SHEvolve ’26, a pioneering women-empowerment initiative organized by AIESEC in University of Colombo, is set to take place on May 9th from 9.00 a.m. onwards at the New Arts Theatre, University of Colombo. Building on the success of its previous edition, which welcomed over 500 delegates alongside renowned guest Ms. Anudi Gunasekara, the Miss World Sri Lanka 2024, this year’s event promises to be even more impactful, bringing together voices that matter to spark dialogue and drive meaningful change.

Centered around the theme “Beyond the Surface: Rethinking the Realities of Being a Woman,” SHEvolve ’26 aims to challenge societal norms, address stigmas, and foster a deeper understanding of issues surrounding women’s lives. The event will feature a compelling panel discussion with distinguished panelists, including Ms. Gangulee Walpola, the Chief Guest of the event and an Attorney-at-Law based in Sri Lanka. She holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of West London and currently works as a corporate attorney at a large manufacturing company. Alongside her legal work, she is also a professional singer and a content creator, Ms. Sade Greenwood, the Miss World Sri Lanka 2021 and the Co-founder of Mullwood, Sri Lanka’s first hair care brand for curly hair. She is also an advocate for self-expression and confidence, using her platform to promote inclusivity, beauty diversity, and women’s empowerment, Dr. Ayisha Ziauddin, a Family Medicine Physician, the current secretary of Zonta One Club of Colombo and the co-founder of the Muslim Women’s Collective, and Ms. Vithara Mannage, a lecturer at APIIT Sri Lanka specializing in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, with an MBA (Distinction) from the University of Staffordshire and current PhD candidate at the University of Colombo. Each panelist will bring unique perspectives to critical topics:

● = “Unlearning to Empower – Education, Mindsets & Breaking Internal Barriers”

● = “Voice, Visibility & Rights – Navigating Expression in the Digital Age”

● = “Prioritizing Herself – Women’s Health, Stigma & Awareness”

● = “The Pressure to Fit In – Beauty Norms & Social Expectations”

The event will also feature an inspiring keynote speech by Ms. Yasodhara Pathanjali, a British Sri Lankan life coach, educator, and co-founder of the Independent Collective School, Sri Lanka’s first modern alternative school. Alongside engaging and interactive sessions designed to create a dynamic and meaningful experience for all attendees, the program will also feature an entertainment session conducted by Anderson Kirubaharan, a stand-up comedian and public speaking coach.

Delegates will receive an e-certificate of participation, recognizing their involvement in this movement for change.

Adding a creative dimension, the event will also feature competitions in art and short video formats, providing participants with an opportunity to express their perspectives and contribute to the conversation in impactful ways. Registrations for both the event and competitions are now open.

SHEvolve ’26 invites all individuals who are passionate about driving social impact and fostering inclusive conversations to be part of this transformative experience. Join us in reshaping narratives, amplifying voices, and creating lasting change.

Janashakthi Limited operating as JXG (Janashakthi Group) marked the debut trading of its 500,000,000 ordinary voting shares (Symbol: JXG.N0000) on The Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday (29th April 2026) by way of ringing the ceremonial market opening bell on the trading floor of CSE.

The Initial Public Offer (IPO), which took place on 9th April 2026, was made through an offer for subscription for 500,000,000 ordinary voting shares of the par value of LKR 10/- with First Capital Advisory Services (Pvt) Limited, a JXG subsidiary, as their manager to the issue, raising Rs. 5 bn. The IPO was oversubscribed by three times representing a cumulative value of over 15.15 billion rupees.

JXG’s debut on The Main Board forms part of the company’s long-term growth strategy aimed at broadening its earnings base, enhancing scale, and strengthening its presence across complementary financial services verticals. The company will use the IPO proceeds to fund its expansion across the General Insurance, Microfinance, and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) sectors, establish a presence in overseas markets, and retire existing interest-bearing debt.

