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

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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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SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System

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SriLankan Airlines recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of its AI- and ML-powered Revenue Management System, a project that earned the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 by PROS and the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.

Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”

Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”

Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.

Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.

This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)

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CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme

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A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.

Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.

Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.

The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.

The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.

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LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers

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Chandana L. Aluthgama Executive Director/Principal Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd // Jayantha Kalinga Chief Operating Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd.

LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.

In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”

Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”

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