Business

Council for Business with Britain calls for policy stability and facilitation of trade with an FTA with the UK

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/29

Roshanie Jayasundera-Moraes, Executive Vice President of John Keells Holdings, was re-elected as President of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at a virtually held AGM on July 20, 2021.

Addressing the membership, she called for policy stability in order to facilitate business, build confidence among investors and attract FDI. She also called for a negotiation of an FTA between the UK and SL post Brexit.

“Sri Lanka provides significant opportunities for British companies looking to access larger South Asian markets that have some of the fastest growing economies as well as sizeable populations. In order to facilitate this, we are fully aware that SL needs to improve its ranking on the Ease of Doing Business Index and it’s encouraging to know that our policy makers have made this a priority. We look forward to these developments and also volunteer to support the process in whatever way we can, at least in the UK-SL trade corridor,” she stated.

Over the past year, CBB has actively organised several business events such as investor forums, and webinars. It also gained membership to the British Chambers of Commerce, adding value to its members by enabling access over 60 British Chambers globally.

Dr Lakmini Mendis, Minister (Commercial), Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK said: “2020 was a challenging year for businesses. This compelled businesses to be more resilient and innovative while driving them to explore new markets. However, it’s been a remarkable year as total trade exceeded US$ 1 Billion, despite the pandemic.

“Apparel, comprising 70% of the export basket to the UK, was adversely affected but picked up later along with products such as rubber gloves, food items, coconut products, seafood, herbal teas, etc., stressing the importance of export diversification. In 2020 April we experienced a dip but increased sharply to record high growth in July, August, September, and October exceeding the figures of 2019.

“Brexit was another challenge we successfully overcame. Many representations and presentations were made by this Mission to the UK DIT in London. With their support Sri Lanka received similar market access as the EU for exports to the UK under the enhanced preferential scheme. During 2020, CBB, CCC, SL High Commission in London, British High Commission in Sri Lanka and DIT in collaboration promoted trade and investment. A stronger bilateral trade agreement is anticipated, noting that UK is our second largest export market.”

HE Sarah Hulton, UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, while congratulating the new committee said, “I want to reflect on how challenges can make us see new prospects, sometimes create opportunities to think or act differently, and maybe help us push towards positive change. So our thoughts have been turning towards building back better and moving towards that recovery from the pandemic, and I’d like to share some thoughts today on delivering change and in particular with an emphasis on climate action and clean growth, crucial areas of focus for both countries.

“How can we support countries like Sri Lanka in their economic growth and response to the global climate challenge? Clean growth is the core decarbonisation strategy. Supporting clean transport, energy transition and greener buildings together with green financing are areas of discussion we are having with the Sri Lankan government and businesses.

“Business leaders also have a role to play in delivering on climate action. I continue to encourage you to embrace and include energy efficiency and sustainable business practices as a key deliverable in your strategic business plans. I also hope you will work in partnership with the Sri Lankan government in playing your part to save our planet for our future generations.”

The 2021/22 executive committee comprises Linda Giebing, General Manager, Hilton Colombo Residences and Shirendra Lawrence, COO, MAS Holdings as Vice Presidents, Irfan Thassim, MD, Oceanpick, as the Treasurer and Mark Prothero, CEO, HSBC Sri Lanka & Maldives as the Immediate Past President.

New committee: Ameena Ziauddin, Development Director, Norfolk Foods, Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, MD, Inter Air & Sea Logistics, Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson, Unilever Sri Lanka, Sarath Ganegoda, Director, Hayleys PLC, S Renganathan, MD, Commercial Bank, Arjuna Nanayakkara, Head of Shared Services, London Stock Exchange Group SL, Dougie Douglas, Founder, Point to Point Consulting, Indika Abeykoon, GM, Aitken Spence Travels, Gihan Jayasinghe, MD, Finlays Group, SL, and Derek Mansfield, Director & Plant Manager, Sri Lanka Currency, De La Rue.

Michael Fernandopulle, Head of Trade & Investment at the DIT, of the British High Commission, Maarya Rehman, Country Director, British Council will be invitees to the Committee. Representatives from the BOI and the EDB too will be invitees.

Further details regarding membership of the Council and its activities could be obtained from the Secretariat of the CBB at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, E-mail: dinithi@chamber.lk or Tel.: 011-5588861, 5588800, or via www.cbbsl.com https://www.facebook.com/CBBSriLanka/ and on Twitter @CBB_SL.

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Business

Resilience amidst geopolitical headwinds: Sampath Bank posts Rs 6.2 bn PAT in Q1 2026

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Sampath Bank reported Total Operating Income of Rs 28.5 Bn for the quarter ended 31st March 2026, supported by steady growth in Net Interest Income (up 5%) and Net Fee and Commission Income (up 28%) year-on-year.

Notwithstanding this performance, Profit After Tax (PAT) declined by 26% to Rs 6.2 Bn, due to significantly higher impairment provisions of Rs 4.5 Bn recognised in response to the continued expansion of the loan book and taking into account the evolving geopolitical conditions. Additionally, one-off gains from the disposal of Treasury Bills and Bonds moderated to Rs 0.7 Bn in 2026, a decrease of Rs 2.0 Bn compared to the elevated levels recorded in the previous year.

