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Colombo Jewellery Stores opens One Galle Face outlet with Sapphire Island Collection

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Sapphire Island Collection in collaboration with Miss Sri Lanka 2021 Sade Greenwood

Defining a century of style celebrating the Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire

Colombo Jewellery Stores (CJS) etched its milestone of a Century of Style with the opening of its latest store, at the One Galle Face Mall (Shop No. L1 – 59) Celebrating the opening of the outlet which makes the exclusive range of CJS jewellery accessible to the customer who defines style and sophistication, CJS launched its newest tribute to this Island of Gems with The Sapphire Island Collection exclusively available only at the One Galle Face store.

As the brand reaches its centurion milestone, CJS looks back on the skill, knowledge and experience of three generations that created a philosophy of uncompromising quality and artisanal flair. The heritage of this brand, built on the cornerstones of craftsmanship, quality, sustainability and creativity have presented a portfolio of showstopping jewellery and sophisticated accessories that are the epitome of elegance and pizzazz.

The Sapphire Island Collection is a collaboration with the first Youth Ambassador for Colombo Jewellery Stores, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2021 the young and vibrant, Sade Greenwood. She brings with her a passion for uplifting society and protecting the environment, similar values upheld by CJS which has been actively contributing to a strong sustainability footprint since inception.

For the CEO of CJS Akram Cassim, this is a milestone that culminates not only a 100-year legacy but also heralds a new era of style. “Sade represents a new generation of jewellery design and the inspiration for the Sapphire Island Collection, which focused entirely on the magical Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire, our Island’s most treasured and historically significant gemstone.”

Sade, who will be an integral facet in promoting the Collection to the youthful customer segment said, “It is my honour, as Youth Ambassador for Colombo Jewellery Stores to launch the Sapphire Island Collection celebrating a Century of Style. CJS and I have similar passions for the betterment of our planet and I look forward to working closely with the brand to promote these causes, not just to better the lives of all but also to shed light on critical environmental issues facing our country.”

The new CJS Store with its highlights of bronze trimmings and interiors in a palette of biscuit and chocolate brown showcases the Collection that has been curated and designed to inspire all jewellery aficionados. The store embellishes the dazzling Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire and other precious gems with its modernity juxtaposed with the look of an era gone by, expressed through the eyes of visionary architect Murad Ismail of MICD Associates, who said, “Drawing inspiration from an establishment with a hundred-year history, I was able to create an ambience that celebrates the commitment to artistry that defines CJS.”

For one hundred years, CJS has curated the finest Sri Lankan gems and crafted the most exquisite jewellery. The history of this iconic homegrown brand is a reflection of the long and illustrious past of the country’s own gem and jewellery industry.

The Sapphire Island Collection highlights this legacy and the uniqueness of this Gem of Love, with its one-of-a-kind pieces that stamp a true style statement with unique designs and intricate cuts that masterfully intersperse dazzling Blue Sapphires with clusters of Diamonds. With superior quality and artisan skill at the helm of each virtuoso piece, CJS now adds its latest signature to this spellbinding Sri Lanka Sapphire Collection.



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SL’s apparel sector seen as placed in jeopardy by US’ 30% reciprocal tariff

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The announcement of a 30% reciprocal tariff by the U.S., scheduled to take effect from 1st August 2025, has raised significant concern within Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. As one of the country’s largest export earners, the sector relies heavily on access to the U.S. market, and such a steep increase threatens to erode competitiveness, particularly when compared to regional peers.

JAAF notes that Vietnam has already concluded its negotiations and now faces a 20% tariff, while Bangladesh, though at 35%, has already begun negotiations with the U.S. to secure a reduction. India’s position remains under discussion, but early signals suggest it may receive a more favorable rate than Sri Lanka. In all likelihood Cambodia, another competitor with a tariff rate marginally higher than Sri Lanka will also be negotiating for a reduction.

“If the 30% tariff stands, we risk seeing a migration of U.S. buyers to lower-tariff countries,” JAAF warned. “We strongly urge the Government to continue active engagement with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to secure a better deal for Sri Lanka.”

