Business
Ichi Zen, Colombo’s latest Japanese restaurant

ICHI ZEN, Colombo’s latest Japanese restaurant, was opened on Thursday by the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki, at 63/2, Ward Place.
The brainchild of Chandana Silva, the CEO of the establishment, Ichi Zen Japanese Restaurant presents a selection of classic and modern sushi specialties as well as a large selection of cold and warm Japanese cuisine for those who crave Japanese flavours.
Chandana, who has gained vast experience in ownership of restaurants in both Japan and Sri Lanka, is supported by a team of experts in Japanese cuisine, driven by the Executive Chef Manjula Kurunduwatta, better known as the “Sushi Master.” Manjula Kurunduwatta adds his value to Ichi Zen with his experience of over 20 years and passion for Japanese cuisine, as the best of traditional and fusion food of Nippon are presented to satisfy the taste buds.
Ichi Zen presents an extensive range of Japanese lunches and dinners, which includes food items ranging from sushi rolls to tofu and dim sum. The Sushi Master and Izhi Zen present sushi of a quality rarely found outside of Japan. Their secret: high-quality ingredients and the experience of the chef.
Besides cooking and serving a wide range of well-known Japanese dishes, Ichi Zen also focuses on introducing Westerners to all of the various meals that the versatile Japanese culture has produced over the centuries. Besides being delicious, all of the ingredients used for preparing the dishes at Ichi Zen are fresh and absolutely healthy.
Ichi Zen opened for business on Friday, January 21 and is open seven days a week from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dine-in or delivery.
Mizukoshi Hideaki Japanese
Ambassador to Sri Lanka and
Chandana Silva Chairman Ichi Zen
Japanese Restaurant
For further details, contact Ichi Zen Japanese Restaurant on tel: 0112 664 999, email: contact@ichizenjapan.com or WhatsApp: 076 303 3435.
Business
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Appoints Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG) announced the appointment of Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
In her new role, Sarah will lead both the Finance and Human Resources functions at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy and people agenda. She holds a distinguished track record across multiple business disciplines, including Supply Chain, ICT, Administration, Corporate Communications, and CSR. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her most recent position as General Manager – Finance & Business Partnering at Brandix, Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturer.
Recognised for her strengths in business partnering, financial planning, and strategic decision-making, Sarah is also widely respected for nurturing inclusive, people-centric cultures that foster growth and high performance.
Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MLG, commented, “Sarah’s appointment follows an extensive search for the right person to lead our finance division through the next phase of our journey. Her wide-ranging experience and strong leadership credentials give me every confidence that she will continue to strengthen the financial integrity and compliance standards we are known for, and the Board looks forward to working closely alongside her in this journey.”
Sarah also marks a significant milestone for the company, becoming the first female member of MLG’s Board of Directors. She will additionally serve on the MLG Executive Committee (ExCo), reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the leadership level.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said, “I am honoured and excited to join MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka and help steer the company into its next chapter. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at MLG to drive financial strength, champion a people-first culture, and build on the company’s strong legacy of creativity and performance.”
Business
Sun Siyam Pasikudah Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Best of the Best Winner for 2025

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, a boutique luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, is thrilled to announce its recent win at the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for 2025, placing it among the top 10 percent of resorts worldwide. This accolade reflects the resort’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.
Reopened in November 2023 after an extensive transformation, Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 spacious one- and two-bedroom garden and beach pavilions, each featuring bold monochromatic interiors accented with golden tones. The redesign, led by Studio Sixty7, emphasizes a blend of contemporary elegance and local craftsmanship. The resort collaborated with local artisans, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich talent and cultural heritage.
‘‘We are thrilled to being recognized on par with some of the world’s best resorts. Under just two years since our reopening, this achievement couldn’t be possible with the tremendous effort and support of our world-class team and our guests that keep coming for the unique experiences we offer. We are proud to contribute to Sri Lanka, a destination that is on every traveler’s go-to list,’ said its General Manager, Arshed Refai who has been with Sun Siyam Resorts for over a decade.
Business
OTTO Bathware earns SLS certification for sanitaryware safety and quality

OTTO Bathware has received Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). This certification confirms that OTTO’s sanitaryware meets the highest national standards for safety, durability, and performance. With over 30 years of experience, OTTO Bathware operates under the ADI Group (Art Decoration International Pvt. Ltd.- www.ottobathware.com) and runs a modern 435,000square feet manufacturing facility in Bandaragama. The company has grown to become; South-Asia’s largest decorative ceramic manufacturer/ exporter, Sri Lanka’s second-largest sanitaryware producer, supplying to over 500 retailers island-wide.
“We’re proud to offer sanitaryware that meets national safety and quality standards. We encourage all Sri Lankans to look beyond the price tag and choose products that are certified, tested, and built to last.” said its Chairman, S. H. B. Karunarathne.
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