Business
NSB marks Golden Jubilee with focus on the need for thrift
Today marks the 50th year of the founding of the National Savings Bank (NSB). To celebrate this milestone, a Walk will be launched on March 19 by the NSB head office in Colombo, its regional offices and branches all over the country, among a series of other events, focusing strongly on the need for thrift among Sri Lanka’s citizenry.
An NSB press release said: The 16th of March, 2022 heralds the dawn of the Golden Jubilee of Sri Lanka’s Safest banking institution, The National Savings Bank popularly referred to as the NSB. As the institution that inculcates savings tin the nation, the NSB has metamorphosed from it’s frugal beginning to become the country’s premier savings institution and thereby becoming a national icon so much so that, today the Till logo along with the acronym “NSB” are synonymous throughout the nation to reflect safety and stability to all our stakeholders. The five decades of growth that the NSB has achieved today is in fact a reflection of the generations of trust placed by our invaluable patrons upon us culminating in NSB becoming the savings giant of Sri Lanka.
Chairperson’s Message
It is with great pride and pleasure that I as the Chairperson of the National Savings Bank, the safest bank in Sri Lanka, steer the NSB through its 50th Anniversary Celebrations. In the journey spanning five decades, the NSB has grown from strength to strength whilst serving the people of this nation with consistency and consideration. I take this opportunity to thank all our honoured guests present here today, for the unstinted support given to us in dispensing with information to the public. I reiterate our desire to continue working with the distinguished guests throughout our journey to greatness. I am honoured to be part of the National Savings Bank at its Golden Jubilee Celebrations and thank all those who celebrate with us.
General Manager / CEO’s Message
The year 2022 is most significant in the history of National Savings Bank (NSB)having completed 50 years in provision of an excellent and continuous service to this nation. While we celebrate our Golden jubilee, we reflect on our deep roots spanning almost two centuries, that has kept us in touch with the people through generations and being chiseled in the annals of history as a distinguished institution. It is my honour to serve in this great financial institution that has molded generations of savers who are the lifeblood of this nation. As the General manager/ CEO, I express my profound appreciation to all out stakeholders and distinguished guests for their continuous faith in our abilities as the safest bank in Sri Lanka and invite all to celebrate with us this momentous occasion.
In celebrating the 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee of the National Savings Bank, we would be remiss not to appreciate our stakeholders and in view of this, the NSB will host:
❖ Women’s Day Celebrations centered upon empowering women’s contribution to the National Economy on 5th March, 2022 with a variety of Media contents
❖ The Agroforestry Initiative focusing on the banks projects and the impact realized for society on the 12th of March, 2022 by giving impetus to home gardening and cultivation.
❖ An Appreciation of all NSB stakeholders for placing their “Trust” in NSB throughout generations of successive savers on the 19th of March, 2022 by conducting a walk initiating from the Head Office and all regions and branches of Sri Lanka to raise awareness on Thrift.
❖ Inaugurating the Digitalization of NSB and the Emphasis upon Inward Remittances to strengthen the National Economy on the 26th of March, 2022
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
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