Business

Launching of Curtin University Colombo, a landmark in Australia-SL educational ties

Published

2 years ago

2024/12/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dignitaries launch Curtin University Colombo.

By Ifham Nizam

In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s educational landscape, the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens, officially launched Curtin University Colombo, marking a milestone in the growing partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka in higher education.

The event was held on Monday at the Curtin University in Colombo, with dignitaries, educators, and students in attendance.

Curtin University Colombo, an extension of Curtin University’s global network, now becomes the fifth world-campus for the Australian institution, further strengthening the ties between the two nations, the Australian High Commissioner said.

The launch represents the culmination of years of collaboration and shared vision between Curtin University and the Sri Lankan Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). This partnership, which began in 2001, has produced over 3,000 graduates and is seen as a crucial step in the further development of Sri Lanka’s educational infrastructure.

The Australian High Commissioner stressed the importance of the Curtin University Colombo campus as a testament to Australia’s ongoing commitment to Sri Lanka’s education sector.

He said that more than 30 Australian educational institutions currently operate in Sri Lanka, with Australia being the leading destination for Sri Lankan students. Some 18,000 Sri Lankan students are currently studying in Australia, a number expected to rise in the coming years.

Stephens added: “Curtin University Colombo’s establishment represents our belief in Sri Lanka’s future.

“Despite the challenges Sri Lanka has faced in recent years, the optimism surrounding this project reflects a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and united future.

“There is strong support from the Sri Lankan government for the country’s education sector, particularly in enhancing employability and access to quality education. This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s goals for long-term sustainable growth, especially in sectors like engineering, business, and IT—areas in which Curtin University has established a global reputation for producing industry-ready graduates.

“The partnership between Curtin University and SLIIT was further solidified in 2020 with the establishment of a Curtin Colombo campus, offering fully-franchised undergraduate programs in engineering and business. With the new Curtin University Colombo campus, students will now have access to a world-class education right in their home country, with the added benefit of an internationally recognized Australian qualification.”

Stephens praised the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement, acknowledging the hard work and commitment of all involved in the creation of Curtin University Colombo.

He also encouraged students and prospective students to seize the opportunity to study at the new campus, which is poised to play a key role in Sri Lanka’s educational and economic development.

“By equipping the next generation with the necessary skills, we can help Sri Lanka achieve its goal of becoming a more agile, export-oriented economy,” said Stephens. “The graduates of Curtin University Colombo will possess the skills necessary to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing global market.”

Curtin University, ranked among the top universities globally, has been recognized for its research, strong industry partnerships, and focus on producing graduates who are well-prepared for the workforce. With more than 50,000 students and partnerships with over 80 institutions worldwide, Curtin’s global network continues to grow.

In an engaging speech that chronicled the remarkable evolution of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Professor Lalith Gamage, chairman of Curtin Colombo and Vice Chancellor and CEO of SLIIT, reflected on the institution’s growth from its humble beginnings in 1999 to becoming one of the top-ranking universities in Sri Lanka today.

The story began in the late 1990s when Sri Lanka’s burgeoning IT industry faced a significant shortage of skilled professionals. In response to this challenge, Professor Gamage, alongside a group of visionary educators, founded SLIIT with the aim of bridging this gap. At the time, the University of Moratuwa’s Computer Science Department could only accommodate a small number of students, enrolling just 16, later increasing to 25. However, he said the demand from the IT industry was far greater – calling for thousands of trained professionals to drive the sector’s growth.

He said that recognizing the need to create an educational institution that could cater to this demand, SLIIT was established as an independent entity, separate from the University of Moratuwa, without degree-awarding status. The response from prospective students was overwhelming, with over 3,150 applications flooding in for a diploma in Information Technology. Despite initially planning to enroll only 150 students, the institution expanded its capacity to accommodate 400.

By 2000, the institution’s ambitions grew. Professor Gamage sought international partnerships to offer degree programs, reaching out to his friend, a professor at Curtin University in Australia. What started as a hopeful collaboration eventually led to a franchising agreement between Curtin University and SLIIT, allowing the latter to offer degrees and expand its offerings in IT. This partnership not only bolstered SLIIT’s academic credentials but also contributed significantly to the rapid growth of Sri Lanka’s IT industry, which saw annual growth of 25% and became the fifth-largest export sector in the country.

The partnership with Curtin University became a cornerstone of SLIIT’s development, bringing world-class curricula and faculty to Sri Lanka. Curtin University staff helped improve SLIIT’s academic programs, and SLIIT faculty were given the opportunity to study at Curtin, bringing back invaluable knowledge and experience to enhance the institution’s teaching standards. Over time, more than 15 staff members completed their PhDs through this collaboration, further strengthening SLIIT’s position in the higher education landscape.

Professor Gamage is confident in generating an economic contribution of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka’s economy within the next three years, positioning the country as a leader in higher education in the region. The long-term goal is to build upon the momentum of the IT industry’s growth, which began in the early 2000s, and expand the impact of higher education on Sri Lanka’s economy.

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Business

PM ‘Rings the Bell’ at CSE to champion financial literacy and investor education

Published

21 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

P.M. Dr.Harini Amarasuriya

As part of World Investor Week (WIW) 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) joined stock exchanges around the world in ringing the market opening bell for financial literacy on 5 October 2026, under the patronage of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

World Investor Week is an annual global campaign led by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness of the importance of investor education and investor protection. The “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy” initiative, pioneered by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), brings together stock exchanges and other stakeholders worldwide to promote greater financial literacy and encourage individuals to make informed financial decisions.

The ceremony also marked the 40th anniversary of the CSE and the joint launch by the SEC and the CSE of the Stock Market Game, an online stock market simulation based on the ATrad trading system.

The Stock Market Game enables participants to gain practical experience of how the stock market works, make investment decisions and construct portfolios of listed shares without using real money. The platform is accessible through the websites of the SEC and CSE and is expected to serve as an important practical tool for promoting financial education. It is envisaged that the Stock Market Game will also be used to conduct simulation competitions among universities and the 100 Capital Market Clubs established in schools across the country.

The ceremony also featured the commemorative issuance of a stamp and First Day Cover to mark the 40th anniversary of the CSE. Issued in collaboration with the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Bureau of Sri Lanka, the commemorative stamp and First Day Cover were presented to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, by the SEC Chairman Snr. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara and Ray Abeywardena, Director CSE and Chairman of Central Depository Systems (CDS).

Welcoming the gathering, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Chief Executive Officer of the CSE, highlighted the importance of obtaining reliable information when making investment decisions.

“We operate in a digital world where a vast amount of information and data is disseminated through social media. While some of this information is factual, some may be inaccurate or misleading. When investing in the stock market, it is essential to make informed and prudent investment decisions. Therefore, investors should obtain information and data from reliable and responsible sources and persons before making investment decisions.”

Addressing the gathering, SEC Chairman Snr. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara emphasised that the SEC’s role extends beyond regulation to facilitating the further development of the capital market.

“The SEC needs to determine how best to introduce the stock market to Generation Alpha, Generation Beta and generations beyond. When it comes to investors, we need to build confidence in the market, because people will invest only when they have confidence in the market.’’

Business

Rs. 5 million worth of prizes to be given at 8th edition of CSE Masterminds Quiz Competition

Published

21 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced that the eighth edition of the CSE Masterminds Quiz will be held on 9th October 2026, from 3.00 p.m. onwards, at the Main Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo.

Recognised as Sri Lanka’s premier capital market quiz competition, CSE Masterminds brings together teams from the public and private sectors. Participants will be tested across international business, global markets, current affairs, the Sri Lankan economy and business, the Sri Lankan stock market, and sports and entertainment, before a concluding rapid-fire round.

This year the winning team can win up to Rs. 2,000,000, the runners-up up to Rs. 1,000,000, and the second runners-up Rs. 750,000. Sector awards will also be presented to the highest-performing team from each participating sector. Guest participants will also be able to compete in rounds of Audience questions, and will have the opportunity to participate a raffle draw for three free return tickets provided by Fits Aviation (Pvt) Ltd.

The evening will also include an exclusive after-party with live music provided by the band ‘Doctor’ featuring guest performer Umara Sinhawansa, fine food and beverages, providing an opportunity for networking and celebration. Every participant will receive a premium goodie bag made possible by the support of the event’s sponsorship partners. Collectively, the event will feature over Rs. 5 million worth of prizes, rewards, and giveaways, encompassing championship prizes, sector awards, audience engagement prizes, raffle draw offerings, and goodie bags.

Sponsorship partners include:

Platinum Sponsors: Hatton National Bank PLC and Bartleet Religare Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd.

Gold Sponsors: Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC, Asha Securities Ltd., and Lanka Securities (Pvt) Ltd.

Silver Sponsors: Barista Coffee Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Capital Trust Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., LOLC Holdings PLC, Arpico Ataraxia Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd., IronOne Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., and LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd.

Co-Sponsors: Access Engineering PLC, Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, CryptoGen (Pvt) Ltd., Deloitte Lanka (Private) Limited, Dialog Finance PLC, Efutures (Pvt) Ltd., People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, Senfin Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd., and Softlogic Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd.

Business

NCCSL to conduct practical workshop on food labelling and advertising regulations in Sri Lanka

Published

21 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) is organizing a one-day practical workshop on “Food Labelling & Advertising Regulations in Sri Lanka” on Thursday, 8th October 2026 from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the National Chamber of Commerce, Colombo 10. The workshop has been organised to provide a practical understanding of the latest regulatory requirements governing the food products labelling and advertising of food products in Sri Lanka, with particular attention to regulatory developments applicable in 2026, compliance requirements, and the potential legal and financial implications of non-compliance.

As food products increasingly compete not only with quality and price but also on packaging, labelling and promotional claims, businesses must ensure the information they communicate to consumers is accurate, transparent and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. Understanding these requirements is therefore essential for businesses seeking to protect their brands, maintain consumer confidence, and minimize regulatory and legal risks.

The practical workshop will go beyond an overview of regulations and focus on how businesses can apply regulatory requirements in their day-to-day operations. Participants will be guided through key areas of food regulatory compliance, including the national food regulatory framework, recent food labelling regulations and key changes, mandatory approvals and prohibitions relating to food labelling, and the litigation process associated with regulatory violations. The programme will also cover several areas of growing importance to the food industry, including the EU EMPCO Directive, food colour coding regulations, regulations relating to food trans-fatty acids and the importance of compliance in the use of food additives. Practical exercises will further enable participants to apply their knowledge to real-world compliance situations and strengthen their ability to identify potential regulatory concerns.

For further information and registration, please contact the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka on 011 4741788 – Nethmi or Udula – 071 403 4775.