Business
Executive Director at NTB

Nations Trust Bank PLC announced the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Priyantha Talwatte to its Board of Directors with effect from June 19, 2020.
Talwatte has been an integral part of the Nations Trust Bank’s Corporate Management team, for over 17 years and took over as Chief Executive Officer on April 2 .
Leading and overseeing the Consumer Banking business, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Bank’s sales and service culture. He was also instrumental in strengthening the Bank’s branch network, direct banking and digital channels driven by strong data analytics to ensure sustainable business growth.
He is credited with the establishment of the American Express franchise in Sri Lanka and development of a best in class credit card issuing and acquiring business, which led Nations Trust Bank to become the leading credit card issuer and acquirer in the local market.
Talwatte is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program of the Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, (AMP-196) and is a qualified Marketer of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). He also serves as a Director of Lanka Clear (Pvt.) Limited, Waldock Mackenzie Limited – (WML), Allied Properties Limited – (APLl) and Nations Insurance Brokers Limited (NIBL).
Business
Pasans Rent a Car honoured at Iconic Awards 2025 in Thailand

Pasans Rent a Car (Pvt) Ltd was recently honoured as The Excellent Car Rentals and Tour Service Provider of the Year at the Iconic Awards 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Managing Director, Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage received the award. Established in 2002 as a modest vehicle rental service, Pasans Rent a Car has today grown into a national name in travel and transport. Headquartered in Malabe, they cater to a wide range of clients such as private customers, tourists, and private and Government institutions including Ministries.
Business
Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India announce strategic clinical collaboration

Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India have announced a strategic clinical collaboration during a grand ceremony at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The MOU outlines a framework for clinical collaboration, focusing on knowledge sharing, advanced specialty care, preventive health initiatives, and continuous professional development. This partnership aims to elevate clinical standards in Sri Lanka by introducing global best practices through joint programs, telemedicine, second-opinion services, and medical education.
The agreement was signed and exchanged by Nishantha Jayamanne, Chief Operating Officer of Medihelp Hospitals, and Jithu Jose, Vice President – International Division of Apollo Hospitals. Nishantha welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in light of the escalating disease burden and changing disease patterns. Jithu Jose remarked, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are committed to the principle that access to high-quality healthcare should transcend geographical boundaries. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen the ties between the medical communities of India and Sri Lanka.”
Business
Union Assurance leads fight against diabetes with nationwide ‘Suwamaga’ initiative

Union Assurance, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s private life insurance sector, is playing an increasingly proactive role in addressing the country’s rising diabetes crisis. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, the company has launched Suwamaga, an impactful CSR programme aimed at combating the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on diabetes.
Senath Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer at Union Assurance, explained that the company’s corporate responsibility approach stems from its new brand vision, which is centered around empowering human progress by protecting what matters most. He emphasized that this vision is aligned with the company’s dedication to strengthening not only financial stability but also the emotional, physical, and community well-being of Sri Lankans. “As part of our strategic direction, we recognized the severe impact of NCDs, particularly diabetes, on the nation’s social and economic progress,” Jayatilake noted.
The Suwamaga programme launched in 2024, under the Ministry of Health’s collaboration, includes a Mobile Screening Unit, which has already screened over 26,000 individuals across Sri Lanka, from urban centers to rural communities. The mobile unit offers free diabetes screenings, followed by personalized medical advice, empowering the public to take charge of their health. Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, shared, “The screenings have revealed alarming results. Approximately 15% of participants were recommended for further testing, with 12% diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. These screenings have proven essential for early intervention.”
The gravity of the diabetes crisis in Sri Lanka was further highlighted by Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a silent killer in Sri Lanka, affecting an alarming portion of the population,” she said, stressing that early detection is key to preventing the disease from progressing. “Pre-diabetes is reversible, but once diabetes is diagnosed, it’s a lifelong condition. Tragically, half of those affected remain unaware until complications arise.”
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