Business
Slim Pharmaceuticals recognized as a ‘Great Place to Work’

Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd., was recently bestowed with a ‘Great Place to Work’ certification in recognition of its efforts and initiatives in embracing a workplace culture focused on empowerment, openness, and inclusivity, which are all deeply embedded into its values.
With the firm belief that boosting morale and fostering a stimulating learning environment is critical to its success, Slim Pharma engages in many employee engagement and welfare activities. The company heavily invests in providing numerous training, team-building and personal development including an interactive online learning portal.
The certification, awarded by the Great Place to Work Sri Lanka for the period of one-year effective April 2021, was the outcome of a comprehensive assessment of the employee experience at Slim Pharma. Its Trust Index Survey is based on five principles namely credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie including existing people practices around fifteen main areas through the Culture Audit Management Questionnaire.
“We are proud to be recognized as a company with a great workplace culture. It is this that undoubtedly sets us apart from others. We are in the business of caring for people and this begins by caring for our own people – our talented and diverse employees. Having a work-life balance is crucial to our growth to ensure they are happy, productive, and keen to stay with us”, said Mahesh Premaratne, Joint Managing Director of Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd.
Slim Pharma has garnered sustainable and trusted partnerships with over 35 globally renowned manufacturers of essential medication including MNCs such as Roache, Baxter and Otsuka. Today, Slim Pharma is one of the fast-growing pharmaceutical companies with a distinctive reputation built on trust and excellence, in less than a decade since its inception.
Slim Pharma’s diverse portfolio includes premium rung generic medicine, biopharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, surgical, medical instruments (diagnostics) and cosmeceuticals. Its products go through a stringent screening process to ensure utmost quality and safety, and primarily focuses on medication for allergies, angina, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal, heartburn and heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, pain, UTI, and weight loss.
The company seamlessly works hand in hand with over 15 strategic distributors across Sri Lanka, catering to more than 2,500 hospitals and pharmacies. Its warehouse partner is global logistics giant DHL, fully equipped to accommodate secure storage complete with cold room storage facilities.
Slim Pharma strongly believes in giving back to the society through its CSR programs. Some of its recent initiatives includes donating facemasks to the Defence Ministry, high-end digital printers to the Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka, and IT equipment to Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama.
Business
Sarvodaya Development Finance joins Global Banking Alliance, set to host annual board meeting in Sri Lanka

Remarking a new milestone in its pledged journey towards sustainable financing and inclusive financing,
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has secured the full membership in the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an international network of banks working to build a more sustainable and inclusive financial system.
Through this membership, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC aims to strengthen its ability to create social and environmental impacts by expanding access to ethical financial tools, supporting community-led development, and promoting environmentally responsible lending. The alliance provides opportunities to engage with global peers, share practical knowledge, and adopt approaches that have worked in similar contexts around the world. It also allows Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC to align more closely with international standards on sustainable finance, build relationships with mission-aligned investors, and stay informed on evolving policy and regulatory trends. As part of this engagement, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC will host the Asia Pacific Conference and the GABV Annual Board Meeting in Colombo on October 15–16, 2025, bringing together CEOs from over 12 countries to collaborate on advancing values-based banking across the region.
The 17th Annual Meeting of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values was held in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme “Building Resilient Futures.” The event brought leaders from over 70 member banks across more than 45 countries to the GABV network to discuss how values-based banks can respond to global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and digital transformation. Channa De Silva – the Chairman and the Nilantha Jayanetti – the Chief Executive Officer of Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC have represented the Company at this event.
Business
Sanjiv Hulugalle appointed CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka

A Global Hospitality Visionary Returns Home to Lead Sri Lanka’s Most Ambitious Integrated Resort
Cinnamon Life announces the appointment of Sanjiv Hulugalle as the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s hospitality landscape.
With a career that spans over three decades and 12 countries across five continents, Hulugalle brings to Cinnamon Life an unparalleled legacy in luxury hospitality, real estate development, and transformative leadership. From the Maldives to Canada, China to the UAE, he has been at the helm of some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality and real estate ventures.
Previously the Group President of Hospitality & Real Estate at KOHLER Co., Hulugalle drove innovation and strategic growth across a diverse portfolio. At Auberge Resorts Collection, he led the ambitious repositioning of a $210 million development. His 24-year tenure with Four Seasons saw him lead top-tier teams and deliver award-winning results across the globe.
But this latest chapter is deeply personal.
Having been semi-retired, Hulugalle’s return to Sri Lanka was sparked not by circumstance, but by calling and purpose. “This is not just a role,” says Hulugalle. “It’s a way of giving back to the country that raised me—with its gracious hospitality, boundless warmth, and vibrant soul.”
“Sri Lankan hospitality is naturally gracious and kind,” he reflects. “It’s in our DNA. My mother would’ve wanted me to return and give back.”
Redefining Colombo as a City of Dreams
With Hulugalle at the helm, Cinnamon Life is set to emerge not just as a landmark development in Colombo—but as a destination, that captures the imagination of the world. Under his leadership, City of Dreams will embody the essence of modern Sri Lanka: rooted in culture, rich in character, and radiating with opportunity.
In addition to his work in hospitality, Hulugalle is also an active investor in AI-led technologies, residential real estate, and wellness-driven consumer brands, always seeking to blend strategic foresight with heartfelt service.
Business
Empowering SMEs on capital raising through listing

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), hosted an Issuer Forum in Gampaha aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exploring avenues for capital raising through listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
The forum, titled “Redefining the Trajectory of Your Business”, provided guidance on exploring effective capital-raising avenues, specifically through listing on the Empower and Diri Savi Boards. These boards offer dedicated listing platforms for SMEs, focusing on sectors such as agribusiness, livestock, energy generation, ICT, and tourism-related ventures. Attracting over 70 participants, the forum offered valuable insights that were well received.
The main presentation of the evening, delivered by Mr. Nikila Darmadasa, Senior Management Associate of the Corporate Advisory Division at NDB Investment Bank Limited, educated the participants on the benefits of capital generation and mobilization through listing on the CSE, outlining the processes and advantages for businesses ready to grow beyond traditional financing models.
A panel discussion on “The Journey Towards Listing and Life After Listing” featured Manuri Weerasignhe, Director, Corporate Affairs, SEC; Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO, CSE; Nikila Darmadasa, and J.F. Fernandopulle, Managing Director and CEO, Mahaweli Coconut Plantations PLC. The session was moderated by Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President, Commercial, CSE. The panel offered practical perspectives on preparing for a listing, regulatory expectations, and the business journey post-listing.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of the SEC and CSE to broaden access to capital market opportunities for SMEs across Sri Lanka, enabling them to scale sustainably while contributing meaningfully to the national economy.
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