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Sri Lanka’s first fashion movie ‘Yaaluwoda Yaaluida’ premieres

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The official red-carpet premiere of ‘Yaaluwoda Yaaluida’, Sri Lanka’s first fashion movie written & directed by Dilshara Jayamanna & produced by Rasitha JInasena, was held recently at the Colombo City Centre Scope Cinemas. The movie, a Netflix flavoured Sinhala romantic comedy for the TikTok age, is due to be released in cinemas islandwide on 3rd March 2023.

Starring newcomers Shereen Willis as Steffi and Eraj Gunewardane as Mithun in the two lead roles, Yaaluwoda Yaaluida aims to create a cultural shift in Sri Lankan cinema by exploring several themes that appeal to today’s young audiences such as the ups and downs of falling in love, the difficult bridge between friendship and love, today’s world of high-end fashion, and the almost inevitable impact of social media on young lives. An ensemble of some of Sri Lanka’s most loved actors and actresses including Saranga Disasekara, Yureni Noshika, Dinakshie Priyasad, Danu Innasithamby, Mass Ramli, Romaine Willis, Sarah Illyas and many others, combine to elevate the performances of the young duo on their big screen debut.

The inspiration behind the movie is Director Dilshara Jayamanna’s desire to shine the spotlight on a significant cultural shift in the way today’s young Sri Lankans approach, see and feel part of pop culture be it fashion, music, career choices, and even their attitudes towards the international community. Jayamanna and his creative team have been able to perfectly capture the essence of this cultural shift and bring it to life on the big screen for audiences of all ages to enjoy and appreciate. Aligning to today’s world that increasingly understands and appreciates the immense impact of strong females on every aspect of modern society, the movie changes the game by putting the female as the lead and building the storyline around her dynamic screen presence and performance.

The back-story of the movie is bound to inspire today’s younger generation, notably the female audiences. Lead actress Shereen was discovered on TikTok by Executive Producer Harshini Kithulagoda and provided a platform to reveal her acting prowess which she does so with tremendous success. Lead actor Eraj, who comes from a background of acting in plays, also impresses as the male friend of young Steffi and their on-screen chemistry will leave audiences wondering as to whether they end up remaining friends or become more than friends as the title of the movie suggests.

The movie also lands a couple of firsts in Sri Lanka’s film industry. The song ‘Tharunai’ by DJ Mass and Romaine Willis is the first EDM (Electronic Dance Music) track in a Sinhala movie while the movie is also the first Sinhala movie to have an Anime sequence, created by young designer Sejini Ratnayake.

Produced by veteran producer Rasitha Jinasena, the studio behind Yaaluwoda Yaaluida is Starfish Neuro, a bold new Sri Lankan content studio making premium content for cinemas and online audiences. Other key members of the production team include Rangana S. Bandara and Hasitha Warnasuriya (Directors of Photography), Kavinda Mudalige (Editor), Jude Gayantha (Costumes), and Nuwan Sanuranke (Production Design). The movie has an outstanding soundtrack with music by Nishan Daniel and songs performed by Dinesh Gamage, DJ Mass, and Romaine Willis.



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Business

Constituent Change in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index

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The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the following change in S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2026 Mid-Year rebalance.

The exclusion and inclusion as announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices, effective from 22nd June 2026 (after the market close of 19th June 2026) are presented below.

The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalization, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. The constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to a single stock cap of 15%, which is employed to reduce single stock concentration.

The S&P SL 20 index has been designed in accordance with international practices and standards. All stocks are classified according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was co-developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MCSI and is widely used by market participants throughout the world.

To be eligible for inclusion, a stock must have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization of 500 million Sri Lankan rupees (Rs), a six-month median daily value traded of Rs 0.25 million and have positive net income over the 12 months prior to the rebalancing reference date. For information, including the complete methodology, please visit: www.spindices.com

Effective from 22nd June 2026 the stocks in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 in alphabetical order are as above.

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Teejay Group navigates industry headwinds with financial strength and strategic focus

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Teejay Lanka Chairman Ajit Gunewardene and CEO Pubudu De Silva

The Teejay Group recorded revenue of LKR 60.04 billion during the period, reflecting a 10% year-on-year decline, primarily due to continued softness in global textile demand. This performance was largely impacted by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, intensified pricing pressures across key markets, and the resulting decline in volumes, all of which collectively weighed on topline growth.

Group Gross Profit declined by 36% year-on-year to LKR 5.02 billion, mainly attributable to lower production volumes, underutilization of plant capacity, sustained pricing pressures, and an unfavorable product mix. Together, these factors adversely affected margin performance amid a challenging operating environment.

The Group reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 54.7 million, representing a 98% year-on-year decline. This was primarily driven by higher rupee-denominated costs and non-recurring items, provision for doubtful debts, and restructuring costs associated with right-sizing initiatives.

Ajit Gunewardene, Chairman of the Teejay Group said, “The year was marked by persistent global demand softness and pricing pressures, which impacted results. Despite this, we focused on operational efficiency, cost discipline, and strengthening our financial resilience. These actions position the Group to navigate ongoing uncertainty while remaining committed to long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Despite these near-term challenges, the Teejay Group continues to maintain a strong financial position, supported by disciplined working capital management and a robust liquidity base. As at 31 March 2026, cash and cash equivalents stood at LKR 8.3 billion, while the Group’s net asset base increased by 3% year-on-year to LKR 32.4 billion, reinforcing the resilience of its balance sheet.

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Fairfirst celebrates 7 years of supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit

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Fairfirst Insurance has once again partnered with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit, continuing its support for the seventh consecutive year. This partnership reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community.

Through this initiative, Fairfirst will provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the highly trained canines attached to the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit. These dogs play a critical role in supporting police operations across the country, assisting with crime detection, narcotics investigations, search and rescue missions, and public safety efforts.

As a company that believes business should create a meaningful impact beyond insurance, Fairfirst remains committed to initiatives that support communities and recognise the vital contributions of those who help keep society safe. This shared commitment to protection and responsibility continues to drive the company’s long-standing partnership with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit.

Commenting on the continued partnership, Ravishankar Wickneswaran, CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, said, “It is a privilege for us to continue supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit for the seventh consecutive year. These dogs serve the country with incredible discipline and loyalty, often in challenging situations. Supporting their wellbeing is one small way for us to give back, and it reflects the FairfirstWay of standing by those who protect and serve our communities every day.”

Fairfirst looks forward to continuing this partnership and contributing to the wellbeing of the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit in the years ahead.

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