Business
Construction of shortest route from Badulla to Kandy Raja Mawatha begins

State Minister Nimal Lanza (centre) and other dignitaries at the road construction launch
Construction work on the first phase of the road from Haliela to Maspanna on the Badulla-Kandy Raja Mawatha road, the shortest and alternative route from Badulla to Raja Mawatha, commenced Oct.24 under the patronage of State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza.
At the request of Minister of Labour, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Parliamentary Deputy Government Whip Dilan Perera, construction work on the road began.
This road can be used by the people to travel from Badulla to Kandy Raja Mawatha after the construction of the section from Haliela to Ketawala, Maspanna, Keerthi Bandarapura in line with the national program of developing 100,000 km under the “Vision of Prosperity” program built by the President.
As the first phase, the construction of a 25 km stretch from Haliela to Maspanna was commenced. This is expected to cost around Rs. 1,375 million.
This road has a long history dating back to 1634 AD. This is the route used by King Kumarasinghe, a local leader who ruled Uva from 1634 to 1638 AD, from Badulla to Rajawasala in Kandy. The commencement of construction of the dilapidated road after 13 years is a solution to a major problem faced by the people of this area.
Minister of State Nimal Lanza addressing the gathering said,
“There are 12,500 km of A and B roads. 8,500 km of it has been completed. A decision has been taken to complete the remaining 4,000 km under the Road Development Authority within the next two years. Also, there are 16,800 km of C and D roads. Out of this 8,600 km of roads have been completed. Another 8,000 km have to be built. The construction of these roads will be completed within the next two years under the Provincial Road Development Authority.
Badulla District Parliamentarians Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Sudarshana Denipitiya, Former Uva Provincial Council Minister Sendil Thondaman, Haliela Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Nimal Senanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Highways RWR Pemasiri, Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama, Uva Provincial Project Director of the Road Development Authority TKM Galappaththi and several others participated in the occasion.
Business
Sri Lanka’s EWIS makes history: First homegrown laptops shipped to Zimbabwe

Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Business
Dialog Television and Emerging Media Introduce one-stop advertising solution

Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
Business
IIHS partners with University of Surrey to transform healthcare education

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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