Business

ILO, UNOPS in joint exercise to protect MSMEs from virus

Published

4 years ago

2020/11/24

From left: Lalith Silva of Akalanka Products, Thamara Ravimali Bandara, Development Officer, Small Enterprise Division – Panadura, P.K Pathirana, Assistant Director, Small Enterprise Division – Kalutara, N.C.W. Jayasekara, Assistant Director, Small Enterprise Division – Kalutara.

* Begins with the delivery of PPE worth Rs. 47 million

* Initiative enjoys partnership with many government entities

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) together with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have taken another initiative to assist the healthy socio-economic recovery of the micro and small enterprise sector of Sri Lanka (MSMEs).

The initiative will help MSMEs face the challenges posed by COVID-19 and to ensure that workplaces do not become places of COVID-19 spread.

In this bid, hundreds of MSEs in the Kalutara and Gampaha Districts, where a majority of such enterprises are concentrated, and are safe and healthy spaces to work, the IILO together with UNOPS purchased and kick- started the delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth 47 million Sri Lankan Rupees.

With funding from the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN COVID-19 MPTF), this timely response is among the many interventions underway by the ILO to assist the healthy socio-economic recovery of the micro and small enterprise sector of Sri Lanka.

The distribution of PPE kits commenced on 18 November 2020 and is being carried out with the support of the Small Enterprise Division (SED) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The PPE kits include handwashing stations, bottles of hand sanitizers, first aid kits, face masks, visitor record keeping books, cakes of soap, packets of paper tissue, packets of paper towels, hand-held digital thermometers, bottles of toilet sanitizer, hand gloves, bins with lids.

Simrin Singh, Director, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Gayasiri of Lalith Bakery

The Gampaha and Kalutara district-based enterprises and their specific PPE requirements were identified through swift assessments carried out by SED officers, with the support of the Ministry of Labour. Assessments targeted enterprises, particularly economically hard-hit and women-owned, across various sectors such as tourism-accommodation, food and food processing, textile, craft and agri-business industries.

The enterprises are located in Kelaniya, Meerigama, Negombo, Katana DS Divisions in the Gampaha District, and Beruwala, Kalutara, Panadura, Bulathsinhala DS Divisions in the Kalutara District.

A further batch of PPE kit distributions are planned for before the end of the year, reaching all remaining divisions of the two districts.

The PPE kit distribution is being complimented by OSH risk assessment of MSEs; training entrepreneurs on how to implement OSH measures and how to use PPE; enterprise level training programmes with a focus on business development, psychosocial support, and facilitating access to finance. This will be coupled with a national campaign focussed on bringing awareness of the occupational health and safety (OSH) risks and measures for MSEs, psychosocial risks faced by MSE owners and workers, and how to access state provided financing.

The initiative enjoys solid partnerships with many Government entities for its effective implementation.

All News Advertisement

Business

Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Dr Jeewantha receiving the award

Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.

His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.

Business

IIHS Foundation in Biological Studies offers fast-track route to global health careers

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.

Business

Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.

Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.

Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.

In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.