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Water, war and renewal: The Iranamadu Reservoir’s new dawn with ADB

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ADB's Takafumi Kadano (front) receives a project briefing from provincial irrigation authorities, ensuring the Iranamadu development aligns with community needs and long-term sustainability goals.

For generations, the water level of the Iranamadu Reservoir has been the true measure of northern Sri Lanka’s fortune. This ancient tank, a cornerstone of life in Kilinochchi, tells a story of heritage, conflict, and now, an extraordinary rebirth facilitated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Once a casualty of a decades-long civil war, Iranamadu is today a powerful symbol of post-conflict renaissance, fueled by strategic investment and a revolutionary community-led model that is turning subsistence farmers into agri-business owners.

The conflict from 1983 to 2009 shattered the region’s infrastructure. Iranamadu, the largest reservoir in the Northern Province and the lifeline for 40% of Kilinochchi’s population, was severely wounded. Even before the war peaked, its decay had begun. A major slip in its downstream embankment in 1983 forced authorities to curtail its storage capacity to just 70%, crippling the livelihoods of thousands of farm families who depended on it to irrigate over 20,000 acres of paddy and upland crops.

With peace in 2009 came the daunting task of rebuilding. At the request of the government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with its mandate for critical infrastructure, identified the resurrection of Iranamadu as an urgent priority. Then under the Jaffna Kilinochchi Water Supply Project, a comprehensive reconstruction was undertaken between 2010 and 2016.

The mission was clear: restore not just the structure, but its potential. Engineers strengthened the 2.75km embankment, rebuilt spillways, and restored sluice gates. The result was a tangible victory: the reservoir’s capacity expanded by 12.5%, raising its full supply level and unlocking millions of gallons of lost potential.

Yet, the true success of this rebirth lies beyond its construction. It is found in the innovative, sustainable governance model that was revived and enhanced.

The project restored an abandoned lift irrigation scheme but powered it with a modern twist: solar panels. This forward-thinking move eliminated energy costs, ensuring the system’s long-term viability. More powerfully, the project empowered the very people it was built to serve.

The Provincial Irrigation Department provides administration, but the financial and operational maintenance of the asset is entrusted to the farmer beneficiaries themselves. This is not a burden they bear, but an investment they proudly make.

“When we look at the calculations in a purely economic perspective, the yield per acre now significantly outweighs the maintenance cost,” one farmer told The Island Financial Review.

“Secured water has transformed us from subsistence farmers into commercial agri-businesspeople. We now cultivate high value crops ; paddy, vegetables, fruits, groundnuts with confidence. The cost we bear is a direct investment into a system that generates substantial returns and we are happy about this operation model,” he said.

The story of Iranamadu is a hybrid narrative. It is a story of how ADB’s post-conflict investment, when executed with respect for local context and community, can do more than rebuild a broken structure; it can restore a broken economy and empower a people to write their own prosperous new chapter.

It is a living testament to what a public-community partnership can achieve, proving that the most sustainable resource is not just water, but human hope and ingenuity.

The Asian Development Bank approved an additional loan of $120 million for the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply Project. This supplemented an initial $90 million loan approved in 2010. The overall project cost was estimated at $266 million. The financing supported the construction of a desalination plant and associated infrastructure. A separate technical assistance grant of $500,000 was also provided for institutional capacity development. The project is now under operation as expected.

By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️



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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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