Business
A ‘FASTFIX’ for COVID-19 related worries of daily wage earners
St. Anthony’s Industries Group Executive Director Jeevan Gnanam (left) launches the new ‘FASTFIX’ app together with FASTFIX Head of Operations Krishantha Pathiraja(Pic by Kamal Bogoda)
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Sri Lankan community is now getting used to deploying mobile apps to work from their respective homes following the Covid-19 outbreak. Therefore, this novel app which we are launching today should be made available island wide, Executive Director, St. Anthony’s Industries Group Jeevan Gnanam said.
“Daily wage earners had to face the largest financial struggle as they were one of the first groups to be affected when Covid-19 impacted the country. This new technology will provide those who have lost their jobs with a platform to find work and earn a living to cover their daily wages, Gnanam said at the launch of the device, “FASTFIX” app, last Friday in Colombo.
‘FASTFIX’ partnered with Anton, a fully owned subsidiary of St. Anthony’s Industries Group, to extend the services provided by the app. The app, offers a gateway to conveniently carry out plumbing related repairs and other chores. The app enables users to immediately locate the nearest service providers, contact the most suitable person for the requirement, and get the required services done according to their satisfaction.
Gnanam said this is Sri Lanka’s first app to facilitate easy home repairs from plumbing to electrical and is launched in a bid to connect end users with service providers.
He said more features are expected to be added to the app, including a feature to locate the nearest Anton product outlet which further assists the app’s users when searching for the required materials needed for repairs. These could be bought at a special rate when purchased through the app.
‘Depending on the quality of the services, workers can find constant work, thus enabling them to be fully occupied with work found through the FASTFIX app. In this way, the app contributes to a larger section of the society to step up and be financially stable.
‘The app has a feature to rate the services carried out by the workers which indeed is an opportunity for service providers to be recognized and encourages them to consistently provide a high-quality service. ‘FASTFIX’ app is currently in operation and is serving the Gampaha and Colombo districts for both consumers and service providers, and is available to download via Android Play Store, while an IOS version is to be launched in the coming few months, Gnanam added.
“We are extremely proud to launch the ‘FASTFIX’ app, which we believe would be a great convenience for home services related issues, should it be a plumbing issue, electric issue or any other repair, Head of Operations at FASTFIX Krishantha Pathiraja said.
Pathiraja said not all are experienced in everyday repairs and it is safer and more apt to hire a professional who has knowledge and experience to attend to this work. However, finding the right person for the right job is quite difficult at present and people often face issues when negotiating prices to get the job done.
‘No one thought that an app could assist with such a process, but now it is just at the tip of our fingers by downloading the ‘FASTFIX’ app and connecting to a professional to find solutions to household problems conveniently and cost-effectively, he added.
The total outstanding market liquidity surplus or excess funds available in Sri Lanka’s banking system for lending and transactions declined by Rs. 36.65 billion in a week, according to the Central Bank’s latest economic indicators report.
An economic researcher analysing the data noted: “Treasury bill and bond auctions likely drained liquidity. If this tightening persists, short-term interest rates could rise, raising borrowing costs and potentially slowing economic growth. The situation warrants close monitoring, especially as the manufacturing sector is already facing a slowdown whether due to seasonal or structural factors.”
The report also highlighted the following developments in Sri Lanka’s economy:
Fiscal improvements: The deficit has narrowed but remains elevated.
Sectoral trends: The stock market rallied, and the services sector showed slower expansion (tourism, retail and IT driving resilience).
Total expenditure and net lending increased to Rs. 1,301.9 bn during the three months ending March 2025 compared to Rs. 1,197.5 bn in the corresponding period of 2024.
During the three months ending March 2025, the overall budget deficit decreased to Rs. 234.5 bn compared to Rs. 281.3 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024
The rupee value of T-Bills and T-Bonds held by foreign investors decreased by 2 per cent in comparison to the previous week.
“The April 2025 industrial slowdown points to weaker output, likely due to seasonal factors such as holidays or subdued demand. However, this was partially offset by an expansion in the Services PMI, offering some relief. The broader economic outlook for Sri Lanka remains uncertain, as these mixed signals unfold as Sri Lanka would receive a tariff letter from the US in the coming weeks. With market liquidity already tightening due to government borrowings from the banking system, policymakers face mounting challenges in balancing growth and stability,” the economic researcher noted.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
AIA Sri Lanka’s ‘Pawfect Match’ campaign, in partnership with animal welfare groups, inspired 500+ adoptions of stray pets. The initiative highlighted adoption, responsible ownership, and compassion, tackling Sri Lanka’s stray animal crisis. AIA thanks all supporters for their life-changing impact.
The campaign served as a reminder that even small acts of kindness like adopting a stray can make a big impact. It also provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about responsible pet ownership, animal rights, and the importance of compassion toward all creatures.
Calton Sweet House Pvt. Ltd., a key part of Calton Group, was honored as the Best National Industry Brand in the Medium-Scale Food and Beverage Sector at the National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024, organized by the Industrial Development Board. Deshamanya Mahesh De Silva, Director of Finance and IT at Calton Group, accepted the award.
Established in 1991, Calton Sweet House has over 30 years of excellence, specializing in cakes, snacks, and frozen bakery items, with 20+ outlets across Negombo, Katunayake, and Colombo, including at Bandaranaike International Airport. The company holds ISO, HACCP, and GMP certifications, ensuring top-quality standards.
Starting as a small store in 1983, Calton Group now employs 300+ staff and operates multiple businesses, including Calton Hyper Market and Calton Catering, while partnering with global brands like Unilever and Upfield. The group remains committed to serving customers with high-quality, safely packaged food products.
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