Business
SLT-MOBITEL creates telecom history pioneering Caller Tune Service for SLTMobitel home customers

SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT, Telecommunications and Mobile Services Provider, as the forerunner in launching new, innovative services has once again created a milestone in the nation’s telecom industry by deploying the Caller Tune Service for SLTMobitel Home (fixed line) for the first time.
SLT-MOBITEL has introduced this value-added service known as ‘Caller Tunes’ (CRBT) for its SLTMobitel Home (fixed line) subscribers by collaborating with Evoke International Limited, a recognised third-party platform/content provider that manages digital media platforms, mobile applications and other value-added services for mobile network providers.
The new Caller Tune service enables Fibre, 4G LTE and Megaline subscribers to be able to define what callers will hear when they call the customer, thus enriching the experience of the caller. To activate the service, SLTMobitel Home (fixed line) customers have to simply dial 1259 and follow the instructions in selecting a package based on their preference.
Prabhath Dahanayake, Chief Marketing Officer, SLT stated, “Launching the Caller Tune service for our SLTMobitel Home (fixed line) is a landmark achievement. This value-added service offers a unique experience and innovative offering that adds an entertainment value and is refreshingly different.”
With the new Caller Tune Service, SLTMobitel Home (fixed line) customers can select their preferred song from the available music library which includes a vast assortment of songs available in English, Sinhala, Tamil and Hindi, and entertain their callers with a song instead of the perennial, traditional ringtone.
Lahiru Wikramasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Evoke International stated, “We are proud to have been selected as the platform partner for SLT-MOBITEL’s Caller Tune service. As a leading, value-added solutions provider, Evoke will continue to work closely with SLT-MOBITEL by offering more innovative features for SLT-MOBITEL’s individual customers and service extensions such as ‘Corporate Caller Tunes for Enterprise customers’.”
Helping customers use the phone as a tool to express their personality, SLT-MOBITEL will only levy a one-time subscription fee for service activation. Packages are offered on basic and premium basis. While the basic package allows single song activation, the premium package allows for multiple song selection, similar to a Juke Box facility, with up to four songs that will play for incoming calls on shuffle mode.
Additionally, the content provider charges a song download fee as monthly rental. The downloaded songs have a 30- day validity period from the activation date and is automatically renewed monthly.
Business
‘ComBank ends Q1 as first private sector banking group on the cusp of Rs 3 Tn. assets milestone’

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group has made a characteristically strong start to 2025, recording healthy profit and balance sheet growth in the first quarter of the year.
Comprising of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries and an associate, the Group reported in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) that assets reached Rs 2.999 trillion as at 31st March 2025.
Gross income for the quarter grew by 9.85% to Rs 88.10 billion, while interest income improved by 3.14% to Rs 72.60 billion. Interest expenses reduced by 10.09% to Rs 38.38 billion as a result of repricing of liabilities amidst the lower rates regime that prevailed, generating a 23.53% growth in net interest income, which amounted to Rs 34.21 billion for the three months reviewed.
Total operating income grew by 33.40% to Rs 46.62 billion, but the Group’s provision for impairment charges and other losses was increased by 110.44% to Rs 7.23 billion with additional provisions made on a prudential basis for individually-significant customers, which resulted in an improvement in the Bank’s impaired loans (Stage 3) ratio.
Business
Intrepid in collaboration with MDF hosts an empowering workshop

Building on the momentum of its groundbreaking “Women in Tourism” initiative, Intrepid Travel Colombo, in collaboration with the Market Development Facility (MDF) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), successfully conducted another impactful workshop—this time focusing on women business owners in the tourism sector.
Held in Kandy on Saturday, 5th April, the session brought together 15 dynamic female business owners from the Central Province with a shared passion for responsible tourism and sustainable business. The workshop forms part of Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women across the tourism value chain in Sri Lanka and follows the inaugural training program held in September last year which targeted aspiring female tour leaders.
This insightful session was tailored to uplift and support women who are already leading or managing businesses within the tourism ecosystem, and hailing from the Central Province.
“This was an impactful day of learning, sharing, and growing together,” said Poornaka Delpachitra, Country GM of Intrepid. “Our focus this time was on women business owners—those who are already shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in meaningful ways but often face unique challenges in accessing resources, networks, and recognition. By creating a space for peer connection, leadership development, and shared learning, we’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive tourism sector.”
The training session was designed to strengthen key leadership and entrepreneurial skills such as business strategy, confidence-building, marketing, and innovation in sustainable tourism. It also provided participants with valuable networking opportunities and a sense of solidarity, reinforcing the message that women are not alone in their journeys.
Business
Kushan Samararatne takes the helm at Colombo Coffee Company

Colombo Coffee Company, the largest total coffee solutions provider in Sri Lanka’s and a fully-owned subsidiary of the world’s largest Ceylon Tea exporter Akbar Brothers, has appointed Kushan Samararatne as the Chief Executive Officer.
With a career marked by strategic foresight, operational excellence, and transformational leadership, Kushan brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his new role. As General Manager, he led Colombo Coffee Company to unprecedented heights during his tenure.
Kushan’s impact at Colombo Coffee Company extended far beyond financial metrics. Under his dynamic leadership, the company successfully established its first in-house production unit, developed many local coffee blends, and launched roasting operations, making significant strides toward vertical integration and value creation. His deep commitment to quality was further evidenced by the company aligning its operations with Lavazza’s international standards – reinforcing Colombo Coffee Company’s reputation for excellence in every aspect of its operations.
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