Business
Rayush Wijeyaratne takes over as MD Event Productions
Rayush Wijeyaratne who has been at Event Management Pvt Limited (EPPL) for over a decade takes over the reins as Managing Director of this thirty-year old company which has been at the forefront of shaping the event management space in Sri Lanka. Having joined EPPL in 2011 post his degree in Business from London School of Economics, while overlooking operations of the company founded by his father Roshan in the early 1990s, Rayush took the lead in adding tech-innovations into the complete look and feel of event production.
“I am excited to be handing over the company I founded to the second generation, which is truly a proud moment for me,” says Roshan Wijeyaratne who will continue as Director of the Company, to extend support and share his wealth of experience. “It is now in the able hands of Rayush, who has proven undoubtedly that he has the fundamental skill set to lead a team of professionals to create, innovate, produce and manage some of the most challenging and high-pressure events produced in this country.”
Having navigated the company through some of the most difficult times in Sri Lanka’s history but never veering from his commitment to ultra-professionalism not just in the events he produces but also in his attitude, discipline, detail orientation and creativity, Rayush has added the vital component of the next-gen tech feel into the EPPL portfolio. Renowned for producing events to international standards which has also seen its client portfolio gain the addition of a leading global and local corporates to achieve sustained growth, EPPL has produced over five thousand events ranging from corporate events, award ceremonies, conferences, product launches, fashion shows and gala events to innovative hybrid events, visual experiences, concerts and festivals.
“This is a big step for the company but I know my team is ready to take the next leap,” he says. “Our role is to support brands and corporates bring their products and ideas to life by creating engaging and flawlessly executed events and I am proud to be a part of a team which is committed to the highest standards of service and quality. I look forward to leading the Company as we continue to raise the bar to provide our clients innovative, purposeful and engaging productions that will support their business goals.”
Quality, professionalism and exceptional service has been the continuing formula EPPL engages in, to build long-term relationships with its clients, some of who have been with EPPL for as long as 25 years. Says Rayush: “The trust and confidence each of our clients have placed in us makes us push the bar higher in everything we do and with this new chapter unfolding, I am extremely excited to be in the hot seat to take not just the company but the industry to new heights.”
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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