The Joint Chambers of Commerce urged the Government of Sri Lanka to engage in meaningful consultation with all recognized industry chambers before making decisions that directly impact trade, exports, and the wider economy. The call comes in response to renewed lobbying efforts by certain shipping agents and intermediaries seeking to reintroduce anti-competitive terminal handling charges (THC) through misleading claims to policymakers.

Calls were made to reinstate THC, citing alleged adverse impacts on the Port of Colombo. However, the Joint Chambers strongly reject this assertion, clarifying that there is no legal or operational void to “reinstate.” Port terminal handling charges are already paid by shipping lines under existing market contracts, and any further charges imposed on exporters or importers would constitute a reversion to pre-2014 cartel-like practices that hurt competitiveness and transparency.

Sean Van Dort, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council, condemned the move, stating:

“This is yet another attempt by powerful intermediaries in the shipping and logistics sector to reintroduce anti-competitive fees through the backdoor. Exporters and importers already pay all-inclusive freight based on market terms. There is no free service being provided. What we are seeing is a push to extract surcharges from non-contracting parties, which is against global trade norms and local regulation.”

He added that since the 2014 regulation, introduced with support from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and based on INCOTERMS best practices, the Port of Colombo has seen volume growth and an increase in licensed agents—contrary to claims that the regulations have harmed the sector.

Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), also expressed concern:

“The apparel industry cannot afford renewed cost pressures or uncertainty due to policy shifts driven by narrow interests. Sri Lanka’s export sector is already under strain, and the Government must ensure that any regulatory changes are made with full industry consultation. Fragmented lobbying only undermines our national competitiveness.”

The Joint Chambers warned that unbundling freight charges to reintroduce THC would raise costs for manufacturers, disrupt supply chains, and ultimately burden consumers through hidden costs. They reiterated that Sri Lanka’s competitiveness hinges on transparent and predictable trade policy.

The Chambers further cautioned that such attempts, often timed around transitions in political leadership or changes in ministerial portfolios, aim to exploit gaps in regulatory oversight. They urged the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, and the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, to act with integrity and consult all stakeholders—not just intermediaries with vested interests.

As the country focuses on rebuilding exports and attracting investment, the Joint Chambers reaffirm their commitment to protecting the interests of Sri Lankan businesses, exporters, and consumers alike, and called on the Government to uphold regulatory clarity and market fairness.

LOLC Life Assurance, a fully owned subsidiary of LOLC Holdings, has entered into a strategic partnership with the State Mortgage and Investment Bank (SMIB), one of the longest standing banks in Sri Lanka, to offer life endowment insurance solutions through its bancassurance channel.

With ownership of the most extensive bancassurance channel in Sri Lanka’s insurance industry, LOLC Life Assurance aims to provide SMIB customers across Colombo and its suburbs with innovative life endowment insurance solutions that seamlessly integrate with comprehensive protection, ensuring that SMIB customers have seamless access to high-quality life insurance solutions.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in the presence of senior leadership teams from both organizations, marking a significant milestone in the development of LOLC Life Assurance’s Bancassurance channel. This collaboration aligns with LOLC Life Assurance’s commitment to providing tailored life assurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of SMIB’s customers.

Sharing his views on this landmark partnership, Jayantha Kalinga, COO of LOLC Life Assurance, stated, “This partnership with SMIB signifies our ongoing commitment to expanding accessibility to comprehensive life insurance solutions through strategic banking collaborations. We are excited to work closely with SMIB to offer tailored protection plans that enrich the lives of their customers with security and financial peace of mind.”

Thushara Asuramanna, CEO/General Manager of SMIB, also shared his thoughts, saying, “At SMIB, our goal is to enhance the value we provide to our customers through integrated financial solutions. Partnering with LOLC Life Assurance enables us to expand our offerings and provide customers with convenient access to trusted life insurance solutions that ensure their long-term financial security.”

Through this collaboration, both institutions aim to make a lasting positive impact on their customers’ financial well-being and life protection. By offering reliable, accessible, and trusted life insurance protection, we are committed to meeting the evolving needs of SMIB’s customers in today’s dynamic financial landscape, reinforcing our shared vision for a secure and prosperous future.

Setting a new benchmark for English language education in Sri Lanka, SLIIT’s Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, has launched a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Studies degree programme.

This comprehensive four-year programme offers students unparalleled opportunities to master linguistic and communicative skills while accessing guaranteed career pathways in high-demand sectors. Unlike traditional English programmes, SLIIT’s degree uniquely combines theoretical excellence with practical industry applications, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. The programme’s distinctive tri-fold approach consisting of Language, Literature, and Communication, incorporated with 120 UGC-approved credits, positions students ahead of competitors in today’s challenging employment market. The programme’s key differentiators include an industry-integrated curriculum that connects academic learning with practical experience along with a research component as well. Students benefit from technology-enhanced learning environments that incorporate cutting-edge media technology integration, developing essential 21st-century communication skills.

The course also provides a captivating journey through diverse literary genres, periods, movements, and communities, featuring British, American, Commonwealth, European, and Sri Lankan contributions. From medieval classics to postmodern innovations, students develop a refined literary perspective. Additionally, the degree maintains a strong professional skills focus through specialized training in journalism, digital media, corporate communication, and strategic marketing, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for diverse career opportunities in the modern communications environment. Programme highlights include an in-depth exploration of English grammar, academic writing, historical development, and diverse linguistic theories such as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and discourse stylistics. Students acquire expertise in the use of media technology in language communication.