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Young apparel entrepreneur offers ‘winning deal’ to Sri Lankan nationals living abroad

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A 100% Sri Lankan clothing brand competing with several global companies on e-commerce platforms appeals to the Sri Lankan expatriate community to help grow the company’s international sales volume and bring in much needed foreign currency to Sri Lanka at this crucial hour for the country. Ranil Willadarage, CEO & founder of GFlock says, “This is not a charity appeal. This is a win-win transaction for Sri Lankan expatriates across the world that offers value for their hard-earned foreign currency, and the money in turn being used to import essential commodities for their fellow countrymen. As a nation, we have hit the rock bottom. The only way to go if we keep on fighting with each other is six feet under. We cannot start attacking each other again, destroy public property, set fire to private assets and fall even further. Everyone has to come together as a nation and overcome this terrible situation.”

When asked to elaborate on his solution to the foreign exchange crisis, he says,” Our company offers a sustainable solution that can help save this country. Most of our Sri Lankan expatriate community purchases their clothing from brands such as Zara, Mango, Myer, Uniqlo, H&M, and Shein. Most of these brands are based in Europe and other developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Sri Lankans living in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe tend to spend an average amount of $300-$500 as their annual clothing budget on aforementioned foreign brands. My kind request to our Sri Lankan communities abroad is to spend their clothing budget at Gflock, and place orders through our global online store, which is brought to them through the efforts of the creative workforce in Sri Lanka.”

“We know that a fashion company is a business that can earn a lot of revenue. If we take Zara, another brand with a fast fashion business model like ours, their annual revenue is between $ 20-25 billion. H&M also has similar revenue. The Shein brand founded 14 years ago in Nanjing, China, now ships to over 220 countries. With highly competitive prices and their online-only B2C model, Shein’s annual revenue is now at a staggering USD 15 billion. With the arrival of the pandemic, their annual revenue increased exponentially within the course of three years and the $3.5 billion revenue in 2019 grew to a massive $15.7 billion by 2021.”

“Taking inspiration from this and with the help of Sri Lankan expats, within 5-7 years it should be possible for us to reach an annual income of USD 5 billion. The Gflock business model is established in a way that can be scaled up as needed. My team and I have the specialized knowledge, experience and integrity required for that. So I request our Sri Lankans living abroad to think about their home country that is on the verge of collapse when spending their monthly clothing budget and buy from Gflock, a brand founded and run by the creative younger generation in their home country. Apart from that, I appeal them to be a brand ambassador for this business by promoting the goal of saving our country with at least 5 more expats and get them to buy clothes from us. If that can be achieved, we will be able to get rid of the oil and gas queues, the shortage of medicines, and the shortage of food and bring the country back to normalcy sooner than we think.”

“1/3 of the profit from our business is spent on providing a monthly essential goods package worth Rs. 8000 to our indirect employees who function as garment workers. Every week we practice gratefulness by publishing photos of such acts on our Facebook page and thanking all our customers who contributed toward these worthy causes. Also, we initiated the project of giving away a free plant with every purchase on World Environment Day -2018. Within the course of 4 years since its inception, we have managed to create over thirty thousand such meaningful bonds that link our brand and customers together with Mother Nature.”

“When the customers realize their purchase contributes to a greater good that goes beyond just a piece of clothing, it gives them a high sense of self-satisfaction, and the next time they make a purchase they do it intending to support a greater good. As owner of Gflock, I am prepared to offer 51% of the business’s shares to the Sri Lankan public in 2025. By implementing this model combined with the expected income, we shall be able to create a strong public movement that can help achieve inclusive prosperity for Sri Lankans.”

According to Ranil, GFlock releases 40-50 new designs every week, categorized under casual wear, work wear, evening wear, menswear, linen and denim for local and international customers through their three retail stores in Sri Lanka and GFlock.com online store, where they ship their products globally.



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Sri Lanka wins ‘Best Stand for Doing Business’ award at WTM 2024

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Dignitaries at the award presentation ceremony.

