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Mahindra Ideal Welipenna goes green

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Mahindra Ideal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd in Welipenna, a subsidiary of the IDEAL Group was set to add a massive 805 Kilowatt (kW) solar power to the national grid, on 5 September, commemorating Founders Day, the birthday of Nalin Welgama, the company’s Founder and Chairman.

Notably, this groundbreaking event marks the first time-ever that a company engaged in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry will be adding such immense capacity to the national grid and supporting the country’s renewable energy drive.

Contributing to a greener planet and saving the nation’s resources, the Ideal Group’s subsidiaries including Ideal Motors, Ideal Choice and Ideal First Choice have previously established solar power units at its business locations and already benefit from renewable energy and earth-friendly solutions.

Marking significant progress in the use of renewable energy, the following Ideal location has installed solar power and contributes to the national grid;

The Ideal Choice Premium Vehicle Workshop in Ratmalana generates 407 KW with a capital of Rs. 55 Mn.,

Ideal Holdings, Ratmalana office generates 333 KW solar power having invested Rs. 45 Mn.,

Ideal Motors Main Mahindra workshop at Ratmalana is equipped with a 105 KW from an investment of Rs. 15 Mn.,

The Yakkala Ideal Motors showroom and Ideal First Choice workshop operates through a 102 KW solar system having invested Rs. 14 Mn,

The Ideal Motors and Ideal First Choice Showroom workshop at Puttalam have installed a 43 KW system investing Rs. 6 Mn.,

The Ratmalana Pre Delivery Inspection and Vehicle Yard workshop generates 40 KW through a capital of Rs. 5 Mn., and

The main Ideal showroom in Wellawatte generates 33 KW solar power through an investment of Rs. 5 Mn.

All these installations have been completed by Ideal Greentech (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ideal Group, at a cost of Rs. 260 Mn contributing a monumental over 2 Megawatts to the national grid.

Commenting on its sustainability journey, Nalin Welgama stated, “The whole world is now focusing on renewable energy. As Sri Lanka too embraces the potential of renewable energy sources, we at Ideal Group believe it is our national responsibility to focus and contribute towards this national endeavour. Our showrooms and workshops throughout the island generate and use renewable energy and we are extremely proud of achieving a new milestone at our Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna which is set to generate 805 KW.”

Further elaborating, he noted, “At Ideal, sustainability is a way of life and a key measure of our success. Not even the rainwater collected at this factory is wasted. We have installed a waste water treatment plant ensuring all water used in our bays are cleaned and reused. Additionally, through the practice of adapting dynamic green concepts we have activated the planting of seedlings throughout the factory.”

Celebrating 5th September, the Ideal Group will also mark another momentous milestone for the nation and the automotive industry with the launch of the second phase at its Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna. The foundation stone for the new factory catering to Mahindra Truck assembling will be laid by Mr. Welgama. Upon competition of the factory, which is scheduled for December 2021, the installation of a massive 500 KW solar power system is also slated to take place.

The Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipeena, Kalutara was commissioned in 2019 through a partnership between India’s diversified global conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra and the Ideal Group. The state-of-the-art production facility built to global standards assembles the Mahindra KUV 100.

Today, the Mahindra KUV 100 has gained immense popularity in the country and become the preferred choice for customers. The plant is also set to assemble Mahindra trucks in the future demonstrating the strength of local manufacturing capabilities.

“At present, across the the world, due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, including in Sri Lanka we as a country face grave challenges. However, despite the nation in lockdown and our workplaces not fully operating to their normal capacities, the required electricity for consumption is generate through our solar power systems and being supplied to the national grid. As Sri Lankan businessman, I take great pride in this contribution and urge other companies and individuals to play a larger role in solar power generation for the country, supporting our nation’s future.”



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Stealer malware leaked over 2 million bank cards

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The number of infections with data-stealing malware, 2020-2024 (Source: Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence)

Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence estimates that 2.3 million bank cards were leaked on the dark web, based on an analysis of data-stealing malware log files from 2023-2024. On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information, with nearly 26 million devices compromised by infostealers, including more than 9 million in 2024 alone. Kaspersky released its report on the infostealer threat landscape while the technology world gathers at MWC 2025 in Barcelona.

