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StrEdge Group offers businesses customized solutions to mitigate COVID – induced challenges

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In a bid to mitigate COVID-induced risks faced by local businesses, StrEdge Group has introduced several service packages through their companies. This includes introduction of new governance models and interventions in bridging gaps in multiple businesses in terms of business strategy, processes, human resources, technology and finance, a StrEdge news release said.

The customized service package launched by StrEdge Advisory has helped save thousands of livelihoods generated by the SMEs, mid-corporates and corporates in these turbulent times by “taking them to safer waters,” remarked Director/CEO of StrEdge Advisory, Sumedha Wijesekera.

“We have taken stock of short, mid and long term strategies which will not only mitigate risks but also ensure sustainable growth of businesses,” he added. The approaches also help banks and lending institutions that work with these businesses in terms of utilization of credit proceeds through proper channels. “Our approach has become a risk mitigation tool for both the lender and the borrower,” noted the StrEdge CEO.

A home-grown company which prides itself in ‘Sri Lankan skill and capacity’, StrEdge offers a broad spectrum of services including Business Strategy Defining, Planning and Implementation, Human Resource Strategy for Corporates, Business Process Reengineering, Financial Restructuring and Advisory, Lean Six Sigma training and Certifications, Business Advisory, Technology Advisory, Design, Development and Implementation and Training in Leadership, Project Management and Operational Excellence. All these services are designed to help businesses and business leadership reach their true potential, the release said.

“We take pride in being a people centric solution provider sensitive to the Sri Lankan ecosystem. In this changing world with COVID and other unforeseen challenges, the expertise we offer as a home-grown solution provider, benchmarked with best international practices, help the country retain considerable foreign exchange which otherwise would go to expensive foreign consultants. We are also confident of providing services for overseas markets adhering to best international standards,” Wijesekera said.

He added that the company enables a ‘liberal and an ethical workplace’ where consultants are given the independence to bring out their true potential both in terms of skill and creativity to offer their clients the best of services.

Director, StrEdge Advisory, Janaka Epasinghe said that holistic solutions StrEdge offers from ‘people, process and technology’ perspective are geared to enrich product and service proposition of diverse businesses. “Especially in the present challenging business environment, managing businesses internally and externally is crucial and as solution providers, even during the most turbulent times as the pandemic hit, we have been able to create results.”

The SME-centric ERP solution developed and delivered by their technology company- StrEdge Tech is among the company’s special service portfolio. “This is not merely a system to automate the operation, but a tailor-made business solution to cater to individual business needs at an affordable price,” said Director, CEO, StrEdge Tech, Udaya Samaradivakara. “This user-friendly tool is designed to create visibility on business operations and decision-making for business owners and the management.”



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Cabinet nod to celebrate centenary of Tea Research Institute from 9th November to 14th November 2025

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities to hold the 26th Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Tea of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Asian Tea Alliance to commemorate the Centenary Anniversary of the Tea Research Institute in Colombo from 9th November to 14th November in 2025 and to take necessary steps in that respect.

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‘This must be your last IMF Programme; lapses cannot be repeated’

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Top dignitaries who featured at ‘Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery…’ forum.

IMF First Deputy Managing Director tells Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s long and difficult journey from economic collapse to cautious recovery reached a critical milestone as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, IMF First Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Gita Gopinath, and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe addressed the high-profile “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance” conference yesterday in Colombo.

The event, jointly organized by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), underscored the urgency of sustaining reform momentum while opening a new chapter in the country’s 75-year partnership with the IMF.

With macroeconomic stability returning but fragility still looming, the message from all three leaders was clear: Sri Lanka cannot afford to backslide.

“This must be the last IMF programme for Sri Lanka, Dr. Gopinath stated firmly in her keynote speech. “We’ve had 16 before this—about half ended prematurely. Reform fatigue, policy reversals and lost discipline cannot be repeated. This time must be different.”

