Business
New Seafarer Welfare Centre launched in Colombo to support maritime workforce
A new welfare centre named “The Palace,” established by the International Transport Employees’ Federation (ITF) in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s National Union of Seafarers (NUSS), was recently inaugurated in Colombo. The facility aims to address the physical, mental, and legal needs of seafarers, with a focus on both local and international maritime workers transiting through Colombo’s port and airport.
NUSS President Boa Athu stated that the centre anticipates serving 800–1,000 seafarers in its first year, with plans to expand services as demand grows. While priority access is given to NUSS members and ITF-affiliated seafarers, the facility will also welcome foreign crew. Athu emphasized that non-members are encouraged to join NUSS for full benefits, calling it a “win-win” for affordability and accessibility.
The centre is funded entirely by NUSS and the ITF Seafarers Trust, with no direct government or private-sector partnerships. Athu expressed confidence in long-term sustainability, citing plans to enhance service quality and membership growth as key strategies to navigate economic challenges.
“The Palace” will provide family-friendly accommodations, mental health workshops, a gym, recreational spaces, and medical services. A dedicated ITF inspectorate, led by veteran official Ranjan Perera, will handle crisis support such as abandonment cases, wage theft recovery, and emergency repatriation. Perera’s team has already repatriated a seriously injured seafarer and reclaimed over $3 million in stolen wages.
Colombo was selected due to its status as a major transit hub for seafarers in South Asia. While the centre addresses gaps in regional welfare infrastructure, Athu revealed plans to launch similar facilities outside Colombo in the future.
English will serve as the primary language, though staff training and peer support among seafarers aim to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. The centre also offers a mental health hotline (1331) and a mobile app, which will be upgraded to integrate “The Palace’s” services.
Key performance indicators include annual occupancy rates, the number of members served, and reductions in issues like abandonment. ITF and NUSS will jointly monitor outcomes to ensure effectiveness.
The centre pledges support for seafarers caught in conflicts or disasters, such as those navigating the Red Sea crisis. “Our doors will always be open in emergencies,” Athu affirmed.
The initiative aligns with ITF and NUSS goals to elevate seafarer welfare standards globally and support Sri Lanka’s ambition to add 50,000 new seafarers to its workforce. “We’re all singing from the same songbook,” said Athu, calling the project a “challenging but exciting” step forward for the industry.
The launch underscores Colombo’s growing role in maritime welfare, combining local expertise with international partnerships to safeguard seafarers in an increasingly complex global trade landscape.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
In a landmark move towards digital transformation within Sri Lanka’s legal system, the Supreme Court officially launched online payment acceptance via GovPay, at a ceremony held on 15th May 2025 at the Supreme Court Complex in Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12, under the patronage of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC.
This digital initiative enables both legal professionals and general public to make real-time, secure online payments via any GovPay-enabled internet banking, mobile banking platforms and FinTech applications for a wide range of services offered by the Supreme Court including Brief Fees, Certified Copying Fees, Commercial High Court Appeal Filing Fees, Compensation, Cost, Enrollment Fees (Attorney-at-Law), Good Standing Certificate Fees, New Plaint Filing Fees, and Online Payments for Affidavits.
At the initial phase GovPay payments to Supreme Court has been enabled via several online banking platforms and FinTech apps including BOC Smart Pay Mobile App, Peoples Pay Mobile App, NSB Online Banking, Pan Asia Online Banking, Sampath Vishwa Online Banking, HNB PayFast, Seylan Bank Online Banking, DFCC Online Banking, NationsDirect Online Banking / NationsDirect Mobile App, ComBank Digital Online Banking and ComBank Digital Mobile App, NDB Neos Online Banking, Helakuru Mobile App, iPay Mobile App, FriMi Mobile App, Genie Mobile App. The integration with GovPay ensures secure, seamless, and transparent transactions, accessible from anywhere anytime, bringing a new level of convenience and efficiency to the legal community and the general public using courts. Moreover, the entire GovPay digital process, including the receipt which generated via the system are legally valid under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006 (as amended).
