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Sri Lanka’s children paying the steepest price in the current crisis – UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia

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3 years ago

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UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei speaks to a child in the course of his visit to Sri Lanka.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Sri Lankan economic crisis continues to rattle the country and it is the poorest, most vulnerable among its girls and boys who are paying the steepest price, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei said.

“Sri Lanka, a country normally known for its rapid economic growth and booming tourism, is experiencing its worst economic crisis since Independence in 1948. Families are skipping regular meals as staple foods become unaffordable, Laryea-Adjei said at a media conference held at Movenpick hotel, Colombo last Friday. The Regional Director was on a visit to Sri Lanka to study sectors impacted by the economic crisis.

Laryea-Adjei added: ‘Children are going to bed hungry, unsure of where their next meal will come from – in a country which already had South Asia’s second highest rate of severe acute malnutrition.

‘Almost half of children in Sri Lanka already require some form of emergency assistance. The education of 4.8 million children, already severely hampered by two years of interrupted learning, is at risk as school attendance continues to be jeopardized.

‘Children’s education is being hindered by the current crisis in many ways; children no longer get the warm and nutritious meals that they used to have before the crisis; they lack basic stationery and their teachers struggle with transportation issues.

‘Reports are already emerging of an increase in abuse, exploitation and violence against children due to the mounting economic pressures and adding to that, there are already over 10,000 children in institutional care in Sri Lanka, mainly as a result of poverty.

‘Such institutions are not the best place for a child to grow up in, as they lack the bond of a family. Unfortunately, the current crisis is pushing more and more families to take their children to these institutions as they cannot afford to provide for them, including feeding.

‘If the current trends continue, hard-earned progress for children in Sri Lanka is at risk of being reversed and in some cases, erased permanently.

‘UNICEF has been in Sri Lanka for over 50 years. With the support of partners, we are distributing educational supplies, providing meals to pre-school children and are channeling badly needed

cash transfers to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

‘But if the crisis persists, much more is needed and we need to support them.

‘Children need to be placed squarely at the heart of the solution as the country works to resolve the crisis. Continuity of learning must be ensured for girls and boys of all ages, so that they can prepare for their future and are shielded from the threats of child labour, exploitation and gender-based violence. Central and primary health services must be prioritized, to protect women and children against life-threatening diseases and malnutrition.

‘Acute economic precarity and inflation across South Asia are poised to further threaten the lives of children – in a region which was already home to one fifth of the world’s extreme poor and profound hardships and inequities impacting children’s health, learning and safety, and in a region which was severely impacted by COVID-19.

‘If we do not act now to protect children against the worst effects of the global economic downturn, the children of the world’s most populated region will be plunged further into poverty – and their health, nutrition, learning and safety will be compromised.

‘We cannot let children pay the price for crises not of their making. We must act today to secure their futures tomorrow.’


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First Capital Holdings records Rs. 3.23Bn Total Comprehensive Income for 9M FY2025/26

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2026/02/13

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First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) and a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s investment bank landscape recorded a Total Comprehensive Income of Rs. 3.23Bn for the nine months ended 31 December 2025, compared to Rs. 4.53Bn in the corresponding period of the previous year. For the third quarter of 2025/26, the Group reported a Total Comprehensive Loss of Rs. 0.17Bn, after accounting for a dividend tax expense of Rs. 0.41Bn.

The Group’s Net Income before Operating Expenses for the nine months of 2025/26 amounted to Rs.6.33Bn compared to Rs. 7.69Bn reported in the corresponding period of the previous year. Trading income was primarily driven by the Primary Dealer and Corporate Dealing Securities divisions, reinforcing the Group’s positioning across fixed income and equity market segments.

The Primary Dealer division reported a Profit after Tax of Rs. 1.64Bn for the nine months ended 31 December 2025 (1st nine months of 2024/25 – Profit after Tax of Rs. 2.45Bn). The results include trading gains on the government securities portfolio of Rs. 1.66Bn and net interest income of Rs. 1.41Bn (1st nine months of 2024/25 – trading gains of Rs. 3.18Bn and net interest income of Rs. 1.31Bn), reflecting movements in yields and trading conditions during the period.

The Corporate Finance Advisory and Dealing Securities division recorded a Profit after Tax of Rs. 1.86Bn for the nine months ended 31 December 2025 (1st nine months of 2024/25 – Profit after Tax of Rs. 1.94Bn). The business unit reported total trading gains of Rs. 2.33Bn on its equity portfolio, compared to Rs. 2.23Bn in the corresponding period of the previous year, supported by market participation and portfolio positioning.

The Wealth Management division reported a Profit after Tax of Rs. 78.1Mn for the nine months ended 31 December 2025 (1st nine months of 2024/25 – Profit after Tax of Rs. 90.1Mn). Assets under Management stood at Rs. 96.4Bn as at 31 December 2025, compared to Rs. 115.9Bn as at 31 March 2025, reflecting market conditions and client portfolio adjustments.

