Business

‘Puritas Sathdiyawara’ continues to empower its adopted villages

Published

5 years ago

2022/02/16

Cumulative Group contribution reaches Rs. 111Mn Improved the lives of over 43,808 people across 19 rural communities through sustainable projects Long-lasting impact through water purification, construction of fully-equipped libraries, digital classrooms and provision of essential school supplies

Iconic Sri Lankan multinational conglomerate, the Hayleys Group continued to provide vital support towards education at its adopted rural villages under the banner of its flagship social sustainability initiative, ‘Puritas Sathdiyawara Going Beyond’ for the seventh consecutive year.

The initiative was launched as ‘Puritas Sathdiyawara’ to supply clean drinking water to rural communities impacted by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), by establishing Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification plants. Today, this basic life-giving initiative has extended to far-reaching sustainable community development, through investments in education, livelihood development and the establishment of fully-equipped libraries, and internet access centers under the extension of ‘Puritas Sathdiyawara Going Beyond’.

Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage speaking at this occasion said, “Hayleys continues to lead in Sri Lankan Corporate sphere with a flag ship business model to live by example of sustainable business practices where the social and environmental stewardship runs in parallel to its record growth in economic performance. Corporate Social Responsibility is in our DNA.”

Puritas and Haycarb Managing Director, Rajitha Kariyawasan said, “Puritas Sathdiyawara was born from an understanding of the urgent need to provide quality drinking water for communities affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The initiative was then extended to community outreach to reduce poverty, provide opportunities for quality education and work towards reducing inequalities. In that time, we are privileged to see an increase in the overall attendance, and an increased number of students being able to sit for national examinations.”

Speaking at this occasion Head of Puritas, Sharmila Ragunathan, who has sphere headed and coordinated this project with her dedicated team for all business sectors of Hayleys Group stated, “We believe that simple measures such as removing the burden of school expenses from these families are the need of the hour, and contribute towards reducing dropouts. We are fully committed to continuing this vital work to strengthen these communities, and supporting them to overcome the severe economic hardships resulting from the pandemic.

The distribution of the school essentials, launched in 2014, has today expanded to include sponsorship and collaboration from Haycarb PLC, Hayleys Advantis Limited, Hayleys PLC, Hayleys Fabric PLC, Dipped Products PLC, Hayleys Aventura, Hayleys Agriculture Holdings, Alumex PLC, Mabroc Teas and Hayleys Fibre PLC.

This year, the campaign provides essentials to over 3,500 students across 14 schools linked to Sathdiyawara communities in North Central, North and Uva provinces.2

In 2020, the ‘Puritas Sathdiyawara Going Beyond’ initiative facilitated online education for over 12 schools in partnership with DP Education, the free digital education platform dedicated to transforming teaching and learning excellence. These efforts ensured education continued uninterrupted during the lockdown period.

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Business

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

Published

20 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

21 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

21 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.