Business
Link Natural achieves another international milestone
Link Natural Products (Pvt.) Ltd, a leading manufacturer of herbal products has announced the debut of its flagship brand and iconic herbal drink Link Samahan at Costco Wholesale stores in Japan.
Importantly, with the launch, Link Natural has achieved another milestone in its growing international journey.
Costco Wholesale is an American multinational corporation and as of 2022, was the fifth largest retailer in the world. Costco was also ranked Number 11 on the Fortune 500 listings of the largest United States corporations by total revenues.
Elaborating on the Japan debut, Dr. Nugawela, Chairman, Link Natural Products stated, “We are extremely excited to launch our flagship brand at Costco Wholesale in Japan. Presently recognised as the world’s fifth largest supermarket chain, Costco’s high-quality product portfolio, now includes Link Samahan setting stage to compete among the best brands in the world.”
Dr. Nugawela added, “Acceptance by Costco is a testimony of our compliance adhering to the most stringent quality standards. It is not only a great honour for our brand but also an immensely proud moment for our nation. Costco’s inclusion will undoubtedly strengthen our journey of transforming into a trusted global herbal supplement brand.”
Link Natural’s flagship brand Link Samahan is a 100% natural herbal drink, formulated with 14 trusted ayurvedic herbs used traditionally throughout generations as an effective remedy for symptoms associated with catarrh and the common cold.
Link Samahan was first launched in 1995 and for nearly three decades has become a trusted household brand in Sri Lanka. Gaining international reach, Link Samahan is also exported across 30 countries globally with Europe, USA, India, Middle East, and Japan among its main destinations.
Link Natural’s Yokohama based distributor, Krishantha Pathmaperuma, Chairman Ceylon Family Co. Ltd. said, “There is a growing interest for herbal products among Japanese consumers. However, Japanese food safety regulations are comprehensively enforced and only products that meet rigorous quality requirements are allowed into the market. Today, asserting the strength of our brand, Link Samahan is gaining popularity among Japanese consumers.”
Mari Ro, Marketing Executive, Ceylon Family Co. Ltd noted, “We were delighted to see the Costco team’s interest in Samahan. With the launch, the product is available in 31 Costco stores across Japan including Tokyo and Osaka. Catering to consumer interest, Samahan is already available in mainstream chain retailers such as Kaldi Coffee Shops, and the Aeon Mall.”
Link Natural takes great care throughout the value chain to provide consumers with best quality products. All herbal raw materials are carefully sourced, and quality is assured using advanced technologies. The company’s farmer out-grower programs work closely with the growers to ensure high-standard herbs. Through the program the company has been able to cultivate herbs systematically following Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) delivering high quality herbal raw materials.
The quality of raw materials, intermediate products and finished products are tested at Link Natural’s Quality Assurance Laboratory fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. Samples from every batch are analyzed to ensure the product complies with internationally accepted stringent quality requirements.
“Currently we are present in diverse markets spread over five continents. Link Samahan is loved by consumers irrespective of the geographies. Introducing our products in Costco Japan is a milestone towards Link Samahan’s journey in becoming a trusted global brand,” said Chamari Wickramathilake, Head of Exports and Regulatory Affairs, Link Natural Products.
Additionally, all manufacturing processes follow Good Manufacturing Practices complying with meticulous food safety requirements. Link Natural’s manufacturing facility is certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO45001, ISO 50001, HACCP, GMP and FSSC 2200 standards.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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