Sri Lanka Tourism has once again showcased its global appeal and commitment to strengthening the tourism industry by winning the esteemed “Best Stand for Doing Business” award at the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London competing with more 183 destination stands present at the show. It was presented to chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Buddhika Hewawasam by the Johnathan Hull, chairman of World Travel Market & Reed Exhibitions UK on November 6 at the Sri Lanka stand. The award underscores Sri Lanka’s innovative approach to promoting tourism and fostering partnerships with international trade partners, reaffirming its position as a key player in the global travel and hospitality industry.

The WTM, one of the world’s most prominent travel fairs, brings together tourism professionals from across the globe, facilitating business networking, and encouraging investment in the travel sector. This year, the Sri Lanka Tourism stand impressed judges and attendees alike with its visually captivating design, welcoming ambiance, and strategic layout that optimized business interactions. The stand featured immersive experiences showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, pristine natural landscapes, and vibrant wildlife, setting the perfect stage for meaningful discussions and collaborations with international tourism professionals.

The “Best Stand for Doing Business” award is particularly significant as it reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to building strong partnerships and boosting tourism following a period of unprecedented challenges. The Sri Lanka Tourism stand drew hundreds of visitors, offering them a taste of the country’s unique attractions and providing opportunities for in-depth business discussions. Key stakeholders from travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality chains engaged in productive dialogues that promise to bring more travelers to the island.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition, as it not only acknowledges the beauty and richness of our country but also validates our strategic efforts to position Sri Lanka as an accessible, desirable, and thriving destination for global travelers,” said Buddhika Hewawasam, chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism. “This award is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our tourism industry, and we look forward to strengthening partnerships that will make Sri Lanka a top choice for travelers worldwide.”

The award comes at a time when Sri Lanka has also been recognized as the best island destination in the world at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, adding to the momentum for a promising year ahead. This dual achievement highlights the dedication of Sri Lanka Tourism in showcasing the island’s potential and its readiness to welcome the world.

Sri Lanka Tourism extends its heartfelt gratitude to the WTM organizers, participants, and all stakeholders who supported its efforts at this year’s fair. The team is optimistic that this recognition will inspire greater collaboration, attract more visitors, and contribute to the sustainable growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

(Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau)

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Eye-openers on reading and education disseminated at BCIS

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Dr. Madhubhashini Disanayake Ratnayake (L) / Dr. Preethi Liyanage (R)

Intellectual curiosity is the key to knowledge and wisdom and without an undying thirst for reading, which triggers such an urge, these invaluable personal assets could never be acquired. This thought provoking message was conveyed to nearly a hundred local primary and secondary students who were visitors to the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), Colombo on October 25th by Senior Lecturer, Sri Jayewardenepura University, Dr. Madhubashini Disanayake Ratnayake.

Dr. Disanayake Ratnayake was speaking on the subject: ‘The Role of Reading in Shaping Futures in an Interconnected World.’

The event was launched, in view of National Reading Month, by the BCIS, which is celebrating the 50th year of its founding this year. Besides imparting to the students the value of the reading habit, the BCIS also intended to introduce the students to its well-equipped library, which is an invaluable resource base for those desirous of seeking a well-rounded education. For those in pursuit of cutting-edge knowledge in particularly International Relations, the BCIS Library is a veritable ‘must-go-to’ institution.

The relevant programs were conducted by the BCIS staff under the guidance of the institution’s Executive Director, Ms. Priyanthi Fernando.

The students were taken on a tour of the BCIS Library and other knowledge resources of the institution with the aim of stimulating in them the reading habit and a zest for knowledge-seeking. Such projects couldn’t have come at a better time than the present when local education at school level in particular is mainly examination-oriented.

The following are some key ‘take-away’ points, Dr. Madhubashini presented to her young audience: ‘Although exams are important, they are by no means the end-all and be-all of education. Being well-read, on the other hand, opens the door to in-depth and wide-ranging knowledge which will lead to the intellectual self-sufficiency of any individual, young or old.

