Business
‘Finding myself in nine generations of family history’
A review of Nirmala M. Pieris’s The Abeyesundere Family of Galle
Reading about one’s family history can feel like standing face to face with the forces that quietly shape our lives. Our values, temperaments, and ways of seeing the world are inherited and absorbed long before we are conscious of them. When I sat down with Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris’s The Abeyesundere Family of Galle: A Family History of Nine Generations, I felt hopeful and excited. While I had an inkling of my background through stories shared by my late grandmother, Eileen Abeyesundere, I realised I actually knew very little. This book not only filled those gaps but also exceeded my expectations.
I met Nirmala at her home to collect my copies, and that visit alone felt like stepping gently into a piece of history. Her awe-inspiring walauwwa-style manor, lined with ancestral portraits, reflected a deep love for heritage and sentimentality. Standing there, it was easy to understand what might inspire someone to undertake the task of documenting nine generations of family history.
As I read, the sheer effort behind the book became increasingly evident. Nirmala has gone to great lengths in her research, drawing from archives, oral histories, and repeated visits to libraries, institutions, and even cemeteries. Her writing is structured, analytical, and precise, with claims carefully cross-referenced across multiple sources. Just as importantly, she is refreshingly transparent about gaps in the historical record, clearly acknowledging where connections could not be made. I was particularly fascinated by her exploration of how the Abeyesundere name itself evolved over time.
This book feels especially significant today. As families expand, histories and their essence are easily lost. Ironically, while so much of modern life is digitally recorded, much of it is fleeting, easily skimmed, and quickly forgotten. A content-rich book like this is a keepsake, something to return to across generations. It serves as a grounding anchor — a reminder of one’s roots in an increasingly fast-evolving world.
Beyond family lineage, the book thoughtfully situates the Abeyesunderes within Sri Lanka’s broader political, cultural, and socio-economic landscape. Shifting industries, entrepreneurial ventures, and emerging opportunities are woven into the narrative, showing how each generation adapted to changing circumstances. In doing so, the book appeals as much to readers interested in history as it does to those connected to the family.
I was especially moved by reading about places once familiar to me, such as Fred’s Rhue estates, where I walked as a child collecting rubber seeds and listening to foxes howl at night. Reading about Villa Lucilla, the ancestral home of my grandparents, Eileen and Joe Abeyesundere, in the heart of Galle, was equally poignant. Though I never lived there, the book allowed me to reconstruct what life within those walls might once have been like.
Despite the depth of factual analysis, the book is remarkably readable. Nirmala balances rigorous research with quirky, cheeky, and heart-warming anecdotes, complemented by evocative photographs that bring people and places to life. A detailed index further adds to the book’s thoughtfulness and usability.
On a personal level, the book prompted more than one quiet “aha” moment. Certain traits I recognise in myself, even a lifelong, slightly puzzling attraction to horses, began to make sense. Being an only child, it was unexpectedly touching to learn that I shared this distinction with the earliest documented ancestor, my great-great-great-grandfather, Pemyano William Abeyesundere. As I step into my transformational middle years, this book feels perfectly timed. It has given me not only knowledge, but perspective — a steadier sense of belonging, and the quiet reassurance that understanding where we come from can profoundly shape how we move forward.
By Trevina Abeyesundere
Business
SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System
SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.
Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”
Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”
Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.
Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.
This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.
As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)
Business
CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme
A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.
Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.
Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.
The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.
The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.
Business
LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers
LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.
In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.
The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”
Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”
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