Business
Triple package from India
By Claude Gunasekera
The people of India irrespective of their income levels are deeply concerned over the current situation in Sri Lanka and have come forward to help the people of Sri Lanka by way of donating humanitarian assistance material, such as, rice, sugar, wheat flour, edible oil, dhal and lifesaving medicine said the Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Chennai.
He said at a special meeting at his office in Chennai that another six batches are on the way, while large consignments of goods have already been sent to Sri Lanka. The new consignments are now being collected at central centers in southern states of India, namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Pondicherry.
Venkateshwaran said the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin, assured his fullest cooperation to support Sri Lanka by providing humanitarian assistance at this critical juncture. They stressed the bilateral relations between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka since ancient times and discussed firmly to further focus on enhancing cultural exchanges between the countries.
The Deputy High Commissioner is holding discussions at present with some of the investors in India to venture into micro, small and medium Industries in Sri Lanka. “The purpose of venturing into micro industries is to assist the underprivileged people to start home-based micro enterprises in support of their living and upgrading the life standards. Once we achieve this purpose it will positively contribute to uplift the national economy of the country” he said. He also said that a few rounds of successful discussions have already been held with a number of investors at the High Commission office and they will soon visit Sri Lanka to meet relevant authorities in the government for finalizing the ventures.
The Deputy High Commissioner is also negotiating with some of the top traders in India to exchange products required by both countries on a barter system, where exchange of currency would not be taking place in these transactions. He said such trade transactions will not only prove a solution to the prevailing foreign currency problem in Sri Lanka, but also create an export opportunity for Sri Lankan produce.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
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