Business
The new 4A’s board to drive a 3R strategy to revive the advertising industry
The Sri Lankan Chapter of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As) recently elected its new president and the Board of Directors for 2023/2024 at its annual general meeting (AGM). The advertising industry and marketing fraternity can look forward to a revived and re-energized 4As under the new leadership of its new board.
Hailing from diverse disciplines of advertising, the dynamic and street-savvy team is poised to tackle the ever-evolving landscape of advertising in Sri Lanka. The new 4A’s board consists of President Alann Lopez, Vice President Alvin Gomesz, Vice President Selonica Perumal, General Secretary Nathasha Martyn, Treasurer Subodha Pilimatalawwe, and Directors Chrishantha Jayasinghe, Dilshara Jayamanna, Varuni Jayasekera, Wasaam Ismail, and Ahmed T. Hassan. With a commitment to improving the industry’s standards, the 4A’s board is well-positioned to lead and inspire the advertising fraternity in Sri Lanka.
The 4A’s board has recently launched its new 3R strategy – Resource, Revenue, and Reputation – with the aim of revitalizing the association’s energy and reputation. Through this strategy, the board seeks to improve its resource management, generate more revenue for the industry, and enhance its reputation by forming strategic partnerships with other organizations.
With a focus on retaining, nurturing, attracting, and rewarding talent, the Resource initiative will see the implementation of various programs. The board believes these initiatives will help bring career development, raising the bar of creativity and encourage the young talent to join the advertising industry.
Within the last few years, the industry was hardest hit by COVID, the economic crisis, and government taxes. Under the Revenue initiative, the board aims to implement the right mix of initiatives that will help improve the revenue of the member agencies.
The board recognizes that Reputation is crucial in the advertising industry and strategic partnerships with other bodies, institutions, and other stakeholders will help the industry gain learning, recognition and foster reputation.
The board is confident that its 3R strategy will revive the industry and restore 4A’s as a leading industry association.
The 4A’s is a non-profit organization committed to advancing the Marketing Communications and Advertising industry in Sri Lanka with a mission to elevate the industry’s stature by nurturing talent, creativity, and promoting ethical advertising practices. We aim to provide leadership to better understand the usefulness and scope of advertising and other marketing communication tools for advertisers and the public in today’s fast-paced business world. Through the work, 4As strive to drive excellence in the industry while safeguarding members’ interests and being their voice.
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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