Business
Ascentic celebrates 5 years of astounding success
Founded by Swedish duo Anna Kalm and Patrik Alm, fueled by a passion to help Swedish businesses find the IT competence they need through the dynamic talent pool in Sri Lanka, the Swe-Lankan software development company Ascentic celebrates five years of astounding growth and success.
Ascentic believes that Sri Lanka is undoubtedly among the top destinations to find a diverse pool of talent in IT. Since its humble beginnings the company has scaled up to a crew of almost 100 ambitious, creative, and fun-loving Ascenders and is today recognized as one of the best workplaces in Sri Lanka.
From the start of the business, Ascentic has had an ambition to create an amazing workplace experience for its crew, in a strive to enable talented individuals to thrive and make the most out of their potential. The company was ranked 43 in the Best Workplaces in Asia 2021 under the small and medium-sized company category, in addition to being featured among the Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka, Best Small and Medium IT/ITES Workplaces, and Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka for Millennials.
Ascentic is also expanding its reach across its main customer market Sweden. The organization is today located in two of the larger regions of Sweden and expanding the presence both with Swedish and Sri Lankan team members. The main source of business is building high-performing software development teams for small and midsized product companies with strong growth potential, but the first steps have also been taken towards starting up a new unit focusing commercializing inhouse built products.
The technical stacks of the company today range from Microsoft-based solutions to open source, JavaScript with libraries and frameworks like ReactJS, Angular and NodeJS, Python, GoLang and php. The latest technical stream the company has embarked into is in Machine Learning and Analytics, where the number-crunching data scientists and developers in Ascentic today supports Swedish organizations to make smarter use of their data.
Anna Kalm, Founder and CEO, looks back at the last 5 years with warmth “It’s been quite an exciting journey for all of us here at Ascentic. We have had high-set targets from the start of the business, and I’m absolutely amazed with what we as a team have been able to accomplish. We have such an amazing crew that keeps striving for excellence – both in terms of the technical solutions we craft but also related to the workplace we are creating. Regardless of what challenges we face, knowing the strength and grit of our team I’m confident we will grow stronger from it and continue to thrive.”
Being an Ascender has many perks and benefits, such as lifelong learning opportunities, support for a healthy work-life balance, USD pegged compensation, comfy workspaces, a range of social activities among others. Recently the company launched an international rotation program where the Sri Lankan crew members get the opportunity to work onsite in Sweden for a longer period, an initiative that has been highly appreciated since its launch.
The company also made history in Sri Lanka with the introduction of a four-month equal parental leave for both parents, with the aim to contribute to increased equality in the IT industry. Gender-neutrality, equity and inclusivity is not just a buzz phrase at Ascentic, but a cornerstone in building the organization in a sustainable manner.
The Swe-Lankan software development company is excited about the mark it has set in the industry during the last 5 years and gearing up for continued growth and innovation for decades ahead. For more information, visit www.ascentic.lk
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
-
Business17 hours agoColombo Coffee wins coveted management awards
-
Features2 days agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business3 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Business4 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business3 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports5 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features2 days agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Sports4 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka