Business
CIPM launches CMI UK Diploma in Professional Consulting
CIPM Sri Lanka – the Nation’s leader in human resource management, having been appointed as an Approved Center of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) UK launched the CMI Diploma in Professional Consulting programme at a ceremony held at CIPM’s head office “HR House” in Colombo 5 recently with the participation of Jayantha Amarasinghe-President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Ken Vijayakumar – Vice President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Priyankara Seneviratne-Secretary, CIPM Sri Lanka, Council members of CIPM Sri Lanka, U. A. C. Obeysekera-CEO, CIPM Sri Lanka, G. Weeratunga-Director, Professional and Academic Affairs, staff of CIPM together with the online participation of Zain Munir-Head of Division International, CMI UK.
“We are pleased to partner with CMI UK which enables us to offer world recognized professional training and development programmes to enhance the knowledge and skills of our HR professionals as well as professionals of other disciplines” said Jayantha Amarasinghe-President, CIPM Sri Lanka.
“We are delighted to appoint CIPM Sri Lanka as CMI UK’s Approved Center in Sri Lanka. The CMI Diploma in Professional Consulting programme launched in partnership with CIPM Sri Lanka is CMI’s very first professional consulting course to be launched in Sri Lanka and the Asian region,” said Sain Munir-Head of Division International of CMI, UK.
The CMI Diploma in Professional Management Consulting programme has been designed for practising or aspiring senior management consultants wishing to formalize or develop their learning and progress to be qualified as a Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) of CMI, UK. It is an 8-month (33 weeks) programme with 200 learning hours which will be expertly facilitated by lead facilitator Prof Ajantha Dharmasiri-Past President of CIPM Sri Lanka and management guru. The programme, conducted in English, will be delivered in a hybrid model with both physical and online delivery and learning. The course is targeted for professionals from any discipline – HR Managers, Consultants, Finance Managers, Marketing Managers, Production Managers, Engineers, Scientists, etc, practicing management consultants seeking to acquire a world-renowned qualification in consultancy, aspiring senior management consultants, professionals closer to their retirement age and looking forward to working as consultants, and anyone interested to develop their career in consultancy.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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