Speaking at the launch, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando PC emphasized the significance of this initiative in modernizing the judicial system, stating that “This marks an important milestone in our journey towards a more accessible and technology-enabled judiciary. By embracing digital platforms such as GovPay, we are not only improving efficiency and transparency, but also enhancing public trust and ease of access to all stakeholders of the judicial system” , the Chief Justice stated.
Integration with GovPay aims to reduce the reliance on physical cash transactions, long queues, and administrative difficulties that have historically burdened court users as well as legal professionals. It also aligns with the national agenda of leveraging digital infrastructure to improve public service delivery.
The Supreme Court’s adoption of technology-based payments is expected to serve as a model for similar implementations across other courts of law throughout Sri Lanka. Several high-ranking legal professionals, officials from LankaPay, ICTA and representatives of the legal and banking sectors were present to witness this historic occasion.
This transformation is the result of collaboration between the Supreme Court Registrar, the Registry Staff, the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Digital Economy and key financial and technological institutions committed to enhancing digital inclusion within public institutions with the support of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
As the legal landscape evolves, digital platforms, such as GovPay, will play a critical role in ensuring the justice system remains adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready. The Supreme Court’s forward-thinking initiative is expected to pave the way for comprehensive judicial digitalization nationwide.
Fortude has announced a strategic partnership with Ettos, a leading supply chain traceability platform aimed at enabling fashion businesses to maintain more transparent processes and allowing customers to understand how their products are made. This collaboration will integrate traceability, compliance, and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) into a unified solution, helping fashion brands streamline their supply chains and enhance transparency.
Ettos’ platform simplifies the tracking of raw materials and the verification of sustainability claims. It offers a B2B web platform for managing traceability and compliance, along with a B2C web app that delivers DPPs to consumers via QR codes. Through this partnership, Fortude and Ettos will jointly expand their capabilities in the fashion sector, supporting clients from raw material sourcing to final product delivery.
Adriana Batty, Co-founder of Ettos, said, “We are happy to partner with Fortude, whose expertise in digital solutions and deep roots in the fashion industry align with our vision of creating a transparent global supply chain. Together, we will empower brands and consumers with verifiable sustainability insights.”
With over a decade of experience delivering digital solutions to global fashion brands, Fortude shares Ettos’ commitment to transforming supply chain transparency. Daniel Rodrigo, Senior Vice President Global Technical Consulting at Fortude added, “Our partnership with Ettos reinforces our mission to provide digital solutions that matter. For over a decade, we have been an Infor partner, delivering ERP solutions to numerous global fashion brands. As we broaden our vision to drive digital transformation, this partnership is a significant step toward driving meaningful change for fashion brands seeking enhanced transparency and compliance.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward in meeting the fashion industry’s growing demand for sustainability and transparency. Fortude and Ettos are dedicated to helping brands navigate complex supply chains with confidence, fostering a more sustainable future for fashion.
Turyaa Chennai, a premier five-star deluxe classified hotel under the Aitken Spence Hotels portfolio, celebrates a decade of redefining hospitality in one of South India’s most dynamic urban corridors.
Conceived by the visionary entrepreneur and Late Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, Deshamanya D.H.S. Jayawardena, Turyaa Chennai was built on the belief that Aitken Spence warmth and world-class hospitality could find a meaningful home in India. Ten years on, his legacy continues—alive in every guest experience, every team member’s dedication, and every milestone the hotel celebrates.
Since its opening in 2015, Turyaa Chennai has become a trusted name in Chennai—offering warm service and contemporary comfort. Strategically located along Chennai’s IT expressway, the hotel has grown into a hospitality landmark for business travellers, international travellers, and local tastemakers. Its vibrant dining concepts, spacious rooms and suites, rooftop leisure areas, and exceptional service standards have made it a preferred address in the city.
To mark its 10th anniversary on 15th of May 2025, Turyaa Chennai is hosting a month-long series of celebrations in honour of its legacy and the people who helped shape it. These include religious blessings, a celebratory dinner for loyal guests and partners, an awards ceremony for team members, and culinary showcases that nod to the hotel’s South Indian and Sri Lankan heritage.
Turyaa Chennai (Aitken Spence Hotels) donates wheelchairs to Tamil Nadu Railways in collaboration with Geo India Foundation.
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