‘Acquiring knowledge through continuous reading is, accordingly, a life-long process. It leads to knowledge empowerment even in one’s old age and the acquiring of ‘paper qualifications’ is not essential at the end of this process.

‘It is important to read whenever there is a possibility to do so. Reading even half a page of a literary work per day that proves enjoyable will serve the cause of one’s literacy. This points to the importance of time-management.

‘Acquiring membership of the country’s important libraries, including the National Library and its branches, will prove a great fillip in this process of educational empowerment.’

President, Sri Lanka Library Association and Librarian /Registrar, CFPS Law School, Dr. Preethi Liyanage, who also addressed the students was equally emphatic about the need for enthusiastic and continuous reading. The branches of the National Library which are spread far and wide in Sri Lanka are a boon that should be tapped effectively he pointed out.

Dr. Liyanage stressed the following: ‘Acquiring membership of the town branch of the National Library is a most inexpensive process. The annual fee that should be paid by a student is very nominal and it is not compulsory that a student be a resident of the Colombo District to be a member of the ‘Colombo Public Library’ any longer. Anyone from anywhere in the island is eligible to be a member of the ‘parent library’.

‘Literacy and knowledge is not a matter of acquiring high-sounding formal qualifications. Literary greats of Sri Lanka of yesteryear, such as Martin Wickremesinghe and G.B. Senanayake, could not boast of long primary and secondary school careers. However, they were avid readers who made good use of the country’s libraries. Their knowledge and literary greatness derived entirely from their undying reading habit.

‘Next time you wish to give someone a present, don’t give him or her a cake or sweetmeats which only invite illness. Present them with a valuable book instead.’

Lynn Ockersz

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A case for data-driven decision-making for plantations

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Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya

By Ifham Nizam

In an era where sustainable agriculture has become a global priority, Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya, Honorary Fellow at the National Institute of Plantation Management and Founding Vice-Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, addressed plantation professionals on the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making (DDDM) for plantation sustainability.

Speaking at the “Professional Members Day” hosted recently by the National Institute of Plantation Management, Embuldeniya outlined a path toward a resilient and efficient agricultural future, guided by precision technology and collaborative innovation.

Embuldeniya’s presentation, titled “Data-Driven Decision Making for Plantation Sustainability,” resonated with Sri Lanka’s agricultural leaders and policy makers. He emphasized that with global food demand on the rise, sustainable and efficient farming practices have become more essential than ever to conserve resources, protect ecosystems, and support biodiversity.

In this effort, he argued, plantations must adopt data-driven methods that leverage real-time analytics, precision agriculture, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to optimize resources, cut waste, and increase resilience against climate change.

“By utilizing data to guide our decisions, we can revolutionize plantation management,” he added. “The combination of DDDM and precision agriculture allows us to optimize resources and foster sustainability in ways traditional methods cannot.”

Central to his presentation was the concept of precision agriculture, an innovative approach that uses data to tailor farming practices to the unique needs of each plantation. Technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Variable Rate Technology (VRT), and remote sensors help growers monitor and manage critical factors like soil moisture, nutrient content, and crop health.

This data-driven approach, Embuldeniya noted, enables plantations to address specific challenges efficiently, leading to higher yields, lower costs and reduced environmental impact.

Embuldeniya highlighted that the adoption of DDDM has far-reaching sustainability benefits, allowing plantations to reduce chemical inputs, lower water usage and avoid excess fertilizer application. By using data from IoT devices and precision tools, plantations can better manage pest control and optimize their fertilization schedules, promoting both soil health and biodiversity.

This approach, he explained, also helps plantations adapt to climate change. With predictive analytics, growers can make informed decisions on planting schedules and crop rotations based on historical data and current environmental conditions, ensuring resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.

Embuldeniya illustrated the power of machine learning and big data analytics through a case study on corn yield prediction in the United States. By analyzing data from IoT sensors and satellite imagery, farmers in the Midwest achieved significant yield increases by adjusting practices to weather conditions and soil health data. This success, he argued, is a testament to the impact of DDDM and IoT integration in modern agriculture, providing valuable insights for Sri Lanka’s own plantation sector.

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