Business
Medical equipment and other vital assistance from the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka
President Moon Yong-Jo of IIDA, Dr. Mendis and other senior most officials of the IIDA, with samples of the sanitary products, at the briefing session of the ceremony
With the intervention and coordination of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul, the Sri Lankan community and well-wishers in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the KEB Hana Bank, one of the largest money center banks, have gifted new 32 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to Sri Lanka at the height of the COVID pandemic.
These state-of-the-art ICU beds, which were handed over to Ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis and Head of Chancery Ms. Nilanthi Pelawaththage, would be air lifted to Sri Lanka, courtesy of SriLankan Airlines, this week to reach Colombo at the earliest. These ICU beds are valued at over USD 12,000 (SLRs. 2.4 million). It may further be noted that the E9-PAY Company Ltd. in the Republic of Korea facilitated the sourcing of the aforementioned ICU beds in close coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Further, the Embassy has raised funds, primarily from the Sri Lankan community and migrants in the RoK, in excess of SLRs. 2 million, which would be used to purchase 50 Oxygen Cylinders with the capacity of 10.2L. These would be air lifted to Colombo at the earliest.
The Embassy successfully negotiated and interceded with International Interchange Development Association, known as IIDA, headed by Mr. Moon Yong-Jo in order to receive a gift of Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and a large quantum of sanitary products such as shampoos, tooth brushes, toothpaste and soaps, amongst others, to the peoples of Sri Lanka. This initiative was effectuated by the Commercial Division of the Embassy along with Ambassador Dr. Mendis. The listed price of the Cancer Machine is USD 365,000 and total cost of sanitary products is USD 318,000 thus making the total gift amounting to USD 683,000 or SLRs. 135 million respectively. Since this consignment is very large, it would be shipped to Sri Lanka as soon as IIDA and the Embassy source a competitively priced freight forwarding agent.
This Agreement was signed by Dr. Mendis and the Commercial Division of the Embassy with the President of the IIDA to receive the Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and other sanitary products to be shipped to Sri Lanka. “The Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine, which is one of the most state-of-the-art machines used in the world, would be of immense usage and utility to patients suffering from cancer and cancer related sicknesses in Sri Lanka”, added Dr. Mendis during the gifting ceremony. Ambassador Dr. Mendis further stated “according to the WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, cancer is one of the primary causes of untimely deaths of peoples in developed and developing countries including in Sri Lanka. On any given day, approximately 30,000 people in the world die due to cancer, which is far higher than any other cause of death except of heart diseases”.
Some of the deadliest and most difficult cancers to be medically treated are prostate, pancreatic, breast and lung cancer, amongst others, and in Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis added that a substantial number of people die each year due to cancer. President Mr. Moon of IIDA had visited Sri Lanka in the past and the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) conducts altruistic and philanthropic functionaries in a number of developing countries around the world. The President of IIDA stated that in due course once the COVID pandemic is over, the IIDA would dispatch a couple of experts and technicians to Sri Lanka to familiarize the operational aspect of the aforementioned Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine.
The Embassy on close coordination with Sri Lanka Air Force, intervened and negotiated with the International Fire Safety Association of the RoK, a reputed INGO, which has gifted a Water Tank Vehicle and two Fire Pump Trucks to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Agreement on the gift of fire engines was signed by the Chairperson of International Fire Safety Association and Dr. Mendis and the fire engines, which were scarcely used and are in very good condition. These highly advanced fire engines would be shipped to Sri Lanka in the immediate future. During the recent past, the aforementioned Association has gifted fire engines and ambulances to a number of countries and the Chair assured to the Embassy and to Dr. Mendis that in the future, the Association would gift more fire engines and ambulances to Sri Lanka.
Business
SIA warns of 1,000 SME collapses, urges fair policies to protect Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Solar Industries Association (SIA), representing over 1,000 companies and employing 40,000 workers in Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector, issued a stern warning recently regarding threats to the industry’s survival and the nation’s renewable energy ambitions. The association condemned recent regulatory instability and called for urgent policy reforms to avert economic and social crises.
