Business

SLID webinar on New SEC Act

Published

5 years ago

2021/12/16

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) in partnership with the Asian Pathfinder Legal Consultancy & Drafting Services held a public webinar on Directors’ Rights, Duties & Liabilities under the New SEC Act recently. The purpose of the session was to educate company directors on the relevant provisions of the Act and bring them up to date on the significant implications arising from it with regard to their role and responsibilities.

The two expert panelists, Dr. D. C. Jayasuriya P.C. and former Director General and Chairman of the SEC and Malik Cader, Attorney at Law and former Director General of the SEC in conversation with Faizal Salieh, Chairman of The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors provided several insights on the new Act and on how directors, auditors and company secretaries can adapt themselves to the new and tough regulatory regime.

Dr. Jayasuriya at the outset said that the new Act was comprehensive and has around 189 sections compared with the previous Act which had 40. While the objectives of the two look very much similar it is noteworthy that there are two significant changes in the new Act, one of which is that it highlights the efficient and transparent securities markets and the second being the protection of foreign investors. Stating that there were 4 approaches to the regulation of securities markets around the world such as merit, disclosure, and self-regulation, the new Act falls into an overkill situation with very strict regulation and penalties.

He also stated that it is very difficult to find any provision relating to the duties of the Directors under the Act and added that in comparison with the previous legislation, the new legislation has a broad regulatory reach and covers many products and market players. The new Act also goes beyond an individual director particularly in the context where a determination has to be made as to whether a person is acting in concert with regards to a takeover or merger situation. Dr Jayasuriya outlined 25 Do’s and Don’t’s for directors so that they will not be caught up under the Act.

Malik Cader stated that there is a perception among directors that the Act was “a draconian piece of legislation”, particularly in the context of the penalties that could be imposed. He highlighted the key areas of concern arising from the new Act and said that directors of listed companies have to take serious note of some of its provisions and described them as a paradigm shift from what it used to be. He mentioned specific areas such as good corporate governance practices including Fit & Proper criteria, duties of the auditor, issuance of securities, civil and criminal powers, and provisions relating to implementation.

Quoting that ‘no amount of rules and regulations will make a crooked man straight’, he stated that the fit & proper criteria included in the new Act was very commendable and that it is an effort to move toward a better governance structure for the capital markets. He further emphasized that some of the provisions that relate to enhancing corporate governance is in the appointment of a director, CEO or CRO (Chief Regulatory Officer) of a market institution where one must obtain prior approval from the SEC notwithstanding the provisions of the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.

Moderator Faizal Salieh observed that the SEC is of the view that the new Act will enhance investor confidence in our capital markets by strengthening its hands and teeth in dealing with market manipulators and offenders on a wider canvass. He added that Sri Lanka is in a global setting where market manipulations and offences are beginning to see pronounced levels of increase; that Sri Lanka has had its share of market manipulations and therefore appropriate regulatory intervention was necessary to build trust and credibility in the capital market. He said that companies should consider aligning their internal policies to the SEC Act provisions on insider trading and handling of “inside” information, such as professional secrecy policies; codes of conduct; access to information policies, etc.

The discussion noted that given the globalization of capital markets, sharing of information among regulators is crucially important. Sec 171 (2) provides for this. Education of investors and market participants on ethical behavior standards; increasing the level of expertise of prosecutors and judges in dealing with capital market crimes and strict disclosure requirements that limit the scope of inside information and the time for keeping such information unpublished would help limit the potential for insider dealing.

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.