Business
The Ceylon Institute of English & Leadership, a true leader in language and leadership training
The Ceylon Institute of English & Leadership (CIOEL) is one of Sri Lanka’s largest online English language training institutions. CIOEL specializes in all facets of English Language Training, from basic to advanced, and caters to the needs of undergraduates, working executives, job seekers, athletes, and professionals. The institute also understands the importance of communication in businesses and offers in-house Customer Service Training for organizations that want to improve their customer service.
CIOEL offers multiple courses and qualifications including the ‘Certificate in English’ which entails basic reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and is best suited for students who have completed GCE O-levels and A-levels.
The ‘Business English & Leadership Programme’ consists of modules of business communication and leadership that are essential for working executives and those looking to join the workforce. The ‘Leadership & Sustainability Programme’ on offer at CIOEL, provides students great insights on leadership, teamwork, sustainability in business and corporate communication. The skills and offer are best suited for working executives, university students, and those seeking employment.
The institute also provides programmes designed for children with a particular focus on elocution. CIOEL believes that elocution lessons can greatly improve communication skills which in turn builds children’s confidence and help them become more assertive.
Watson Michael, the Managing Director of the Ceylon Institute of English & Leadership shared his comments on the importance of language training, “In this modern age, language training is more important than it has ever been, especially for the youth of Sri Lanka who want to move on to better brighter futures. It is for this reason that we at CIOEL, cater to students of all ages and from all walks of life.”
CIOEL also hosts a podcast on their YouTube channel, where the institute showcases projects on leadership and more conducted by Watson Michael with personalities from all over the world. The personalities include an Emmy Award Winner, a 2-time Emmy nominated TV producer, International Best-Selling Authors and more.
One such personality was Dewey Cooper, a 9-time World Championship Boxing and MMA coach who is the coach of the current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The topic which was discussed was leadership. CIOEL believes that individuals such as these, who have a proven track record with regards to leadership make the best mentors.
In addition to this, CIOEL also creates Resumes. In today’s highly connected world, it is very important to have a proper resume that showcases the individual’s skills, education, work experience, volunteering experience, past employment, and important projects which they were involved with. CIOEL creates resumes for all types of industries including; Healthcare, Finance, Sales, Marketing, HR, Banking, Operations, and a host of other industries as well.
All the training programmes available at CIOEL are conducted with the utmost care by fully qualified teachers and instructors. Students will receive certificates upon the successful completion of each course.
CIOEL is one of the largest English language online training institutes in Sri Lanka. CIOEL specializes in English language training for various levels of proficiency, from the basic to advanced stages for undergraduates, job seekers, athletes, and professionals. CIOEL believes that the guidance and knowledge of a good tutor are key to effective learning. To learn more about CIOEL and the courses on offer, visit https://cioel.com/
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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