Business
Poultry sector counters witness speculative trading

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The stock market witnessed a steep decline at the beginning of trading yesterday but during the latter part of the day it recovered, market analysts said. During the early part of the session heavy selling pressure was noted in banking sector counters but poultry sector counters ran the show due to speculative trading, analysts added.
Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All- Share Price Index went down by 68.3 points and S and P SL20 declined by 27.9 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in JKH, which crossed 545,000 shares to the tune of Rs 100.1 million and its shares traded at Rs 184.50, DFCC 300,000 shares crossed for Rs 26.7 million; its shares traded at Rs 89 and HNB 150,000 shares crossed for Rs 26.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 175.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Grain Elevators Rs 220 million (1.33 million shares traded), JKH Rs 209 million (1.14 million shares traded), Capital Alliance Rs 145 million (1.17 million shares traded), Hayleys Rs 90.3 million (1 million shares traded), HNB Rs 81 million (464,500 shares traded), Three Acre Farms Rs 65 million (285,000 shares traded) and First Capital Rs 62.4 million (1.2 million shares traded). During the day 52.9 million share volumes changed hands in 18672 transactions.
The rupee traded at Rs 323.75/324.25 to the US dollar, after closing on the previous day at Rs 323.85/324.15 to the US dollar, dealers said.
A bond maturing on 15.05.2026 was quoted down at 14.00/05 percent after closing at 14.50/15.05 percent on Thursday. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted down at 14.15/35 percent after closing at 14.20/75 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 was quoted up at 14.00/05 percent after closing at 13.70/14.20 percent.
Business
Sri Lanka’s EWIS makes history: First homegrown laptops shipped to Zimbabwe

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.”
Business
IIHS partners with University of Surrey to transform healthcare education

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.”
Business
Dialog Television and Emerging Media Introduce one-stop advertising solution

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.”
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