Kaspersky experts estimate that approximately 2,300,000 bank cards have been leaked on the dark web. This conclusion is based on an analysis of the log files from data-stealing malware, dated 2023-2024, that were leaked on the dark web market. While globally the share of leaked cards is well below one percent, 95% of the observed numbers appear technically valid.

Infostealer malware is not only designed to extract financial information, but also credentials, cookies and other valuable user data, which is compiled into log files and then distributed within the dark web underground community. An infostealer can infect a device if a victim unknowingly downloads and runs a malicious file, for example one disguised as legitimate software, such as a game cheat. It can be spread through phishing links, compromised websites, malicious attachments in emails or messengers and various other methods. It targets both personal and corporate devices.

On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information. Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence experts found that nearly 26 million devices running Windows were infected with various types of infostealers in the past two years.

“The actual number of infected devices is even higher. Cybercriminals often leak stolen data in the form of log files months or even years after the initial infection, and compromised credentials and other information continue to surface on the dark web over time. Therefore, the more time passes, the more infections from previous years we observe. We forecast the total number of devices infected with infostealer malware in 2024 to be between 20 million and 25 million, while for 2023, the estimate ranges between 18 million and 22 million,” says Sergey Shcherbel, expert at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.

In 2024, Redline remained the most widespread infostealer, accounting for 34% of the total number of infections.

The most significant surge in 2024 was in infections caused by Risepro, whose share of total infections increased from 1.4% in 2023 to almost 23% in 2024. “RisePro is a growing threat. It was first discovered two years ago but seems to be gaining momentum. The stealer primarily targets banking card details, passwords and cryptocurrency wallet data, and may be spreading under the guise of key generators, cracks for various software and game mods,” explains Sergey Shcherbel. Another rapidly growing stealer is Stealc, which first appeared in 2023 and increased its share from nearly 3% to 13%.

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ComBank’s 2023 Annual Report tops Banking sector at ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards

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Commercial Bank Chief Operating Officer S. Prabagar and members of the senior management accepting one of the ACCA awards.

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s prowess in comprehensive disclosure of sustainability-related information to stakeholders has won its 2023 Annual Report two top awards at the 2025 Sustainability Reporting Awards presented by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The Bank was adjudged the overall runner-up and the winner in the Banking category at these awards, repeating the achievement of its 2022 Annual Report which was similarly honoured by the ACCA last year.

The ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards recognise Annual Reports that clearly acknowledge and explain the economic, environmental and social impacts of the business to internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating the organisation’s policies, targets and long-term objectives towards the goal of sustainable development.

Commercial Bank’s 2023 Annual Report also won two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze at CA Sri Lanka’s ‘TAGS’ Awards 2024, excelling in the key aspects recognised by the awards programme which is dedicated to Transparency, Accountability, Governance, and Sustainability – TAGS.

The Bank won the Gold for ‘Corporate Governance Disclosure’ in the Financial Services sector, the Gold for the Best Annual Report among the private sector banks, the Silver for ‘Digitally Transformative Reporting’ across all sectors, and the overall Bronze award for Excellence in Corporate Reporting.

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UTE Delivers Sri Lanka’s Largest Cat D8 Tractor to NEM Construction

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(From left to right) Deepthi Hewageegana (CEO - UTE), Mani Rajan (Director Distribution - India), Joe Moscato (Vice President - Distribution - Japan & Asia South (India & SE Asia) Caterpillar Inc), Raja Nanayakkara (Chairman / MD - NEM Construction), Prasan Fernando (Chairman - UTE), Priath Fernando - (Director - UTE), Duminda Perera (Senior General Manager - Operations)

Caterpillar equipment dealer UTE has delivered the country’s largest Cat D8 Track-Type Tractor to NEM Construction Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant milestone in heavy machinery. This delivery strengthens the long-standing partnership between UTE and NEM Construction, which spans over 45 years. The Cat D8 is expected to boost operational efficiency in large-scale projects. As the sole authorized dealer for Caterpillar in Sri Lanka, UTE continues to provide top-tier machinery and after-sales support. The handover is particularly notable as Caterpillar celebrates its 100th anniversary. NEM Construction’s Chairman, Raja Nanayakkara, praised the Cat D8’s superior performance and UTE’s unmatched service and parts support, which have been key to the company’s long-term collaboration. This purchase highlights the continued trust in both Caterpillar and UTE’s expertise in supporting Sri Lanka’s construction industry.

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