Business

“Pulle Madu” to medical school: record intake signals turning point for plantation sector welfare

Published

1 month ago

2026/09/19

Many generations ago, an estate child’s first years began in a cloth hammock strung up near the rows of tea bushes, so a mother could keep working within earshot of her infant. Later a corner in a line room was converted to establish Pulle Madu, where infants and toddlers were sheltered to ensure that plucking by their mothers was not disrupted.

Today, fully equipped Child Development Centers (CDC’s) complete with qualified and trained CDC officers have replaced the old Pulle Madu, to offer children the same level of education and exposure that any child in a city avails. These children receive custodial care, and child development support through these CDC’s, while Early Childhood Centers (ECD) lay greater emphasis on structured early learning through a play-based curriculum, while also providing dedicated spaces for working mothers to breastfeed.

These Centers are the result of the collaborative efforts of the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), the Government of Sri Lanka, and key plantation-sector trade unions, including the Planters’ Association of Ceylon. Together, these stakeholders form the tripartite body that established the Planters’ Human Development Trust (PHDT) in 1992, and have since contributed to significant development across the 22 RPCs.

The RPCs collectively spend nearly Rs. 720 million annually to maintain these CDC’s, reflecting the sector’s continued investment in childhood development and the wellbeing of plantation communities. This foundation supports their continued education and health development and, in the long term, helps them progress towards successfully completing the GCE O/L and A/L examinations.

To date, primary school enrolment among children from plantation communities has reached 100%, while approximately 2–3% of students go on to pursue higher education at local universities. Over the past two years, nearly 250 children from plantation families have gained admission to university, marking the highest number recorded by the sector to date. Among them is a young man from Strathspey Estate, now training to be a doctor at Eastern University. “Everything I have achieved is a direct result of my parents’ tireless hard work,” he said, thanking his teachers and the scholarship grant that carried him through school, whose identity is withheld in line with the programme’s standard practice for student privacy.

It also manifests powerfully in Roots to Wings, the university start-up scholarship initiative launched by PHDT in collaboration with the Planters’ Association and other industry partners. “Every year we saw bright students earn a place at university and then risk losing it, not for lack of ability, but because they couldn’t afford a laptop, a set of books, or even proper clothing to arrive on campus with dignity,” explained PHDT Director General Lal Perera. “To correct this situation, after careful study, we facilitated a scheme that bridges the most urgent gap. We cover the immediate start-up costs, while the Regional Plantation Companies, through their CEOs, ensure that the student is carried through to graduation. If a family loses estate housing when a parent retires, we don’t let that end a degree either. Students are granted extensions, and where needed, RPCs provide new housing, supported in part by Indian High Commission grants. Once a child has earned a place at university, we consider it our duty to make sure that place is never lost to circumstance.”

This scheme has become more than financial assistance; it is a lifeline of dignity, continuity, and hope. By addressing the hidden barriers that often derail promising futures, Roots to Wings ensures that talent from the plantation sector is not wasted but nurtured into leadership for tomorrow. It is a model of shared responsibility, where industry stakeholders collectively safeguard the aspirations of youth, transforming vulnerability into opportunity and circumstance into achievement.

The scheme costs an estimated LKR 10 to 15 million a year, funded by various industry stakeholders. The 2024 to 2025 cohort spans 35 Arts students, 22 in Commerce and Management, 13 in Drama and Theatre, 10 in Bio-systems, 7 in Music, 6 in ICT, four each in Medicine and Engineering, three in Engineering Technology, two in Law and 24 across other faculties, a spread once unimaginable on estates where literacy in PHDT’s target areas has climbed from 40 to 84 percent. Specialised degree pathways and vocational opportunities such as Uva Wellassa University’s Bachelor of Science Honours in Plantation Management, vocational training through the National Institute of Business Management and digital learning through the Open University of Sri Lanka has further empowered students with promising academic and career prospects.

The health figures tracked alongside the Department of Census and Statistics and the Family Health Bureau since 1992, shows infant mortality falling from 18.3 per 1,000 live births to 4.65, and under five mortality from 42.6 to 6.26. Maternal mortality, once as high as 150 per 100,000 live births, has fallen close to zero in most recent figures, and stillbirths have dropped from 40 per 1,000 deliveries to under five today. Nearly all deliveries now happen in health institutions, almost every mother receives antenatal care, and every child completes first year immunization, which are gains attributed to better roads, housing, welfare services and preventive healthcare across the estates.

Nutrition support has similarly evolved, with centers moving from contractor-supplied meal packets towards parent-prepared midday meals. A centrally managed kitchen model has also been piloted at Dessford Estate, with a second facility planned at Holyrood Estate. However, officials do acknowledge that nutrition among younger children remains the area needing the most continued investment.

The progress made in improving health outcomes, particularly in reducing infant mortality, is significant. This reflects the RPCs’ continued commitment to community development, which extends to supporting education through scholarship programmes. These initiatives, together with established healthcare and educational support systems, contribute to improving opportunities and outcomes for children and families across plantation communities.

