Business
Mahindra unveils the new Bolero City Pik-Up in Sri Lanka

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), together with Ideal Motors, a fully owned subsidiary of the Ideal Group, recently unveiled the new Bolero City Pik-Up in Sri Lanka in the presence of Minister of Industries, Wimal Weerawansa. Wimal Weerawansa took a tour of the Mahindra Ideal Lanka Automotive Assembly Plant and saw the assembly process of the new Bolero City Pik-Up. The plant was inaugurated in August 2019 under a joint venture between M&M Ltd. and Ideal Group. M&M is the leader in the small commercial vehicle space and this new addition to its existing pickup portfolio further strengthens the company’s leadership position in Sri Lanka.
Addressing the occasion, Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa said,”Vehicle production is not an unachievable feat for Sri Lanka. We are steadily moving in the direction of becoming a nation that produces its own vehicles. The collaboration between Ideal Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) India will put more local value additions into their vehicle production in Sri Lanka by next year. I believe that we will soon be able to see more ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ vehicles on our roads. As a government, we are committed to further facilitating resource supplies encouraging other global vehicle manufacturers to set up their vehicle production plants in the country. The Bolero City Pik-up unveiled today by Ideal Motors and M&M consists of more than 30% locally-sourced components, thereby enabling local vehicle component manufacturers to increase their revenue and expand their businesses. Further, the technology transfer from M&M to young Sri Lankan technicians in this project is an added boon to the country creating wider economic benefits to many stakeholders of the local vehicle assembly industry for its sustainable development,”
Addressing the gathering at the factory, Nalin Welgama, Chairman, Ideal Motors said “Ideal Motors and M&M have been working together for a decade to deliver value to our customers. We are working with local vendors to maximize local value add on the Bolero City Pik-up and deliver first ever ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ Pickup which is better suited to the market requirement. With our island wide network of Mahindra sales showrooms and authorized service dealerships, we are confident to lead this category”
New Bolero City Pik-Up is perfectly suited to various applications with its easy manoeuvrability, big cargo box and reliable, high-power engine. It boasts a strong suspension, with the rear suspension strengthened to take different type of load in city driving conditions. The cabin ergonomics have been further enhanced with a wider co-driver seat, giving the best driving experience during inter & intra-city business trips. All these make the New Bolero City Pik-Up an ideal pick up for urban goods transportation across the island. With a warranty of 12 months/ 50,000 km and minimal maintenance costs, customers are guaranteed to earn more profit and have complete peace of mind.
With the gradual opening of the market amid COVID19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, the demand for commercial vehicles is anticipated to see a significant spike in the future. Mahindra Ideal Lanka (MILPL) is now boosting its production capacity to meet the market demand for its pickups. This is the 2nd product launch in a row by Mahindra after the highly popular KUV100 was launched in July 2020.
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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