Business
Hemas Consumer partners Rainforest Protectors Sri Lanka to plant 15,000 trees in reforestation initiative

Hemas Consumer, Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturer in the Home and Personal Care sector recently partnered with the Rainforest Protectors Sri Lanka to reforest 15 acres of land to raise efforts to address the environmental crisis and aid in conserving the forests of Sri Lanka. The partnership was solidified with the recent signing of the MoU at the Hemas Consumer Head Office.
Baby Cheramy and Kumarika in partnership with the Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka kick-started the Balangoda Reforestation project of 15,000 trees by planting one thousand trees on the 12th of November 2021. This was a great success as volunteers from Hemas Consumer brands, Atlas Axila. the Green Club of the Hemas Outreach Foundation joined in a cross-group collaborative effort along with Rainforest Protectors Sri Lanka, Forest Conservators, respective distributors, territory mangers, retailers and villages who all came together and contributed to planting the trees.
Speaking on the project, Azmara Mannan Perera said “The planting of the trees is only the beginning on what we hope to achieve with this project, by reforesting this section of the forest we ensure that the surrounding area of the larger forest is protected from forest fires. We are so happy to be protecting two endemic trees, the Atama and the Bin Kohomba which are both found in this area.We remain committed to biodiversity, conservation and protecting endemic species in our beautiful island nation.”
Also speaking about this project, Nishantha Edirisinghe, Conservator, Biodiversity and Watershed Conservation said “The Rajawaka Area has always been prone to wildfires, and this project not only helps new trees and forestland to grow, but also protects the existing forest areas. The project will also help protect flora and fauna that is indigenous to the area. Projects like this will encourage more officials to be more aware of the hardships these areas endure. We would like to thank Hemas Consumer and Rainforest Protectors for initiating this project and we look forward to collaborating in the future.”
Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to protecting Sri Lanka’s rainforests. The group consists of volunteers and sponsors who investigate, create awareness and implement conservation and restoration initiatives. They have actively been involved in the protection of the Sinharaja and Kanneliya rainforest and its defragmented peripheral rainforests.
Both Baby Cheramy and Kumarika will work in tandem with Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka and lead the long-term efforts of this project in the hopes that it would be a catalyst for driving more initiatives for the conservation and maintenance of forest areas for the future. Both brands are highly renowned personal care brands dedicated to pioneering the concept of healthy living and supporting community driven initiatives.
Business
Pasans Rent a Car honoured at Iconic Awards 2025 in Thailand

Pasans Rent a Car (Pvt) Ltd was recently honoured as The Excellent Car Rentals and Tour Service Provider of the Year at the Iconic Awards 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Managing Director, Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage received the award. Established in 2002 as a modest vehicle rental service, Pasans Rent a Car has today grown into a national name in travel and transport. Headquartered in Malabe, they cater to a wide range of clients such as private customers, tourists, and private and Government institutions including Ministries.
Business
Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India announce strategic clinical collaboration

Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India have announced a strategic clinical collaboration during a grand ceremony at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The MOU outlines a framework for clinical collaboration, focusing on knowledge sharing, advanced specialty care, preventive health initiatives, and continuous professional development. This partnership aims to elevate clinical standards in Sri Lanka by introducing global best practices through joint programs, telemedicine, second-opinion services, and medical education.
The agreement was signed and exchanged by Nishantha Jayamanne, Chief Operating Officer of Medihelp Hospitals, and Jithu Jose, Vice President – International Division of Apollo Hospitals. Nishantha welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in light of the escalating disease burden and changing disease patterns. Jithu Jose remarked, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are committed to the principle that access to high-quality healthcare should transcend geographical boundaries. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen the ties between the medical communities of India and Sri Lanka.”
Business
Union Assurance leads fight against diabetes with nationwide ‘Suwamaga’ initiative

Union Assurance, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s private life insurance sector, is playing an increasingly proactive role in addressing the country’s rising diabetes crisis. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, the company has launched Suwamaga, an impactful CSR programme aimed at combating the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on diabetes.
Senath Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer at Union Assurance, explained that the company’s corporate responsibility approach stems from its new brand vision, which is centered around empowering human progress by protecting what matters most. He emphasized that this vision is aligned with the company’s dedication to strengthening not only financial stability but also the emotional, physical, and community well-being of Sri Lankans. “As part of our strategic direction, we recognized the severe impact of NCDs, particularly diabetes, on the nation’s social and economic progress,” Jayatilake noted.
The Suwamaga programme launched in 2024, under the Ministry of Health’s collaboration, includes a Mobile Screening Unit, which has already screened over 26,000 individuals across Sri Lanka, from urban centers to rural communities. The mobile unit offers free diabetes screenings, followed by personalized medical advice, empowering the public to take charge of their health. Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, shared, “The screenings have revealed alarming results. Approximately 15% of participants were recommended for further testing, with 12% diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. These screenings have proven essential for early intervention.”
The gravity of the diabetes crisis in Sri Lanka was further highlighted by Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a silent killer in Sri Lanka, affecting an alarming portion of the population,” she said, stressing that early detection is key to preventing the disease from progressing. “Pre-diabetes is reversible, but once diabetes is diagnosed, it’s a lifelong condition. Tragically, half of those affected remain unaware until complications arise.”
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