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Occidental Paradise Dambulla and Sri Lanka Cricket team up for a winning initiative

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The Sri Lanka Cricket Team Members with Occidental Paradise Dambulla Officials

Secluded amidst the wild jungles of historical Dambulla and in close proximity to a UNESCO Heritage site, Occidental Paradise Dambulla is a call to a luxurious adventure with nature and a journey into Sri Lanka’s ancient past. In keeping with the Hotel’s commitment to its surrounding environment and preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage, Occidental Paradise recently partnered with members of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team to carry out a Shramadana campaign. Hotel staff and key national players such as pacer Binura Fernando, leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and all-rounders Lahiru Madushanka and Janith Liyanage set aside their busy schedules to lend a helping hand in the clearing and preservation of the path leading to the nearby Kalu Pokuna or Kaludiya Pokuna, a historical site that houses the ruins of an ancient monastery.

Shramadana which translates to ‘Gift of Labor,’ was indeed a shared effort by all to clear the route to the water pool and famous ruins by making it more accessible to anyone who wishes to visit. From clearing the overgrowth of shrubbery and debris to an extensive fumigation process, each individual worked diligently and as a team to ensure the campaign was an overall success.

Located on the slopes of the Eravalagala hills, which is a mile and a half to the southeast of Kumbukkandanwala in Dambulla, the complex consists of well-planned buildings positioned around the pond. Its design and architecture is a testament to the advanced hydraulic civilization of the time with artificial moats running through certain buildings, making it a unique site for preservation. As Kalu Pokuna is located in close proximity to Occidental Paradise and serves as a point of interest for hotel visitors, it was the quintessential choice for the initiative.

Commenting on the collaboration, Group General Manager of Browns Hotels & Resorts, Eksath Wijeratne said, “The environmental campaign is one of the many initiatives that has been implemented by Browns Hotels & Resorts. Humanitarian efforts to help local citizens during the economic downturn, sponsoring of preschools, beach clean-ups and working in partnership with community centers, are some of the activities that were carried out in order to give back to the community and the environment.”

LOLC Group’s investments in the leisure sector are clustered under Browns Investments, which maintains controlling interest in a number of properties in iconic locations locally and overseas. The portfolio currently consists of Avani Bentota Resort, Club Hotel Dolphin, Dickwella Resort & Spa, Hotel Sigiriya, The Calm Resort & Spa, Occidental Paradise Dambulla,

The Eden Beruwala, 05 boutique properties under Reveal and Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort. A further 2 projects; including a 5-star resort in Beruwala and Port City Mega Leisure development comprising of a 5-star city hotel are scheduled to be unveiled in the near future. Additionally, there is a series of offshore investments with Raddison Blue Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa in Mauritius and 5 upcoming developments in the Maldives with Nasandhura Palace Hotel & Apartment Complex, Hulhumale Resort, Browns Raa Resort, Bodufhinalu (Browns Ari Resort) and Bodhufaru Beach Resort.



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Business, economic heavyweights converge in Colombo

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Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.

Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.

Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.

The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.

The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.

Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.

For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.

The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.

Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.

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Commercial Bank launches ‘Prestige’ banking for HNW clients

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Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of Commercial Bank flanked by Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO and Hasrath Munasinghe, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at the launch of Commercial Bank Prestige Banking

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.

The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.

The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.

Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.

Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.

The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.

The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.

Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.

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Ceylinco Life rewards 80 sales achievers with overseas tours

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Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.

The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.

The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.

The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.

The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.

The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.

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