Business
LOLC Al-Falaah wins multiple golds at the slibfi-awards 2022

LOLC Al-Falaah was felicitated with two prominent awards within the Islamic Banking and Finance services sector in Sri Lanka, at the 11th edition of the SLIBFI (Sri Lanka Islamic Banking and Financial Institution) awards. Securing the GOLD award for ‘Leasing Company of the Year’ and GOLD award for ‘Window of the Year’ were significant, as LOLC Al-Falaah have won these awards consecutively over the years. Whilst receiving the Bronze award for ‘Entity of the Year’, an innovative product option ‘Wakalah Speed-Draft’ launched earlier in the year secured the Bronze award for ‘Product of the Year’. With the newest additions, Al-Falaah reaffirms the trust placed in them persistently, as the ‘Most awarded Alternate Financial services provider in Sri Lanka.
LOLC AL-Falaah is the alternate financial services brand of LOLC Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified multinational conglomerate with operations in 22 countries in Asia and Africa. The brand dominates the alternate financial services segment in Sri Lanka, as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of LOLC Finance PLC (LOFC), Sri Lanka’s largest Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI). LOLC Al-Falaah, has a strong brand identity and brand acceptance with a history of over 15 years within the industry. Al-Falaah performed strongly in 2021/22 to record an impressive Finance portfolio growth of over 51% reaching Rs. 23.44 Bn from its previous year’s book of Rs. 15.47 Bn while sustaining a Deposits portfolio of Rs. 12.52 Bn. Committed to safeguarding investors, LOLC Al-Falaah has distributed Profits to Depositors amounting to Rs. 735 Mn, and secured a 36% increase in Profit before Tax, demonstrating a strong stature despite the volatile economic conditions during the year.
Commenting on the remarkable achievement Director/ Chief Executive Officer of LOLC Finance PLC, Krishan Thilakaratne said; “these constant awards we receive reinstates that LOLC Al-Falaah is ahead of the curve in terms of market leadership, innovation and trust, under the umbrella of the largest NBFI in the country, LOLC Finance. We compete even with other banks because of its sound portfolio quality which is 100% asset backed. Our non-performing loans too are the lowest in the industry which reflects the credit quality and professional management of our finances”.
Also commenting, Mr. Shiraz Refai, Head of Alternate Financial Services, LOLC Finance said, “Our commitment to ensuring our Customers financial needs are tailor-made to modern-day complex requirements, together with emphasis on determination and attention-to-detail, customer care service offered by LOLC Finance staff are the key reasons that we were honoured by these multiple awards. On behalf of the Team, we’re honoured to receive ‘Leasing Company of the Year–Gold’ and ‘Window of the Year-Gold’ for the third and second consecutive years respectively and recognition for both Entity of the Year and Product of the Year’. I believe that our performance and recognition roots from the trust and confidence that our Customers have placed in us, together with the untiring efforts of our professional staff members.”
The awarding ceremony was concluded on the 14th of October 2022 at Ramada Hotel, Colombo. The awarding body, UTO EduConsult (UTO), an organization with a long-reputed history, has initiated this awarding event to acknowledge and to recognise the efforts made by the Islamic Banking and Financial sector in Sri Lanka. In awarding the titles, the applicants profiles have been reviewed and accessed based on their audited financial data pertaining to the year under consideration, by a reputed panel of judges.
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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