Business

CSE Masterminds 2023 concludes on a high note

Published

2 years ago

2023/08/31

The Fifth Edition of Sri Lanka’s only capital market quiz, CSE Masterminds 2023 organized by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was held recently at Shangri-La Colombo with the participation of 77 corporate teams, with ZeroBeta emerging as the winner of the overall competition with a cash prize of Rs 1,000,000 and vouchers from Shangri-La Colombo.

Nithya Partners was placed first runner-up with a cash prize of Rs. 500,000, and Acuity Knowledge Partners secured the second runner-up position with a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 at the competition. The top three winning teams have also been awarded Ambassador Cards and discount vouchers from Barista Coffee Lanka (PVT) Ltd.

The participating teams were segregated into seven categories based on their core area of business and were awarded for excelling in each category. Accordingly, Sampath Bank PLC (Banking and Finance), Nithya Partners (Service), NDB Wealth Management Ltd. (Fund Management), ZeroBeta (PVT) Ltd. (Technology), Acuity Partners (PVT) Ltd. (Stock Brokering), Ansell Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. (Manufacturing), and Amana Takaful Life PLC (Insurance), won special awards for topping their respective categories.

Participants in the Quiz Competition were put through a test on their knowledge in Global Markets, International Business, Sri Lankan Economy and Business, Sri Lankan Stock Market, Listed Companies, Sports & Entertainment and other areas in relation to the management of financial securities.

Three lucky winners from the audience won three return air tickets to Singapore courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines from the raffle draw and another three lucky audience members won dinner vouchers from Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, and two vouchers worth Rs. 10,000 from CIC Holdings PLC after successfully answering the questions posed to the audience.

The Fifth Edition of CSE Masterminds 2023 was supported by First Capital Holdings PLC and Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt) Ltd as Platinum Sponsors.

The Gold sponsors for the event were AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka, Capital Trust Holdings Ltd, London Stock Exchange Group Sri Lanka, CT CLSA Securities (Pvt) Ltd, and Senfin Securities Limited.

Lanka Securities (PVT) Ltd, LOLC Holdings PLC, Asha Securities Ltd, Softlogic Stockbrokers (PVT) Ltd, Almas Equities (PVT) Ltd, and Senfin Asset Management (PVT) Ltd have come onboard as the Silver sponsors.

Further, Sri Lankan Airlines has joined CSE Masterminds 2023 as the Official Airline Partner whereas Shangri-La Colombo was the Hospitality Partner for the event and Entertainment Unlimited was the event partner. International Distillers Ltd. (IDL) has come on board as the fellowship event partner. The official Print Media Partner for the event were Daily FT, Daily Mirror and Sunday Times of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.

Co-sponsors of the event were Vidullanka PLC, Asia Capital Stock Brokers (PVT) Ltd, Millennium IT ESP (PVT) Ltd, CryptoGen (PVT) Ltd, Data Management Systems (PVT) Ltd, Sunshine Holdings PLC, Barista Coffee Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, Lanka IOC PLC, N-able (PVT) Ltd, E Futures (PVT) Ltd, Hemas Holdings PLC and Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC.

Commenting on the initiative, CSE CEO, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, said that “The competition has steadily evolved since its inception into one of the foremost quiz competitions in the corporate sector and a flagship event in the CSE calendar.”

“We commenced the quiz competition in 2017 with a few corporate teams at the CSE trading floor, with a prize value of Rs. 100,000 for the winner. And now the CSE Masterminds is a brand that is popular among quiz enthusiasts in the corporate sector, and the prize value of this year’s event was over Rs. 2 million.” Bandaranaike added.

He further said, “The interest in the corporate sector to participate and view the quiz as a fun and engaging learning experience has been vital to the success of the event. We congratulate the winning teams and express our appreciation to all the organizations and brands that have supported the event this year in the capacity of a sponsor or partner.”

The Channa Upuli Performing Arts Foundation added colour to the event and the quiz was followed by a fellowship event backed by the Freeze Music Band, featuring Falan Andrea as the guest artiste.

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Business

Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Dr Jeewantha receiving the award

Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.

His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.

Business

IIHS Foundation in Biological Studies offers fast-track route to global health careers

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.

Business

Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.

Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.

Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.

In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.