Business
Stakeholders urge SLPA to ensure minimum safety standards at Colombo Port

By Nishel Fernando
Pointing at safety standards recommended by Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), Sri Lanka’s shipping industry stakeholders urge the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) to ensure minimum safety standards at the Port of Colombo, in order to avoid future catastrophe similar to X-Press Pearl (XP).
The TSIB, which is the air, marine and rail accidents and incidents investigation authority in Singapore, has made several safety recommendations to the SLPA in its final report ‘FIRE ONBOARD X-PRESS PEARL AT COLOMBO ANCHORAGE’, released late last year.
X-Press Pearl, which was carrying several containers of epoxy resin plastics, caused an overwhelming economic, social and environmental impact to Sri Lanka in 2021, as the ship caught on fire and subsequent sinking. The report highlighted the rather limited support of Sri Lankan authorities in diffusing the situation, partially due to the limited firefighting capabilities of the SLPA.
“The response from Colombo Port Control to assist XP was deemed limited. There was no follow-up after a team of firemen had assessed the situation onboard XP. The tugs sent for firefighting had various limitations, which did not offer continuous firefighting support. The Master did not receive answer from Colombo Port Control on the several requests made for urgent berthing before the fire went out of control,” the report outlined.
In addition to the tugs being used for port operations halfway during the firefighting operation, the report noted that there was difficulty in positioning the tugs for firefighting while some tugs were not able to provide sufficient water pressure to reach the top of the containers or even onto the main deck of the ship and some tugs had engine/machinery problems that required repairs, thus, causing a break in firefighting efforts.
“It was also evident that some of the tugs were not dedicated for firefighting and hence had their limitations to fight the fire effectively. The investigation team noted from several accounts that of all the tugs (eight), which rendered firefighting assistance, only ‘Hercules’ was effective in firefighting efforts,” it added.
At the request of the SLPA, the India Coastal Guard (ICG) deployed ICG ships Vaibhav101 and Vajra102 for the firefighting operation. The ICG ship Samudra Prahari was on standby for pollution response and the ICG aircraft Donier performed air reconnaissance for pollution detection.
“Almost every (cargo) ship arrives in Colombo has dangerous good. The terminals have special areas to handle these goods. On ground, terminals are quite equipped to handle any incident, in particular CICT and SAGT. However, out on sea, it’s the responsibility of the SLPA. There’s a huge vacuum. As a hub port, you need to be equipped to handle such unfortunate incidents. You need to be prepared for contingencies,” a shipping agent remarked.
The dangerous goods handling has become a lucrative revenue stream for the port.
The TSIB recommend the SLPA to review its plans for supporting a response to a shipboard fire by ensuring that the tugs assigned for firefighting are fit for purpose and dedicated in performing firefighting [TSIB Recommendation RM-2023-19].
If the SLPA is unable to facilitate these crucial safety measures, the industry players stressed that the SLPA should handover this function to the private sector.
“If the SLPA is unable to facilitate these safety measures, then they must hand it over to the private sector through an open tender process. Somehow, these minimum safety standards need to be assured,” they said.
With East Container Terminal (ECT) and West Container Terminal (WICT) coming into operations soon, they pointed out that it’s crucial to ensure these safety standards.
“In order to attract new services, we (shipping agents) need to go canvassing. However, minimum safety standards are a must for us to go out and bring in new services confidently,” they added.
The SLPA officials were not immediately available to comment on the matter.
In addition to the safety standards, the TSIB has also recommended the SLPA to take appropriate steps for ensuring the voyage data recorder (VDR), when recovered, is made available to the flag state for the conduct of safety investigation, as required by the IMO Guidelines on VDR ownership and recovery (MSC/Circ.1024). [TSIB Recommendation RM-2023-20].
Business
UAE Pledges Support for the Promotion of Energy, Tourism, Investment and Foreign Employment Sectors

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated that the UAE will prioritize the promotion of the energy, tourism, foreign investment and foreign employment sectors while further strengthening its longstanding ties with Sri Lanka.
The Deputy Prime Minister who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation made these remarks during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (22).
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this visit aims to further strengthen and expand the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations, with a focus on achieving mutual economic benefits through deepened cooperation for both countries.
Extending his best wishes on behalf of the UAE and its people to the new administration of Sri Lanka, the Deputy Prime Minister assured the UAE’s full support for the new government’s development agenda. Furthermore, he praised President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s dedication, efforts and commitment toward rebuilding Sri Lanka, as well as his positive approach toward relations with the UAE.
In response, President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka has now established an investment-friendly environment. He assured that unlike in the past, the country would not allow the re-emergence of an unstable climate that discouraged investment. The President also stressed that there are now strong legal frameworks in place to protect investments. The President also briefed the delegation on the government’s steps toward debt restructuring and achieving economic stability. Additionally, he outlined investment opportunities available in port terminal development, port city development, the tourism industry, the energy sector and transportation sector.
President Disanayake further emphasized that the new government’s objective is to position Sri Lanka as the region’s leading investment hub and premier tourist destination.
Among those present at the meeting were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Minister of State (UAE) Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh; UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Khaled Nasser Al Ameri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs (UAE) . Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs (UAE) Abdulla Balalaa, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the UAE, Ahmed Burhaima, Director of the Policy Planning Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE) Muath Alwari, Senior Media and Content Specialist at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (UAE) Maitha Al Mansouri, Desk Officer for Asian Affairs and Pacific Department (UAE) Ms. Huda Al Abdali and several other officials.
[PMD]
Business
Dialog Enterprise partners with the National Chamber of Exporters to enable digital transformation of Sri Lankan exporters

