Business
What are leading names in Sri Lankan industries doing to decarbonize?

World Environment Day should drive focus on decarbonisation of Sri Lankan industries
By Jagathdeva Vidanagama PhD
Sri Lanka’s Energy Savers are industry leaders and energy practitioners who are determined to help the country slash energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions. They explain what they are doing to decarbonize Sri Lankan industries and why the time to act is now.
Mendaka Hettithanthri, Engineering Manager at Teejay Lanka, one of Southeast Asia’s largest fabric manufacturers, says the changing climate is a sure sign that industry must do more to lower its carbon emissions.
“You can already see how global warming is affecting Sri Lankans. We are an agricultural country … and the farmers used to know exactly when to harvest the crops and when to replant. Now the weather patterns are completely messed up.”
Nisal Liyanage, Manager of Group Compliance at leading Sri Lankan engineering company Hayleys Fentons Group, says there are also many business benefits to decarbonization, such as production cost savings: “We would see reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for greater energy independence for us as a country.”
“We are further incentivized by our foreign customers,” adds Mohomad Arshad, Environment, Health and Safety Manager at fabric manufacturer Hayleys Fabric. “Compliance with international controls and requirements related to green practices are essential for remaining competitive in the global market.”
Sharing knowledge
More knowledge is needed to help companies fully realize the potential of energy efficiency, says Nadeera Ramanayake, Assistant Director of Planning at Industrial Development Board of Ceylon.
She welcomes a new 12-month initiative spearheaded by United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka with support from the European Union. They are guiding a first group of 70 Energy Savers through an internationally recognized course on Energy Management Systems.
“Amidst the current energy crisis in the country, I thought that joining a project like this and getting knowledge is vital,” says Nadeera.
Changing behaviour
Damitha Sandanayaka, Energy Management Officer at Colombo Dockyard, says cutting energy waste requires new ways of acting at all levels of a business.
“I strongly believe that changing human behaviour is the key to improving energy efficiency, which is why training and awareness have become fundamental to our organization. We conduct regular training … [and] we also initiated Energy Management Week… This promotes awareness on the importance of energy management and encourages teams to work together to achieve energy efficiency goals.”
Making the switch to clean energy
Cutting energy waste often helps manufacturing companies better understand their energy use, creating a solid foundation upon which to build effective renewable energy solutions.
Asanka Manoj, Senior Manager of Production and Facility Maintenance at Flintec Transducers, describes how installing rooftop solar panels on the company’s plants cut daytime energy use by 65 to 70 per cent. This, coupled with energy efficiency measures, has helped Flintec significantly reduce energy costs and emissions.
But a number of Energy Savers caution against looking for a “magic bullet” to decarbonization. Rather, multiple solutions that use a variety of energy optimization and clean energy technologies are needed.
“[We need to take] a holistic approach,” says K. H. Thanushka at Watawala Plantations. “[That’s how] to unlock this potential and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
The writer is a specialist in climate change mitigation in industry and is Chief Technical Specialist for the Accelerating Industries Climate Response project in Sri Lanka implemented by UNIDO.
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.
Business
Landmark renewable energy project underway with Indian assistance

A landmark renewable energy initiative is underway in Sri Lanka’s northern islands of Delft, Nainativu, and Analativu—driven by a generous USD 10.995 million grant from the government of India.
Speaking to The Island Financial Review, EFL General Manager Projects Logistics Mohamed Niyas stressed that this grant is not only enabling a state-of-the-art hybrid energy project but also laying the groundwork for energy independence, sustainability, and cross-border cooperation in the region.
The project, executed by U-Solar and powered by Ryse Energy wind solutions, introduces a hybrid model integrating solar, wind, and battery storage systems, replacing the islands’ reliance on costly diesel generators. But behind this transformation lies another innovation—Sri Lanka’s first Hybrid Logistics Solution, architected by EFL.
Delivering this project to three remote islands required overcoming formidable logistical challenges—from handling sensitive renewable equipment, to navigating tidal patterns, to securing suitable jetties for unloading. The Indian grant made it possible to meet these challenges with strategic precision and cutting-edge logistics.
Niyas added: “This is a powerful example of how international collaboration can unlock sustainable solutions for isolated communities.”
“With the support of the Indian grant, our logistics model could be as innovative as the energy system itself. We didn’t just move equipment—we delivered the future of energy to people who needed it most.”
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