Business
Sri Lanka Institute of Architects annual sessions
The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), the governing body for architecture in Sri Lanka wishes to announce their annual sessions “Architect 2023” on its 66th Anniversary. The event will take place at Waters Edge and BMICH from the 22nd to the 26th February 2023.
The theme of Architect 2023 “Rising”, aims to bring the building and construction industry closer to the public by increasing awareness and access. It is an excellent opportunity for the public to engage with architects and other professionals in the field. Despite the difficulties faced in the past year, the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) remains optimistic about the future of the industry and is eager to share their vision with attendees.
The event will be streamed live on both Facebook and YouTube, making it accessible for viewers from across the country. Architect 2023 will comprise of several events, including the Inauguration Ceremony of the Annual Sessions 2023, the National Conference, and the Architect 2023 – Architects Work & Trade Exhibition.
The Inauguration Ceremony of the Annual Sessions 2023 will take place on the 22nd of February 2023 at 9.30 am at the Waters Edge Grand Ballroom as a hybrid event. The ceremony will include the formal induction of newly elected Chartered Architects for 2022, the presentation of SLIA Design Awards, Colour Awards and Research Awards for the 2022-2023 cycles and the presentation of lifetime achievement awards.
The National Conference will take place on the same day, 22nd February 2023, from 11.30 am to 6.00 pm, at the Waters Edge Grand Ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Architect Rizvy Hassan from Bangladesh, while several eminent speakers from India, including Architects Samuel Barclay, Badrinath Kaleru and Prerna Aggarwal will also participate in the conference.
The ceremonial opening of the “Architect 2023 – Architects’ Work & Trade Exhibition” will be held on 23rd February at 5.30 pm at BMICH. The exhibition which will be open to the public from 24th to 26th February from 10.00 am to 9.30 pm will feature 140 trade stalls and provide an opportunity to learn more about the products and services available in the construction industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to join an Architect’s Discussion Forum, taking place from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm during the exhibition. This forum will offer educational sessions on various aspects of the architecture profession, providing a valuable learning experience for those in attendance.
The exhibition will feature the work of architecture students from four leading institutions: City School of Architecture (CSA), University of Moratuwa (UOM), Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). This showcase provides a glimpse into the future of the architecture profession and the talented individuals who will shape it. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase publications from SLIA, including “Vastu,” “The Architect,” and “Before You Build.” A help desk staffed by a panel of architects will also be available to answer questions and offer guidance on architecture-related issues.
The Annual General Meeting of SLIA will take place on February 25, 2023.
The success of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Annual Sessions 2023 is made possible by the support of Nippon Paint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd as the Strategic Sponsor, Rhino Roofing Products Limited as the Principal Sponsor, and Alumex PLC, Lanka Tile, Rocell and Melwire Rolling (Pvt) Ltd as the Event Sponsors. The media sponsor for the event is Siyatha TV and the AV partner for the event is The Lighthouse (Pvt) Ltd.
Business
Dialog delivers strong growth, stronger national contribution in FY 2025
Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Friday 6th February 2026, its consolidated financial results (Reviewed) for the year ended 31st December 2025. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).
Group Performance
The Group delivered a strong performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Digital Pay Television businesses recording a positive Core Revenue growth of 16% Year to Date (“YTD”). Group Headline Revenue reached Rs179.6Bn, up 5% YTD, despite the continued strategic scaling down of low-margin international wholesale business. In Q4 2025, Revenue was recorded at Rs46.5Bn up 2% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”) and 2% Year-on-Year (“YoY”).
The Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs86.0Bn up 30% YTD supported by Core Revenue performance and Cost Rescaling Initiatives. On a QoQ basis Group EBITDA demonstrated a modest growth to record at Rs23.0Bn up 2% QoQ with an EBITDA margin of 49.5% in line with the Revenue performance. Group EBITDA margin reached 47.9% for FY 2025, up 9.2pp.
Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs20.8Bn for FY 2025, up 67% YTD mainly resulting from robust EBITDA growth, despite higher tax and net finance costs. Normalized for forex impact, NPAT growth was recorded at +>100% YTD to reach Rs22.1Bn. On a QoQ basis NPAT grew 3% to reach Rs5.9Bn resulting from strong EBITDA performance.
On the back of strong operational performance, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”)
of Rs49.3Bn for FY 2025 up >100% YTD.
Dividend Payment to Shareholders
In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 6th February 2026, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.50 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 5.0% based on share closing price for FY 2025. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.
Company and Subsidiary Performance
At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to be the primary contributor to Group Revenue (76%) and Group EBITDA (74%). Aided by sustained growth in the Data segment and cost-rescaling initiatives, Company revenue was recorded at Rs135.8Bn for FY 2025, up 18% YTD, EBITDA rose 32% YTD to reach Rs63.6Bn. On a QoQ basis, Q4 2025 Revenue was recorded at Rs34.8Bn, down 1% QoQ due to a reclassification of Hubbing Revenue, while EBITDA decline 1% QoQ to record Rs17.0Bn, largely attributable to network restoration costs and donations made in relation to the Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts. Furthermore, NPAT was recorded at Rs15.6Bn for FY 2025, up 41% YTD. Normalised for forex impacts, the company NPAT was up +>100% YTD to reach Rs17.0Bn. On a QoQ basis, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.5Bn, down 6% QoQ.
Business
Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships reach 25-year milestone
Ceylinco Life has announced the launch of the 25th consecutive edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence among the children of its policyholders.
Under the 2026 programme, the life insurance market leader will present scholarships with a total cumulative value of Rs. 22.7 million, continuing a rewards initiative that has now been conducted without interruption for a quarter of a century. Since its inception, the Ceylinco Life Pranama Scholarships programme has benefitted 3,466 students across the country, representing a total investment of Rs. 240 million in nurturing academic achievement and outstanding performance in sports, arts and other extracurricular pursuits.
Business
Sri Lankans’ artistic genius glowingly manifests at Kala Pola ‘26
The artistic genius of Sri Lankans was amply manifest all over again at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ which was held on February 8th at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 7; the usual, teeming and colourful venue for this annual grand exhibition and celebration of the work of local visual artists.
If there is one thing that has flourished memorably and resplendently in Sri Lanka over the centuries it is the artistic capability or genius of its people. It is something that all Sri Lankans could feel a sense of elation over because from the viewpoint of the arts, Sri Lanka is second to no other nation. With regard to the visual arts a veritable dazzling radiance of this inborn and persisting capability is seen at the annual open air ‘Kala Pola’.

A bird of Sri Lanka created from scraps of iron waste.
All capable visual artists, wherever they hail from in Sri Lanka, enjoy the opportunity of exhibiting their work at the ‘Kala Pola’ and this is a distinctive ‘positive’ of this annual event that draws numberless artists and viewers. There was an abundance of paintings, sketches and sculptures, for instance, and one work was as good as the other. Ample and equal space was afforded each artist. Its widely participatory and open nature enables one to describe the exhibition as exuding a profoundly democratic ethos.
Accordingly, this time around at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ too Sri Lankans’ creative efforts were there to be viewed, studied and enjoyed in the customary carnival atmosphere where connoisseurs, local and foreign, met in a sprit of camaraderie and good cheer. Many thanks are owed once again to the George Keyt Foundation for the presentation of the event in association with the John Keells Group and the John Keells Foundation, not forgetting the Nations Trust Bank, which was the event’s Official Banking Partner. The exhibition was officially declared open by Chief Guest Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.
By Lynn Ockersz
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