Ceylinco Life has reaffirmed its standing as a powerhouse of sales excellence in Sri Lanka’s life insurance industry, securing an outstanding 12 awards at the 2026 edition of the National Forum for Life Insurance Advisors (NAFLIA), including five National Awards that recognised its professionals as the best in the country.

The awards event saw Ceylinco Life’s sales professionals excel at both the Large Company and National levels, with the company claiming top honours across the Advisor, Supervisor and Branch Manager categories in both levels, while also producing two winners in the Large Company level in the Fast Starter Advisor category.

In the Advisor category, A. P. S. Wijayakumar secured first place at National and Large Company Level, while A. I. P. Manjula was placed second in both levels, giving Ceylinco Life four awards across the two tiers of recognition in this category.

SriLankan Aviation College marked the 47th anniversary of SriLankan Airlines with a special anniversary edition of its aviation talk series, The Skyline Stories, celebrating the enduring legacy of the pioneering aviators who helped shape the National Carrier and the next generation carrying that legacy forward. The sixth episode of the series paid tribute to the pioneering years of Air Lanka, established in 1979, and traced the journey of the National Carrier to its present identity as SriLankan Airlines, while exploring how the values, experiences and influence of its early aviators continue to resonate in Sri Lankan aviation today.

The session featured Captain Shavantha Pedris and Senior First Officer Nuwan Jayawickrama, whose fathers, Captain Ranjit Pedris and Captain Nihal Jayawickrama, were among the pioneering flight crew of Air Lanka during its formative years. Their participation created a unique bridge between the generation that helped establish the National Carrier and the aviation professionals carrying that legacy forward today, while also reflecting the important role the airline has played in the development of Sri Lanka’s tourism and aviation industry over the past 47 years.

Captain Shavantha Pedris said, “Growing up, everything around me seemed connected to aviation because of my father. He inspired me from a young age and always encouraged me to aim higher. The journey to where I am today has not always been easy, and there have been many challenges along the way. Each experience has shaped who I am and strengthened my passion for aviation. Now, I feel it is my turn to give back to the industry that has given me so much.”

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The CSE yesterday evinced a positive trend towards the latter part of the day’s trading due to buying pressure from certain investors for good stocks.

The All Share Price Index went up by 39.04 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.33 billion with six crossings.

Those crossings were; DIMO crossed 40000 shares to the tune of 57 million; its shares traded at Rs 1425, Singer SriLanka 108,000 shares crossed for Rs 48 million; its shares traded at Rs 79.50, Commercial Bank 218,000 shares crossed for Rs 44 million; its shares sold at Rs 202, Sunshine Holdings 1 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 29 million; its shares sold at Rs 29, Dipped Products 499,000 shares crossed for Rs 28.9 million; its shares traded at Rs 58 and Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed for Rs 24.4 million; its shares sold at Rs 224.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Hayleys Rs 252 million (1.1 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 144 million (717,000 shares traded) , Swisstec Rs 62 million (791,000 shares traded), Haycarb Rs 54 million (245,000 shares traded), Laugfs Gas Rs 38 million (909,000 shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 28 million (940000 shares traded) and JKH Rs 26 million (1.4 million shares traded). During the day 39 million share volumes changed hands in 12443 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH and Hayleys, significantly performed while the banking sector also performed well, especially Commercial Bank.

Meanwhile, Leasing and Finance plans to list Rs 10 billion of 13.75 percent debentures, CSE sources said.

The company plans to issue 100 million listed, rated, subordinated, unsecured, redeemable, 5-year (2026/2031) debentures with a fixed interest rate of 13.75 percent payable annually (AER 13.75%), at Rs 100 each.

WindForce announced the scheduled commissioning of its 10 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Anuradhapura, developed jointly with Vidullanka via StoreX and a 5 MW floating solar power plant developed by Diyajanani on September 18, 2026.

The commissioning increases WindForce’s total renewable energy generation capacity to approximately 268 MW.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 330.90/331.25 to the US dollar in the spot market, improving from Rs 331.50/90 the previous day, while bond yields extended recovery as rates dropped on buying interest, dealers said.