Business
The Mall at Port City Colombo celebrates women entrepreneurs
The Mall at Port City Colombo, in partnership with CAN Market, successfully hosted a vibrant three-day celebration in honor of International Women’s Day 2025. Held from March 7th to 9th at The Mall at Port City Colombo, the event highlighted the creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit of Sri Lankan women.
CAN Market, a post-pandemic initiative supporting over 300 small businesses, has empowered women entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and sustain their livelihoods. This Women’s Day edition featured a dynamic blend of pop-up markets, interactive workshops, and celebrity engagement to drive visibility and recognition for women-led businesses.
The event hosted 25 pop-up stalls featuring fashion, food, homeware, and handmade crafts, allowing visitors to directly support women-owned enterprises. Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet the faces behind these brands, hear their stories, and purchase exclusive, locally crafted products.
Adding to the excitement, renowned Sri Lankan personalities, including former Colombo Mayoress and Former Mrs. World, Rosy Senanayake, Mrs. World 2020, Caroline Jurie, and Mrs. World 2024 first runner-up, Ishadi Amanda, engaged with artisans in hands-on craftsmanship activities. A special ‘Coffee, Cake & Craft session, conducted at ‘MONO Tea & Beverage on March 8th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, allowed guests to interact with Key Opinion Leaders such as Sangeetha Weeraratne, Thisakya Senanayake, and Ramani Fernando while celebrating the artistry of female entrepreneurs. Jewelry-making workshops also took place throughout the event, where visitors created custom-made jewelry pieces, including bracelets, charms, and anklets, at affordable prices. The event was further supported by One World Duty Free, Mono Tea, Department of Coffee, and Royal Cashews.
The Mall at Port City Colombo’s International Women’s Day celebration successfully brought together Sri Lankans from all walks of life to recognize and support women entrepreneurs. Through shopping at the market, engaging in workshops, and participating in interactive sessions, attendees played an essential role in fostering a thriving ecosystem for women in business.
Business
Union Assurance becomes first insurer to earn the YouTube Silver Play Button
Union Assurance, Sri Lanka’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, has achieved a milestone in its digitalisation journey by being awarded the YouTube Silver Play Button, recognising the Company for surpassing 100,000 subscribers on its official channel. This achievement marks a first in Sri Lanka’s Insurance industry, across both Life and General Insurance, and underscores Union Assurance’s pioneering role in digital engagement.
This accomplishment reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to making Life Insurance accessible, simplified, and engaging for all Sri Lankans. Through innovative content strategies, Union Assurance has successfully transformed complex Insurance concepts into relatable, informative, and inspiring narratives that empower individuals to protect what matters most; health, wealth, family, and future.
Receiving the Silver Play Button is more than a symbolic accolade; it is a testament to the strength and credibility of Union Assurance’s digital presence. In an era where trust and transparency define brand loyalty, this recognition validates the company’s ability to create content that resonates deeply with a growing audience. It enhances the brand’s authority, reinforces its visibility across digital platforms, and further solidifies Union Assurance as a leader in customer engagement.
Celebrating this achievement, Mahen Gunarathna, the Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance stated: “This milestone is a testament to the trust and engagement of our audience and reflects our dedication to innovation, transparency, and customer-centric communication.
Business
LOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
LOLC Finance PLC, the largest non-banking financial institution in Sri Lanka, brings to light the significant role of its Factoring Business Unit in providing indispensable financial solutions to businesses across the country. With a robust network of over 200 branches, LOLC Finance Factoring offers distinctive support to enterprises, ranging from small-scale entrepreneurs to corporate giants.
In light of the recent economic challenges, LOLC Finance Factoring emerged as a lifeline for most businesses, ensuring continuous liquidity to navigate through turbulent times. By facilitating seamless transactions through online platforms and expediting payments, the company played a pivotal role in sustaining essential services, including supermarkets and pharmaceuticals.
Deepamalie Abhaywardane, Head of Factoring at LOLC Finance PLC, emphasized the increasing relevance of factoring in today’s economy. “As economic conditions become more stringent, factoring emerges as the most sought-after financial product for businesses across various sectors. It offers a win-win solution by providing upfront cash up to 85% of the credit sale to suppliers while allowing end-users/buyers better settlement period.”
One of the standout features of LOLC Finance Factoring is its hassle-free application process. Unlike traditional bank loans that require collateral, LOLC Factoring extends credit facilities without such obligations. Furthermore, LOLC Finance Factoring relieves business entities of the burden of receivable management and debt collection. Through nominal service fees, businesses can outsource these tasks, allowing them to focus on core operations while ensuring efficient cash flow management.
For businesses seeking Shariah-compliant factoring solutions, LOLC Al-Falaah’s Wakalah Future-Cash Today offers an efficient and participatory financing model that meets both financial needs and ethical principles. Understanding the diverse challenges faced by businesses, LOLC Finance Factoring deliver tailored solutions that enhance cash flow, reduce credit risk, and support sustainable growth. Working together with LOLC Al-Falaah ensures access to a transparent, well-structured receivable management solution strengthened by the credibility and trust of Sri Lanka’s largest NBFI, LOLC Finance.
The clientele of LOLC Finance Factoring spans into various industries, including manufacturing, trading, transportation, healthcare, textiles, plantations, and other services, all contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s economic growth. By empowering businesses with accessible and convenient working capital solutions, LOLC Finance’s Factoring arm plays a vital role in fostering economic development and prosperity of the country.
In the upcoming quarter, LOLC Finance Factoring remains committed to delivering innovative financial solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses. As Sri Lanka’s economic landscape continues to develop, LOLC Finance Factoring stands ready to support enterprises on their journey towards growth and success.
Business
Round Table Sri Lanka delivers rapid, high-impact relief following Cyclone Ditwah
In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah’s severe flooding across the Western Province, Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL) has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest and most effective humanitarian responders, deploying urgent relief operations since 28 November 2025.
RTSL’s first major mission launched in Welampitiya, delivering emergency food parcels, ration packs, medication, and bedsheets to families stranded for days by rising floodwaters. As the disaster expanded, RTSL rapidly scaled its operations, navigating submerged roads and inaccessible areas to reach vulnerable communities across multiple districts.
Relief Achievements as of 02 December 2025
• 10,000+ food parcels distributed
• 1,000+ ration packs delivered
• 100 rescues coordinated or assisted
• Dry ration airlifts underway to regions inaccessible by road
• Ongoing fundraising for rations, food parcels, and rescue logistics
Airlift Operations to Cut-Off Regions
In partnership with Yahaguna Padanama and supported logistically by Expolanka, RTSL has begun airlifting dry rations to isolated communities, ensuring uninterrupted support to areas where land access has been completely blocked by floodwaters. Food parcels and ration packs airlifted via the airforce.
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