Business
Kids & Teens Medical Group strengthens BPO ops in Sri Lanka

By Hiran H. Senewiratne
Kids & Teens Medical Group, one of the largest and leading Pediatric Primary Care Centers in Los Angeles, California, at eleven locations and operating successfully for over 15 years, will strengthen its Business Process Outsourcing or BPO operations in Sri Lanka.
The Kids & Teens Medical Group’s BPO operation center based in Negombo will be expanded by an additional 300 staff soon. At present 200 youth are working at the Negombo center, its Director Berni Leonidas said.
“Kids & Teens Medical Group, USA, will increase their staff strength to nearly 500 to help grow their patient base with quality care in the USA. Therefore, the Negombo center in Sri Lanka is doing a great service to us and has great potential to develop further, he told The Island Financial Review.
The Sri Lankan workforce that operates at the BPO center in Negombo are very skillful and professional in handling US operations, prompting them to increase their workforce to 500, he said.
In a bid to raise the medical standard in Sri Lanka and introduce novel patterns to the sector we partnered with McLaren’s Group in bringing Kids & Teens to Sri Lanka, he said.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of medical conditions, prevention of health problems and have patients returning for ongoing care. We will do this by practising simple pediatrics and follow-up will make the difference, Director Leonidas said.
In Sri Lanka, we will also offer Adult Care under the brand Healthy Life. Dr Kayathri Periasamy founded Healthy Life 7 years ago and we are happy to announce that she has agreed to join us, he said.
“Sri Lanka has wonderful physicians and medical staff. What has been missing is a blueprint on workflow to treat primary care services outside the local hospital and we hope to create this through this venture. Our Sri Lankan location will be modeled on the same workflow and technology as in the USA, he said.
Leonidas added: “We will work with the local hospitals to concentrate on acute care that needs hospitalization and concentrate on Simple Primary care whether it’s Pediatrics or General Practice.
“When a patient walks into our offices their paper medical records will be scanned into our electronic medical records system and they will be stored in the cloud; hence patient medical records will be accessible anywhere in the world.
“We will also offer 24/7 video teleconferencing medical assistance which is a first and novel experience to Sri Lanka.
“Our CEO, Sunil De Silva together with his wife Dr Janesri De Silva own and operate the largest Pediatric Primary care centers in Los Angeles, California at 11 locations, now going on 15 years and to support these operations we are increasing our high paying local staff.
“Both left Sri Lanka 50 years ago looking for high paying jobs and they don’t want the present generation to follow in our footsteps and this is another reason for us to increase employment in our BPO center in Negombo.”
Business
Pasans Rent a Car honoured at Iconic Awards 2025 in Thailand

Pasans Rent a Car (Pvt) Ltd was recently honoured as The Excellent Car Rentals and Tour Service Provider of the Year at the Iconic Awards 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Managing Director, Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage received the award. Established in 2002 as a modest vehicle rental service, Pasans Rent a Car has today grown into a national name in travel and transport. Headquartered in Malabe, they cater to a wide range of clients such as private customers, tourists, and private and Government institutions including Ministries.
Business
Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India announce strategic clinical collaboration

Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India have announced a strategic clinical collaboration during a grand ceremony at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The MOU outlines a framework for clinical collaboration, focusing on knowledge sharing, advanced specialty care, preventive health initiatives, and continuous professional development. This partnership aims to elevate clinical standards in Sri Lanka by introducing global best practices through joint programs, telemedicine, second-opinion services, and medical education.
The agreement was signed and exchanged by Nishantha Jayamanne, Chief Operating Officer of Medihelp Hospitals, and Jithu Jose, Vice President – International Division of Apollo Hospitals. Nishantha welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in light of the escalating disease burden and changing disease patterns. Jithu Jose remarked, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are committed to the principle that access to high-quality healthcare should transcend geographical boundaries. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen the ties between the medical communities of India and Sri Lanka.”
Business
Union Assurance leads fight against diabetes with nationwide ‘Suwamaga’ initiative

Union Assurance, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s private life insurance sector, is playing an increasingly proactive role in addressing the country’s rising diabetes crisis. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, the company has launched Suwamaga, an impactful CSR programme aimed at combating the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on diabetes.
Senath Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer at Union Assurance, explained that the company’s corporate responsibility approach stems from its new brand vision, which is centered around empowering human progress by protecting what matters most. He emphasized that this vision is aligned with the company’s dedication to strengthening not only financial stability but also the emotional, physical, and community well-being of Sri Lankans. “As part of our strategic direction, we recognized the severe impact of NCDs, particularly diabetes, on the nation’s social and economic progress,” Jayatilake noted.
The Suwamaga programme launched in 2024, under the Ministry of Health’s collaboration, includes a Mobile Screening Unit, which has already screened over 26,000 individuals across Sri Lanka, from urban centers to rural communities. The mobile unit offers free diabetes screenings, followed by personalized medical advice, empowering the public to take charge of their health. Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, shared, “The screenings have revealed alarming results. Approximately 15% of participants were recommended for further testing, with 12% diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. These screenings have proven essential for early intervention.”
The gravity of the diabetes crisis in Sri Lanka was further highlighted by Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a silent killer in Sri Lanka, affecting an alarming portion of the population,” she said, stressing that early detection is key to preventing the disease from progressing. “Pre-diabetes is reversible, but once diabetes is diagnosed, it’s a lifelong condition. Tragically, half of those affected remain unaware until complications arise.”
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