Business
Sustainable Energy Authority discourages energy-wasting refrigerators from entering the market
Appliance energy labeling (MEP) is a key programme conducted by SLSEA
Damro, Singer, Abans now facilitating customers to purchase MEP refrigerators
About 30% reduction of electricity bills expected for a participating household
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The single largest expense item in the residential electricity bill is the refrigerator unless the particular house is air-conditioned. The effect is more pronounced when the refrigerator is ageing – typically past ten years of service. In this context, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) launched a pilot refrigerator replacement project on 17th February 2023 at the BMICH. Simultaneously, a Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) label was introduced to 15 models of refrigerators offered by three major appliance Vendors; namely, Damro, Singer and Abans), allowing the customers to choose an efficient model in their next purchase.
The launch was held to encourage the refrigerator suppliers to join the voluntary energy labeling programme and create awareness of the MEP label for refrigerators among the general public.Appliance energy labelling programme is one of the key programmes conducted by SLSEA. The objective of this programme is to progressively reduce the energy consumption of appliances by encouraging energy efficient products to flourish in the market, while discouraging energy wasting products from entering the market. This is achieved by letting the buyers identify energy efficient products at the point of sale through a label carrying important energy usage information.
Once the scheme is elevated to a mandatory programme through regulation, it will be possible to prohibit the manufacturing, importation and sales of inefficient products in the country.Energy labels with star ratings will be gradually introduced to these appliances after the market adapts to MEP labels and stabilises. Display of the MEP label on refrigerators will be on a voluntary basis at present and it will be made mandatory within this year.
Residential electricity users are encouraged to purchase efficient refrigerators with MEP energy labels as a key measure helping to reduce their electricity bills as well as the cost of fuel imports to the country.
The pilot project aims to replace 1,000 old refrigerators with new MEP compliant and energy efficient refrigerators in the Western Province, saving 480,000 kWh of electricity per year. This translates to an approximately 30% reduction of electricity bills of a typical participating household.
The pilot project will be used to measure and document the actual savings and to test an elaborate network of disposal for the discarded refrigerators and related hazardous material. The pilot project is expected to be enlarged to cover the whole country, removing 500,000 units within five years, saving 500GWh of electricity (approximately 3% of national electricity use), SLSEA said.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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