Business
“People, Planet, Paradise” powered by Nations Trust Bank, ‘a success’
COYLE in collaboration with Nations Trust Bank PLC, marked a significant milestone on the 20th of November 2023 with the successful conclusion of its Leadership Forum themed, “People, Planet, Paradise”. The event, hosted at Taj Samudra, aimed to inspire and empower the thriving young professionals of Sri Lanka to embrace entrepreneurship by recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s economic revitalization.
A key theme that emerged from the wisdom, knowledge and experience shared by the distinguished panel of speakers was that entrepreneurship is not a solitary journey but a collaborative endeavour that requires a likeminded support system, which one must learn to cultivate along the journey.
The forum was addressed by COLYE member panellists covering key sectors including the Leisure, Healthcare, and Waste Management, while the global finance climate was discussed by the keynote speaker Deepak Bagla – CEO Invest India who provided young professionals gathered with invaluable insights into the world of macro-economic current affairs. The distinguished lineup of speakers from COYLE included; Chamara Abeyratna, founder and visionary behind 98 Acres Resort & Spa; Raveen Wickramasinghe, CEO of Ruhunu Hospital Pvt Ltd, a prominent figure in healthcare and luxury medical tourism; and Chinthaka Abeysekara, founder of Encare Clinical waste management.
During his keynote address, Deepak Bagla delivered a compelling presentation underscoring the crucial importance of partnerships and relationships in business. He said, “Corporate is always a landscape; it cannot be a portrait. You need people, friends, and family to grow.” Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s historical significance, he affirmed the Island’s enduring global standing.
Optimistic about the future, Bagla highlighted that the country is at an inflexion point, ready for take-off, and drew parallels with India’s remarkable economic growth. With India’s GDP surpassing the $4 trillion mark, he envisions a collaborative and prosperous future. This optimistic vision aligns with the positive trajectory of India’s economy, set to cross $4 trillion by 2024-25. Deepak’s insights resonated with the audience, highlighting the transformative power of collaboration and shared prosperity.
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
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