Business

Revive mangroves degraded by shrimp farms

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/6

Wildlife and Nature Protection Society team-up with Hemas to

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) in partnership with Hemas Consumer Brands commemorated World Wetland Day by planting mangrove seedlings in degraded areas within Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary in Puttalam, together with the local community.

“The planted seedlings were carefully nurtured and grown to adapt to conditions within the wetland in Nurseries within the surrounding mangrove habitats prior to being planted in the areas that are now demarcated for regeneration and around abandoned shrimp farms. Hemas Consumer Brands has committed to regeneration a 3.5 hectare area demarcated for regeneration,” a news release in this connection said.

The Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary spans over 1,397 hectares and is an amalgamation of forest wetlands like mangrove and freshwater swamps, coastal saltwater ecosystems and freshwater lakes. It is one of Sri Lanka’s six designated “Ramsar Sites”.

The release explained that mangroves form the foundation of a highly productive and biologically rich ecosystem which provides a home and feeding ground for a wide range of species, many of which are endangered. Although mangroves make up less than one percent of all tropical forests worldwide, they are highly valuable ecosystems, providing an array of essential goods and services which contribute significantly to the livelihoods, well-being and security of coastal communities. Mangroves are also Carbon Sinks and store up to four times the amount of CO2 than a tropical rain forest

In the past, mangrove restoration projects in the area often failed because local communities ended up destroying the mangrove habitats to establish fish and shrimp farms, a common and popular mode of income in the region with short term benefits for local fishing communities, it said.

“Understanding the importance of community participation and to inculcate a sense of stewardship, Professor Sevvandi Jayakody and her team of researchers together with the WNPS and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) have built close ties with members of the local community since the launch of the pilot phase of the project in 2018.

“Men and women from the local regions are actively involved in every stage of the project from maintaining the mangrove nurseries to mangrove replanting and by incorporating silvofisheries, a practice where mangroves are planted alongside shrimp farms, into rehabilitation efforts.”

Whilst restoring the environment, this initiative also provides job opportunities for locals who are impacted by the pandemic. The stakeholders will work closely with local communities in the management of mangroves post-rewilding to ensure the sustainability of the project and the deliverance of the amazing ecosystem services that this restored wetland could offer, it said.

The five-year programme was implemented by the The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) with technical expertise from the University of Wayamba and under the patronage of DWC, with financial support and active participation from Hemas Consumer Brands.

“The three agencies will work in close synergy, drawing on their complementary technical capacities to achieve concrete results in terms of sustainable management, restoration and conservation of the wetland,” the release explained.

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Business

Canada Day celebration highlights deepening Sri Lanka-Canada business ties

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

H.C. Isabelle Martin

The vibrant celebration of Canada’s 159th National Day in Colombo brought together diplomats, government representatives, leading business executives and members of the Sri Lankan and Canadian communities, highlighting the growing strength of bilateral economic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and Canada.

Hosted by the Canada Sri Lanka Business Convention (CanCham Sri Lanka), the event attracted one of the largest gatherings in its history, providing an important platform for business networking while celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries.

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin said Canada and Sri Lanka continue to enjoy a warm and expanding partnership built on shared values, people-to-people links, trade, investment and development cooperation.

“Canada Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate our country but also to celebrate the strong friendships and partnerships we have built with Sri Lanka.

The remarkable turnout this evening reflects the strength of those relationships and the growing collaboration between our two nations,” Martin said.

She noted that the close engagement between Canadian and Sri Lankan businesses continues to create new opportunities in trade, innovation, education, sustainable development and investment.

CanCham Sri Lanka officials said this year’s celebration was among the most successful Canada Day events ever organised by the Chamber, drawing an outstanding crowd and creating exceptional opportunities for business networking.

“What an incredible celebration of Canada Day. This was truly one of the most successful Canada Day celebrations in history, with an outstanding crowd and exceptional networking opportunities. It was wonderful to see so many distinguished guests, business leaders and community members come together,” the organisers said.

They thanked sponsors, partners, supporters and volunteers whose dedication ensured the success of the event.

The evening showcased Canada’s multicultural heritage while reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to promoting stronger commercial links between Sri Lanka and Canada.

