Business

Perera and Sons donates reverse osmosis plant to Trincomalee District Base Hospital

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/11

Perera and Sons donated a reverse osmosis (RO) plant to the Dialysis Unit of the Trincomalee District Base Hospital. The reverse osmosis plant enables increased access to clean, safe drinking water, thereby reducing the incidence and spread of water borne diseases, and greatly minimizing exposure to chemical pollutants that may plague the local groundwater sources. This unit was manufactured by the expert engineers of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Established in 1940, the District Base Hospital Trincomalee currently encompasses a total of 97 doctors, 608 nurses and attendants, and 523 hospital beds including a specialized Dialysis Unit, affording care to individuals each day. The Dialysis Unit has 7 beds and treats 14 patients a day. The 5 committed doctors, headed by Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Lakshman Weerasinghe stated that it was a dream come true in his career of 3 years at the Trincomalee Hospital to receive treated water to this unit. The RO plant enables higher efficiency water treatment and will allow the hospital to generate a steady supply of uncontaminated water for both general and medical use, beneficial towards securing the health and safety of all patients and visitors. Perera and Sons stepped up to support the initial request for assistance from the Sri Lanka Navy and Dr Jagath Wickramaratne – Director of the District General Hospital. The donation showcases their long-term commitment to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 3 – Good Health and Well-being, and 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively.

Reverse Osmosis is a widely-used water treatment process which removes contamination by passing pressurized water through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane isolates pollutants and allows pure water molecules to pass through, while trapping and separating the contaminated molecules. The RO process filters out all possible contaminants, thus leaving behind clean drinking water for use. The RO plant will thereby ensure communal access to clean, consumable drinking water.

Commenting on this, Kamal Jaimon – Executive Director of Perera and Sons stated, “As a responsible, widely loved household brand, it is our priority to ensure the wellbeing of our local communities. Clean water has posed a major threat to mankind across the globe and sadly we as a nation, experience its devastating effects as well. Having access to clean water is one of the most important and basic human rights, and we are happy to play a part in ensuring this access by donating the RO plant.”

Ruvini Kariyawasam – Director Corporate Affairs of Perera and Sons commented, “This showcases our commitment and determination to give back to our society, helping the community progress towards a safer and more sustainable future while securing it for generations to come. We also hope this sheds light on the important role that clean water plays in our day-to-day lives, and endorse the responsible use of water.”

Gihan Perera, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer – Perera and Sons stated, “Our CSR brand “Manumehewera” is a humanitarian venture which continues to be strengthened by care for those who truly need it. It is a journey embarked to fulfill a destiny that belongs to every human being – to truly live for one another. We will not be stopping here; we have more plans lined up to give back to the society.”

Perera and Sons, Sri Lanka’s leader in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, featured in the Top 100 Most Loved Brands for 2020 by LMD, embarked on its journey to serve Sri Lanka with the best possible meals over a century ago. Founded on traditions and values, the Company continues to create a sustainable future by integrating social responsibility and investing into the wellbeing of communities across our island nation.

All News Advertisement

Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.