By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka and the Maldives are embarking on a series of strategic collaborations aimed at boosting trade, tourism and bilateral relations.These include the development of the Kuda Fushi Islands port, education exhibitions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

These initiatives reflect the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations, Maldives’ ambassador to Sri Lanka and other key stakeholders stressed at a media briefing held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists, Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council president Sudesh Mendis said that the Sri Lankan government has been offered a 50% tax concession for goods transported from Sri Lanka as part of a joint project with Maldives to develop the port at Kuda Fushi Islands. The project includes the establishment of warehouses and logistics facilities, potentially transforming the region into a major maritime hub.

“If we miss this opportunity, it could be taken by neighbouring countries, which would significantly impact our existing maritime business, Mendis stressed.

He added that the project also envisions launching a ferry service between Sri Lanka and the Maldives to bolster tourism and address logistical challenges in the transport of fresh produce.

Education remains a cornerstone of Sri Lanka-Maldives relations. Maldives ambassador Masood Imad responding to The Island Financial Review queries, highlighted the historical connection, noting that many Maldivian leaders, including himself, were educated in Sri Lanka. “I grew up here and feel Sri Lankan. Many Maldivians prefer Sri Lanka for its proximity and quality of life, he said.

To further strengthen educational ties, Sri Lanka is organizing an education and wellness exhibition in May. The exhibition will showcase schools, universities and healthcare facilities, aiming to attract Maldivian students and retirees seeking medical and wellness services.

The ambassador also raised concerns over visa restrictions for Maldivians following the Easter Sunday attacks and COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged the Sri Lankan government to remove Maldives from its list of security-concerned countries, stating, “If Pakistan is not on this list, why is Maldives? This needs to be addressed urgently to restore confidence and encourage more Maldivians to settle in or visit Sri Lanka, a concerned ambassador said.

In addition to economic ventures, a CSR project is set to launch on Kalimantan Island, a remote fishing community in the Maldives. The project will include health assessments, education and providing equipment for speech and hearing assessments.

Audiologist Mihiri Wikramarachchi, a key partner in the project, said, “Our goal is to train locals and build sustainable services. We’ve been working in Maldives for over 35 years and this initiative reinforces our commitment to improving lives.”

He proposed a conference involving smaller nations to foster collaboration and human resource development. “It’s not just about working with big countries like Germany. Smaller nations like Maldives and Sri Lanka have immense potential for mutual growth,” he noted.

With these initiatives, both nations aim to deepen their partnership. “Maldives and Sri Lanka share a unique bond. Together, we can overcome challenges and create opportunities for mutual benefit, the ambassador added.

LOLC Technologies, the technological arm of LOLC Group, Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified conglomerate, reaffirmed its leadership in technological innovation with the successful conclusion of its second Global IT Conference. Held virtually over two days, the event themed “AI and Digital for Business” participated over 100 technology leaders from more than 20 countries across Asia and Africa, highlighting the Group’s commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced business efficiency and stakeholder value.

Speaking at the conference, Kapila Jayawardena, Group Managing Director/CEO of LOLC Holdings PLC, emphasized the necessity of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize operations and sustain growth. “As organizations grow, maintaining efficiency becomes increasingly difficult, and productivity tends to diminish. However, at LOLC Group, we have successfully demonstrated that with the integration of modern technologies like AI, we cannot only sustain growth but also enhance productivity. Embracing AI is not just an opportunity—it is a necessity for optimizing operations and leading in today’s competitive business environment”.

On day one, participants explored AI’s potential to reshape business models, enhance customer experiences, and optimize operations across industries. The second day shifted focus to the strategic roles of CIOs and Heads of IT, addressing how leadership and strategy must evolve to effectively integrate AI and other emerging technologies. These discussions reinforced the Group’s emphasis on collaboration and innovation, providing a platform for its C-Suite executives to exchange insights and align on a unified technology strategy.

The event featured a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Conrad Dias, Chairman of LOLC Technologies PLC, who delved into the transformative role of AI in revolutionizing business operations.

Pan Asia Bank proudly celebrated the dedication and commitment of its longstanding employees at a special awards night organized by the Pan Asia Bank HR Department. This prestigious event was a testament to the invaluable contributions of the Bank’s staff, whose unwavering service has been instrumental in driving the organization’s success.

The evening brought together employees from various branches across the country and departments to honor those who have completed 15, 20, and 25 plus years of service. The event featured heartfelt speeches, token presentations, and entertainment, creating a memorable occasion to recognize the achievements of Pan Asia Bank’s exceptional long standing team members.

Naleen Edirisinghe, Director/CEO of Pan Asia Bank, delivered the keynote address, expressing gratitude to the staff for their dedication. “We honor the backbone of our organization—our people. The commitment and hard work of our longstanding staff have laid the foundation for our growth and resilience and will continue to do so for years to come.”

The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, where employees were honored for their years of dedicated service.