Business

OSC’s first-ever Media Open Day sets a new standard – opening its doors, hearts, and soul to the media

Published

1 year ago

2025/06/6

In a bold departure from tradition, The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) hosted its inaugural Media Open Day, opening its doors to leading journalists and media professionals for an immersive, firsthand experience of life on campus. The event, held on the school’s lush Geoffrey Bawa-designed eco-premises, showcased the vibrant heart of OSC; its inclusive ethos, world-class curriculum, and deeply rooted values through an all-encompassing student-led campus tour.

The morning began with a student-led campus tour, providing guests with a genuine glimpse into OSC’s unique learning environment. From state-of-the-art science labs to creative makerspaces and collaborative learning zones, the tour revealed how OSC merges academic excellence with real-world relevance. Media attendees were invited to witness something that was not a curated performance, but the authentic rhythm of a school day – where compassion, courage, and curiosity are cultivated in every learner.

This was followed by a screening of the OSC Milestones video, a tribute to the school’s legacy and evolution of over six decades. A compelling presentation on the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum further unpacked OSC’s educational philosophy, spotlighting its emphasis on holistic experiential education; inquiry-driven learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship.

A lively Q&A session brought together a distinguished panel of six key educators – Head of School Dr. Michelle Kleiss, Principal Jason Gandbois, Primary Assistant Principal and PYP Coordinator Ms. Samantha Wood, mathematics educator Nimal de Silva, Assistant Secondary Principal and MYP Coordinator Jake Eagle, and Lower Primary Learning Leader Ms. Prashani Gamage. The panel responded to insightful questions from the press, offering clarity on OSC’s approach to student wellbeing, inclusion, curriculum delivery, and leadership development.

The event wrapped up with refreshments and informal networking, giving media and press representatives a chance to engage directly with the OSC panel and leadership team in a warm and welcoming environment. The goal of the day was clear: to let the stories speak for themselves through the unique lens of student voices, educator perspectives, and campus energy – without fanfare or orchestration.

What sets OSC apart is not just its dual international accreditation (CIS and MSA), its 100% IB Diploma pass rate, or the fact that it’s Sri Lanka’s only school to receive both the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award and the MSA Programme of Distinction in Sustainability. It is also the only IB World School globally to win both Gold and Silver at the International ARC Awards in New York, affirming its reputation for excellence in global reporting and transparency.

With students from over 40 nationalities and faculty drawn from 16 countries, OSC is more than an international school, it’s a global village connected in spirit and values, with a Sri Lankan soul. And with the success of its first Media Open Day, it has boldly redefined how schools tell their story through a shared experience grounded in transparency, human connection, and the courage to be seen as it truly is – with unity in diversity.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.