Business
Sri Lanka Insurance awarded runner-up under the insurance category
Sri Lanka’s insurance giant Sri Lanka Insurance was awarded runner-up under the insurance category at the 17th edition of the National Business Excellence Awards organized by the National Chamber of Commerce.
The awarding ceremony was held on March 22 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, with the participation of distinguished invitees and the representatives of corporate community of Sri Lanka.
Initiated in 2004, by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) has maintained its highest standards and gained much recognition and prestige amongst the business community as a well-structured Awards Scheme recognizing “Excellence” of businesses in Sri Lanka.
The Annual Awards Competition was designed and conducted with a view to recognising the business enterprises which have demonstrated excellence in business, whilst contributing to the economic progress of the country.
The evaluations were based on the Evaluation Model of 7 criteria, namely – Excellence in Strategy and Leadership, Excellence in Corporate Governance, Excellence in Capacity Building, Excellence in Performance Management, Excellence in Local and Global Market Reach, Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability, Excellence in Business and Financial Results.
Established in 1962, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation celebrates 60 years of excellence as the largest government-owned insurance company in Sri Lanka, with a managed asset base of over Rs.235 billion and a Life fund of Rs. 134 billion, the largest in the local insurance industry. The insurer is also the first and only local insurer to secure Fitch Ratings AA (lka) rating for its long-term financial stability and sustainability and also Sri Lanka Insurance ranked as the ‘Most Valuable General Insurance Brand’, ‘Most Loved Insurance Brand’ for the 4th consecutive year in the country by Brand Finance. The national insurer is on a mission of being a customer-focused company that constantly innovates in providing insurance services to customers and is now serving customers through an extensive network of over 190 branches and customer service locations.
Business
Aitken Spence continues its strong performance by recording 42% growth in PBT for first half of FY 2025/26
Aitken Spence PLC, a leading conglomerate, with an extensive presence across the region, recorded revenue of Rs. 40.7 billion for the six months, ending 30th September 2025, reflecting operational resilience across its diversified businesses. The Tourism sector accounted for 64.3% of Group revenue, while the Maritime & Freight Logistics sector and Strategic Investments sector contributed 19.4% and 13.9% respectively.
Sectoral Performance.
The Group’s Maritime & Freight Logistics sector reported profit from operations (including the share of profits from equity-accounted investees) of Rs. 2.2 billion, making it the largest contributor towards the Group profits in the first half of 2025/26. However, the sector recorded a marginal dip in its operational profits, mainly due to lower contributions from its equity accounted investees in the South Asian region.
The profit from operations recorded by the Group’s Tourism sector for the first half of the year was Rs. 686.1 million, an 86.5% growth over that of the previous year. Strong occupancy recorded throughout the resorts in Sri Lanka coupled with increases in rates were the main driving force towards this growth in performance. Hotels in the international markets, including the Maldives, also delivered a steady performance, although pressure from intensifying competition has somewhat affected the growth in occupancy.
The Group’s Strategic Investments sector recorded profits from operations (including the share of profits from equity-accounted investees) of Rs. 352.6 million. Within this sector, the printing segment delivered a robust performance with a two-fold increase in profits, reflecting the segment’s operational strength and market resilience. Conversely, the garments segment continued to face challenges due to ongoing global economic pressures affecting the industry. Despite these headwinds, the sector as a whole remains a vital component of the Group’s overall portfolio, encompassing the renewable energy and plantations segments and plays a significant role in the Group’s strategic objectives and future growth initiatives.
The Group’s Services sector achieved a profit from operations (including the share of profits from equity-accounted investees) of Rs. 577.0 million, primarily driven by the recently commenced BPO operations in Port City Colombo.
(Aitken Spence)
Business
SLT-MOBITEL becomes first in Sri Lanka to achieve fastest 5G speeds exceeding 10Gbps
SLT-MOBITEL Mobile has set a new benchmark in Sri Lanka’s digital journey achieving the highest-ever 5G speeds in the country, exceeding 10Gbps recently, on its advanced 5G Standalone (SA) ready network, under TRCSL 5G trial approval.
The milestone surpasses previous records and demonstrates SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to driving Sri Lanka’s digital evolution with cutting-edge technology and future-ready connectivity.
The trial showcased 5G Advanced technologies such as Massive MIMO, 5CC carrier aggregation in C band and mmWave spectrum, setting a new standard for mobile connectivity in Sri Lanka.
In addition to this record-breaking achievement, SLT-MOBITEL has expanded the 5G trial network to 18 districts islandwide, positioning a wider presence 5G network for commercial launch.
As the National ICT Solutions Provider, SLT-MOBITEL is leading the way, advancing Sri Lanka’s digital future, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, can benefit from world-class connectivity through its superior network. The inclusivity also supports the country’s digital transformation agenda, enabling advancements in healthcare, education, enterprise, and daily lifestyles.
In 2019, SLT-MOBITEL showcased South Asia’s first 5G trial deployment over a mobile network, connecting a mobile smartphone to its 5G trial network with record speeds. SLT-MOBITEL was also the first to demonstrate 5G SA & NSA hybrid trial deployment in Sri Lanka indicating advancements in 5G technology.
Business
Nations Trust Bank delivers PAT of LKR 14.9Bn for 9 months
Nations Trust Bank PLC reported strong financial results for the 9 months ending 30th September 2025, reporting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 14.9Bn, up 23% YoY. The Bank’s performance is underpinned by strong asset growth, steady Net Interest Margins (NIMs) and asset quality with a Net Stage 3 Ratio of 1.03%. A strong capital base continued to be the foundation of the Bank’s growth story with a Return on Equity (ROE) of 23.20%, highlighting the Bank’s success in implementing a well-structured strategy.
Nations Trust Bank, Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hemantha D Gunetilleke, stated, “The Bank’s performance in 3Q 2025 demonstrates NTB’s financial strength and the successful execution of a clearly defined strategy. Customer lending grew by LKR 131Bn, a 45% increase over the first nine months, significantly contributing to the growth of businesses and economic revival across customer segments. This demonstrates our focus on service excellence, digital empowerment and strategic planning that places our customers at the centre of everything we do. Our robust capital position and strong liquidity buffers continue to highlight our strength and readiness for sustained growth.”
As a result of efficient asset-liability management and prudent pricing strategies, the Bank was able to sustain a NIM of 6.15%. The Bank’s Earnings Per Share for the nine months ending 30th September 2025 increased to LKR 45.10, against LKR 36.80 recorded during the same period last year. Asset quality remained sound, with the Net Stage 3 Ratio contained at 1.03%, underscoring effective credit risk management.
Strong financial performance continues to bolster NTB’s capital base with a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 18.90% and a Total Capital Adequacy Ratio of 20.03%, well above the regulatory requirements of 8.5% and 12.5%, respectively.
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