Business
NSB records again its dominance in raising funds in the debt capital market
National Savings Bank (NSB), the premier most savings bank in the country furthering its dominance, successfully issued yet another debt capital bond to raise Rs.5 Bn.
This time it was a perpetual capital bond issued to augment the additional Tier 1 capital base of the Bank. It carried the customary features required for a bond of this nature; unlisted, unsecured, rated, subordinated and perpetual in maturity. Further, in compliance with Basel III requirements carried non-viability write down features as approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
This is the first time in the history of a savings bank, that a hybrid debt instrument of this nature and in this magnitude was issued, in the Sri Lankan capital market. In compliance with the statutory requirements of the Bank, the bond was not listed and was confined to qualified investors. The Bank is at the liberty of exercising a call option at its will only after the expiry of a minimum period of 5 years.
The successful closure of the issue, despite not having a specific date of maturity for the investment is a testament to the confidence, the investors have placed with the Bank.
The investors had an option of opting to earn an interest income at a fixed rate or a floating rate which was priced at very attractive terms for this type of a hybrid instrument. The main objective of the issue was to strengthen the additional Tier 1 capital base of the Bank.
NSB carries the highest credit rating, a bank can have in the country. This issue is just an extension of a series of issues made in the past, namely the largest international sovereign bond issue of USD One Billion, unlisted debenture issue of Rs.20 Bn. and further issuance of Rs.6 Bn. from 2013 – 2019. All these issues were structured and managed by the Corporate Finance Division of the Bank.
NSB being a pioneer financier of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure projects, would utilize the proceeds of the issue to fund long term funding requirement of the economy as well as to address the needs of the retail borrowers. The Bank’s customer base consists of retail customers of all strata, premier corporates and government entities. The Bank’s portfolio of lending also includes overseas ventures. The Bank humbly takes pride of being a partner of the major development projects in the country.
NSB will be celebrating its 50 years of presence in the banking fraternity of the country in a few months’ time with a mark of unparalleled track record of being a driving force in the country’s economic development and improving the living standards of the Sri Lankan people.
NSB with this solid history is poised to further its horizons in the coming years.–NSB
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.”
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.”
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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