The Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) last week announced the appointment of Mr. Manjula Wijesundara as its new Chairman for the year 2025/26. A COYLE news release described him as a “respected entrepreneur and passionate advocate for business-led development” and said he steps into leadership with a bold theme that reflects the needs of the hour—”A Year of International Growth.”

With the global economy undergoing profound shifts, the appointment marks a timely change in COYLE’s strategic focus, the release said.

In his inaugural remarks, the new Chairman articulated a vision for strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through robust international engagement and enhanced global market access for Sri Lankan businesses. His message was clear: sustainable economic recovery will come from expanding the nation’s presence beyond its borders.

“As Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, we must look outward and act with purpose. The next phase of our growth lies in our ability to compete, collaborate, and lead in international markets. This year will be about building bridges—with policymakers, global partners, and emerging economies—to position Sri Lanka as a trusted trade and investment partner,” Wijesundara stated.

Under his leadership, COYLE will actively pursue stronger relationships with international chambers, diplomatic missions, and trade bodies, laying the groundwork for more meaningful bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Chamber’s focus will be to support and amplify the voice of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs globally—especially in sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, ICT, and manufacturing, which continue to be among the country’s highest foreign exchange earners.

Wijesundara believes that strong international relations not only open new doors for exports but also attract critical investments and partnerships needed to modernise Sri Lanka’s industries and infrastructure. “In an interconnected world, diplomacy and business must go hand in hand. Our vision is to be a trusted ally in economic diplomacy,” he noted.

As part of this agenda, COYLE is preparing to lead a series of structured engagements with foreign policymakers and trade delegations. These efforts are aimed at helping Sri Lankan businesses overcome barriers to market entry, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, and build long-term partnerships across key regions including South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe.

By taking a proactive approach, the Chamber hopes to influence international trade conversations and ensure that Sri Lanka remains competitive in an increasingly protectionist global environment. COYLE also aims to foster stronger diaspora business linkages that could be leveraged to expand the country’s export footprint.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, announced the launch of the IAX (India Asia Xpress) submarine cable system—a significant investment aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka’s international network and future-proofing the country’s digital infrastructure. Consequently, Dialog’s total investments in international connectivity infrastructure surpassed USD 100 million.

This milestone was achieved through collaborative efforts with a consortium of regional telco partners and global hyperscalers, led by Reliance Jio—underscoring Dialog’s commitment to building strategic alliances that drive technological advancement and innovation.

The IAX cable system significantly enhances Sri Lanka’s global connectivity by providing high-speed, high-capacity bandwidth, catering to the growing demands of 5G, AI, and other data-intensive applications. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the IAX cable integrates seamlessly into Dialog’s existing subsea infrastructure, ensuring scalable and efficient data transmission between major global content hubs in Mumbai, Chennai, and Singapore. This development further cements Sri Lanka’s role as a key player in the region’s digital transformation.

To commemorate this strategic milestone, Dialog hosted an official launch event at the Dialog IAX Submarine Cable Landing Station in Matara. The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including His Excellency Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia; Mr. Harvinder Singh, Consul General of India; Mr. Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad; and Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, along with other representatives from Dialog.

Launch of the IAX Submarine Cable (photographed from left to right): Mr. Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Ms. Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Mr. Ranga Kariyawasam, Group Chief Technology Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Mr. Harvinder Singh, Consul General of India; His Excellency Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia; Mr. Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Axiata Group Berhad; and Mr. Supun Weerasinghe, Director and Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC.

The integration of the IAX cable reinforces Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure with enhanced resilience and redundancy. By complementing the existing BBG (Bay of Bengal Gateway) and MSC (Maldives Sri Lanka Cable) systems, the IAX cable strengthens network reliability, mitigating risks associated with single points of failure. Dialog’s advanced Cable Landing Stations in Matara and Mount Lavinia ensure seamless, uninterrupted connectivity, offering businesses and consumers a more secure and robust digital experience.

Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are pleased to strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital backbone with the launch of the IAX submarine cable, made possible through collaboration with our valued global partners. This investment reinforces our commitment to empowering Sri Lankan lives and enterprises with world-class infrastructure, ensuring the nation stays ahead in an increasingly digital world. By improving network reliability and expanding capacity, we are working towards a more resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem.”

As a key player in the region’s connectivity landscape, Dialog continues to drive Sri Lanka’s position as a critical hub for global communications infrastructure. Through continuous investment in cutting-edge network solutions and strategic partnerships, Dialog is shaping the future of digital connectivity, empowering enterprises and consumers with world-class infrastructure that supports economic growth and technological innovation.

Ishara Madushan, founder and Managing Director of Ishara Madushan Online School (IMOS) Pvt. Ltd., was awarded the title of Best Online Mathematics Tutor of the Year (Platinum) at the Business World International Awards 2024. The ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo.

A qualified engineer and former Maliyadeva College student, Madushan launched IMOS to offer accessible, high-quality online maths education for students across Sri Lanka. The platform, serving over 12,000 students from Grades 6 to 11, delivers interactive Zoom-based classes, past paper sessions, and comprehensive tutorials, supported by advanced studio technology and a structured teaching model.