Business
John Keells Group initiates accelerated Crisis Response Programme to address food and educational challenges
As Sri Lanka navigates its worst economic crisis since Independence, the John Keells Group is committed to supporting and empowering affected communities to overcome the challenges in the immediate term and be better equipped to be self-reliant for the future.
“The current socio-economic crisis is by all accounts unprecedented,” said Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR of John Keells Holdings PLC. “Concurrent challenges relating to the unavailability, inaccessibility and unaffordability of basic food commodities, fuel, fertilizer and other essentials coupled with the record cost of living have disrupted the lives and livelihoods of many across the country.”
Impact of the crisis is widespread, with livelihoods of self-employed persons and small to medium enterprises coming under severe strain with the most affected being daily wage earners and women. Children and youth are particularly affected, with disruptions to regular schooling and tertiary learning in the wake of COVID-19 as well as the recent suspension of school meals due to the aggravated economic crisis.
The John Keells Group’s accelerated crisis response programme is undertaken through its CSR entity, John Keells Foundation within its community empowerment initiative ‘John Keells Praja Shakthi’ in collaboration with the Group’s businesses and is aimed at alleviating hardships and empowering identified communities for the future through immediate and medium to long term programmes under two pillars.
The first pillar focuses on addressing the current and impending food-security issues through a variety of initiatives implemented by the different John Keells Group businesses including Elephant House, Keells, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and John Keells Property. This comprises a multi-pronged Food Security Programme to address the immediate food crisis coupled with longer term sustainable initiatives including awareness creation on locally available nutrition and increasing farming efficiencies, self-reliance and entrepreneurship. Immediate term relief such as the donation of dry ration packs under the Keells Donation Card scheme and Cinnamon’s “Meals that Heal” are aimed at alleviating hunger among vulnerable communities in the short term whereas other more sustainable and long-term initiatives such as the home and community gardening initiatives, farmer empowerment through the promotion of good agriculture practices and facilitating school meals for children are in the process of being rolled out.(JKH)
The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 concluded with industry leaders and regulators establishing two critical national priorities: a bold target to reduce physical cash usage and a push for consolidated regulatory oversight.
In a key decision, participants set a clear three-year goal to lower the ratio of cash in circulation to GDP from 4.5% to 3.5%. The strategy will focus on digitizing high-cash sectors like transport, utilities, and SME payments, while expanding digital access through post offices and cooperatives.
For the long-term health of the ecosystem, stakeholders agreed to lobby for the creation of a single, unified regulatory authority dedicated to fintech oversight. This aims to streamline approvals and provide clearer guidance for innovators.
“Our members needed to leave with concrete action points,” said Channa de Silva, Chairman of the Fintech Forum, Sri Lanka. The summit, designed as a series of closed-door roundtables with regulators including the Central Bank, produced actionable frameworks. “It was about defining KPIs, setting targets, and giving the industry a shared direction,” de Silva explained.
The outcomes signal a concerted shift from discussion to execution, aiming to build a more inclusive, efficient, and secure digital financial economy for Sri Lanka.
By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️
A new force in Sri Lanka’s food industry, Kukus Group, is gaining momentum with a clear vision to deliver authentic cuisine, high hygiene standards, and affordability. Founded by young entrepreneurs Nadeera Senanayaka, Lakmini Gurusinghe, and Randila Gunasinghe, the group has successfully launched its pilot outlet and is now preparing for a significant nationwide expansion.
The inaugural in Kotte has served as a successful proof of concept. Operating for five months, this modern street-food outlet has garnered a strong customer response, confirming market demand and providing the confidence to fund the group’s ambitious growth strategy.
The inaugural in Kotte
“The positive reception has been overwhelming and has solidified our plans,” said Lakmini Gurusinghe and Randila Gunasinghe. “Our Kotte outlet is the operational model we will replicate – ensuring consistent quality, disciplined operations, and excellent service across all future locations.”
The group’s expansion strategy is built on three distinct thematic brands:
Kukus Street: Targeting young urban customers, these outlets offer a vibrant, casual dining experience with a menu of Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, snacks, and BBQ, with most meals priced under Rs. 1,500. Services include dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.
Kukus Beach: Planned for coastal areas, beginning in the South, this concept will feature an urban-style beach restaurant and pub designed for relaxed social dining.
Kukus Bioscope: Celebrating Sri Lanka’s cinematic heritage, this dedicated restaurant concept will create a nostalgic cultural space inspired by the golden eras of Sinhala cinema, with the first outlet slated for Colombo.
The immediate plan includes transforming the flagship Kotte location into Kukus Pub & Bar, pending regulatory approvals. The long-term vision is to develop 18 outlets nationwide: 10 Kukus Street locations, 5 Kukus Beach venues, and 3 Kukus Bioscope establishments.
“Kukus Group is more than a hospitality brand; it’s a celebration of Sri Lankan flavors and culture,” the founders concluded. “Our mission is to build trusted, recognizable brands that connect deeply with communities and offer lasting cultural value alongside authentic cuisine. We are dynamic and excited to proceed with this strategic expansion,” they said.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Fcode Labs marked its seventh anniversary by hosting its annual Awards Night 2025 at Waters Edge, celebrating team achievements and reinforcing its organizational values.
The event featured keynote addresses from Co-Founders & CEOs Buddhishan Manamperi and Tharindu Malawaraarachchi, who reflected on the company’s annual progress and future strategy. Chief Operating Officer Pamaljith Harshapriya outlined operational priorities for the next phase of growth.
Awards were presented across three key categories. Prabhanu Gunaweera and Dushan Pramod received Customer Excellence awards for partner collaboration. Performance Excellence awards were granted to Munsira Mansoor, Thusara Wanigathunga, Thushan De Silva, Adithya Narasinghe, Avantha Dissanayake, Amanda Janmaweera, Sithika Guruge, and Sandali Gunawardena. The Value-Based Behaviour awards were given to Thilina Hewagama, Udara Sembukuttiarachchi, and Kavindu Dhananjaya for exemplifying company values.
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