Business
The British Council launches compelling report – ‘Young People on Climate Change: A Perception Survey’
overwhelming 66% of participants agreed that climate change will be the biggest threat to Sri Lanka in the coming years
Notably six out of ten people in rural Sri Lanka think that climate change will be the biggest impending risk
Encouraging to know that 70% of the youth participants believe they can play the role of an awareness agent on climate change
Over 24% of the youth considered less or no access to knowledge resources as the biggest challenge with another staggering 62.5% not having access to affordable capacity building resources on climate action
Young people aged 18-35 years are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change impacts, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka. Seeing as young people are also the future leaders and decision-makers whose attitudes and actions will prove decisive for how the world addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation, it is critical to get a deeper understanding of their perceptions and understanding of climate change and action.
To understand the perceptions of young people in Sri Lanka on climate change and potential action to combat it, the British Council conducted an extensive survey with a respondent base of 1000 youth aged between 18-25 as well as 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with youth aged between 26-35 and interviewed over 25 policy makers, climate youth leaders, and other key stakeholders. British Council Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring Unit (REMU), South Asia together with SLYCAN Trust led on the research study.
The research report was formally launched on the 28 and 29 October, at a two-day Youth in Climate Action Virtual Conference hosted by the British Council, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. The event was successfully concluded with valuable contributions made by the Ministries of Environment, Youth and Sports, Wildlife and Forest Conservation and Regional Corporation as well as Lisa Whanstall, , British Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka, the UNDP Global Youth Program Manager together with the active participation of young people advocating for climate action. The virtual conference will serve as a much-needed platform and agency for setting up dialogue and conversation between key stakeholders, leading to recommendations and ideas for future, whilst discussing how young people can effectively contribute to climate action priorities set out by Government of Sri Lanka, UK and COP26.
“Action and innovation to address climate change is so important and harder to do than simple talking or tweeting about it. I hope to see real measurable action happening post conference, for us and for the future.” shared Anoka Abeyrathne, Climate Lead for Royal Commonwealth Society, who delivered the inspirational keynote session.
The research is part of the British Council’s Climate Connection programme, which aims to bring people around the world together to address the challenges of climate change, through arts and culture, education and the English language. The conference came ahead of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland from 1 – 12 November 2021, with the UK presiding as the Summit’s President.
Commenting on the collaboration, Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, ‘COVID-19 has made people, the world over, experience the fragility of life on earth. Through UNDP’s extensive work in supporting Sri Lanka realize its climate priorities, young people are essential to play a key role in this transformation pathway – to put nature at the heart of sustainable development. It’s encouraging to hear that 70% of the youth interviewed believe they can play the role of an awareness agent on climate change. Let’s draw on the young people for the necessary transformation.’
The findings from the report have also been used to write a Global Youth Letter, a plan of action setting out young people’s aspirations and recommendations around climate change. The letter directly addresses the policymakers and world leaders who will attend the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
British Council Sri Lanka Country Director, Maarya Rehman said, ‘Climate emergency is the biggest crisis facing our planet so it’s no surprise that British Council research has found it’s the number one priority for young people the world over. I’m confident that the research will be a powerful piece of work that can be fed into the National Action Plan at a policy level and more importantly the findings are set to send a strong message about the importance of including youth voices in the climate action conversation.’
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) announced a record-breaking profit for the financial year 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s growth trajectory. All key performance indicators (KPIs) and shareholder metrics showed substantial improvements, reflecting the Bank’s resilience and commitment to delivering value.
NDB’s Director/ Chief Executive Officer Kelum Edirisinghe commented on the performance. “We are proud of our performance in FY 2024, which demonstrates our financial strength and our ability to adapt in a reviving and evolving economic landscape.
“Our FY 2024 results were driven by a focused strategy that improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer engagements. As highlighted in prior press communications, we centered our efforts on three key pillars: driving transactions, enhancing portfolio quality and increasing net interest margins. Our efforts came in to fruition with the Bank delivering healthy growth in the respective areas which translated to enhanced profitability.
“For the period under review the Bank reported a pre-tax profit of Rs. 24.3 Bn up 141% over 2023 inclusive of the one-off gain of Rs. 12.8 Bn stemming from the ISB restructure. Excluding this gain, our pre-tax profit from the underlying business grew 31% year on year, affirming the resilience of our business model.
“As we reflect on the year gone by, it is clear that 2024 has been a year of tremendous collaboration, where all our key stakeholders – our shareholders, employees, customers, business partners, – have made significant contribution to our shared value journey. I remain deeply thankful to each one of them for their unwavering support and dedication.
