Business

‘Uber Springboard’ seen as giving local tech startups clear head start

Published

12 months ago

2025/08/1

Dignitaries of the head panel

In a move to fast-track Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ambitions, global tech giant Uber yesterday concluded the second stage of ‘Uber Springboard’, a pioneering initiative designed to nurture and elevate homegrown startups through mentorship, capacity building and exposure to global innovation ecosystems.

Partnering with the Ministry of Technology’s Department of Digital Economy, Uber aims to bridge the gap between promising Sri Lankan startups and the world stage. Five winning founders were selected through a competitive process and will now embark on an all-expense-paid exposure tour to Hyderabad, India’s tech powerhouse, where they will meet industry leaders, investors and incubators including T-Hub, Microsoft and Google.

“We know what it’s like to be a startup, said Sanjay Gupta, Head of Uber South Asia. “Uber began as a small idea to move people more efficiently. Fifteen years later, we’re helping others bring their big ideas to life—this time in Sri Lanka.”

Held at ITC Ratnadipa Colombo, the event drew leading voices from government, tech and the startup community for a thought-provoking panel discussion titled, “From Ideas to Impact: Driving Tech Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Sri Lanka.”

The panel featured: Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy,

Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Chief Advisor on Digital Economy to the President,

Manikandan Thangarathnam, Uber Senior Director (Tech),

Chandini Udumana, Women in Tech Sri Lanka Ambassador,

Nandini Wickramasinghe, Springboard winner and founder of ‘Ceylon Speechy’,

Dr. Hans Wijesuriya emphasized the need to retain value- creation within the country.

“Our graduates are among the best globally. But we’re losing them to Singapore and Dubai because the systems here are not startup-friendly, he said. “That must change. We must build platforms that let them scale globally while staying rooted here.”

He also revealed government plans to reform venture capital regulations, foster public-private co-innovation and invest in capacity-building initiatives that specifically target first-time founders and tech-driven entrepreneurs.

‘Women in Tech’ SL’s Chandini Udumana said the biggest barriers for founders are not technology or talent—but culture and confidence.

“Our youth are still told the path to success is passing A/Ls, getting a degree and joining the public sector. But the world has changed. We must start telling stories of founders who create jobs, not just look for them.”

Uber’s Senior Director Manikandan Thangarathnam, who has over 15 tech patents and deep experience in startup ecosystems across Asia, said Sri Lanka is on the cusp of a digital leap.

“You don’t need big teams anymore. Thanks to AI and cloud, even three people can build a globally scalable product. The real fuel is mindset, not manpower.”

Among the winners was Nandini Wickramasinghe, a speech therapist who transformed a COVID-era crisis into a digital solution for children with speech disorders.

“Both my clinics had to shut during the pandemic. That’s when I realised the need for accessible digital speech therapy, she said.

Now, with users across borders and interest from insurance partners, her platform Ceylon Speechy is poised to go global.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne Irungavi said Uber Springboard is the kind of initiative Sri Lanka needs to attract and retain innovation.

“We want startups to go global—but not by leaving Sri Lanka. Let them operate here, create jobs here, and bring the world to us.”

By Ifham Nizam ✍️

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Business

Sri Lanka secures 10% US tariff rate: JAAF thanks the President and government for decisive action

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Today’s announcement by USTR of the finality of the Section 301 investigations into countries’ ability to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour sees 18 countries placed on a 10% tariff, with the balance of 42 countries facing a 12.5% tariff.

Initial indications were that Sri Lanka would fall into the 12.5% category, a position that would have placed the country at a real disadvantage against a number of key competitor nations.

Following Sri Lanka’s submissions to the USTR earlier this month, JAAF is pleased to see that Sri Lanka is now among the countries placed on the 10% tariff rate, on par with competitors including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Cambodia.

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry competes in a crowded field, and even a 2.5 percentage point difference in tariff treatment can be the difference between winning and losing an order to a rival sourcing destination. Securing parity with Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Cambodia protects the competitiveness of an industry that remains the country’s largest export earner and a major source of employment, particularly for women, across the country.

