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Putting SL’s culinary talent together for the ‘Oympics of Gastronomy’

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A section of Sri Lanka’s culinary talent pool.

Sri Lanka’s rising ambition to position itself as a global culinary and tourism hub received a resounding boost this week with the upcoming Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka finals, slated for July 27, 2025. With participation from 48 of the island’s most talented chefs, the competition is more than a showcase of skill—it is a platform to transform Sri Lanka’s global image through food, tourism, and innovation.

Bocuse d’Or, dubbed the “Olympics of Gastronomy,” is regarded globally as the pinnacle of culinary competition. For Sri Lanka, this isn’t just about medals—it’s about elevating local talent, ingredients, and culture onto the world stage. The winners of the national finals will represent the island at the Asia-Pacific regionals in 2026, with a coveted pathway to the global grand final in Lyon, France in 2027.

“This competition is not just about chefs, said Chef Rohan Fernandopulle, president of Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka. “It’s about putting our country on the plate.”

According to Chef Alan Palmer, event coordinator and a long-standing mentor in the Sri Lankan culinary circuit, Bocuse d’Or is an unmatched opportunity.

“This is the seventh time we’re conducting the national selection. We’ve had the honour of sending Sri Lankan chefs to Lyon twice already. This is about identifying and nurturing talent that can compete with the best in the world.”

He emphasised the event’s integrity and structure. “The same standards, ingredients, and timing used in Lyon are being followed here. Four international judges, icons in the culinary world, and four local judges will ensure fairness and excellence. It’s world-class in every sense.”

Adding diplomatic weight to the occasion, French ambassador to Sri Lanka, Remi Lambert, described the competition as a vital channel to promote Sri Lanka’s soft power.

“Bocuse d’Or is more than a contest—it’s a cultural ambassador. In France, cuisine is a living heritage passed from generation to generation. Sri Lanka has that same richness. The world wants to taste your story.”

He likened Lyon, the final host city, to a perfect plate—”a convergence of rivers, regions, and cultures”—and encouraged Sri Lankan chefs to “transmit the story of your mountains, plains, lakes, and spices through your food.”

Lambert also stressed the values embedded in the competition—authenticity, sustainability, and storytelling.

“Paul Bocuse believed in raising people up—young talent, sustainable techniques, respect for ingredients. These are values that matter today more than ever and Sri Lanka is well-positioned to express them.”

As principal sponsor, Dilmah Ceylon Tea is using the platform to advocate for pride in local ingredients. Speaking on behalf of the company, Suren Athukorale, Head of International Food Service, called on chefs to elevate what is authentically Sri Lankan.

“You are the storytellers of our heritage. You take ingredients and turn them into emotion,” he said. “And what ingredient is more deeply Sri Lankan than tea?”

Athukorale recalled how in 2006, the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon dedicated an entire tea room to understanding Ceylon Tea—a move initiated by Dilmah.

“Now we ask our chefs to go further—not just to cook with tea and cinnamon, but to celebrate them. Let’s remind the world that our ingredients are not commodities. They are culture.”

Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka, echoed a similar sentiment of national development through food. Nestlé, through its Professional division, is a key partner of the event.

“This competition aligns perfectly with three of Nestlé’s core values, he said. “Developing young talent, supporting local culinary expertise and proudly showcasing Sri Lankan cuisine.”

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) chairman Bhuddhika Hewawasam described Bocuse d’Or as part of a national movement toward culinary tourism.

“For too long, we’ve been known for putting our country on the plate for the wrong reasons. Now, for once, chefs are doing it for the right ones, he said. “Sri Lanka’s food diversity—whether Jaffna crab curry or southern ambul thiyal—is a goldmine for tourism.”

He emphasized that attracting tourists is not only about numbers, but about value.

“If we develop local talent and retain them in the industry, we don’t just build better hotels—we retain wealth. We create a tourism economy where local chefs earn global respect.”

Hewawasam also highlighted the participation of female chefs in this year’s contest as a welcome step toward gender balance in hospitality and tourism.

As the clock ticks toward July 27, all eyes are on the stoves at William Angliss Institute, Malabe, where the national final will unfold and the awards ceremony will be held at Cinnamon Life.

By Ifham Nizam



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Dialog delivers strong growth, stronger national contribution in FY 2025

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Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Friday 6th February 2026, its consolidated financial results (Reviewed) for the year ended 31st December 2025. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).

