Business
Strong result from Dilmah in 2019/20 despite exchange rate hit
IPO investors richly rewarded with a Rs. 10,000 investment earning Rs. 8.6 million in dividends
Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC (previously Ceylon Tea Services) has posted an excellent result within a challenging environment in the year ended Mar. 31, 2020, growing revenue eight percent and gross profit 14% over the previous year; but the bottom line declined two percent owing to what its chairman, Mr. Merril. J. Fernando called a “remarkable” 46% decline in the exchange rate.
Commenting that the outlook for the global economy appeared bleak, he said how long the corona virus will last God alone knows, adding “we can only pray for it to disappear soon and bring hope and comfort back to our homes and our lives.”
Dilmah, with the consent of its shareholders, has increased its contribution to the MJF Charitable Foundation from 10% to 15% of pre-tax profits to be spent towards addressing inequality and wider social and environmental concerns as a part of its core business. This will enable a significant increase in the foundation’s humanitarian operations.
The company’s key numbers for the year under review were: revenue up 8% to Rs. 11.61 billion, operating profit up 25% to Rs. 1.98 billion, pre-tax profit up 17% to Rs. 1.99 billion and the after tax profit down 2% to Rs. 1.56 billion. Dilmah’s total assets stood at Rs. 17.3 billion against liabilities of Rs. 4.97 billion.
Fernando, in his chairman’s review in the company’s recently published annual report, had drawn attention to the extraordinary rewards enjoyed by investors in what was then Ceylon Tea Services over the years. An investment of Rs. 10,000 in a thousand shares at the company’s initial public offering in 1982 had yielded Rs. 8.6 million in dividends and the original1,000 shares had increased to 20,000 via several bonus issues.
He has noted that the cost of an original ten-rupee share in the hands of the investor has as a result come down to fifty cents and the original 10,000-rupee investment is now valued at Rs. 531,000 at the current market price of the Dilmah share.
“Such is the power of Ceylon Tea in the hands of committed investors in the industry,” he has said.
It is not only investors who have benefited from Fernando’s conviction that “business is a form of human service.” He has said youth from the plantation community assisted by the MJF Foundation’s scholarship program have produced among others doctors, magistrates and chefs.
He says that the tea industry which is being written off by many, offers enormous potential to investors who believe in it. Government authorities responsible for tea can turn it around if they have a realistic vision for the industry, Fernando said welcoming recent interest and initiatives by government in finding solutions to longstanding issues in plantations and exports. Such efforts wold deliver benefit to the country’s economy and Ceylon Tea.
“If the tea industry is strategically managed in the hands of capable people with proven expertise, export earnings could well reach USD 5 billion within the next five years. Bulk tea exports should be discouraged and value added exports should be generously incentivised for the social end economic benefits they bring,” he said.
“Part of the additional income from value added export must be used to advertise and promote quality brands. This is likely to encourage bulk tea exporters to change course.”
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
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.
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