Business
Strengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
As a part of its continuing capacity development efforts for the public sector to deliver on the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) conducted two knowledge sessions on Mainstreaming SDGs in provincial planning and development process for the planning officers of all 09 provinces. The sessions, conducted in two batches on 25th March and 01st April for the nine Provincial Councils, underscore the importance of whole-of-government approach for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)- based planning, budgeting and monitoring.
The subjects and functions falling within the purview of the Provincial Councils and the subjects and functions to be exercised concurrently by the central government and the Provincial Councils are enumerated in the Provincial List and the Concurrent List of the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Provincial Councils are vested with authority over important subjects and functions critical for the attainment of all 17 SDGs.
These include among others, social services, relief and rehabilitation, agriculture and agrarian services, irrigation and animal husbandry, food supply and distribution, healthcare services including provincial and rural hospitals and indigenous medicine, education, education services and provincial schools, energy infrastructure within the province, provincial housing and construction, provincial roads, bridges etc, rural development and cooperatives, land use and settlements, protection of environment within the province etc.
The workshops also included a presentation of the objectives and components of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme implemented by the Presidential Secretariat. Under the three pillars – Environmental, Social and Ethical – the Clean Sri Lanka Programme has formulated a number of initiatives focused on improving food quality and safety, clean public toilets and sanitation facilities, disabled friendly public spaces, national E-waste collection campaign, air quality improvement, clean river and beaches campaign, promoting zero tolerance of corruption and educational reforms aligned with these objectives. The synergies between the goals of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme and the SDGs was also discussed.
From the Sustainable Development Council, the Director General, Chamindry Saparamadu and Director, Prasadika Basnayake provided resource inputs on SDG-based Planning while the Additional Secretary to the President, H.P.C Sugeeshwara and the Director of ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme, Dulip Somiweera delivered detailed presentations on the core components of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme.
The sessions were attended by over 1000 senior level planning officers from the provincial administration including the Chief Secretaries, Deputy Chief Secretaries and the Heads of Provincial Ministries and Departments.
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
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