Business

Talawakelle plucker harvests 10.42 kg in 20 minutes

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/5

R. Seethayammah from Somerset Estate of Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC was crowned as the Best Tea Harvester for 2023 from across the entire Hayleys Plantations sector, in addition to winning the Gold Award for Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC after she harvested an incredible 10.42 Kgs in just twenty minutes, receiving the highest score of 82.6%.

She won te top spot at Hayleys Plantation’s, second annual ‘Best Tea Harvester’ Competition for 2023.

Organized across Kelani Valley Plantations (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates (TTEL) and Horana Plantations (HPL) the contest is designed to showcase and celebrate the dedication and hard work of the Hayleys Plantations team, a Hayleys news release said..

“Notably, this year’s contest was revived based on popular demand from employees themselves, following a two-year hiatus brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.” it added.

“I am so happy to have won the competition and I want to thank our estate managers, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai and Hayleys for giving us extra training on how to improve our harvesting and the chance to take part. My family and friends have been supporting me and giving encouragement throughout,” Seethayammah said taking home her cash prize of Rs. 300,000.

S. Gomathi from Batlgalla Estate took home the Gold Award for Kelani Valley Tea Plantations, while M. Vigneshwary from Alton Estates took home the Gold Award for Horana Plantations. Hayleys Plantations offered all Gold Award winners with a cash prize of Rs. 100,000, Silver Award with Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 50,000 for the Bronze Award.

The expert Judging Panel consisted of industry specialists from the Tea Research Institute and the senior management of Hayleys Plantations. Competitors were judged based on the quantity and quality of tea they plucked in a set time, and the care they took in maintaining the tea bushes during harvesting.

“Our people are the backbone of our business, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge and reward their unwavering commitment, hard work, and talent. Today Sri Lanka’s tea industry faces significant environmental, social and economic challenges. Despite these issues, the industry continues to play an essential role in generating export revenue for the nation. The survival and continued development of tea is therefore a national imperative. That is why Hayleys is leading by example, and continuously investing in the upliftment of our tea harvesters and their families, in order to secure a brighter future for our people,”Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage said.

Following the competition, a special awards ceremony was hosted by Hayleys Plantations at Radella Cricket Ground, Nuwara Eliya to felicitate its winning contestants, and all who participated in this year’s contest.

“The remarkable performance of our employees today provides a glimpse into the true potential of Sri Lankan tea. The Hayleys Group’s vision for the future of plantations is built around the needs and aspirations of our employees, and singularly focused on sustainable productivity enhancement across every facet of the business. Our focus on long-term sustainable development is applied across all our estates, with special emphasis on empowerment of our tea harvesters.

“The Best Tea Harvester competition is part of a series of structured programmes we conduct to recognize, support and encourage the hard work of our people. We are also providing a healthy living environment while ensuring access to quality health and nutrition, while empowering the community and its youth. These efforts are critical for the success of our business. However, they are also helping to chart a sustainable new path to success for Sri Lankan tea,” Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said.

Hayleys Plantations was also the first in its industry in Sri Lanka to offer field officers the NVQ certification for the National Skills Passport in order to advance their technical expertise. Similarly the company also hosted Sri Lanka’s first Plantations Management Symposium to enable knowledge sharing on innovation and emerging best practices across estate management. Hayleys Plantation companies have also initiated Mother and Child Friendly Plantations polices, and continue to win global and local acclaim for their proven track record, and setting of new benchmarks in ethical and sustainable plantations management, the release added.

The Hayleys Plantations Best Tea Harvester Competition draws its inspiration from a similar contest organized by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ceylon Tea in 2018. Hayleys Plantations boldly decided to carry forward the competition within its estates based on the positive response from its employees.

Winners were chosen from the preliminary stages of the competition held at tea estates across the Group’s three subsidiaries, KVPL, TTEL and HPL. The winner of each company after that competed in a tense finale amidst a cheering crowd.

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Business

A Historic First: Sri Lanka’s capital market leaders bring investor forum to Saudi Arabia

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/6

Thilina Walpola

Key dignitaries at the Saudi investor forum

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in association with the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, successfully convened an investor forum on Saturday 24th January 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center. Alongside the forum, the SEC and CSE facilitated a meeting with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) which is Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund.

The forum was organized to engage directly with the vibrant Sri Lankan expatriate community in the Kingdom and international investors, highlighting compelling opportunities within Sri Lanka’s capital market following the country’s successful exit from sovereign default and restoration of macroeconomic stability.

The forum was marked by the presence of several senior level policy officials, market leaders and market regulators including; Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL); Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Ameer Ajwad Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.; Senior Prof D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Chairman of the SEC; Ray Abeywardena, Director of CSE; and Dr. Naveen Gunawardane, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lynear Wealth Management.

