Business
John Keells Properties & DFCC Bank Partner on ‘Freedom Mortgages’

As part of its commitment to bringing ease and flexibility to potential homeowners in Sri Lanka, John Keells Properties has inked a partnership with DFCC Bank, to supplement the property developer’s ground-breaking Freedom Mortgages home finance scheme.
Being the first-of-its-kind in the country, this mortgage plan is offered to potential homeowners looking at investing in John Keells Properties’ upcoming TRI-ZEN residential development, with DFCC Bank now playing a significant role in alleviating customers’ home loan burdens.
The Freedom Mortgage plan promises customers the financial relief of a two-year interest free period on their mortgage, with the customer only having to pay 20% up front. The bank will fund up to 80% of the purchase price and the loan will be offered at exceptional interest rates, a news release on the scheme said.
“We have been innovating in the mortgage space for quite some time now and DFCC Bank was one of our earliest partners in trying to really expand the reach of housing in the centre of the city to more people. With this package we want to put TRI-ZEN and inner city living within the reach of a much broader swathe of the population,” commented Nayana Mawilmada, Sector Head, John Keells Properties.
“John Keells Properties’ Freedom Mortgage home finance scheme is truly unprecedented in the value it offers its TRI-ZEN customers,” added Gillian Edwards, Senior Vice President – Consumer Banking of DFCC Bank on the collaboration. “Through this partnership, we are able to expand the breadth of our service offering so as to provide an even greater opportunity for Sri Lanka’s homeowners to stake claim to an apartment at Colombo’s most anticipated residential community.”
DFCC Bank offers the Freedom Mortgage Loan to any individual securing an apartment at TRI-ZEN. A fixed income earner, professional or a self-employed individual with an income sufficient to meet the monthly loan commitment is eligible to apply for a DFCC Home Loan, the release said.
Applicants could opt for a pre-approved home loan for which credit approval will be provided within three working days. The teams of professionals at every DFCC Bank Branch offer unmatched customer service and the assurance of extended support throughout the transaction.
TRI-ZEN is a joint venture between Indra Traders (Pvt) Ltd and John Keells Holdings PLC. When complete in 2023, the 53-storey development will have a total of 891 one, two, and three-bedroomed ‘smart home’ units, each tastefully designed and equipped with a suite of key amenities. With its enviable address, competitive price tag -starting at Rs 26 million-, and the range of conveniences and facilities afforded exclusively to its resident community, TRI-ZEN is slated to be the most anticipated property and living experience for urbanites looking to set up their dream home.
Business
Sri Lanka’s EWIS makes history: First homegrown laptops shipped to Zimbabwe

Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Business
Dialog Television and Emerging Media Introduce one-stop advertising solution

Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
Business
IIHS partners with University of Surrey to transform healthcare education

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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