Business

President requests chairman and Board to continue in office, says BOI

Published

5 years ago

2021/12/8

The President has refused to accept the resignations of the chairman and Board of the BOI. The President has instead indicated that he wishes for them to continue in office, a BOI statement said.

The statement:

The Board of Investment wishes to announce that His Excellency the President has refused to accept the resignations of the Chairman and Board members of the Board of Investment who tendered in their resignations last week.

In a letter addressed individually to the Chairman and respective Board members, by Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the President, further stated that His Excellency wishes for them to continue services, as he has highest confidence in them, as they contribute effectively to promote foreign investments to the best interest of the country and help the post COVID economic transformation.

As of November 2021, the BOI has signed USD 2bn worth of investment approvals. During the first half of 2021 alone, USD 760mn has been invested in Sri Lanka, of which USD 400mn is FDI, in contrast to pre-pandemic 2019, where 113 new projects were approved and added to the pipeline, to the value of USD 1.1Bn, of which, the foreign component value was USD 400mn. In 2020, despite the pandemic and slow down in investment decisions, 128 projects were approved with a value of USD 2.2Bn, of which, the foreign investment component was USD 1.6Bn. in 2021, 117 new projects were approved to the value of USD 2Bn, of which USD 980mn is the foreign investment component. Through this, the overall investment pipeline has exceeded 2019 values, despite the pandemic continuing through 2020 and 2021. Added to this, the year-to-date export value for BOI companies has also surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Earlier a BOI statement said:

Prominent members of the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment have stepped down from their positions.

The Chairman, members of the Board of Directors and Director General assumed office with the singular intent of supporting His Excellency the President’s vision to double Sri Lanka’s GDP in this decade. In line with this, the Board of Investment’s role in transforming the country into a preferred investment destination by creating a compelling investment climate arose through the conceptualisation and execution of strategic and proactive investment promotions.

To achieve this strategic agenda, the cabinet and the leadership team of the Board of Investment recognised that many transformations were required internally to enable the Board of Investment to compete against over 1,000 international promotion agencies active globally. They also recognised that this task could not be achieved in silos, and that collaborative efforts through a public-private partnership model was essential. This included the infusion of specialist skills through the acquisition of new talent for selected positions and also the obtaining of specialist professional services to attract and create new investment portfolios to stimulate the country’s trajectory towards a knowledge driven economy.

Unfortunately, the efforts of the leadership to achieve this urgently required transformation, was strongly and continuously resisted by isolated factions both within and outside the organization, who have put their self-interest over the public. Such factions either failed or refused to comprehend the competitive realities of the international promotion landscape, in which Sri Lanka needs to compete much more effectively, if it is to attract FDI at the scale the country needs.

It is also a matter of regret that the progressive agenda of the leadership has come into question in public fora, also implying mismanagement based on events that occurred during 2017 and 2019, a period prior to the time of the current leadership. The many distortions and misconceptions publicised about the Board of Investment as a result of this confusion, has affected the reputation of the Board of Investment internationally, as well as the reputations of its key personnel.

Despite these unfortunate developments, the leadership of the Board of Investment remain confident about the significant potential their programme of reforms can provide to support Sri Lanka’s economic progress in future, if it is continued to its natural culmination. They are hopeful that all stakeholders will collectively work in that manner necessary for the greater good of Sri Lanka and all its citizens.

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

23 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

23 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

23 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.