Business
CEAT ramps up ‘2-wheeler’ tyre production by 85% in 3 months

CEAT Kelani Holdings has announced the achievement of an 85 per cent increase in the production of tyres for the ‘two-wheeler’ segment over just three months, as a full-bodied response to the needs of the local market consequent to the temporary import restrictions introduced by the government.
Maximising capacity utilisation at its manufacturing plants at Kelaniya and Kalutara, the company pushed production of tyres for motorcycles and scooters from 27,000 units a month in June 2020 to 41,000 per month in July and August, and is on target to produce 50,000 tyres in September, increasing volumes by 52 per cent in the first step and by an incremental 22 per cent thereafter.
The sharp increases in production of tyres for the two-wheeler segment follows similar ramping up of production of truck and bus tyres as well as passenger car radials by CEAT Kelani, which prior to these increases was producing half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements. To achieve the increases in two-wheeler capacity, the company said it had utilised available capacity at its three-wheeler tyre plant in Kalutara.
CEAT Kelani currently manufactures 32 different types of scooter and motorcycle tyres in 43 varying specifications, and now caters to 37 per cent of local market requirements for two-wheeler tyres.
“The import restrictions challenge domestic industries to show what they are truly capable of, and we are pulling out all the stops to fully utilise the capacity we have to support the government’s initiative of import substitution through increased domestic manufacturing,” CEAT Kelani Managing Director Ravi Dadlani said. “We are continuing to look at ways of meeting demand for the most popular categories and sizes of tyres, and are keeping the government informed of the products that we are not equipped to manufacture, so that they can be imported.”
CEAT’s increased production of truck and bus tyres has resulted in the Company producing 100 per cent of the segment’s requirements and enabled the government to make a saving of Rs 11 billion a year in foreign exchange. The Company’s latest initiative in the two-wheeler tyre segment is estimated to enable a further saving of Rs 350 million a year through import substitution, Mr Dadlani disclosed.
The expansion of production capacity for this segment of tyres has resulted in a 100 per cent increase in the production of sizes 90/90-12 TL and 90/100-10 TL that fit popular scooter models such as Honda Dio, Yamaha Ray ZR, Honda Grazia, TVS Wego, and Suzuki Burgman. Meanwhile, CEAT’s production of tyre size 90/90-17 TL that fits motorcycle models such as TVS Apache, Bajaj Pulsar 160 NF and Bajaj Pulsar 180 has increased by 400 per cent, and the Company has achieved a 100 per cent increase in the production of the 100/80-17 TL tyre that is required for the popular Yamaha FZ. Production of tyres for Bajaj Pulsar 150, Bajaj CT 100, Bajaj Platina, and TVS Heavy Duty Super XL has also increased significantly, the Company said.
Notably, CEAT Kelani Holdings has kept the prices of its tyres unchanged since December 2019 to support customers and the economy, despite the additional investments made in increasing capacity and an increase in market prices due to demand.
CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures in the manufacturing sector. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date totals Rs 8 billion, inclusive of Rs 3 billion committed in January 2018 for expansion of volumes, technology upgrades and new product development. The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass pneumatic tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (Bias-ply and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.
Business
‘ComBank ends Q1 as first private sector banking group on the cusp of Rs 3 Tn. assets milestone’

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group has made a characteristically strong start to 2025, recording healthy profit and balance sheet growth in the first quarter of the year.
Comprising of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries and an associate, the Group reported in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) that assets reached Rs 2.999 trillion as at 31st March 2025.
Gross income for the quarter grew by 9.85% to Rs 88.10 billion, while interest income improved by 3.14% to Rs 72.60 billion. Interest expenses reduced by 10.09% to Rs 38.38 billion as a result of repricing of liabilities amidst the lower rates regime that prevailed, generating a 23.53% growth in net interest income, which amounted to Rs 34.21 billion for the three months reviewed.
Total operating income grew by 33.40% to Rs 46.62 billion, but the Group’s provision for impairment charges and other losses was increased by 110.44% to Rs 7.23 billion with additional provisions made on a prudential basis for individually-significant customers, which resulted in an improvement in the Bank’s impaired loans (Stage 3) ratio.
Business
Intrepid in collaboration with MDF hosts an empowering workshop

Building on the momentum of its groundbreaking “Women in Tourism” initiative, Intrepid Travel Colombo, in collaboration with the Market Development Facility (MDF) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), successfully conducted another impactful workshop—this time focusing on women business owners in the tourism sector.
Held in Kandy on Saturday, 5th April, the session brought together 15 dynamic female business owners from the Central Province with a shared passion for responsible tourism and sustainable business. The workshop forms part of Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women across the tourism value chain in Sri Lanka and follows the inaugural training program held in September last year which targeted aspiring female tour leaders.
This insightful session was tailored to uplift and support women who are already leading or managing businesses within the tourism ecosystem, and hailing from the Central Province.
“This was an impactful day of learning, sharing, and growing together,” said Poornaka Delpachitra, Country GM of Intrepid. “Our focus this time was on women business owners—those who are already shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in meaningful ways but often face unique challenges in accessing resources, networks, and recognition. By creating a space for peer connection, leadership development, and shared learning, we’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive tourism sector.”
The training session was designed to strengthen key leadership and entrepreneurial skills such as business strategy, confidence-building, marketing, and innovation in sustainable tourism. It also provided participants with valuable networking opportunities and a sense of solidarity, reinforcing the message that women are not alone in their journeys.
Business
Kushan Samararatne takes the helm at Colombo Coffee Company

Colombo Coffee Company, the largest total coffee solutions provider in Sri Lanka’s and a fully-owned subsidiary of the world’s largest Ceylon Tea exporter Akbar Brothers, has appointed Kushan Samararatne as the Chief Executive Officer.
With a career marked by strategic foresight, operational excellence, and transformational leadership, Kushan brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his new role. As General Manager, he led Colombo Coffee Company to unprecedented heights during his tenure.
Kushan’s impact at Colombo Coffee Company extended far beyond financial metrics. Under his dynamic leadership, the company successfully established its first in-house production unit, developed many local coffee blends, and launched roasting operations, making significant strides toward vertical integration and value creation. His deep commitment to quality was further evidenced by the company aligning its operations with Lavazza’s international standards – reinforcing Colombo Coffee Company’s reputation for excellence in every aspect of its operations.
-
Features5 days ago
SAITM Graduates Overcome Adversity, Excel Despite Challenges
-
News5 days ago
Destined to be pope:Brother says Leo XIV always wanted to be a priest
-
Opinion5 days ago
Drs. Navaratnam’s consultation fee three rupees NOT Rs. 300
-
Foreign News6 days ago
Mexico sues Google over ‘Gulf of America’ name change
-
Sports5 days ago
ASBC Asian U22 and Youth Boxing Championships from Monday
-
Features4 days ago
Championing Geckos, Conservation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Sri Lanka
-
Business5 days ago
Dilmah – HSBC future writers festival attracts 150+ entries
-
Business5 days ago
Bloom Hills Holdings wins Gold for Edexcel and Cambridge Education