Business
Singapore Airlines signs MOU with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) on 12 April 2022, reaffirming SIA’s commitment to Sri Lanka to support efforts to boost tourism in the country.
The MoU was signed between Ms. Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and David Lau, Regional Vice President West Asia & Africa, Singapore Airlines. Zachary Liew, General Manager Sri Lanka, Rajiv Varma, Regional Sales Planning Manager West Asia & Africa, . Vasantha Kudaliyanage, Managing Director, Aitken Spence Aviation, Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director PR and Ms. Ishani Gunawardane, Legal Officer of SLTPB were present at this occasion.
This MoU leverages SIA’s extensive route network, connecting customers from other countries to Sri Lanka. Under the agreement, SIA and SLTPB will conduct joint activities to boost the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. This includes media and agent familiarization tours initially targeting main source markets to Sri Lanka via SIA, such as Australia and Singapore. Other Far East markets will be added in future based on their reopening plans for tourism. Print, electronic and social media activities are also planned in the long run.
SIA began services to Colombo in 1970. The airline currently operates nine weekly flights between Colombo and Singapore, operated by the Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
As the world’s most awarded airline, SIA is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership and Network Connectivity. Customers travelling between Colombo and Singapore can get to enjoy access to SIA’s new digital content portal, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi, and wellness-related television and audio content via the KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system.
Sri Lanka Tourism continues to welcome travelers to the island, and is committed to ensuring that all tourism attractions, hotels and related services continue to operate.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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