Business
CEAT launches program to support education of rubber growers’ children
CEAT Kelani Holdings has launched a new community project to support the education of children of rubber cultivators – a critical element of its supply chain, the company announced in a news release.
The manufacturer of half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements with 100 per cent of its natural rubber needs sourced from local producers that support some 10,000 cultivator families, CEAT has begun distributing schoolbags, stationery and other educational requisites to schools in rubber growing areas, it said.
“Part of the ‘CEAT Cares’ portfolio of good citizenship initiatives, the program’s first phase focusing on the Matugama Educational Zone, is executed with the support of the Sri Lanka Army, a major user of CEAT tyres,” the release said.
“The first two schools to benefit from the program were the Pallegoda Tamil School in Pallegoda and the Miriswatta Tamil School in Ittapana, which were visited by representatives of CEAT and the Sri Lanka Army recently. A total of 119 children received school bags, shoes and stationery items as well as a nutritious lunch after the distribution ceremony.”
Commenting on the program, CEAT Kelani Managing Director Mr Ravi Dadlani said: “Because rubber cultivators are integral to our tyre manufacturing process, the challenges they encounter in their daily lives must concern us. The education of children is becoming increasingly expensive and we believe we can help offset some of the costs and help reduce the rate of dropping out. This aligns well with our Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.”
The launch of the programme at the two schools was attended by Mr Dadlani, CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Mr Shamal Gunawardene and senior management of CEAT Kelani Holdings. Major General R. A. J. N. Ranasingha, Brigadier M. W. S. Millagala and other senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army, officials of the Matugama Zonal Education Administration, and CEAT dealers from the area.
In a separate initiative, CEAT Kelani has also started hosting rubber cultivators for conducted tours of the company’s extensive manufacturing complex in Kelaniya, providing them with an insight into the intricacies of producing high-performance tyres for the domestic and export markets.
The largest domestic manufacturer of cross-ply and radial tyres in Sri Lanka, CEAT Kelani’s manufacturing operations encompass pneumatic tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (Bias-ply and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.
The CEAT brand originated in Italy and is backed by German manufacturing technology and extensive research and testing facilities in India and Europe. CEAT Kelani Holdings exports about 20 per cent of its production to 16 countries and plays a significant role in helping the national economy conserve foreign exchange by reducing dependence on imported tyres.
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG) announced the appointment of Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
In her new role, Sarah will lead both the Finance and Human Resources functions at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy and people agenda. She holds a distinguished track record across multiple business disciplines, including Supply Chain, ICT, Administration, Corporate Communications, and CSR. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her most recent position as General Manager – Finance & Business Partnering at Brandix, Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturer.
Recognised for her strengths in business partnering, financial planning, and strategic decision-making, Sarah is also widely respected for nurturing inclusive, people-centric cultures that foster growth and high performance.
Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MLG, commented, “Sarah’s appointment follows an extensive search for the right person to lead our finance division through the next phase of our journey. Her wide-ranging experience and strong leadership credentials give me every confidence that she will continue to strengthen the financial integrity and compliance standards we are known for, and the Board looks forward to working closely alongside her in this journey.”
Sarah also marks a significant milestone for the company, becoming the first female member of MLG’s Board of Directors. She will additionally serve on the MLG Executive Committee (ExCo), reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the leadership level.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said, “I am honoured and excited to join MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka and help steer the company into its next chapter. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at MLG to drive financial strength, champion a people-first culture, and build on the company’s strong legacy of creativity and performance.”
Business
Sun Siyam Pasikudah Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Best of the Best Winner for 2025
Sun Siyam Pasikudah, a boutique luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, is thrilled to announce its recent win at the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for 2025, placing it among the top 10 percent of resorts worldwide. This accolade reflects the resort’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.
Reopened in November 2023 after an extensive transformation, Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 spacious one- and two-bedroom garden and beach pavilions, each featuring bold monochromatic interiors accented with golden tones. The redesign, led by Studio Sixty7, emphasizes a blend of contemporary elegance and local craftsmanship. The resort collaborated with local artisans, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich talent and cultural heritage.
‘‘We are thrilled to being recognized on par with some of the world’s best resorts. Under just two years since our reopening, this achievement couldn’t be possible with the tremendous effort and support of our world-class team and our guests that keep coming for the unique experiences we offer. We are proud to contribute to Sri Lanka, a destination that is on every traveler’s go-to list,’ said its General Manager, Arshed Refai who has been with Sun Siyam Resorts for over a decade.
Business
Canon celebrates 22nd consecutive year of No. 1 share of global interchangeable-lens digital camera market
Metropolitan Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., the sole authorized distributor for Canon in Sri Lanka, proudly celebrates Canon Inc.’s remarkable achievement in the world of Imaging. Canon’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras, both DSLR and mirrorless, have maintained the No. 1 global market share for an unprecedented 22 consecutive years, from 2003 to 2024. This milestone reaffirms Canon’s legacy of innovation and excellence, solidifying its position as the preferred choice for photographers, cinematographers and vloggers worldwide.
Throughout its 22-year history, the EOS series has led the market with a range of outstanding models. During the dawn of digital SLR cameras, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D in other regions) in September 2003. By launching this groundbreaking camera, which was competitively priced and featured a compact, lightweight design, Canon spurred growth in the digital SLR market, capturing the top share of the global market and heralding the age of digital SLR cameras.
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