Business
‘Festival of Australia’ stresses importance of higher education and agribusiness in Aust.-SL ties
Australia’s deepening commitment to Sri Lanka’s education and agribusiness sectors was on full display at the ‘Festival of Australia’ held at ‘Cinnamon Life’ in Colombo on Sunday. The event, which attracted over a thousand participants, showcased the strength of bilateral ties in two of the most strategic areas for both countries: higher education and food and beverage trade.
Vik Singh, Australia’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia, who was in Colombo for the event, told The Island Financial Review that Sri Lanka remains “a very, very important market” for Australia. “The Festival of Australia really celebrates the relationship between our two countries, he said. “We are focusing especially on our flagship sectors: education and agribusiness.”
Organised under the banner of strengthening bilateral engagement, the festival brought together representatives from 29 Australian universities and institutions, providing prospective students and their families with access to education pathways, scholarship options, and employment prospects in Australia and within Sri Lanka.
“We’re seeing a shift, Singh explained. “Traditionally, South Asian students leaned heavily towards engineering, IT, or postgraduate business. But now, more are exploring psychology, journalism, architecture, sports science, AI, and cybersecurity. This diversification is key.”
Singh emphasized that Australia’s 42 universities are known not just for academic excellence but also for employability outcomes. “Eight of our institutions are ranked in the global top 100. We want Sri Lankan students to benefit from a high-quality education that prepares them for global careers — whether they return home, stay in Australia or work elsewhere.”
He further pointed out that Australia offers some of the most generous post-study work rights in the world, making it an attractive destination for students who want both education and career opportunities. “We’re committed to making sure students don’t just earn a degree but also experience life-changing, career-defining growth.”
Asked about recent headlines surrounding visa policy adjustments, Singh was direct. “Australia is not tightening its system arbitrarily. What we are doing is focusing on quality, integrity, and sustainability. We want to ensure that the education system maintains its high standards, offers a safe and enriching environment for students, and grows in a way that remains viable long-term.”
He also noted that Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the most mature markets for transnational education, with numerous Australian institutions establishing campuses on the island. Curtin University and ECU (Edith Cowan University) are among the leaders, offering degrees in areas such as neuroscience, allied health and infrastructure engineering.
“Curtin’s Colombo campus is a testament to the strength of this partnership, Singh said. “We’re making world-class education more accessible to Sri Lankan students without them even needing to leave the country.”
While education was the headliner, food and beverage trade – specifically Australian agribusiness – formed the second pillar of the festival. Attendees were treated to master classes, cooking demonstrations and sampling sessions that highlighted Australian lamb, beef and other high-quality produce.
“Australia’s premium produce complements Sri Lanka’s booming tourism industry, Singh said. “We want to support your tourism sector by ensuring it has access to the kind of high-quality meat and food products that global tourists expect. That’s how we contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery too.”
“We’re pushing hard in emerging sectors like AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, he noted. “We want Sri Lankan students to study these future-focused disciplines and return to apply that knowledge locally.”
“We’re just getting started, he said. “Our people-to-people ties are unmatched. After Colombo, Australia is home to the largest Sri Lankan diaspora community. We are not just education or trade partners — we are family.”
By Ifham Nizam
The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 concluded with industry leaders and regulators establishing two critical national priorities: a bold target to reduce physical cash usage and a push for consolidated regulatory oversight.
In a key decision, participants set a clear three-year goal to lower the ratio of cash in circulation to GDP from 4.5% to 3.5%. The strategy will focus on digitizing high-cash sectors like transport, utilities, and SME payments, while expanding digital access through post offices and cooperatives.
For the long-term health of the ecosystem, stakeholders agreed to lobby for the creation of a single, unified regulatory authority dedicated to fintech oversight. This aims to streamline approvals and provide clearer guidance for innovators.
“Our members needed to leave with concrete action points,” said Channa de Silva, Chairman of the Fintech Forum, Sri Lanka. The summit, designed as a series of closed-door roundtables with regulators including the Central Bank, produced actionable frameworks. “It was about defining KPIs, setting targets, and giving the industry a shared direction,” de Silva explained.
The outcomes signal a concerted shift from discussion to execution, aiming to build a more inclusive, efficient, and secure digital financial economy for Sri Lanka.
By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️
A new force in Sri Lanka’s food industry, Kukus Group, is gaining momentum with a clear vision to deliver authentic cuisine, high hygiene standards, and affordability. Founded by young entrepreneurs Nadeera Senanayaka, Lakmini Gurusinghe, and Randila Gunasinghe, the group has successfully launched its pilot outlet and is now preparing for a significant nationwide expansion.
The inaugural in Kotte has served as a successful proof of concept. Operating for five months, this modern street-food outlet has garnered a strong customer response, confirming market demand and providing the confidence to fund the group’s ambitious growth strategy.
The inaugural in Kotte
“The positive reception has been overwhelming and has solidified our plans,” said Lakmini Gurusinghe and Randila Gunasinghe. “Our Kotte outlet is the operational model we will replicate – ensuring consistent quality, disciplined operations, and excellent service across all future locations.”
The group’s expansion strategy is built on three distinct thematic brands:
Kukus Street: Targeting young urban customers, these outlets offer a vibrant, casual dining experience with a menu of Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, snacks, and BBQ, with most meals priced under Rs. 1,500. Services include dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.
Kukus Beach: Planned for coastal areas, beginning in the South, this concept will feature an urban-style beach restaurant and pub designed for relaxed social dining.
Kukus Bioscope: Celebrating Sri Lanka’s cinematic heritage, this dedicated restaurant concept will create a nostalgic cultural space inspired by the golden eras of Sinhala cinema, with the first outlet slated for Colombo.
The immediate plan includes transforming the flagship Kotte location into Kukus Pub & Bar, pending regulatory approvals. The long-term vision is to develop 18 outlets nationwide: 10 Kukus Street locations, 5 Kukus Beach venues, and 3 Kukus Bioscope establishments.
“Kukus Group is more than a hospitality brand; it’s a celebration of Sri Lankan flavors and culture,” the founders concluded. “Our mission is to build trusted, recognizable brands that connect deeply with communities and offer lasting cultural value alongside authentic cuisine. We are dynamic and excited to proceed with this strategic expansion,” they said.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Fcode Labs marked its seventh anniversary by hosting its annual Awards Night 2025 at Waters Edge, celebrating team achievements and reinforcing its organizational values.
The event featured keynote addresses from Co-Founders & CEOs Buddhishan Manamperi and Tharindu Malawaraarachchi, who reflected on the company’s annual progress and future strategy. Chief Operating Officer Pamaljith Harshapriya outlined operational priorities for the next phase of growth.
Awards were presented across three key categories. Prabhanu Gunaweera and Dushan Pramod received Customer Excellence awards for partner collaboration. Performance Excellence awards were granted to Munsira Mansoor, Thusara Wanigathunga, Thushan De Silva, Adithya Narasinghe, Avantha Dissanayake, Amanda Janmaweera, Sithika Guruge, and Sandali Gunawardena. The Value-Based Behaviour awards were given to Thilina Hewagama, Udara Sembukuttiarachchi, and Kavindu Dhananjaya for exemplifying company values.
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