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Pan Asia Bank upskills SME hoteliers of Sri Lanka’s top tourist destination – Ella

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Pan Asia Bank event focused on SME hoteliers in Ella.

The Truly Sri Lankan Bank, Pan Asia Bank, selected the scenic locales of Ella to host a specially developed SME workshop to uplift local tourism industry stakeholders in the region. The world-famous Ella is one of the top destinations in Sri Lanka for both local and foreign tourists. The SME workshop was a collaborative effort between Pan Asia Bank, National Chamber of Commerce, UVA Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Promotion Bureau UVA. The full-day event brought together key stakeholders, industry experts and the Pan Asia Bank Team for a series of insightful discussions to help SMEs thrive.

Present at the event was Naleen Edirisinghe, Director/CEO, Pan Asia Bank, along with N.G.R.D. Kumarawansa, Chairman, UVA Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Thilini Dilshani, Executive Officer, Special Programs Promotion, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka; and Sampath Nishshanka, Provincial Director, Industry Development and Tourism Sector, UVA Provincial Council & CEO, UVA Tourism Promotion Agency and other officials.

The special workshop aimed to enhance and develop the sector through a series of speeches, presentations and interactive activities. The agenda presentations on the positive factors and challenges in domestic tourism, essential traits for entrepreneurial success, financial literacy, key aspects of banking relationships, and budget management. In addition, group discussions focused on identifying and managing different types of capital, understanding cash flow and profit, and preparing practical cash flow plans. The event provided valuable networking opportunities for the participants. Moreover, in a further value addition, interactive sessions on employee engagement emphasized best practices in HR management, leadership development and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

The workshop was conducted by veteran Business Coach, Trainer and Consultant, Mr. Sarath Dias-Bandaranayake, a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, Fellow of the Institute of Training & Development, Founder Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers; Certified Life & Business Coach, a Trainer of Entrepreneurs, Banking & Finance & HR Professionals, Essential Skills, Trainers, Coaches; Life & Business Coach; Banking, Finance, Management & an HR Consultant.

Commenting on the event, CEO of Pan Asia Bank, Naleen Edirisinghe, stated, “This workshop is a clear indication of our firm and continued efforts towards building the nation through uplifting the business community, especially the tourism sector, which generates much-needed foreign currency and job opportunities for Sri Lankans. As we join hands with the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and UVA Tourism, it is our understanding that more needs to be done to support Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. We acknowledge the importance of developing SMEs in order to promote and sustain tourism in Sri Lanka.”



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.

Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.

A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.

These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.

Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments

Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.

Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.

“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.

The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.

Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.

“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.

Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.

She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”

Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.

As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.

For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.

By Ifham Nizam

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.

Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.

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