri Lankan Sports & Heritage,” BETSS.COM continues to support and transform iconic sporting platforms that carry deep cultural significance.

The Governor’s Cup and Queen’s Cup are the flagship “blue riband” races of the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse and remain central to the town’s April holiday season—where sport, fashion, and highland tourism converge. Horse racing was first introduced to Sri Lanka in the 1840s by Mr. John Baker, brother of the renowned explorer Samuel Baker, who established a training course for imported English thoroughbreds in the hills of Nuwara Eliya. The inaugural race at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse was held in 1875, organised by the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club. In 1910, the then Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Edward McCallum, inaugurated the prestigious Governor’s Cup and Queen’s Cup. Now in its 153rd year of racing, the event stands as an enduring symbol of Sri Lanka’s rich thoroughbred heritage.

The MoU was signed by Thusith Gunawarnasuriya (CEO, Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd) and Chandima C. Muhandiramge (Chief Secretary, Southern Province), under the patronage of Governor Prof. Susiripala Manawadu, in the presence of many distinguished government officials.

The event was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galle, with the participation of engineers and technical officers from government institutions, including local government bodies, the PRDA, the Building Department, and the Irrigation Department. This underscored the importance of strong public–private collaboration to elevate industry standards and empower technical professionals with the latest knowledge in the Southern Province.

This initiative will be delivered as a series of three (03) continuous training programmes in the coming months, aimed at upskilling engineers and technical officers across the province. The sessions will cover key areas such as SLS 573, quality control, construction management, waterproofing, durable concrete, and concrete mix-design optimisation.

Together, we are shaping a more knowledgeable and resilient construction industry for the future.

Fourth quarter earnings of most companies are expected to be satisfactory, despite West Asian tensions, Softlogic Stockbrokers’ Vice President Eardly Kern said.Confidence in the stock market has significantly improved and retail investors have started coming back to the bourse, Kern said.

Both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 244 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 52 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 5.2 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were; CIC 24.3 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 800 million, its shares traded at Rs 32.80, Commercial Bank 350,524 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 54.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 1750, CTC 250,000 shares crossed for Rs 39.2 million; its shares sold at Rs 157, Overseas Reality 500,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 25 4 million; its shares sold at Rs 50, LMF 250,000 shares crossed for Rs 24 million; its shares sold at Rs 96 and JKH one million shares crossed for Rs 20 60 million; its shares traded at Rs 20.60.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Overseas Realty Rs 210.5 million (4 million shares traded), CIC Rs 183.9 million (5.6 million shares traded), LMF Rs 155.2 million (1.6 million shares traded), Janashakthi Rs 141 4 million (9.7 million shares traded), JKH Rs 129.4 million (6.2 million shares traded), Citrus Leisure Rs 120.5 million (25.1 million shares traded) and Industrial Asphalts Rs 116 million (179 million shares traded). During the day 514.6 million share volumes changed hands in 39603 transactions.

It is said that most of sectors indicated mixed reactions, especially banking, manufacturing, hotel, leisure and FMCG. CIC contributed one fourth of the day’s turnover. Banking sector counters, especially Commercial Bank, performed well.

The rupee was 321.00/30 to the US dollar in the spot next market, significantly weaker from Rs 319.90/320.40 in the spot market the previous day.

By Hiran H Senewiratne