Business

‘Be Sri Lankan, Buy Sri Lanka’, indicator of ‘product excellence’

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Institute of Packaging committee

By Steve A. Morrell

‘Be Sri Lankan, Buy Sri Lanka’, was not only a marketing blurb but carried with it integrity of product excellence and added prestige to local products, newly-elected president of the Institute of Packaging Rohan Wijesinghe said. He was elected 46th president of the Institute recently.

Past president Anuradha Jayasinghe introducing the in-coming president said the fact that the mantle of office is moving to another year of progress for innovation and a new focus on priorities meant that the Institute of Packaging was in consonance with the changing times. The exigencies and challenges in the context of the unavoidable incidence of the on-going pandemic posed new priorities to be addressed. Taking office in these times of extraordinary significance was important for the year ahead and it was with confidence that Rohan Wijesinghe was elected to the high office of president.

Jayasinghe added: ‘Rohan Wijesinghe’s background resume was that he is not new to leadership, having proved himself a professional both locally and internationally.

‘He represented Sri Lanka at the World Packaging Congresses in Japan and many other countries, including Germany, China, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Malaysia, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Dubai and Tasmania.

‘Mr. Wijesinghe successfully held the office of chairman, Twins Packaging Pvt. Ltd, Premium Packaging Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and other organizations who lauded his progress as outstanding contributions instrumental in their progress.

Rohan Wijesinghe accepting office said he was perhaps the first Catholic to be conferred the titles, Deshamanya, Desha Shakthi and Lanka Puthra.

Accepting the office of president, he paid tribute to the leadership of the Institute of Packaging which withstood the vicissitudes of time and through the 46 years or so of its existence continued to ensure the excellence of the essentialities of packaging to maintain high standards so essential for product marketing and presentation.

Wijesinghe said: ‘The packaging industry is now a crucial component for product marketing and effective shelf presentation. Its attractive features that are usually seen on product shelves are of distinct assistance to ensure product distinction and sustainability that contribute to value addition of such products. ‘Be Sri Lankan buy Sri Lanka’ was not only a marketing blurb but carried with it integrity of product excellence and adds to the prestige of each local product.

‘Demand for excellence was now a sophisticated necessity and the Institute of Packaging and its professional exactitude was necessary for product marketing and consequent public appeal.’

Rohan Wijesinghe’s Alma Mater is St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. He excelled in academic activity and was a true all-rounder. He represented the college in athletics and rugger and is a triple coloursman, having played basketball and tennis as well. He was also captain of the table tennis team.

Wijesinghe said out-going president Anuradha Jayasinghe, past president Rohan Victoria, Secretary – Social, Tania Francis, treasurer Sunil Costa and others who held office, continued to be actively involved with the packaging industry. Their expertise was etched in the progress of the Institute and ensured its continuous positive development.

His tributes to the past committee and outstanding personnel included Michael Perera, recipient of the life-time achievement award.

Michael Perera said packaging was now essential to minimize waste. He said it was now time that re-cycling was part of the packaging industry, in that it had to be addressed as a matter of urgency, because of waste plastics that was now the bane of goods and services. As much as packaging was important, the conversion of waste and its recycling was urgent and cannot be ignored. Particularly because waste from other countries too was carried to our shores, which was a growing problem.

Outgoing president Anuradha Jayasinghe expressed his appreciation to his committee and assured the Institute of his continuous interest in its activities.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.