Dialog Enterprise, the ICT corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, has partnered with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) as the official Digital Technology Partner to empower Sri Lankan exporters with cutting-edge digital solutions and Technology expertise.
This collaboration aims to equip exporters with advanced technology-driven capabilities to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and improve competitiveness in global markets. As Sri Lanka’s No.1 ICT solutions provider, Dialog Enterprise will support NCE and its members with tailored technology solutions, digital transformation initiatives, and expert-led training programs to help businesses embrace Digital Transformation.
“With the government focusing on increasing exports, an export earnings target of $18.2 billion has been set for 2025. The NCE, as the exclusive private sector chamber working with Sri Lankan exporters and service providers to exporters, has engaged in many market access initiatives. The government is also progressing towards a digital economy, and we believe that Sri Lankan exporters must be part of this initiative and advance in the digital arena. It is crucial to ensure that our exporters utilise effective digital platforms to enhance their business activities, including productivity, cost efficiency, and competitiveness in international markets. We believe it is timely to have a Digital Technology partner to help our exporters remain competitive in terms of technology. In today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace, Sri Lankan exporters must integrate digital solutions to stay ahead and drive sustainable growth. This partnership with Dialog Enterprise marks a significant step in ensuring our members have access to the latest technological advancements and expertise to optimise their business operations,” said Shiham Marikar, Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer- NCE.
This strategic partnership will extend technical empowerment and digital expertise to digital entrepreneurs, manufacturers, SMEs, apparel exporters, retail businesses, agriculture and other industries that rely on digital technology to expand their reach and enhance operational efficiency. With Dialog Enterprise’s industry-leading ICT portfolio, including converged connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, exporters will have the tools to digitally transform their businesses and unlock new opportunities.
The collaboration will also introduce training sessions and industry expert support, ensuring NCE members stay ahead of the latest technological advancements and best practices in digital business operations. Additionally, Dialog Enterprise and NCE will work together to host future industry events and initiatives, focusing on technology adoption, digital security, and automation, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in the global trade ecosystem.
“At Dialog Enterprise, we believe that technology should be a catalyst for business growth and global expansion. As Sri Lanka’s No.1 ICT solutions provider, we invite businesses across all industries to partner with us in driving digital transformation, unlocking new efficiencies, and creating competitive advantages,” said Navin Pieris, Group Chief Officer – Dialog Enterprise.
Through this partnership, Dialog Enterprise reaffirms its commitment to empowering Sri Lankan businesses with world-class ICT solutions, ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed in an increasingly digital-first economy.
Business
Team Bileeta celebrating its 15th anniversary

Bileeta (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneering Sri Lankan technology company, proudly celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025. From its inception, Bileeta has championed innovation and digital transformation—thriving enterprise digitalization in the era of AI. What began as a bold vision to create a world-class ERP platform has evolved into a globally recognized provider of next-generation enterprise solutions, empowering organizations across multiple sectors.
Established in 2010, Bileeta was built on a mission to humanize technology and empower organizations with innovative digital solutions. This mission led to the creation of Entution, Sri Lanka’s first-ever cloud-based ERP platform powered by business process architecture —developed entirely by local talent.
As part of its growth journey, Bileeta has expanded its global footprint by partnering with leading international channel partners and establishing regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. These strategic moves have strengthened Bileeta’s presence in Asia and enabled the company to serve its growing international customer base better.
In 2014, the company launched Entution ERP, a cloud-based solution designed to streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and deliver real-time business insights. In 2018, Bileeta introduced Entution Vesta, a Health Commodity and Vaccine Information Management System that transformed lifesaving medicine and vaccine distribution across national healthcare systems. Over 6,000 healthcare facilities in Nepal adopted the platform, and Gavi and The Global Fund have recognized it as the most comprehensive eLMIS (Electronic Logistics Management Information System) for low- and middle-income countries. Today, Entution eLMIS supports the medical supply chains of Nepal, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe—a milestone achievement for the Sri Lankan ICT sector and a testament to the country’s growing influence in global digital solutions.
With over 100 organizations, 16,000+ users, and more than 40 million transactions processed through the Entution platform, Bileeta has significantly impacted sectors, including healthcare, livestock, Agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services.
CEO Sanji De Silva reflected on the company’s journey: “From the beginning, our goal was to build a product that could compete with the best ERP platforms in the world.
We started with just 18 people and a big dream—to become the ERP vendor of choice for global organizations. Today, we’re proud to see that dream realized and Sri Lankan innovation recognized worldwide. Our solutions are now adopted by organizations across various sectors, including four national Ministries of Health. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our technology is helping organizations become more profitable, scalable, and sustainable.”
Bileeta’s evolution continues with the integration of AI-powered functionality such as demand forecasting into Entution, enabling businesses to optimize inventory, anticipate trends, and improve supply chain efficiency. These innovations reflect Bileeta’s commitment to powering the future of ERP and enabling smarter, data-driven enterprise operations through AI.
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