While the conference primarily focused on public financial management, debt sustainability, and governance, the implications for Sri Lanka’s business environment were unmistakable. According to Gopinath, structural reforms, transparent fiscal management and improved governance are not abstract policy ideals — they are the essential foundations for restoring investor confidence, revitalizing private enterprise and building a resilient economy.

“Comprehensive governance reform can raise GDP by over 7% and reduce debt-to-GDP by more than six percentage points over the next decade, Gopinath noted, citing IMF internal analysis. “These are not just theoretical benefits — they are real, measurable returns for the private sector, job creation, and inclusive growth.”

Dr. Weerasinghe echoed this sentiment, stating that the IMF-supported programme “has laid the groundwork for macroeconomic fundamentals essential for sustained growth. He emphasized that Sri Lanka’s financial institutions and monetary authorities are now better equipped to support private sector-led recovery, pointing to a stabilizing rupee, single-digit inflation and restored investor interest.

“With improved credit ratings and Sri Lankan bonds being re-included in global indices, capital markets are beginning to show signs of life, said Dr. Weerasinghe. “This creates a platform for increased foreign direct investment (FDI), trade expansion, and domestic entrepreneurial activity.”

President Dissanayake opened the conference with a stark reminder of the human cost of Sri Lanka’s economic collapse. He called for economic leadership that not only addresses balance sheets but also rights wrongs of the past.

“We lost three critical things — one in our economy, two in our country, and three in our people, he said. “We must recover what was lost. And we can only do that through trust, transparency and inclusive policies.”

Dissanayake acknowledged the sacrifices made by the public — especially the most vulnerable — and emphasized that public buy-in is essential to the success of reform. “The people of this country have already shown their willingness to endure hardship in service of recovery. It is now the responsibility of government and institutions to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.”

His words carried weight in a country where memories of fuel queues, food shortages and economic despair remain fresh. The President signaled his administration’s commitment to a social contract grounded in accountability and economic fairness.

Gopinath noted that:

USD 3 billion in external debt was forgiven.

USD 25 billion was restructured with longer maturities and lower interest rates.

External debt servicing was reduced by half over the next decade.

Debt-to-GDP ratios are expected to fall by 27 to 34 percentage points.

“Sri Lanka’s experience has helped us sharpen how we approach debt sustainability, creditor coordination and domestic financial sector resilience, said Gopinath. “It’s a case study in how complex, painful, but ultimately successful restructuring can be done.”

By Ifham Nizam

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Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025 recognizes Sri Lanka’s top culinary talent

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Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka, relaunched the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition this year – an island wide culinary competition focused on developing up-and-coming culinary talent in the hospitality industry.

Nestlé Professional also collaborated with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association and Chefs Guild of Lanka to launch the Junior Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition for the very first time – providing culinary students in the hospitality industry with a platform to showcase their talents and skills, while fostering the next generation of culinary experts.

The regional rounds, held across all nine provinces of the country, brought together 18 finalists from both the Professional category and the newly introduced Junior category, to compete in the Grand Finale at the Culinary Art Food Expo.

The winners of the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025 were awarded at an event held on 15th June at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, with the participation of distinguished guests – Chief Guest, Her Excellency the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt; Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A., Reinhold Jakobi; Regional Business Head – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Asia, Oceania and Africa Region, Jeroen Pluijmers; Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region, . Saurabh Makhija; Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis and President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, Patrick Pereira.

Mr. Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka commented “The hospitality industry plays a vital role in supporting the transition from stability to growth in the Sri Lankan economy. Nestlé Lanka is honoured to play a part in uplifting the industry through the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition. This initiative also embodies our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which is dedicated towards empowering and upskilling the youth to excel in their field of expertise and contribute to the community”.

H.E. Dr. Siri Walt, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives mentioned “I congratulate Nestlé Professional, the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association on this wonderful initiative to promote culinary talent.

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