JAAF recognises that this result did not happen by chance. It reflects sustained, coordinated engagement between industry and government at every level, from the submissions made to USTR to the direct representations carried out in Washington. We view this as a strong example of what can be achieved when the private sector and government work in close partnership on issues that directly affect Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness.

We remain committed to continuing this collaboration, both to safeguard the gains secured on Thursday and to ensure Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile industry is well positioned to compete on a level playing field internationally.

Business

CAHM students shine at National Bartenders Competition and Dainties 2026

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Students of the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) at SLIIT once again demonstrated their talent, creativity, and professional excellence by securing outstanding achievements at two prestigious national hospitality competitions held recently in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) is Sri Lanka’s leading private hospitality education institute, established in 2013 and located at the SLIIT Main Campus in Malabe. Renowned for delivering internationally recognised qualifications in partnership with the William Angliss Institute (RTO 3045), Australia—the Australian Government’s specialist hospitality education institute and the country’s leading provider of hospitality, tourism, foods and events education—CAHM offers Australian-standard vocational qualifications that combine international best practices with hands-on practical training and strong industry relevance, enabling graduates to pursue rewarding careers around the world.

At the 31st National Bartenders Competition (NBC), organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with International Distillers Limited (IDL), CAHM student Anurasi Chandrasoma (Commercial Cookery Batch 22) emerged as the Winner in the highly competitive Hotel School Category. The competition, held on 26 May 2026 at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM), Colombo, attracted more than 75 participants from hospitality education institutions across the country.

Representing CAHM alongside the winner were Dishala Gunawardhana (Hospitality Management Batch 37), Sunera Sathindu (Commercial Cookery Batch 21), and Devindu Amarasekara (Patisserie Batch 11), all of whom showcased exceptional bartending skills and professionalism. The achievement marks another significant milestone for CAHM, reinforcing its reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality education institutions.

Business

Asia-Pacific business leaders to convene in Sri Lanka for UN Global Compact’s flagship regional event

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Asia-Pacific stands at the forefront of one of the defining transitions of our time. Home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the region is also confronting some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to widening inequalities, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological transformation. As these challenges reshape the global business landscape, businesses are increasingly being called upon not only to respond, but to lead.

Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka will host Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, the United Nations Global Compact’s flagship regional event for Asia-Pacific. Bringing together more than 200 business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, representatives from the United Nations and UN Global Compact Country Networks from across the region, the two-day event will provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, exchange practical solutions and mobilize business leadership in support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led by the UN Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Hub and hosted in collaboration with UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, the regional event reflects a shared commitment to advancing responsible business and strengthening regional collaboration at a time when sustainable development depends on collective leadership and cross-sector cooperation.

The event will welcome Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, whose presence spotlights the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region within the United Nations Global Compact. Her first official visit to Sri Lanka signals the growing role of the region in driving responsible business and sustainable development, while offering participating companies a unique opportunity to engage with global leadership, showcase their sustainability journeys, and help shape the next chapter of collective action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Alongside Sanda Ojiambo, the Forum will also convene more than 60 global and regional leaders from business, the United Nations and civil society, including Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and Chairman of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, and Sandra Wu, ESG Executive Adviser at Mirait One Corporation, fostering dialogue and collaboration to accelerate business leadership for sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 also marks an important milestone in advancing the United Nations Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Strategy, which places renewed emphasis on equipping businesses with the knowledge, tools and partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable business transformation, catalyzing collaboration to address shared global challenges, and advancing responsible business leadership as a cornerstone of sustainable development. As one of the first flagship regional events aligned with this strategic direction, the event will help translate global ambition into regional action by connecting leaders, sharing practical experience and fostering the partnerships needed to create lasting impact.

Register Your Interest

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 11–12 August 2026.

To register your interest or learn more about the event, please contact:

Chamath Kalupahana

Country Focal Point – Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026

Manager – Participant Engagement & Strategic Planning

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka

Email: chamath@unglobalcompact.org.lk