“As we look to the future, NDB remains committed to driving sustainable growth, aligned with national priorities whilst empowering all our stakeholders to unlock lasting prosperity. Our focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles continues to be at the heart of our efforts, ensuring we make a positive impact on the wider ecosystem”, he concluded.
NDB recorded a post-tax profit of Rs. 9.0 Bn for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, a 68% increase over the prior year 2023 (YoY). Group profit attributable to shareholders was Rs. 9.8 Bn, again an impressive growth of 70% YoY. Profit before tax at Bank and Group level were Rs. 24.3 Bn and 25.7 Bn respectively, making them the highest-ever profitability figures the Bank and the Group have posted in its 45 years plus history.
(NDB)
Business
Future Connect: Hutch and University of Sri Jayewardenepura kick off exclusive knowledge-sharing series
Hutch collaborated with the Faculty of Computing at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to conduct an exclusive knowledge-sharing session for third-year undergraduate students. The event, held at the university, was part of Future Connect, an innovative initiative aimed at preparing the next generation for the technologies of tomorrow. By bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications, the event highlighted Hutch’s unwavering commitment to empowering young minds with the skills and insights needed to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. With a focus on emerging trends and future technologies, Future Connect ensures that students stay future-ready and equipped to become the tech leaders of tomorrow…
The session covered key topics in telecommunications, starting with data communication and networking, including network traffic analysis, troubleshooting, and optimizing for real-time applications. Legal and ethical aspects of data transmission and strategies for assessing network performance were also discussed. The focus then shifted to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and their role in customer management, supply chain, HR, and billing. The day concluded with a session on soft skills, including CV writing, interview preparation, and career development.
Prof. Prasad M. Jayaweera, Dean of the Faculty of Computing, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, emphasized the importance of such collaborations, stating, “We are delighted to collaborate with Hutch in this knowledge-sharing initiative, which bridges academia and industry. This session not only enriches our students’ understanding of real-world applications but also inspires them to innovate and excel in the evolving field of technology. Partnerships like these are instrumental in shaping the future of computing professionals in Sri Lanka.”
Saumitra Gupta, CEO of Hutch Sri Lanka, shared his thoughts on the initiative, saying, “At Hutch, we believe in empowering the next generation with the tools and insights they need to thrive in a digital-first world. Collaborating with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura allows us to share our industry expertise, fostering innovation and nurturing talent that will drive Sri Lanka’s technological advancements. We are proud to support the development of future leaders in technology.”
This initiative highlights Hutch’s steadfast dedication to technological advancement and education, reaffirming its position as a leader in knowledge-sharing and innovation in Sri Lanka.
HUTCH Sri Lanka, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings (CKHH), is a major player in the Sri Lankan telecom industry. CKHH, a Hong Kong-based Fortune 500 conglomerate, operates in over 50 countries across six sectors, including Telecommunications, and reported revenues nearing USD 60 billion in 2023.
Entering the Sri Lankan market in 1997, HUTCH has grown significantly, launching GSM services in 2004, 3G in 2011, and 4G in 2018. The 2019 acquisition of Etisalat Sri Lanka further strengthened its market presence, enabling it to serve customers on both 078 and 072 prefixes. Currently, HUTCH’s 4G network covers 95% of Sri Lanka’s population, and the company is 5G-ready to support the nation’s digital aspirations.
With affordable, reliable connectivity, HUTCH serves as a key driver in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications growth, expanding access to communication, business efficiency, and entertainment across even the most remote regions.
Business
British Council announces support for three Sri Lanka-UK collaborations through Connections Through Culture Grant Programme
The British Council has announced the recipients of the 2024 Connections Through Culture (CTC) Grant Programme, with three Sri Lankan projects awarded grants for the first time since the programme’s inception.
Initially founded as a platform for fostering vibrant collaborations between artists in the United Kingdom and the East Asia-Pacific, this year’s grant cycle, however, marked an exciting milestone as the programme expanded to include South Asia, welcoming grantees from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh alongside those from Australia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The British Council’s CTC Grant Programme stands as a testament to the organisation’s commitment to cultivating international artistic connections and promoting the exchange of ideas and creativity. The programme supports 84 innovative projects this year, three of which are collaborations between participants from the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, cultivating stronger cultural partnerships in the Asia-Pacific that transcend borders; fostering dialogue, innovation, and mutual understanding.
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