Business
Unilever – Lever Ayush strengthens commitment to traditional medicine as Main Sponsor of International Research Symposium at AyurEx Colombo 2024
Building on a successful partnership in 2023, Lever Ayush, one of the leading Ayurvedic brands in the country, once again served as the Main Sponsor for the International Research Symposium at AyurEx Colombo 2024. Held recently, the event was a premier platform for celebrating and advancing traditional medicine practices.
“At Lever Ayush, we are dedicated to upholding and innovating the wisdom of Ayurveda,” said Shamara Silva, Marketing Director – Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care of Unilever Sri Lanka. “Our partnership with AyurEx Colombo 2024 for its International Research Symposium reflects this commitment. This prestigious event fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange, propelling Ayurveda onto the global stage. We are proud to partner with AyurEx Colombo 2024, a platform that fosters research and education in traditional medicine. Through this collaboration, we strive to ensure that the benefits of Ayurveda remain accessible and relevant for generations to come.”
Dr Dammika Abeygunawardena, Commissioner General of Ayurveda at the Department of Ayurveda, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, also commented on the successful collaboration, “We are delighted to have Lever Ayush as the Main Sponsor for the AyurEx Colombo 2024 International Research Symposium. Their continued support is instrumental in raising awareness and propelling research in the field of traditional medicine. This year’s focus on ‘One Health for Sustainable and Healthy Living of Humans, Animals, and Ecosystems,’ perfectly aligns with our vision for a holistic approach to healthcare, benefiting both Sri Lanka and the global community.”
This year’s sponsorship signifies a deepened commitment by Lever Ayush to Sri Lanka’s rich Ayurvedic legacy. Organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya in collaboration with the Department of the Ayurveda, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, the symposium brought together over 10 eminent speakers and featured 15 lectures by international experts.
Lever Ayush’s increased involvement in AyurEx Colombo 2024 builds upon the success of the 2023 partnership. Last year, the brand served as the Title Sponsor for the International Conference and the Main Sponsor for the Exhibition and Trade Fair. This year’s focus on the symposium reflects a strategic decision to champion research and development within the field.
Launched in 2018, Lever Ayush offers a range of Ayurveda-registered products inspired by 5,000 years of wisdom. The brand leverages traditional knowledge to create modern hygiene and beauty solutions, that resonate with today’s consumers. Manufactured in Sri Lanka under the guidance of an Ayurvedic Doctor, Lever Ayush products are a testament to Unilever Sri Lanka’s commitment to preserving and nurturing Sri Lankan heritage.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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