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FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition gem & jewellery exhibition inaugurated

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FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition inaugurated by Ministers Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, Vajira Abeywardena and Ramesh Pathirana and Chairman of EDB Suresh De Mel

One of the most sought after international gem and jewellery shows on the global procurement and sourcing calendar, FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition was inaugurated by Minister of Industries and Plantations Ramesh Pathirana. Hosted by Cinnamon Grand and organised by the National Gem & Jewellery Authority and Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, FACETS Sri Lanka also signals that the island-country is ready and open for business. This was well emphasized with buyers from multiple countries visiting the exhibition and it was the mesmerising Ceylon Sapphire that took centerstage with its spectacular worldwide fame spread over 2500 years.

Chief Guest Minister Pathirana detailed the government’s plans for the gem and jewellery industry, saying, “We have already established that the industry will aim towards USD 1 billion in exports in 2023 and we will facilitate value addition of our gems by enabling all technology and equipment related to value addition being duty free. A committee will also be appointed to facilitate a pension plan for gem miners and other related occupations.”

In his welcome address, Chairman of SLGJA Ajward Deen stated that Government of Sri Lanka must recognize the industry as a key forex earner. “The Government must be a facilitator towards the future continuance of this industry which most often is plagued by numerous and inefficient bureaucratic challenges which hinders its growth. The incentives that have been eliminated recently should be reconsidered. The public-private sector partnership which is very much at the heart of this year’s exhibition, stands as testimony to a collaborative partnership which will benefit not just the industry, but the entire nation.”

Chairman FACETS Sri Lanka Altaf Iqbal emphasized two points about the exhibition; the fact that the exhibition signals to the world that Sri Lanka is ready and open for business and it being the first to example a solid and working public-private partnership. “This is probably one of the rare instances where we see the government being the facilitator and the private sector being the driver, a paradigm that can be cascaded to other industries as well.” He also appreciated the buyers who were in Sri Lanka saying, “This industry has been built for centuries by discerning buyers who don’t compromise on quality. It is your return to this island that will enable our country to get back on track giving us much needed foreign exchange.”

The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is the apex private sector organisation representing the interests of all industry sub-sectors from mining through manufacturing, wholesale and retail. It organizes FACETS Sri Lanka in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.



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Business

SL High Commission in London hosts business promotion dialogue

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Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

In a bid to support Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in the UK, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London, in collaboration with NLC Consultants-UK, hosted the inaugural Sri Lanka Business Promotion Dialogue recently.

The event, designed to assist startup businesses led by Lankan entrepreneurs, aimed to foster business growth, enhance international market access for Sri Lankan-origin products in the UK, and expand employment opportunities for Lankans living in Britain.

Delivering the opening remarks at the dialogue, Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission Somasena Mahadiulwewa emphasized the significance of the event series. He underscored the initiative’s long-term goal of establishing a dedicated SME Entrepreneurs’ Hub at the High Commission, in line with the vision of the new Sri Lankan government and guidance from the country’s Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries.

As part of the event’s knowledge-sharing sessions, Ranganath Abeykoonge, a Chartered Accountant and Managing Director of Sonic Builders in London, shared insights on his journey to business success. Drawing from his experiences, including working at major UK companies like TK Maxx, Abeykoonge encouraged young Lankan entrepreneurs to capitalize on business opportunities in the UK while also creating jobs for their fellow nationals.

Thilak Dharmarathne, a past member of the Sri Lanka AAT Council and Director of NLC Consultants-UK, delivered an address highlighting strategies for business growth and market penetration.

A panel discussion, chaired by Mahadiulwewa, addressed key concerns faced by Lankan business owners in the UK. Panellists included Nayana Kularathne, a Chartered Accountant, who provided guidance on tax and accounting matters; Heshan Mathugamage, a Sri Lankan lawyer and Director of NLC Consultants-UK, who addressed company startup queries; Mohamed Sameen, a UK solicitor, who covered legal business processes; and Kosala Perera, an HR consultant, who discussed employment policies in the UK.

Mahadiulwewa also shared details of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), a duty-free opportunity announced by UK authorities in June 2023, which Sri Lankan exporters can leverage to access the UK market. Additionally, he outlined regulations concerning product labeling, food, and other product standards, offering valuable insights to aspiring exporters.

During the Q&A session, Mahadiulwewa presented a list of existing and potential export items from Sri Lanka to the UK, along with investment and tourism opportunities available in Sri Lanka.

The interactive event saw participation from 30 Lankan entrepreneurs, with discussions conducted in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The next Sri Lanka Business Promotion Dialogue is scheduled to take place in Manchester in April 2025, promising to extend support to more Lankan entrepreneurs across the UK.

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Platform Daddy wins Best Strategic Digital Marketing Brand of the Year Award

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D. M. Nirmal Danansooriya (CEO) receiving the award

Platform Daddy Pvt. Ltd has been awarded as the Best Strategic Digital Marketing Brand of the Year at the Pinnacle Sri Lanka Awards 2024. The award ceremony was held at Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, and company’s Chief Executive Officer, Nirmal Danansooriya received the award from former Speaker of Parliament, Sri Lankabhimanya, Karu Jayasuriya.

Beyond business, Platform Daddy remains committed to social impact. The Platform Buddy Foundation provides care, shelter, and medical support for street dogs, while the Platform Tree Foundation focuses on urban greening and environmental sustainability, with 5% of company earnings dedicated to these causes. The company has previously been honoured at several local and international award ceremonies such as the Asia Miracle Awards, the Iconic Awards, and the People’s Excellency Awards, said a release.

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Tourism Malaysia launches sales mission to strengthen ties with Lankan market

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Tourism Malaysia is excited to announce the launch of its Sales Mission in Colombo, aimed at revitalizing its presence and strengthening its relationship with the Sri Lankan tourism market. This initiative follows a remarkable 122% increase in Sri Lankan tourists to Malaysia, with 58,015 visitors in 2024 compared to just 26,058 in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

The mission emphasizes Malaysia’s potential as a key travel destination for Sri Lankans, highlighted by 30 weekly flights from Colombo, offering a seat capacity of 4,990. Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai (South India & Sri Lanka), stated, “We are here to reconnect with local industry players, express our gratitude for their support, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. The participation of 45 Malaysian sellers in this mission further demonstrates our commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s presence in the Sri Lankan market.”

With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon, the goal is to attract 100,000 Sri Lankan travelers.

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