Business
‘Miracle on the Kelani River happening very soon’
Congratulatory Message by ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka
I am the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Santhush Woonjin JEONG.
Congratulations on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day! As ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 73 years of independence and to convey the best wishes for the welfare and everlasting prosperity to the people of Sri Lanka. I hope that the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, which have strengthened year after year, continue to be strengthened to provide greater happiness to the people of both nations. The Republic of Korea celebrates together with you!
Sri Lanka commemorates the country’s peaceful path to independence 73 years ago. While Korea and Sri Lanka had to overcome many hardships in the past, both countries have bounced back with vigour. Our two nations and people are examples of the resilience, steadfastness and hope even in the most difficult circumstances. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1977, Korea and Sri Lanka have come a long way together to form a cordial bilateral partnership. Korea and Sri Lanka have been truly good friends to each other on a whole range of issues, sharing common goals. It is my firm belief the common historical experiences shared by the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka have further brought our nations together. Korea-Sri Lanka relations have made great strides in recent years and have become multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges.
Today, Sri Lanka has the potential to become the next economic powerhouse in Asia. The strategic location, rich natural and human resources of Sri Lanka are complementary with the state of the art technology and capital available in Korea. This combination creates the perfect synergies for our two countries to further the potential for businesses. Korea’s economic miracle, so called ‘The Miracle on Han River’ is a story of overcoming many hardships by the Korean people that led to the national development from poverty to prosperity. I believe that Sri Lanka will also be developed to “the Miracle on Kelani River” in the near future. Korea is the very country that can help Sri Lanka achieve its goal. Our relations have widened on multiple spheres in which development cooperation is of utmost importance. Sri Lanka is one of Korea’s principle ODA cooperation partners. The Sri Lanka office of KOICA has continued to assist and fund commercial and infrastructure projects of Sri Lanka, thus augmenting the development of Sri Lanka. Korea has been promoting projects in the various fields such as education, transportation, water resources, sanitation and regional development in Sri Lanka. As a reliable friend, Korea is a trustworthy partner of Sri Lanka to meet the current needs of national development. With these as a momentum, the bilateral ties are expected to widen and deepen further in coming years.
The engagement in labour cooperation has also been commendable in recent years. 23,000 Sri Lankan employees are presently in Korea. Around 520 million US dollars were transmitted by them from Korea to Sri Lanka in 2019. They greatly contribute to the economic advancement of both countries. Since COVID-19, the process of departure to Korea for employment has been suspended. However, last September I invited the first batch of Sri Lankan migrant workers who were going to the Republic of Korea post COVID-19 to express my appreciation for their contribution to uplift the economies of both countries.
Furthermore the cultural ties between Korea and Sri Lanka have also deepened in the recent years. The Korea Week 2020 organized by the Embassy on virtual platforms provided various cultural events including a Korean language speech competition which was held in December last year, discussions on K-wave, a Taekwondo competition etc. Riding this momentum, the embassy has organized various cultural events in the recent past and I must say that we are truly gratified and heartened to witness the enthusiastic response of the Sri Lankans, especially the youth, to these events.
Now the world struggles to confront the challenges presented by COVID-19, and I would like to commend our continuing close collaboration to protect our people and defeat this pandemic together. Also we have strengthened the public health cooperation between our countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the “stay strong” campaign, on December 8, 2020, the government of the Republic of Korea donated COVID-19 diagnostic kits amounting to the sum of USD 300,000 to contain and control COVID-19. The Korean embassy donated re-usable fabric masks to Sri Lanka Army, Police who have dedicated themselves to protecting people in Sri Lanka including Korean residents amid, COVID-19. These re-usable masks were manufactured by a Sri Lankan social enterprise which empowers women. The Republic of Korea will stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka to successfully combat the battle against COVID-19.
Korea will continue to be with Sri Lanka as friend. While our level of cooperation today is unprecedented, there is always more progress to be made. As the ambassador of the Republic of Korea like the meaning of my Sri Lankan name “Santhush”, I would really like to carry happiness to Sri Lanka. I love Sri Lanka. I love Sri Lankan people. I will closely work with all of you to achieve our common goals. I wish all our Sri Lankan friends a very happy and memorable Independence Day.!
Let’s stay strong together!
