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Research work on making sauce from Palmyra successfully completed

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Entrepreneurs urged to take it to the next level

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The  research team headed by Dr Anu Balasubramaniyan attached to the  Palmyra Research Institute Kaithady in Jaffna has developed a new Palmyra sauce using Palmyra pulp, for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The Research Institute is also working on developing the Palmyra pulp for making delicious cakes, chocolates and beverages for the export market.

“This new sauce will be introduced to the market through the manufacturer or a third party which would be a novel experience for local customers because earlier sauces were  manufactured from tomatoes and chillies. This new sauce will be an alternative for those currently available varieties,” Dr Balasubramaniyan told the Island Financial Review in Jaffna.

She said that this research work would help in expansion of research at the institute, thereby improving the production and productivity in the Northern and Eastern province and benefiting around sixty thousand families whose livelihood depends on palmyra either directly or indirectly.” Where the Palmyra industry in Jaffna district is concerned it has  over 3.5 million Palmyra trees and making Palmyra sauce from its pulp on a commercial basis  is possible for the people in Jaffna region,” Dr Balasubramaiyan said.

She said that the Research Institute functions under the Palmyra Development Board, and therefore, it could promote overseas markets, initially with India. The  Palmyra industry promotion drives to build a bridge of peace and co-existence between the North and the South to increase socioeconomic ties.

She also said that there is a growing demand in the foreign market for items such as household utensils like bags, baskets, waste paper baskets and brushes made out of palmyrah fiber and leaves, in addition to Palmyrah cake, chocolate and beverages.

“Our institution is prepared to help the youth interested in the Palmyra industry to become successful entrepreneurs by providing them with all necessary guidelines, technology and marketing facilities,” she said.

According to her, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and the Palmyra Development Board have supported in establishing the Research Institute.



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ASUS launches ‘cutting edge’ laptops in Sri Lanka for AI acceleration

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The newly launched ASUS ROG laptops

ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) Sri Lanka officially launched their latest suite of computing innovations, setting a new benchmark for ultra-portability, AI acceleration, and next-generation gaming experiences in the country.

Unveiled at Shangri La, Colombo on May 7th, the lineup includes five cutting-edge laptops designed to cater to students, professionals, gamers, and creators, marking a transformative leap for Sri Lanka’s tech landscape.

Leading the charge is the ASUS Zenbook A14, the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC at just 980 grams. Featuring a durable Ceraluminum chassis, Snapdragon X processor, and a 45 TOPS NPU for AI tasks, it boasts an ASUS Lumina OLED display, up to 32-hour battery life, Wi-Fi 7, and 1 TB SSD storage. Meanwhile, the gaming-focused ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 and Zephyrus G16 pack Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs, paired with 240Hz Mini-LED displays, customizable RGB lighting, and advanced cooling systems for marathon sessions.

“Our mission is to push boundaries in performance and design,” said Eric Ou, ASUS South Asia’s Regional Head, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to innovation. The new devices blend portability with power, offering AI-enhanced workflows and gaming prowess.With multi-day battery life and groundbreaking specs, ASUS aims to redefine how Sri Lankans work, create, and play.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

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Direct Kitchens opens flagship Colombo showroom blending Australian luxury design with local elegance

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Ceremonial opening of the Direct Kitchens showroom in Colombo, by Nalin Herath, Chairman and Managing Director of Home Lands Group

Direct Kitchens, Melbourne’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-end custom kitchens, marked a significant milestone with the launch of its first international showroom in Colombo, bringing over 40 years of world-class kitchen design expertise to sophisticated Sri Lankan homeowners. Located at No. 314, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03, the new Experience Centre reflects the brand’s commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation.

The soft launch of the showroom was attended by select invitees including Nalin Herath, Chairman and Managing Director of Home Lands Group, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, along with industry professionals and well-wishers.

For over three decades, Direct Kitchens has earned a stellar reputation in Australia for creating bespoke, luxurious kitchens that are as functional as they are visually stunning. From sleek modern designs to timeless French provincial and country styles, each kitchen is crafted with precision, using the finest materials and cutting-edge technology. The brand also specializes in a range of custom interior solutions including pantry units, wardrobes, closets, laundry units, and more—tailored to suit the lifestyle and aesthetic of each client. Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka is a subsidiary of Home Lands Group, Sri Lanka’s leading real estate solutions provider.

The Colombo Experience Centre marks the beginning of Direct Kitchens’ global journey in redefining sophisticated living spaces. Visitors to the showroom can explore a curated selection of premium kitchen displays, cabinetry styles, finishes, and fittings—guided by a team of expert designers who offer personalized consultations and complete project management services.

Speaking at the launch, Amaya Herath, Director of Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka, stated, “We are proud to bring the legacy of Direct Kitchens to Sri Lanka and offer homeowners here access to a new standard in luxury interior solutions. Our Experience Centre is more than just a showroom—it’s a space where creativity, lifestyle, and functionality meet. With our decades of expertise and design excellence, we look forward to helping our clients transform their homes into elegant, purposeful spaces.”

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W15 Ambuluwawa- Magic, mystery and magnificence

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Harold Samuel, a British real estate mogul is credited with the phrase- location, location, location, a sentiment that will forever be pertinent and one that is evident when you behold W15 Ambuluwawa, a white clad stunning boutique hotel perched atop an outcrop of land in Gampola, offering 360-degree views of hills wearing jade and crowns of white clouds. It is a magical place that invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and step into the extraordinary and be enveloped with an utter stillness of being and a peace that transcends quiet.

W15 Ambuluwawa is indeed a rare find, a gem that has been recently added to adorn the W15 Collection, a group of luxurious boutique hotels dotted across some of the most beautiful locations in Sri Lanka. The first boutique hotel to be opened within the Ambuluwawa biodiversity project, W15 Ambuluwawa, with one master suite, 4 deluxe and 3 standard rooms, has been designed with responsibility to the surroundings and sustainability at its core. The ingenuity of architectural genius is displayed from every space in this breathtaking property as the exterior beauty is captured through floor to ceiling windows, a spacious patio and a sundeck.

Guests can expect W15’s signature exceptional service with a large staff cadre and a personal butler assigned to each room, an extraordinary al-fresco dining experience where tastebuds will be tantalized while nature paints the skies with vivid hues and birdsong provides a harmony of background music. Evenings are for breathtaking sunsets to be imbued into your restless soul while you sip a sundowner on the patio.

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