Business
Foreign Direct Investment records 90% Increase in First Quarter of 2025

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.
This was disclosed today (20) during a progress review meeting of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, chaired by President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
BOI officials also noted that, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US$21 million, while export income increased by US$176 million during the first quarter of 2025. In total, Sri Lanka has attracted US$4,669 million in investment proposals thus far in 2025.
The meeting also focused on the issues and challenges associated with attracting investment to the country and discussed potential strategies to address them.
Addressing the gathering, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the Board of Investment holds a pivotal role in enhancing the national economy and improving the living standards of the rural population.
He stressed that opportunities to attract investment in traditional sectors are becoming increasingly limited and therefore the nation must identify new areas for investment, an endeavour that falls under the BOI’s mandate.
The President further noted that Sri Lanka has attracted only around US$22 billion in investment since 1978. In comparison to other countries in the region, he stated, Sri Lanka must advance rapidly, referencing Vietnam’s achievement of securing US$23 billion in investment in 2022 alone.
He went on to state that the BOI should prioritise the expansion of investment in the services sector and proactively seek new investment opportunities, rather than focusing solely on recapturing missed ones.
The event was attended by senior officials of the Board of Investment, including Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs; Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment; and Ms Renuka Weerakone, Acting Director General of the Board of Investment.
Business
Royal College Leads Education’s Digital Shift with Sri Lanka’s First Passive Optical LAN via SLT-MOBITEL

Heralding a new era in digital education, SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE and Royal College recently collaborated over the trailblazing deployment of Sri Lanka’s first full-scale Passive Optical LAN (POL) solution powered by Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology.
Connecting learning spaces with robust, ultra-fast broadband, the project is designed to revolutionize teaching and learning practices, ensuring students and educators can thrive in an increasingly digital world.
The agreement was signed between Janaka Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer, SLT Group, and Aruna Samarajewa, Secretary, Royal College Union, in the presence of several officials representing both organizations.
Partnering with one of the country’s most prestigious institutions demonstrates SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE’s dedication to advancing education through cutting-edge technology and reinforcing the company’s leadership in innovative solutions.
Achieving a historic first for the nation, the fully integrated, fibre-based Passive Optical LAN (POL) solution is the inaugural deployment of its kind for an educational institution. The new system incorporates enterprise-grade network security features, ensuring safe browsing and providing advanced protection against potential cyber threats. Controlled access to educational resources is seamlessly integrated into the network architecture, creating a protected and responsible environment that safeguards sensitive academic data while building trust among parents, educators, and the community.
As SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE continues to drive technological advancement within the education sector, the project serves as a vital stepping stone towards broader integration with institutions island wide. The deployment supports efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that high-quality, innovative learning environments become accessible to students across the country.
Business
‘CEAT Cares’ supports 6th school in programme benefitting children of rubber farmers

Reinforcing its long-term commitment to community upliftment and sustainable sourcing, CEAT Kelani Holdings has conducted the sixth presentation of essential school supplies to children of Sri Lanka’s rubber farming community, this time at Meegama Kanishta Vidyalaya in Matugama.
Seventy students from grades 1 to 5 at the school received school bags, shoes, and exercise books as part of CEAT’s flagship CSR initiative, ‘CEAT Cares.’ This latest event brings the total number of students supported by the programme to 650, spanning key rubber-producing areas including Matugama, Ratnapura, Galle, Moneragala, Kandy, and Hatharaliyadda.
The event at Meegama Kanishta Vidyalaya was attended by CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Shamal Gunawardene, members of the senior management, and authorised CEAT dealers in the area including Sarath Premachandra of Chandra Tyre Center, Chaminda Pushpakumara of Chaminda Tyre Service, and Kithsiri Senewirathna of Udagepola Tyre Center. The school principal, teachers, parents, and students also participated in the ceremony, which featured traditional dances performed by the children.
“Our commitment to the rubber farming community is an integral part of CEAT’s ethos,” Gunawardene said.
Business
Melwa introduces its latest product, SLS 414 certified first welding rod in Sri Lanka

Melwa, the leading steel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, recently introduced its latest product—Melwa Welding Rods—to the market. Produced by Melwa, a local company that has played a significant role in the development of the country’s construction sector, these welding rods are of high quality. Notably, they are 100% locally manufactured and come with SLS 414 certifications. This marks the first time a welding rod that is entirely locally produced has been introduced to the Sri Lankan market.
As part of the launch, a special workshop was held for welders in Balangoda on 24 June. During the session, participants were introduced to these welding rods and given the opportunity to test them out first-hand.
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