Guests representing a wide cross-section of industries exchanged ideas on expanding trade, investment and innovation partnerships.

Canada remains an important economic partner for Sri Lanka, with bilateral trade spanning apparel, agriculture, seafood, ICT services, education and professional services.

Canadian companies continue to explore opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, technology and sustainable development, while Sri Lankan exporters maintain a significant presence in the Canadian market.

Business leaders attending the celebration expressed confidence that closer collaboration between the two countries would further strengthen economic resilience and create new opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing.

The event concluded on a celebratory note, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Canada and Sri Lanka and the shared commitment to fostering stronger business and people-to-people ties in the years ahead.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

Tokyo Cement inspires future-ready construction at BUILD BEYOND 2026 Technology Summit

Published

19 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

Senior Professor Priyan Mendis from the University of Melbourne, speaking at the ‘Build Beyond 2026 Summit

Tokyo Cement hosted ‘Build Beyond 2026 Summit’, a premier knowledge-sharing conference that brought together leading academics, civil and structural engineering experts and professionals of the Sri Lankan construction industry. The event featured keynote addresses by renowned construction technology specialists, Professor Shashank Bishnoi from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-Abu Dhabi, and Senior Professor Priyan Mendis from the University of Melbourne.

The summit marked the second edition of the Build Beyond Engineering Technology Summit organized by the Tokyo Cement Group, designed to foster collaboration between academia and industry while highlighting global trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in cement and concrete. This year’s discussions focused on advancements in material science that are driving more sustainable and cost-efficient construction practices.

The event drew participation from state-sector authorities, research institutions, academia, engineering students, and public and private sector organizations, creating a dynamic platform for engagement across the construction industry. A key feature of the summit was a high-level panel discussion on “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Construction Future,” featuring several distinguished industry leaders.

The panel included Eng. Nissanka Wijerathne, the Secretary General/CEO of the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCI), Founder and Deputy Chairman of Civil & Structural Engineering Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd.; Eng. Shiromal Fernando, the Chairman of CTBUH Sri Lanka and Vice President of the Green Building Council Sri Lanka, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University and visiting lecturer at the University of Moratuwa; Eng.

Business

ComBank and Carmart join forces to make Peugeot and Leapmotor vehicles more accessible

Published

19 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

Kapila Liyanage, Assistant General Manager – Personal Banking and Retail Products at Commercial Bank and Senake Amerasinghe, Managing Director of Carmart (Pvt) Ltd. exchange the agreement in the presence of representatives of the two companies.

Strengthening its commitment to making vehicle ownership more accessible and affordable, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a strategic partnership with Carmart (Pvt) Ltd. to offer specially structured leasing facilities for Peugeot and Leapmotor vehicles.

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration brings together the Bank’s expertise in flexible financing and Carmart’s portfolio of internationally recognised vehicle brands, creating a value-rich proposition for customers seeking to purchase new vehicles.

Under this MoU, valid until 30th June 2027, Commercial Bank will offer attractive interest rates, concessions on documentation charges, and a complimentary credit card with the first year’s annual fee waived. These benefits are designed to reduce upfront costs and ease the financial commitment associated with vehicle ownership.

With leasing facilities available through Commercial Bank’s island-wide branch network, a cross section of customers will be able to part-finance their vehicle purchases while structuring repayments to align with their income patterns, enabling greater financial flexibility.

Further enhancing the value proposition, Carmart (Pvt) Ltd. will offer customers a range of added benefits, including a complimentary full tank of fuel, free vehicle registration, and other exclusive privileges, making the overall vehicle ownership experience more rewarding.

The Bank said the partnership reflects its continued focus on delivering practical and customer-centric leasing solutions in collaboration with reputed vendors. By combining competitive rates with cost-saving concessions, the Bank aims to make vehicle ownership more attainable for both existing and new customers.

This collaboration is particularly significant in the current market context, as it offers customers the opportunity to benefit from preferential leasing terms while managing repayments in a way that suits their financial circumstances.

As a pioneer in leasing solutions, Commercial Bank continues to innovate through strategic alliances that enhance value, broaden choice, and support customers in achieving their lifestyle aspirations.