All News Advertisement

Business

USA–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce plans New York campaign to promote Tourism and Business

Published

11 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

The initiative will provide Sri Lankan businesses with a vital platform to introduce their products and services to the American market

Timing aligns with national policy discussions

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The USA–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce is exploring an innovative promotional initiative to showcase Sri Lanka’s tourism, cultural heritage, and commercial opportunities in the heart of New York City during the upcoming Christmas and holiday season.

The proposed campaign aims to bring Sri Lanka’s unique identity to one of the world’s most internationally recognized cities through a mobile digital billboard featuring high-quality photographs and videos highlighting the island’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and diverse commercial offerings. Designed to capitalize on New York City’s significant holiday-season foot traffic, the initiative will reach American consumers, international tourists, and potential business partners.

The digital showcase will feature pristine beaches, scenic mountains, waterfalls, tea plantations, wildlife, ancient cities, Buddhist heritage, traditional arts, authentic cuisine, and modern attractions, positioning the country as a premier international travel destination. An interactive QR code linking to comprehensive tourism information will also be incorporated, allowing viewers to directly explore travel opportunities.

Beyond destination promotion, the initiative provides Sri Lankan businesses with a vital platform to introduce their products and services to the American market. Enterprises representing Ceylon tea, spices, food products, gems and jewellery, apparel, handicrafts, wellness, hospitality, and tourism will have the opportunity to showcase their brands alongside the broader national campaign.

The Chamber notes that this effort will be particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking greater international exposure, brand recognition, and commercial partnerships in the United States. By integrating tourism promotion with commercial visibility, the project aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s international image while supporting trade, investment, and business development.

Operating under the central message of “Discover Sri Lanka. Experience Sri Lanka. Visit Sri Lanka,” the campaign presents the island as a destination defined by natural beauty, cultural richness, distinctive products, and entrepreneurial potential. More information on the initiative is accessible at www.usaslcc.org.

Tourism sector stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that private-sector-led initiatives of this nature bypass cumbersome bureaucratic procurement procedures and complex tender processes typically associated with state-run promotional campaigns abroad.

The timing aligns with recent national policy discussions regarding tourism promotion. Participating in a Fireside Chat at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that a proper procurement mechanism needs to be established before acquiring tourism promotional concepts, recommending a performance-based system where agencies are compensated according to verified growth in tourist arrivals.

Business

Seylan Bank partners Colombo Motor Show 2026 as official banking and leasing partner

Published

11 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

For 10th consecutive year

Seylan Bank PLC, the Bank with a Heart, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s automotive industry by partnering with the 20th edition of the Colombo Motor Show 2026 as the Official Banking & Leasing Partner for the 10th consecutive year. This makes Seylan Bank the longest-standing partner of the Colombo Motor Show, further reflecting its longstanding association with one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent automotive exhibitions. The four-day exhibition is scheduled to take place from 20th to 23rd November 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), marking the first time the Colombo Motor Show will be held as a four-day event.

As one of Sri Lanka’s leading international motor and motor accessories exhibitions, the Colombo Motor Show will bring together vehicle enthusiasts, prospective buyers, industry professionals and automotive service providers. The 2026 edition is expected to feature over 200 trade stalls covering motor vehicles, accessories, spare parts, lubricants, tyres, batteries, leasing facilities and other motor-related services.

Through its continued partnership, Seylan Bank will showcase a comprehensive range of financial solutions designed to support customers in meeting their personal and business needs, with a particular focus on Seylan Leasing facilities. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to receive on-the-spot leasing evaluations and expert guidance from Seylan Leasing Specialists, helping them explore vehicle financing options conveniently during the event.

Business

WCIC sharpens focus on scaling women-owned businesses

Published

11 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

WCIC Office Bearers

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) is sharpening its focus on helping women entrepreneurs move beyond business creation towards sustainable growth, as it expands its membership, partnerships and advocacy footprint.

WCIC Chairperson Gayani de Alwis, concluding her second tenure, highlighted the Chamber’s efforts had increasingly centered on creating pathways for women to translate entrepreneurial ambition into viable enterprises and, importantly, build those businesses for the longer term.

“Ultimately, our impact is not measured by the number of programmes we conducted, but by the women whose businesses grew, whose voices became stronger, whose horizons expanded and whose contribution to the economy became greater,” she said addressing the WCIC 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 22 September for which the Chief Guest was Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin.

The focus has included a special initiative for female university students with an entrepreneurial mindset, regional chapter initiatives in the Northern Province, capacity-building programmes and the inaugural ‘Beyond Ramp Up’ workshop.

The Chairperson said these initiatives were designed to move women “from aspiration to enterprise, and from enterprise to sustainable growth”, signaling a broader focus on strengthening the progression of women entrepreneurs beyond the initial stages of business formation.

WCIC recorded a 20 percent increase in membership during the period with membership crossing 460 and expanded its ecosystem through a series of strategic partnerships.

Internally, WCIC moved to strengthen its governance framework, revising its Articles of Association to ensure regulatory compliance and introducing a Code of Conduct and Board self-assessment. Clearer organisational roles, job descriptions and performance targets were also introduced as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and professionalise its operations.

Reflecting on her tenure, the Chairperson said the period had been about building a stronger, more connected and professionally governed organisation, while converting its wider ambitions into tangible opportunities for women in business.