Business
Spa Ceylon in forefront of helping to manage Human-Elephant Conflict
Sri Lanka’s elephants are among its most powerful symbols of heritage and natural wealth. They are also one of the island’s most valuable economic assets, contributing directly and indirectly to tourism and rural livelihoods. Yet, the escalating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) continues to extract a devastating toll on both people and elephants, underlining the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
In a bid to draw fresh attention to this issue, Spa Ceylon, together with its conservation arm Ceylon Elephant Co. and in collaboration with the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS), launched the Majestic Ceylon Elephant Photography Competition and Exhibition. The four-day event, which commenced on September 8 and runs until September 11 at Havelock City Mall, highlights both the beauty of the island’s elephants and the reality of their survival amid conflict.
At the inauguration, Spa Ceylon Co-Founder and Group Director, Shalin Balasuriya, positioned the initiative as a deeper commitment to conservation beyond traditional corporate social responsibility.
He added: “At Spa Ceylon, we believe conservation is not the responsibility of a few, but a shared duty of all. We are deeply committed to the conservation of the Ceylon Elephant, while raising awareness on the human-elephant conflict and finding ways to move forward with initiatives that bring communities together.”
Balasuriya noted that Spa Ceylon’s conservation initiatives stem from its long association with art, culture and sustainability. “This exhibition is another way we want the country to understand the influence and progress of our conservation work. It reflects our role as not just a business, but as a partner in driving long-term social and environmental change, he added.
Jehan CanagaRetna, Past President of WNPS and chair of its Elephant Coexistence Subcommittee, stressed the dual reality of elephants as both an economic powerhouse and a source of conflict.
He added: “More than 700 people have lost their lives to HEC in the past 20 years. At the same time, elephants contribute enormously to our tourism industry, with their value in the national tourism value chain exceeding Rs. 20 million. This dual reality must be recognised—elephants are an irreplaceable part of our biodiversity and economy, but the cost of conflict is devastating, he stressed.
Despite this, HEC remains poorly addressed at the policy level. CanagaRetna reminded the audience that Sri Lanka has had a National Action Plan on HEC for nearly two decades, presented to successive governments but never fully adopted. “There is no single solution—it requires a top-down policy commitment from government, combined with grassroots community engagement, he said.
He also stressed that protecting elephants cannot be separated from protecting the rural farming communities who bear the brunt of HEC.
“The way forward is to ensure that communities gain something positive from coexisting with elephants, CanagaRetna explained. “If farmers see benefits—whether through improved livelihoods, scholarships for children of HEC victims, or tourism-linked initiatives—they are more likely to adopt practices that support coexistence.”
One such initiative, supported by Spa Ceylon and WNPS, is an educational scholarship programme for children who have lost a parent in HEC incidents. This ongoing programme ensures affected children can continue their schooling, reducing the long-term socio-economic fallout of the conflict.
Representing the business sector, Ghazanfar Ali, COO of Havelock City Mall, stressed that conservation-linked initiatives must evolve beyond symbolic CSR exercises.
“This is not just CSR—it is about building sustainable partnerships that reach out to communities at large. Businesses must see conservation as a responsibility tied to their operations and customers, not as a side project, he said.
By Ifham Nizam
By Sanath Nanayakkare
In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.
A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.
Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.
With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.
To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.
Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.
Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.
The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.
Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.
The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.
GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.
The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.
The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.
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