The reduction from 44 to 30% is a recognition of the good faith with which Sri Lanka has been having its dialogue with USTR and JAAF is encouraged by the Government’s comments today indicating that negotiations with USTR will continue with a sense of urgency ahead of the 1st August deadline when the 30% will become effective. JAAF further stressed that a diplomatic resolution is vital to safeguarding jobs, sustaining market share, and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a trusted partner in global apparel supply chains.

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Technomedics adds three new members to the Board of Directors

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Technomedics, a leader in healthcare technology in Sri Lanka, proudly announces the appointment of Meval Srilal, Chanaka Weerawardena and Rajeeva Wimalawickrama to its Board of Directors, effective from the 1st of April 2025. The appointments reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and laying the foundation for a bold, futuristic strategic vision.

Mevan Srilal has been with Technomedics for 25-years and first joined the company as a Sales Engineer. His consistent performance saw him rise to the role of Chief Operating Officer and ultimately Executive Director. Srilal has played an integral role in expanding the company’s product portfolio and its entry into new markets. He is an Electronics Engineering graduate from University of Hull (UK). His engineering background underscores the unique fusion of technical expertise and business acumen he brings to the board.

Another respected figure from within Technomedics, is Chanaka Weerawardena, who has been with the company for 19-years. After joining the company as a Marketing Manager in 2003, he advanced though the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer in 2017 and was appointed Executive Director. Chanka brings with him a strong foundation in marketing and business strategy, and he holds an MBA from the University of Ballarat, Australia, and is a Fellow member of the Sri Lanka Marketing Institute.

The third new addition to the Board of Directors is Rajeeva Wimalawickrama, who has over 30-years in diverse industries including apparel, plantations, leisure, and healthcare. He joined Technomedics as Deputy General Manager of Finance in and was appointed Chief Financial Officer thereafter. Eventually he went on to become Executive Director in 2022. Over the years Rajeeva has been a central figure in shaping the company’s financial growth and stability. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Association of Accounting Technicians and the Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka and member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He holds an MBA from the University of South Queensland, Australia. Rajeeva also a Board member of JF&I Packaging (Pvt) Limited a subsidiary of Technomedics.

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The Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association chairman calls for firm retention of all-inclusive freight regulation to safeguard national competitiveness and export integrity

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In a decisive show of unity and resolve, the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association (CRTA) Chairman Harin de Silva today extended the Association’s unprecedented support to the continued enforcement of the all-inclusive freight regulation first introduced in 2013, calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold the regulation in the face of renewed lobbying efforts to dismantle it.

He warned that repealing the law would threaten transparency, distort freight pricing, and severely undermine the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s vital export sector. He further stated that revoking the regulation would reintroduce hidden surcharges—once numbering up to 44 separate fees—leading to anti-competitive practices, price distortions, and an eventual transfer of costs to the end consumer.

The all-inclusive freight regulation, introduced via Gazette in 2013 under the administration of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was the culmination of nearly two decades of advocacy led by trade and shipping councils. The regulation mandates that all freight charges, including terminal handling charges (THC), must be transparently bundled into a single, negotiated freight rate, eliminating ambiguity and arbitrary pricing.

The CRTA, representing one of Sri Lanka’s Natural Rubber sector, reiterated that freight costs form a critical component of pricing competitiveness in international markets. “Our members depend on clear, predictable logistics costs to price their products competitively. Without the regulation, we risk returning to a dark period where exporters were blindsided by opaque, un-negotiated charges that stripped away margins and undermined buyer confidence,” said Harin de Silva.

He further added that dismantling the regulation would be especially damaging for small exporters, who lack the bargaining power to challenge freight agents or foreign buyers offloading costs onto them. He called for structured consultation with industry players before any legislative change. Policy must be made with insight from those directly affected and not anyone else!

The Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association fully endorses the continued enforcement of the all-inclusive freight and calls upon the Government to firmly reject attempts to dismantle the regulation. As a leading voice of one of the country’s legacy export sectors, the CRTA stresses that transparency in freight pricing is essential not only to protect exporters but to uphold national credibility in international trade.

“We urge the Government to recognize that this is not merely a technical rule—it is a safeguard against exploitation, a pillar of fair trade, and a protector of Sri Lankan competitiveness,” the Association stated.

“The freight regulation must be defended—not just for today’s traders, but for the future of Sri Lanka’s export economy. We stand united with our peers in the logistics, apparel, and export communities in saying: this law must stand.”

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