Business
Students from Sri Lanka reach World Finals at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023
Two teams from Sri Lanka, team Sipsara and The Green Tycoon, successfully qualified to the World Finals (Asia) stage at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023, Microsoft’s global competition for students to dream and build new ways of using technology to improve lives. The competition is a platform for students across the world to tap into their entrepreneurial skill and develop a technology solution for some of the most pressing local and global issues. The teams from Sri Lanka were among the 48 from across three regions, who competed to advance to the World Championship.
Team Sipsara, competing under the category of Education from Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), presented an e-learning education system for children with down syndrome where technologies such as Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning are used to establish the first web-based application that measures and develops the skills of children with down syndrome in order to develop a reliable and efficient approach to predicting their development.
Under the category of Earth, The Green Tycoon Project also from SLIIT, presented CarboMeter, a project that can simplify Carbon Accounting by offering an innovative, real-time mobile-based emission management system using the latest technologies for organizations to monitor, achieve emission goals, reduce carbon taxes, and encourage going greener.
“It’s truly exciting to see such amazing, talented students in the Southeast Asia New Markets region use the Imagine Cup as an opportunity to unlock their potential and creativity and build something that matters to them. In speaking with the students, it was clear that there was a deeper personal connection to each of the innovations the students had come up with. It is truly inspiring to see these students be driven by something bigger and more powerful and create solutions to help change the world”, commented Sook Hoon Cheah, General Manager, Microsoft SEA NM.
Sharing their experience on the competition, students of both teams were extremely grateful for the opportunity to showcase their tech talent on a global platform such as this competition.
In speaking about the inspiration for their innovation, it was clear both teams had drawn from a personal story and experience to decide on what their technological solution would be. Team Sipsara was emotionally invested in devising a platform for students with down syndrome who were unable to continue their education during the pandemic due to the unavailability of suitable technology specifically designed and catered towards students with down syndrome. The Green Tycoon project, similarly, was inspired during the national crisis with the understanding that alternative and sustainable options could solve existing issues such as the emission of carbon in the country.
Harsha Randeny, Country Manager of Microsoft for Sri Lanka and Maldives said, “I am extremely proud that two Sri Lankan teams qualified to the World Finals of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023. We receive an overwhelming response every time we launch the competition, and it is always great to see students passionate about technology taking the initiative to compete on a global platform. While congratulating Team Sipsara and The Green Tycoon, we also hope that this will encourage more students to participate in Microsoft Imagine Cup in the future where they get to experience innovation and technology with some of the best in the industry.”
This is not the first time that students from Sri Lanka have reached the final stages of Microsoft Imagine Cup. In the 2022 edition, Nana Shilpa, a team from SLIIT clinched the title of Winner in the Health category in Asia, and further went on to win Runners-Up at the World Championships.Tune into the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championships, which will be livestreamed during Microsoft Build 2023 on May 23 at 08.30 a.m. PDT to see who will win this year’s competition.
Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.
His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.
The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.
Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.
Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.
Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.
In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
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