In his welcome address, Ameer Ajwad stated, that a significant opportunity remains in broadening public participation in the capital market of Sri Lanka. As financial literacy and investment awareness among potential investors are limited, the investor forum would serve to bridge the knowledge gap. The forum offered an excellent opportunity for first-time investors, overseas investors, and those seeking to enhance their knowledge, to learn how to invest prudently, manage risk, and build wealth with discipline and confidence. Ambassador invited participants to make full use of the presence of high-level authorities from Sri Lanka’s key financial institutions, such as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the SEC, and the CSE, and to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s capital market, not only as a pathway to financial growth but also as a meaningful contribution to Sri Lanka’s resilience and long-term prosperity.

Business

CIC Holdings’ 9MFY26 revenue reaches Rs.70 bn

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/6

Thilina Walpola

Agriculture-rich diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings PLC (CSE: CIC) recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs. 70.28 billion for the nine months ended 31 December 2025 (9MFY26), reflecting an increase of 8.69% YoY compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Group’s gross profit increased by 10.11% to Rs. 18.42 billion, with the gross profit margin for the period under review improving to approximately 26%, supported by disciplined pricing and product mix optimisation. Profit after tax (PAT) increased to Rs. 5.97 billion from Rs. 5.70 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, despite losses incurred in parts of the Group’s agri operations following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which disrupted cultivation activity during the Maha season.

The Group’s Crop Solutions sector remained the largest contributor to consolidated revenue, accounting for approximately 44.7% of total revenue, followed by Livestock Solutions at 21% and Health & Personal Care at 20.18%. The remaining sectors, Industrial Solutions and Agri Produce, contributed 8.6% and 6.4% to Group turnover respectively. Health and Personal Care , particularly export-driven product lines, recorded improved performance during the period, alongside continued growth in feeds, poultry, and veterinary care solutions, which supported the Group’s overall operating results.

Despite cyclone-related disruption to cultivation cycles, the Group delivered a strong operating performance, with EBITDA and operating profit (EBIT) both recording year-on-year growth. Operating profit (EBIT) closed at Rs. 9.67 billion, compared to Rs. 8.62 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, reflecting the strength of the Group’s diversified portfolio and disciplined cost management.

During the period in review, key Group businesses across the five industry sectors, namely Crop Solutions, Agri Produce, Livestock Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Health & Personal Care, continued to perform resiliently. Crop Solutions revenue increased from Rs. 28.06 billion to Rs. 32.32 billion, while Livestock Solutions revenue grew from Rs. 13.35 billion to Rs. 14.60 billion. Health & Personal Care revenue improved from Rs. 14.29 billion to Rs. 14.46 billion, supported by herbal health product exports and steady domestic demand. Revenue from Agri Produce increased from Rs. 4.35 billion to Rs. 4.64 billion, while Industrial Solutions revenue rose from Rs. 6.07 billion to Rs. 6.28 billion.

Commenting on the performance, CIC Holdings Group CEO Aroshan Seresinhe said, “Despite the disruption caused by Cyclone Ditwah to agricultural activity during the Maha season, the Group remained focused on supporting farming communities through well clean-up operations, field renovation, and the restoration of cultivation activity.

Business

CSE regains some of its bullish verve as turnover hits Rs.11 billion

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/6

Thilina Walpola

CSE trading reflected a bullish trend yesterday due to positive quarterly corporate earnings coupled with lower Treasury Bill yields, market analysts said.

Further, institutional participation contributed more than 50 percent to the day’s turnover.

Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 63.67 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 12.58 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 11.1 billion with10 crossings. The top seven crossings were: JKH 189.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 4.2 billion; its shares traded at Rs 22.70, HNB 3.5 million shares crossed for Rs 1.48 billion; its shares traded at Rs 422, Hemas Holdings 11 million shares crossed for Rs 376.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 34 20, Commercial Bank 1.5 million shares crossed for Rs 336.8 million; its shares traded at Rs 224.50, Sampath Bank 600,000 shares crossed for Rs 93.6 million; its shares sold at Rs 156, Laugfs Gas 868,000 shares crossed for Rs 51.6 million; its shares sold at Rs 71 and Sierra Cables 1 million shares crossed for Rs 36.7 million; its shares sold at Rs 36.70.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Ceylon Land Equity Rs 385 million (20 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 373.9 million (1.7 million shares traded), Luminex Rs 247.2 million (26.7 million shares traded), Colombo Dockyard Rs 152 million (one million shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 152 million (four million shares traded), Easter Merchants Rs 142 million (8.7 million shares traded) and RIL Properties Rs 116.9 million. During the day 441.3 million share volumes changed hands in 44406 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH, led the market while the banking sector also performed well, especially HNB and Sampath Bank. Further, the capital goods sector too performed well.Yesterday the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 305.78 and selling rate Rs 313.32.

By Hiran H Senewiratne