Business
COYLE proposes measures to drive SL’s economic growth
The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) has presented a comprehensive proposal aimed at laying the groundwork for stable policies and attracting quality investments. COYLE’s plan, backed by extensive research and comparative analysis, focuses on key areas of concern and offers innovative solutions to overcome challenges and drive long-term prosperity. The proposals have been officially handed over to Madura Vithanage MP, who has agreed to convey them to the necessary channels in parliament, a press release said.
‘Expressing his support for COYLE’s proposals, MP Vithanage said, “It’s encouraging to see such an inspiring group of entrepreneurs preparing a concrete plan to tackle the issues facing Sri Lanka. A programme will be formulated within the next 3 months to solve the problems of businesses in the country. Sri Lanka faces difficulties in crisis management, but we must raise the bar and rise to the challenge. Therefore, we are taking necessary steps to resolve this situation as soon as possible, and I am pleased to present this proposal to parliament on behalf of COYLE.”
The release added: ‘Recognizing the need for stability and bipartisan collaboration, COYLE’s proposals advocate for the formation of high-level subcommittees comprising political and domain experts. These subcommittees, which should be protected by the Constitution, would then analyse and challenge ministerial acts and gazettes, ensuring transparency, accountability and the kind of well-informed decision-making that is necessary for progress. Leveraging the expertise of diverse professionals, COYLE seeks to forge a path towards a more efficient and effective governance structure.
‘COYLE acknowledges the positive economic conditions in the country, but emphasizes the importance of addressing the loss of credibility resulting from defaulting on obligations. To regain trust and attract quality investments, COYLE highlights the necessity for stable policies that offer a proactive approach, rather than merely reacting to crises. By setting clear timelines, introducing self-compliance capabilities for new investors, and upgrading standards to eliminate ambiguity, Sri Lanka can establish itself as a reliable and trustworthy investment destination.’
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
Exposition of sacred tooth relic extended by an hour –
J D Vance in Delhi to meet Modi amid tariff tensions
-
Business3 days agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
Features5 days agoNipping the two leaves and the bud
-
Features5 days agoAvurudu celebrations … galore
-
Features4 days agoProf. Lal Tennekoon: An illustrious but utterly unpretentious and much -loved academic
-
News2 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Foreign News2 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
Latest News6 days agoTrump freezes $2bn in Harvard funding after university rejects demands
-
News5 days agoCounsel for Pilleyan alleges govt. bid to force confession