The SIA categorically rejected the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) claim that rooftop solar installations caused the recent island-wide power outage, calling the accusation “baseless and misleading.”
“Public trust is eroded when accountability is misdirected,” the SIA stated. “We demand an independent, transparent investigation led by experts appointed by the Ministry or the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL). The CEB’s unilateral statements disregard the sector’s contributions and jeopardize Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition,” they said.
“While acknowledging the formation of a tariff determination committee, the SIA criticized its narrow focus on financial parameters, ignoring the sector’s socioeconomic value. Rooftop solar empowers businesses and households with energy independence, reduces grid strain, and supports climate goals. However, proposed volatile tariff structures risk destabilizing over 100,000 installations—primarily owned by middle-class families—and deter future investment,” they noted.
“A rigid, equation-based tariff system is unsustainable,” the association warned. “Sri Lanka needs a stable policy framework to attract long-term investments. For instance, retirees could invest EPF savings into solar projects, securing income while advancing national energy targets. Without urgent action, 1,000 SMEs and 40,000 jobs face collapse, with dire consequences for employment, energy security, and economic stability,” they pointed out.
SIA urged policymakers to establish an independent committee to investigate the power outage fairly, expand the tariff committee’s mandate to include socioeconomic and environmental benefits and implement predictable policies to safeguard SMEs, households, and investor confidence.
“Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads,” the SIA emphasized. “Protecting rooftop solar isn’t just about energy—it’s about livelihoods, economic resilience, and a sustainable future. We urge stakeholders to collaborate on solutions that prioritize both people and progress,: they emphasized.
Starting its promotional work for 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) added another feather into its cap of endorsements, by being recognized as the most innovative Tourism Board promotion in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) . In parallel to that, several other sub events were held. The OTM was held in Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai—India, from 30th January to 01st February 2025.Before OTM, the Global Village – Global Exchange & Trade Exhibition was held at the Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre , Sarsana, Surat (Gujarat – India , from 25th to 27th January 2025. This travel fair was organized by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).
Sri Lanka participated in both OTM and South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held from 19th – 21st Feb 2025, in New Delhi, India . This was an excellent opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote it’s potential as a unique travel destination, especially for the Indian counterparts, as SLTPB has identified India as the number one source market for Sri Lanka, tourism bringing the largest number of tourist arrivals to the destination.
SLT-MOBITEL has entered into a strategic partnership with Rush Lanka Group to provide exclusive SLT-MOBITEL Fibre connectivity solutions to their portfolio of luxury apartment developments in Colombo and the suburbs, enhancing the digital experience of all residents.
The agreement was signed between Imantha Wijekoon, Chief Business Officer of Consumer Business at SLT, and Zaid Ariff, Director of Construction at the Rush Group headquarters. Representatives from both companies also attended the ceremony.
Under the partnership, SLT-MOBITEL will serve as the exclusive digital service provider for five prestigious Rush Lanka developments including Street Rush Residencies and Rush Court 4 in Mt. Lavinia, Rush Tower 2, Rush Metropolis in Dehiwala, and Rush Court 5 in Colombo 14. The collaboration ensures residents will enjoy superior fibre connectivity speeds, enabling seamless digital experiences in modern smart homes. The partnership with the Rush Lanka Group aligns with SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to offer ultra-fast, reliable connectivity solutions to residential developments. Delivering exclusive fibre connectivity to luxury apartments, SLT-MOBITEL ensures residents have access to world-class digital services that complement the living experience promised by Rush Lanka Group.
Powered by advanced fibre technology, SLT-MOBITEL network will provide the residences with seamless performance across digital activities. The SLT-MOBITEL Fibre backbone ensures lag-free experiences whether tenants are gaming online, attending virtual classes, working remotely, or streaming high-definition entertainment. SLT-MOBITEL Fibre will transform the lifestyles of all apartment users bringing greater convenience and superior quality of life.
Rush Lanka Group, established in 1992, is a property developer specializing in luxury and semi-luxury apartments.
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