The Stock Brokering division recorded a Profit after Tax of Rs. 166.3Mn for the nine months ended 31 December 2025, compared to Rs. 39.5Mn reported in the corresponding period of the previous year, supported by increased trading activities.

Commenting on the Group’s performance, Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of First Capital Holdings PLC, stated, “The operating environment during the period was shaped by shifts in interest rates, capital market activities, and fiscal adjustments. Against this backdrop, the Group’s performance reflects the structural strength of its capital markets platform and its ability to generate income across multiple market cycles while maintaining financial discipline.”

Dilshan Wirasekara, Managing Director / CEO of First Capital Holdings PLC, said, “Our priority during the period was to manage each business line with a clear focus on risk, liquidity and execution. Improved performance in stock brokering and consistent contributions from corporate finance reflect our ability to respond to market conditions while aligning capital deployment with client and market opportunities.”

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Keells Nexus introduces an all new Loyalty App

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19 hours ago

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2026/02/13

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Keells is set to usher a new chapter in customer experience with the relaunch of Keells Nexus with the introduction of its all-new loyalty app on 13th February. For 25 years, Keells Nexus has been at the heart of Sri Lankan retail, pioneering coalition loyalty and even introducing mobile-based loyalty as early as 2014. The loyalty program is building on this legacy, combining state-of-the-art technology with richer, more personalized rewards and seamless integration across the Keells ecosystem with an intuitive mobile experience.

Today, Keells Nexus stands at over 2 million registered members, a reflection of the trust customers place in Keells and the brand’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the nation. The launch further strengthens Keells’ long-standing focus on tech-enabled retail efficiency, following innovative retail experiences to customers such as self-checkout counters and retail technology that drives efficiency such as advanced inventory management systems.

The new app therefore is the next logical step in this journey, bringing together rewards, offers, and account visibility in one intuitive, streamlined interface. The new Keells Nexus app brings together all deals, savings and partner offers in one place, giving customers complete visibility and control. Members can track their points in real time, scan a QR code at checkout to earn rewards instantly, and enjoy a more personalised, more connected shopping experience.

“At the heart of Keells Nexus is a simple but powerful belief that life is better when we’re connected,” said Nilusha Fernando Head of Marketing, Keells Supermarkets & Senior Vice President, John Keells Group.

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IDL, Clouds by SOZO and the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust partner with the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival 2026

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2026/02/13

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The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival 2026, taking place from 13 to 15 February at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, promises to be one of those rare cultural moments that linger long after the last session ends. It is a gathering not only of writers, artists and thinkers, but of ideas, shared, challenged and celebrated in spaces where curiosity feels welcome.

The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival 2026 is supported by several organizations through non-promotional CSR initiatives, including Clouds by SOZO and the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust. International Distillers Limited contributes in a strictly neutral CSR capacity, providing logistical and resource support for the event without any brand promotion or product visibility.

The Festival celebrates Sri Lanka’s creative voice by showcasing literature, arts, and cultural talent from across the country. All supporting organizations participate solely in a philanthropic and educational role, ensuring that the focus remains on artistic expression and community engagement.

The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust brings to the Festival a deep and enduring commitment to nurturing literature and the arts as essential pillars of society. Its work is driven by the belief that creative spaces are not optional additions, but vital platforms that shape how communities think, feel and engage with the world around them.

Speaking on this collaboration, Indhu Selvaratnam, Director of SOZO Beverages and Trustee

of The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, stated, “The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust is delighted to partner with the Ceylon Literary Festival for the second time. We are deeply committed to enriching Sri Lanka’s intellectual and cultural landscape and admire the festival’s evolution in embracing literature, art, music, and initiatives that nurture emerging local talent. These efforts align closely with the Trust’s mission to support creative expression, and we look forward to continuing our support as the festival strengthens Sri Lanka’s global cultural presence.”

Adding a complementary dimension to this partnership is Clouds by SOZO, Sri Lanka’s premium mountain spring water brand, whose ethos of purity, sustainability and thoughtful living aligns naturally with the spirit of the Festival. Sourced from a pristine spring in the Knuckles mountain range, Clouds represents a return to authenticity, an idea that resonates strongly within creative and cultural spaces.

Speaking on the partnership, Dushyantha De Silva, Founder of SOZO Beverages (Pvt) Ltd, said, “The arts invite us to slow down, to observe, and to think more deeply, and Clouds comes from that same place of intention. Supporting the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival is about being part of a space where ideas flow freely and thoughtfully. It’s a privilege for us to align with a platform that values creativity, dialogue and conscious choices.”

The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival 2026 offers something increasingly rare: three uninterrupted days of ideas. Of language and imagination. Of conversations that do not require a screen to feel alive. It is a reminder of the power of gathering, of listening, discovering and engaging with perspectives that challenge and inspire.

As February approaches, the hope is simple: that more people choose to attend, to listen, and to support Sri Lankan creativity in all its forms. Because when a country invests in its writers and artists, it is not merely celebrating talent, it is shaping how it remembers, how it questions, and how it evolves.

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