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced an international call for proposals to develop two 50 MW wind farm facilities in Mullikulam on a Build, Own & Operate (BOO) basis. The initiative aims to bolster Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity, aligning with the government’s strategy to increase the share of clean energy in the national grid.
The bidding process, launched on behalf of the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, invites local and international project proponents to finance, design construct and maintain the wind farms under a 20-year agreement. The deadline for proposal submissions is June 12, 2025.
A senior electrical engineer at the CEB, speaking on the significance of the project, told The Island Financial Review: “This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving Sri Lanka’s renewable energy goals. Wind power is a key component of our strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance energy security.”
According to the CEB, interested parties can obtain the Request for Proposal (RFP) document by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 300,000 (or USD 1,035 for foreign applicants). The RFP provides comprehensive details on project requirements and evaluation criteria.
“Given the global shift towards clean energy, we expect strong interest from both local and international developers. This project not only supports our sustainability targets but also creates investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s energy sector, the engineer added.
The wind farm project is part of a broader initiative to achieve 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, a key target set by the Ministry of Energy. Experts believe that projects like these will play a vital role in stabilizing electricity supply and reducing carbon emissions.
by Ifham Nizam
LOLC once again emerges as the “People’s Financial Services Brand of the Year”, securing the prestigious title bestowed at the SLIM Kantar People’s Choice Awards 2025 for an unparalleled ninth consecutive year. This recognition, conferred through a comprehensive consumer research, reflects the brand’s firm connection with the Sri Lankan people and its consistent leadership in financial services.
Unlike many industry awards, the SLIM Kantar People’s Choice Awards is determined by independent consumer research conducted by Kantar, a global leader in brand insights. Instead of relying on a judging panel, this recognition is purely based on public perception, brand recall, and customer loyalty, making it one of the most authentic measures of a brand’s standing. Securing this title for ninth consecutive years highlights LOLC’s deep-rooted connection with its customers and its ability to evolve with their changing needs while maintaining a firm commitment to excellence.
Kapila Jayawardena-
Group Managing
Director/CEO of LOLC
Holdings PLC
LOLC’s continued success is driven by its assurance to financial empowerment, innovation, and inclusiveness. It has redefined accessibility to financial services by reaching underserved communities and pioneering digital transformation. Beyond its core financial solutions, LOLC is a brand that stands with the people, for the people, embodying resilience and hope through the years. In times of crisis, be it economic hardships or global disruptions, LOLC has remained a pillar of strength, stepping in when the nation needed it most. This deep-rooted connection with the people is what truly sets LOLC apart. The company has also been recognized for initiatives that create real social impact, such as the Divi Saviya Humanitarian Project, which uplifts vulnerable communities through sustainable support.
Orient Finance PLC has reported an outstanding financial performance for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2024, showcasing significant growth in key financial indicators compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
The Company recorded a remarkable 161% increase in profit after tax, reaching Rs. 254.6 million compared to Rs. 97.6 million in the same period of the previous year. Net interest income surged by 37%, amounting to Rs. 1.66 billion from Rs. 1.21 billion, demonstrating strong portfolio growth and enhanced operational efficiencies.
Total assets expanded by 28%, rising to Rs. 25.3 billion, while loans and receivables increased by 36% to Rs. 19.76 billion. The Company’s deposit base grew to Rs. 15.12 billion, marking a 19% increase, reflecting continued customer confidence. Meanwhile, total equity improved by 12%, standing at Rs. 3.86 billion.
Earnings per share (EPS) grew 163% to Rs. 1.21, up from Rs. 0.46, while net assets per share (NAPS) rose by 12% to Rs. 18.27.
For the month of December 2024, Orient Finance reported a Cost-to-Income Ratio of 68%, reflecting continued efforts towards cost management amidst challenging market conditions. The Gross Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Ratio stood at 9.62%, while the Provision Cover was maintained at a healthy 65.37%, demonstrating company’s prudent approach to credit risk management. As the quarter ended 31st December 2024, Orient Finance’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio stood at 13.14%, with the Total Capital Ratio recorded at 13.16%, both remaining comfortably above the minimum regulatory requirements.
Commenting on the results, Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of Orient Finance PLC, stated, “These exceptional results underscore our commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence. Our focus on innovation and customer-centric financial solutions has strengthened our position in the market. As we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to offering innovative financial products that meet the diverse needs of our customers while driving long-term shareholder value.”
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