Business
ComBank launches scheme with SLII to finance professional studies in Insurance
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has collaborated with the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII), the local body affiliated to the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK, to provide special education loans and easy payment plans to the Institute’s members, in support of their career aspirations.
Concessions offered to students of SLII by Commercial Bank include education loans with low interest rates that would finance up to 90% of the Institute’s course fees and special credit cards with the benefit of zero-interest easy payment plans. The Bank said it will also waive off handling charges and commission fees pertaining to these credit card easy payment plans.
The special education loans and easy payment plans will be applicable to courses such as the ‘Certificate in Insurance’ and ‘Diploma in Insurance’ in affiliation with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), UK. Credit card payments can also made for entry-level professional examinations including Foundation and Diploma courses offered by the SLII, the Bank said.
Commenting on this partnership between the Bank and SLII, Commercial Bank’s Group Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Hasrath Munasinghe said: “Commercial Bank has always been focused on contributing towards the growth and development of its customers as well as contributing towards the development of the country. By partnering with the SLII to launch this latest scheme to finance the professional studies in Sri Lanka relating to insurance, we not only hope to facilitate career development but also to contribute towards professional excellence in this sector.”
Commercial Bank partnered similarly with the University of Moratuwa last year to offer its postgraduate research students education loans with preferential interest rates and other benefits, and in 2020, joined hands with HCL Technologies Sri Lanka, the local arm of the multinational IT giant, to offer concessionary education loans to the company’s trainees and employees.
The Sri Lanka Insurance Institute was established to enhance professionalism in the practice of insurance in Sri Lanka and to develop the necessary human resources in insurance and other related financial services. The Institute provides insurance education in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK (CII UK) and the Insurance Institute of India, and is authorised to conduct agency examinations on behalf of the Industry Regulator, the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL).
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
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