Group Performance

The Group delivered a strong performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Digital Pay Television businesses recording a positive Core Revenue growth of 16% Year to Date (“YTD”). Group Headline Revenue reached Rs179.6Bn, up 5% YTD, despite the continued strategic scaling down of low-margin international wholesale business. In Q4 2025, Revenue was recorded at Rs46.5Bn up 2% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”) and 2% Year-on-Year (“YoY”).

The Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs86.0Bn up 30% YTD supported by Core Revenue performance and Cost Rescaling Initiatives. On a QoQ basis Group EBITDA demonstrated a modest growth to record at Rs23.0Bn up 2% QoQ with an EBITDA margin of 49.5% in line with the Revenue performance. Group EBITDA margin reached 47.9% for FY 2025, up 9.2pp.

Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs20.8Bn for FY 2025, up 67% YTD mainly resulting from robust EBITDA growth, despite higher tax and net finance costs. Normalized for forex impact, NPAT growth was recorded at +>100% YTD to reach Rs22.1Bn. On a QoQ basis NPAT grew 3% to reach Rs5.9Bn resulting from strong EBITDA performance.

On the back of strong operational performance, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”)

of Rs49.3Bn for FY 2025 up >100% YTD.

Dividend Payment to Shareholders

In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 6th February 2026, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.50 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 5.0% based on share closing price for FY 2025. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.

Company and Subsidiary Performance

At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to be the primary contributor to Group Revenue (76%) and Group EBITDA (74%). Aided by sustained growth in the Data segment and cost-rescaling initiatives, Company revenue was recorded at Rs135.8Bn for FY 2025, up 18% YTD, EBITDA rose 32% YTD to reach Rs63.6Bn. On a QoQ basis, Q4 2025 Revenue was recorded at Rs34.8Bn, down 1% QoQ due to a reclassification of Hubbing Revenue, while EBITDA decline 1% QoQ to record Rs17.0Bn, largely attributable to network restoration costs and donations made in relation to the Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts. Furthermore, NPAT was recorded at Rs15.6Bn for FY 2025, up 41% YTD. Normalised for forex impacts, the company NPAT was up +>100% YTD to reach Rs17.0Bn. On a QoQ basis, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.5Bn, down 6% QoQ.

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Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships reach 25-year milestone

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Ceylinco Life has announced the launch of the 25th consecutive edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence among the children of its policyholders.

Under the 2026 programme, the life insurance market leader will present scholarships with a total cumulative value of Rs. 22.7 million, continuing a rewards initiative that has now been conducted without interruption for a quarter of a century. Since its inception, the Ceylinco Life Pranama Scholarships programme has benefitted 3,466 students across the country, representing a total investment of Rs. 240 million in nurturing academic achievement and outstanding performance in sports, arts and other extracurricular pursuits.

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Sri Lankans’ artistic genius glowingly manifests at Kala Pola ‘26

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The spirit of Sri Lanka as it was ably captured by an artist.

The artistic genius of Sri Lankans was amply manifest all over again at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ which was held on February 8th at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 7; the usual, teeming and colourful venue for this annual grand exhibition and celebration of the work of local visual artists.

If there is one thing that has flourished memorably and resplendently in Sri Lanka over the centuries it is the artistic capability or genius of its people. It is something that all Sri Lankans could feel a sense of elation over because from the viewpoint of the arts, Sri Lanka is second to no other nation. With regard to the visual arts a veritable dazzling radiance of this inborn and persisting capability is seen at the annual open air ‘Kala Pola’.

A bird of Sri Lanka created from scraps of iron waste.

All capable visual artists, wherever they hail from in Sri Lanka, enjoy the opportunity of exhibiting their work at the ‘Kala Pola’ and this is a distinctive ‘positive’ of this annual event that draws numberless artists and viewers. There was an abundance of paintings, sketches and sculptures, for instance, and one work was as good as the other. Ample and equal space was afforded each artist. Its widely participatory and open nature enables one to describe the exhibition as exuding a profoundly democratic ethos.

Accordingly, this time around at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ too Sri Lankans’ creative efforts were there to be viewed, studied and enjoyed in the customary carnival atmosphere where connoisseurs, local and foreign, met in a sprit of camaraderie and good cheer. Many thanks are owed once again to the George Keyt Foundation for the presentation of the event in association with the John Keells Group and the John Keells Foundation, not forgetting the Nations Trust Bank, which was the event’s Official Banking Partner. The exhibition was officially declared open by Chief Guest Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.

By Lynn Ockersz

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