Business
First and only local company to receive SLS certification for fire rated cables
Creating history and proving its dominance in the cable industry once again, ACL Cables PLC announced it had been awarded the SLS 1504-3-31 certificate under the product marking scheme for its fire rated – Low smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) non – sheathed single core cables by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) recently.
SLSI is the highest local authority that awards quality standardizations for products sold locally. Upon complying with the requisite standards ACL Cables PLC has become the first company in the country to obtain this certification. The equivalent British Standard (BS) for the above local certification is BS EN 50525-3-31.
Moreover, ACL Cables is currently the largest and pioneering company that manufactures a wide range of LSHF cables locally. The certification was awarded for cables with voltage up to 450/750 volts. The tests were conducted at ACL in-house laboratories located at their factory premises under the supervision of the SLS audit committee. ACL cables is the only company in Sri Lanka that has a comprehensive lab facility for testing fire rated cables.
Currently ACL cables markets three brands under the category of fire rated cables, namely; ACL Fireguard, ACL Firezero and ACL fire survivor. ACL Fireguard is the core brand out of all three that has reached the masses island wide and is manufactured with a specially insulated PVC compound. The latter two falls to the category of LSHF cables and vastly marketed for high-end construction projects.
As the No. 1 Cable Company in Sri Lanka ACL Cables has always placed itself at the forefront of the local cable industry, which has earned them a strong following in the market.
Up on receiving this certification it proves the reliability of the range of fire rated cables ACL produces. This accreditation makes ACL the only company in Sri Lanka that produces fire rated cables as per appropriate local standards and regulations that has the genuine properties of fire prevention. ACL has also gained international certification from PSB Singapore for the same range prior to receiving this.
Fire related accidents in buildings can occur as a result of electrical short circuits. Thus, the main objective of fire rated cables is to prevent the spread of fire whilst extinguishing within a very short period of time. Designed with fire retardant qualities by the use of special material and compounds, ACL fire rated cables is the perfect, trusted solution to safeguard all buildings.
In order to receive the SLS 1504-3-31 standard ACL Cables was required to complete the following additional three quality tests stated in the standard: Test under fire conditions for vertical flame spread of vertically mounted bunched wires in accordance with BS EN 60332-3-24 (Category C), Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions in accordance with BS EN 61034-2 and Assessment of halogens (acid gas) for all non-metallic materials in accordance with BS EN 50525-1(Annex B).
Commenting on this landmark award, Suren Madanayake, Managing Director said, “We have constantly placed great importance and responsibility in the quality and authenticity of our products assuring customers of the highest levels of reliability and safety specifications. I am very proud that ACL Cables has achieved this prestigious local status. We have once again demonstrated to the market our quality and dominance. I appreciate the effort of my technical and quality assurance teams for their untiring efforts to ensure this Product certification process was a success.”
Madanayake added, “Since our inception in 1962, ACL Cables has always been the trendsetter in introducing new products and receiving proper certification. This is one such milestone. Currently we are processing a considerable number of orders for LSHF cables and this is the main reason to push ourselves towards gaining this certification. The certification enables customers to have more confidence when they purchase LSHF cables from us. I am convinced that as the recipient of the SLS standard, we will be able to grow our market share further with this product and strengthen our top and bottom lines.”
Based on the process, ACL had to initially study and follow the respective British Standard that complies with the above criteria. Following which presentations were made to the SLSI, who then awarded the equivalent Product certification as per local regulations and standards.
ACL Cables PLC own 70% of the market share recording annual revenue over Rs. 18 billion as a group.
Business
AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics
The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:
New business performance and embedded value
Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)
Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025
EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis
IFRS earnings
Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share
AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)
Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025
Cash generation and capital returns
Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share
Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share
US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back
Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share
Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:
“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.
“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.
“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.
“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
Business
British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication
The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.
The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.
CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.
Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.
Business
Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026
Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.
Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.
Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.
Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”
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