Business
Nawaloka Hospitals launches SL’s first ‘drive-thru channeling lab’

Committing towards enhancing patient safety and comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nawaloka Hospitals, recently launched the country’s very first, state-of-the-art ‘drive-thru express lab’ in Colombo and Negombo. The latest addition to Nawaloka’s well-regarded chain of medical Laboratories, the express lab is fully-geared to ensure safety, security, accuracy and convenience in all its transactions. This first-of-its-kind laboratory was declared open by Nawaloka Hospitals PLC Chairman, Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa and Deputy Chairman Harshith Dharmadasa.
Apart from convenient, in-vehicle PCR tests, the Nawaloka Drive-thru Lab facilitates a broad spectrum of blood and urine investigations, enabling patients to dispatch the necessary testing samples in a record time of six minutes right from the safety and comfort of their vehicle. The reports of these investigations can be emailed to them, viewed on the NawalokaCare mobile app or collected from the drive-thru counter when they are ready. Patients are also able to get CT and MRI reports, make channeling appointments with the experienced team of over 600 consultants at Nawaloka Hospitals, and secure appointments for ultra-sound scans.
Available at both Nawaloka Hospitals Colombo and Negombo, patients just have to drive to the collection point and drop off their testing samples or make appointments with the help of trained medical staff in secure gear. By remaining in their own vehicles throughout, patients minimize contact with other people, reducing the risk of infection for everyone – patients, medical professionals, and the general public. Additionally, Nawaloka Hospitals has set up a network of PCR collection centers at Gamapaha Nawaloka Medicare, Kandy Suwasevana hospital and Nawaloka Lab Galle. The hospital also currently harbours plans to set up two new PCR collection centers in Ratnapura and Kurunegala.
“With the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Sri Lanka, safety has become a paramount concern of daily life. It has also increased the country’s need for immediate, accurate and convenient diagnostic solutions. Launching this new drive through, express lab for the first time in Sri Lanka, has allowed us to better serve the urgent needs of all our patients who have placed their invaluable trust in our services, in a more efficient manner that guarantees the safety of all stakeholders. While earlier it generally took patients over 30 minutes to sort out their requirements, we are happy to state that the express lab has been able to cut this time down to just six minutes” opined Nawaloka Hospitals Deputy Chairman Harshith Dharmadasa.
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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