SriLankan Airlines has once again been honoured with the prestigious Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, reaffirming its continued recognition in the regional travel and tourism industry. The airline, which has received this award in previous years, was the only international airline to be recognised in this category at this year’s event. The 10th anniversary edition of the awards ceremony was held earlier this month at Hotel Barcelo Nasandhura in Male, Maldives.

Recognised as one of the key events on the Maldivian tourism and travel industry calendar, SATA celebrated its 10th anniversary on a grand scale, bringing together prominent industry stakeholders, including Government Ministers, distinguished dignitaries, diplomats and senior representatives from leading airlines and their respective head offices.

Commenting on the achievement, Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial, SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are honoured to receive this recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. Being named the Leading International Airline in the Visitors’ Choice Awards once again is a meaningful acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our passengers and strengthening our presence in the region. This award inspires us to continue enhancing the travel experience we offer and to build stronger connections with the markets and communities we serve.”

Complementing its commitment to service excellence, SriLankan Airlines offers an extensive flight network with convenient connections to destinations across the globe. In South Asia, the airline operates nearly 130 flights each week to 15 destinations across India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh. With schedules thoughtfully designed to suit the needs of travellers, SriLankan Airlines provides seamless connectivity for those visiting Colombo for business or leisure, as well as passengers travelling onwards to destinations worldwide.

JXG (Janashakthi Group), Sri Lanka’s leading financial conglomerate, has been ranked 44th in LMD’s Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka 2026, marking the Group’s first appearance in the prestigious listing. The recognition places JXG among Sri Lanka’s most respected companies and marks an important milestone in the Group’s master-brand journey.

As the holding company, JXG was also recognised across key attributes including Aspirational Workplace, Business Expansion, Business Innovation, Corporate Culture, Corporate Dynamism, Crisis Management, Employee Wellbeing, Honesty and Integrity, and Leadership Profile. The recognition reflects the growing strength of the JXG brand and the collective contribution of its businesses and people in building trust and confidence among its stakeholders.

JXG’s subsidiaries, including Janashakthi Life and First Capital, have also been recognised in the main table of LMD’s Most Respected Entities 2026 rankings, while Janashakthi Finance has been recognised under the Business Expansion attribute, reflecting the strength of the Group’s individual businesses alongside its growing master brand.

Conceptualised and commissioned by LMD and conducted by PepperCube Research Consultants, the Most Respected Entities special edition recognises companies based on an independent survey of Sri Lanka’s business community.

Commenting on the recognition, Gamika de Silva, Group Chief Marketing Officer at JXG, said, “This is a proud moment for all of us at JXG. We set out to build a Group brand that is not just seen but lived by our people and reflected in everything we do. Ultimately, the true testament to any brand lies in its people, and the credit for this recognition goes to everyone across JXG who brings our values to life every day. This recognition is an encouraging milestone for us, while also reminding us to keep raising the bar and earning the respect of our stakeholders through what we do.”

JXG’s approach to building trust is anchored in its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Respect, Performance Driven and Innovation. These values guide how its businesses operate, how its people engage with one another and how the Group serves its customers and wider stakeholders.

As JXG continues to expand its businesses, the Group remains focused on strengthening its market presence, creating long-term value and contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s financial services sector, guided by its purpose, Breaking Barriers, Forging Futures.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The CSE yesterday bounced back into contention; powered by a global oil price reduction. This proved a motivating factor for stock market investors, market analysts said.

The All Share Price Index up by 175.09 points while S and P SL20 rose by 38.98 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.5 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were; CTC crossed 100,000 shares to the tune of Rs 175 million; its shares traded at Rs 1750, DIMO 65000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 85 million; its shares traded at Rs 1300, Sampath Bank 530,000 shares crossed for Rs 73 million; its shares sold at Rs 138, Sunshine Holdings 2.5 million shares crossed for Rs 58 million; its shares traded at Rs 27, Singer Finance 1.3 million shares crossed for Rs 51 million; its shares sold at Rs 41, NDB 212,000 shares crossed for Rs 22 million; its shares sold at Rs 104 and Commercial Credit and Finance 237,000 shares crossed for Rs 21 million; its shares traded at Rs 90.50.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Dialog Rs 97 million (2.3 million shares traded), Singer (SriLanka) Rs 94 million (1.3 million shares traded), JKH Rs 76 million (4.3 million shares traded), Commercial Credit and Finance Rs 69 million (735,000 shares traded), LMF Rs 29 million (349,000 shares traded), Haycarb Rs 27 million (136,000 shares traded ) and Access Engineering Rs 25 million (330,000 shares traded). During the day 52 million shares volumes changed hands in 14096 transactions.

Banking sector counters, especially Sampath Bank, performed well, while in the manufacturing sector, especially JKH, significantly performed. Singer Finance and Commercial Credit registered notable performances.

Dialog also led the market at retail trading.

Meanwhile, Pan Asia Banking Corporation’s debentures were listed on the exchange. The listing includes a three-year debenture carrying a fixed coupon rate of 12.75 percent per annum and a five-year debenture at 13.50 percent per annum, both with interest payable annually.

Union Assurance and Nations Trust Bank announced the renewal of their bancassurance partnership agreement, extending their collaboration for the distribution of life insurance products. Both entities are part of listed conglomerate John Keells Group.

Lanka credit and Business Finance announced a first interim dividend of Rs 0.2 per share.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 331.20/30 to the US dollar in the spot market ,weaker from Rs 331.15/25 the previous day, while bond yields held steady, dealers said.