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SL being promoted as wedding destination venue among US and Canadian citizens

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Keith Bates

Plans in place to hold Hippie Festival next year in Arugam Bay

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

US- based and Sri Lankan owned AJ Events & Productions and Ceylon Creative Studios have taken the initiative to promote Sri Lanka as a wedding destination venue for US and Canadian citizens, which would bring a considerable amount of foreign reserves into the country, their Founding Director, Global Operations Keith Bates said.

“Sri Lanka is an ideal summer wedding destination for Americans and Canadians, especially for Sri Lankan expatriates in the USA and Canada. Above US $ 100,000 could be earned from a wedding, which is a three- night pack that includes airfare, accommodation, reception and other related matters. So far we have received several inquiries, including some from US citizens, Bates told The Island Financial Review.

Bates added: “We will be launching our US office for that purpose in New York and we are already being supported by Sri Lanka Tourism and other related entities.

“We are moving to a new stage of promoting Sri Lanka as a Destination Wedding Venue for USA and Canada. Ceylon Creative Studios’ wedding brand is growing in New York, Los Angeles, the Mid-West and Canada. We are also experienced in Destination Wedding video productions.

“Our team comprises Oshi Perera – Director Admin & Finance / Business Partner AJ Events & Productions, Reshan Hangiligedara – Founder / Cinematographer / Photographer / Retouch-Artist Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA, Eshani Santiago – Makeup Artist / Operations & Creative Producer Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA and Georgio Malouf – Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA.

“Apart from that, for the first time in South Asia, a Hippie Festival will be organized in Arugam Bay next year and such an event would generate a huge amount of foreign reserves for the country.

“The Hippie concept is increasing in popularity throughout the world and per year more than 1000 Hippies visit Sri Lanka. These Hippies also bring considerable sums of foreign currency into Sri Lanka and for this event we are expecting more than 3000 Hippies, including their spouses.

“This event would attract the European region as well and we are preparing to add value and more glamour to this event by arranging to provide maximum enjoyment for our guests.

“At present we are in the process of collecting data on the number of rooms available and other requirements and the government, especially Sri Lanka Tourism, is also assisting us.

“Ceylon Creative Studios is a premium creative production studio headquartered in the USA, that specializes in crafting cinematic visuals that tell captivating stories.

“The company’s expertise lies in our adaptability and our pursuit of quality, using cutting-edge technology, like Synthasia and Chat GPT, for brainstorming, scripting, and ideation.

“At Ceylon Creative Studios, we pride ourselves on our strong team leadership and quality control measures. Ensuring every project meets our exacting standards, we provide rich, immersive experiences that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression.”



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Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

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Dr Jeewantha receiving the award

Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.

His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.

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IIHS Foundation in Biological Studies offers fast-track route to global health careers

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The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.

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Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

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Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.

Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.

Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.

In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.

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