Keynote speaker at the market opening ceremony, Chandan de Silva, Group Chairman – JXG (Janashakthi Group) said, “The three times oversubscription of the largest IPO in the last fourteen years at a time of significant economic and financial uncertainty, is a strong indication of investor trust and confidence in JXG’s brand, which in turn is based on sound governance, strategy and the ability to execute. As we enter the stock market, we are committed to expanding our impact and contributing meaningfully to the evolution of Sri Lanka’s financial landscape.”

Speaking on the listing, Ramesh Schaffter, Managing Director / Group CEO – JXG (Janashakthi Group) commented, “This milestone reflects not only a successful listing, but also the strength and resilience of our team in navigating a complex market environment. We are grateful for the confidence placed in us by our investors and the public, which strengthens our responsibility as a listed entity. Our focus now is on executing our strategies to scale our businesses responsibly and delivering sustained value to our shareholders and stakeholders alike.”

Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO of CSE, speaking at the opening ceremony also remarked: “Janashakthi Limited lists it shares today following a Rs. 5 Bn IPO which was oversubscribed by three times and was the largest IPO we have had for the last 14 years.”

Janashakthi Group, a well-established diversified financial services conglomerate, is the parent company of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, First Capital Holdings PLC, and Janashakthi Finance PLC.

Browns Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Periceyl, turned up the energy and artistry with the successful conclusion of Quintessential Bartender 2026 — an inter-hotel bartending competition created to spotlight, sharpen, and celebrate the group’s finest talent.

Bringing together bartenders from 16 Browns Hotels & Resorts properties across 10 iconic destinations, the competition offered a stage for personality, precision, storytelling, and skill, where the best bartenders from each resort went head-to-head in pursuit of the ultimate title.

The journey began with regional rounds hosted at Hotel Sigiriya, Club Hotel Dolphin Negombo, and Dickwella Resort & Spa, where competitors showcased their talents in both Classic and Innovative Cocktail categories before a respected judging panel. From these rounds, the top contenders earned their place in the grand finale at The Eden Beruwala, where the atmosphere was electric.

The grand finale was graced by Eksath Wijeratne, CEO of Browns Hotels & Resorts, and Senaka Amarathunaga, Director General Manager of Periceyl, reinforcing the importance of developing talent and driving excellence within the hospitality industry.

The distinguished judging panel featured Trevin Gomes, Managing Director of Cargills Retail and a respected pioneer in Sri Lankan hospitality; Ishadi Amanda, Mrs World 2024 1st Runner-Up and Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs World 2024; Dushan Umayanga, All Island Flair Bartending Champion 2023 and Sri Lanka’s Got Talent Semifinalist 2024; Rodger Peterez, Beverage Expert and Trainer at Periceyl; and Kanishka Jayathunga, Head of Learning & Development at Browns Hotels & Resorts.

Adding to the spirit of the evening, General Managers from across the Browns Hotels & Resorts portfolio, together with hotel executive teams and Food & Beverage Managers, were present to cheer on their representatives and stand behind their teams in a strong show of unity, encouragement, and camaraderie.

What unfolded throughout the competition was a masterclass in modern mixology. There were cocktails inspired by Avurudu traditions, creations rooted in medicinal and wellness concepts, botanical blends layered with fresh herbs and aromatics, smoky and complex serves, and technique-driven drinks executed with finesse. Some competitors brought flair, drama, and showmanship to the stage, while others brought elegance, balance, and powerful storytelling. Local ingredients met international trends, proving that Sri Lankan bartending talent can stand confidently on any global platform.

Speaking at the finale, Eksath Wijeratne, CEO of Browns Hotels & Resorts, stated: “The level of talent displayed throughout this competition was truly inspiring. What stood out most was the passion, discipline, and originality shown by our teams. These are the individuals shaping guest experiences every day, and Quintessential Bartender 2026 has shown that our internal talent holds extraordinary potential. It gives us great confidence for the future of hospitality at Browns Hotels & Resorts.”

The competition crowned three exceptional winners whose creativity and consistency set them apart: Champion – Imalshi Kaushalya of Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, 1st Runner-Up – Nimesh Denuwan of Club Hotel Dolphin, 2nd Runner-Up – Chamindu Nimrada of Dickwella Resort & Spa.