The Bank’s total asset base crossed the Rs 2 Tn milestone for the first time, representing a significant achievement supported by strong loan growth of Rs 127 Bn in the first quarter of 2026.

The Sampath Group delivered a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs 9.4 Bn and a Profit After Tax of Rs 6.8 Bn for the quarter ended 31st March 2026.

Fund Based Income

The Bank reported total interest income of Rs 46.5 Bn, reflecting year-on-year growth of 6%. This increase was primarily driven by the expansion of the loan portfolio during the reporting period and in the latter part of the previous year, compared to the negative loan growth recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year, as well as an upward movement in the Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR).

Interest expense for the quarter also increased by 6% to Rs 26.4 Bn, reflecting growth in both deposit and borrowing portfolios. As a result, Net Interest Income (NII) stood at Rs 20.1 Bn, an increase of 5% compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The Net Interest Margin (NIM) contracted marginally by 2 basis points to 4.09%, from 4.11% reported for 2025. This decline was primarily attributable to lower yields across the Bank’s investment portfolio, reflecting reduced rates in the Government Securities portfolio compared to the previous period.

Non-Fund Based Income

During the three-month period ended 31st March 2026, the Bank’s total non-fund based income declined marginally by 4% to Rs 8.3 Bn, mainly due to a decrease in capital gains from the sale of Treasury bills and bonds. Capital gains declined from Rs 2.7 Bn in 1Q 2025 to Rs 0.7 Bn in 1Q 2026, representing a year-on-year decline of 75%.

Net fee and commission income, driven by credit expansion, higher trade volumes and increased card usage, recorded a robust growth of 28% across all income channels, reaching Rs 6.1 Bn by the end of the quarter.

Business

CAHM – 7 Star Junior Chef Competition Season 01’s Grand Finale

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

The Grand Finale of the CAHM – 7 Star Junior Chef Competition – Season 01 was successfully held on 9th of May at the CAHM premises, SLIIT Main Campus, Malabe, celebrating the talent, creativity and passion of young aspiring chefs from across Sri Lanka.

Organised by the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) at SLIIT, with 7 Star by Serendib Flour Mills as Title Sponsor, the national-level competition provided students aged 13 to 16 with a platform to explore culinary arts, gain practical exposure and discover future opportunities in hospitality.

The Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM), Sri Lanka’s largest private hospitality, foods, tourism, and events education provider, in partnership with the William Angliss Institute, (RTO – 3045) Australia and operating within the SLIIT premises Malabe. Through this partnership, CAHM delivers internationally competitive training in culinary arts, offering students an exceptional learning experience that prepares them for opportunities in Sri Lanka and on the global stage.

The competition’s journey began with an encouraging islandwide response, attracting over 5,000 inquiries from aspiring participants, parents and schoolteachers, with over 1,400 applications submitted. Following a careful evaluation process, 204 applicants were shortlisted for the competition, progressing through structured rounds that offered hands-on culinary exposure, industry insights and preparatory guidance, before the final 10 contestants were selected to compete at the Grand Finale.

Following several competitive rounds, 10 finalists secured their places at the Grand Finale. The finalists were Bareerah Bariq of Muslim Ladies College Colombo 04, Nikhel Venuk Elisha of St Joseph’s College Colombo 10, Anooshka Vigneswaran of Girls High School Kandy, Prabhasha Muthubhashini Gunawardhana of Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya, Shamha Nazim of Ilma International Girls’ School Colombo 05, Sithuki Siyansa Methsandi of Buddhist Ladies College Colombo 07, Sandaruwani Nisansala of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya Senuth Insanda of Nalanda College Colombo 10, Pinidu Senuranga Fernando of Boys’ Model School Malabe, and Poorna Bandara Tennakoon of Royal International School Kurunegala.

Business

Mahogany Masterpieces launches new digital flagship

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Website Launched

Mahogany Masterpieces (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent luxury solid wood furniture house and turnkey interior solutions provider, today announces the launch of its new digital flagship at www.mahogany.lk, alongside the introduction of what the company believes to be the most sophisticated AI Concierge deployed by any luxury brand in Sri Lanka.

The launch marks a defining chapter in the brand’s fifty-two-year history: a company founded on uncompromising craft, now presenting itself to the world with a digital presence that matches the standard of its showroom. The new website consolidates for the first time the full breadth of what Mahogany Masterpieces offers; bespoke solid wood furniture across beds, dining, lounge, and occasional collections; end-to-end interior solutions from concept to completion; the pioneering Furniture Spa restoration and care service; and a 46-year export programme now serving 16 countries.

Sri Lanka’s Most Sophisticated Luxury AI Concierge

The centrepiece of the new digital experience is the MM AI Concierge. A custom-built, brand-trained conversational assistant deployed natively across the website. Available at any hour and on any page, the Concierge carries deep knowledge of Mahogany Masterpieces’ full product range, materials, finishes, interior services, export capabilities, and brand heritage. It responds with the warmth and precision of the MM showroom team, handling enquiries about the Piano Finish, custom fabrication timelines, Furniture Spa services, and interior projects around the clock.