Business
Rotary Colombo joins hands with NCCP to fight breast cancer through early detection and prevention
October is designated as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’, worldwide. Cancer ranks among the three leading Non Communicable Diseases (NCD)in Sri Lanka and is on the rise with over 15,000-20,000 new cases detected every year. Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all cancers and is the leading cancer among females in Sri Lanka.
16 years ago, the Rotary Club of Colombo, launched their life saving project in partnership with the National Cancer Control Programme, for free screening and early detection of cancer, with a focus on early detection of breast cancer which accounts for over 25% of all cancers in Sri Lanka. According to studies, 30-40% of cancers can be prevented, and another one third cured with screening, early detection and timely follow up treatment. This would mean saving several thousand lives every year. Todate almost 80000 individuals , mainly women , have been screened, with over 18000 showing abnormalities requiring further investigation- these are all cases which may otherwise have gone undetected until the late stages where the chances of being saved would then be greatly reduced.
The Centre operates a comprehensive cancer screening facility complete with a mammography machine and ultra sound scanner donated by the Rotary Club of Birmingham Alabama, USA. A radiographer is also available at the Centre to operate this facility. Cervical cancer is screened through a HPV/DNA testing machine funded by The Rotary Foundation USA. The Centre is presently seeking a donor for a colposcopy machine to replace the existing machine used for diagnostic screening of cervical cancer which has the second highest incidence of cancers in females. The Centre also operates an oral cancer screening unit for detection of oral cancer, in view of this cancer having the highest incidence among males.
Education and awareness building activities are also carried out by a Health Education Unit in the Centre, aimed at early detection through screening and the prevention of cancer through healthy life style. This is supported by a mobile screening unit operating islandwide. Meanwhile counselling is also undertaken for those cases diagnosed positive.
The Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Centre is presently the only national facility dedicated for screening, early detection and prevention of cancer, offering its services entirely free of charge to the public.The Centre is supported by leading telecommunication provider and Corporate Partner Dialog Axiata PLC.
Due to the rapidly rising numbers seeking screening, as well as the need to expand and upgrade the present screening facilities, the Rotary Club of Colombo requires to relocate the Centre in a permanent, more spacious building in the same area, now well known for cancer screening and which provides easy access and visibility to those coming from near and far to seek the services of this life saving facility. This is presently a pressing and urgent priority for the project.
Once a new building is in place, the numbers screened and lives saved through early detection and prevention activities, could be greatly increased. Meanwhile the Club, together with NCCP, extended breast cancer screening and early detection facilities 4 years ago, to the outlying regions commencing with a Breast Cancer Early Detection Unit at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital with equipment funded by The Rotary Foundation. This will enable the community in that area and surrounding regions, particularly the less privileged, to have greater accessibility to this life saving service.
Contact details as follows:
Tel : 0113159227
Email – cedc. nccp@gmail.com
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.
-
News6 days agoNamal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
-
Latest News5 days agoTharanga creates history with Diamond League crown in Brussels
-
News5 days agoDispute which triggered listed company director being detained at BIA resolved
-
Features4 days agoAfter the parade: What a traffic OIC’s walk-out tells us
-
Opinion7 days agoIn Memory of Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda
-
Editorial6 days agoPower vs Equality
-
Editorial4 days agoArrests as theatre
-
Latest News7 days agoSLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested by CIABOC
