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Dialog Axiata pays tribute to all healthcare staff supporting the COVID-19 pandemic efforts

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Photographed left to right: Harsha Samaranayake, Senior General Manager - Brand and Media, Dialog Axiata PLC, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC, Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, and Dr. Anver Hamdani, Director MTS, Coordinating In Charge/Covid-19

Extends ‘Suwa Diri’ communications facility

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, launched ‘Suwa Diri’, a free communications facility for the healthcare sector, paying tribute to all healthcare staff supporting the national efforts in curbing the pandemic and working tirelessly on the front-line to care for all those affected by COVID-19, while putting their own lives at risk.

The ‘Suwa Diri’ communication facility extended in appreciation of all healthcare staff aims to further support their COVID-19 response efforts while staying connected to their families and loved ones. The package offers 1,000 D2D minutes, 1,000 D2D SMS, and 6GB anytime Data per month for a period of three months, free of charge, and will be extended to all healthcare staff nominated by the Directors of hospitals island-wide and will be managed by the COVID-19 Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Anver Hamdani, Director Medical Technological Services and Ministry Coordinator in charge of COVID-19 said, “On behalf of the Honourable Minister of Health, Secretary of Health, the Director General of Health Services, Additional Secretaries, and the Deputy Director Generals, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dialog Axiata who had been a pioneer partner during this pandemic from day one. Dialog has been extending their greatest support by providing so much of infrastructure facilities, medical equipment and also coming up with a proposal going beyond supporting and assisting patient care facilities to extending support to the welfare of the healthcare workers through this ‘Suwa Diri’ connectivity bundle, which is a timely initiative to motivate and propagate all our critical healthcare staff who’ve been tirelessly working to curtail this pandemic.”

Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We launched this programme to pay our tribute to the healthcare staff across the country, tirelessly combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering efforts to protect and heal our communities. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and perseverance to care for all Sri Lankans despite the ominous challenges we face today, and will continue to be by their side and support their endeavours through the power of connectivity and technology.”

The initiative follows a host of similar connectivity projects by Dialog to support the national healthcare efforts during the pandemic, including the facilitation of free connectivity to Public Health staff and free broadband connectivity to vaccination centres, intermediate centres and COVID treatment centres.



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Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

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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.

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

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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.

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Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

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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.

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