Colombo Gazette

A special discussion on the proposed integration of the National Defence Fund and the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ Fund was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) at the Presidential Secretariat Recently.

The discussion primarily focused on the appointment of an expert committee to study the possibility of integrating the National Defence Fund and the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ Fund with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other special welfare programmes implemented for the Tri-Services and other service personnel. Attention was also drawn to the feasibility of such an integration, including the related financial, legal and administrative aspects.

The proposed initiative is expected to streamline the provision of assistance through the aforementioned funds while expanding the number of members of the armed forces and their families eligible to receive such welfare benefits.

In addition, the possibility of providing financial assistance to members of the armed forces to settle loans obtained from financial institutions was discussed. Preliminary discussions were also held on identifying feasible mechanisms and an institutional framework to provide such assistance.

Senior officials representing the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Kapila Janaka Bandara, the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the Attorney General’s Department, the Department of National Budget, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defence participated in the discussion.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Anura Withanage, visited United Nations peacekeeping headquarters and Sri Lankan personnel in Naqoura on 18 September, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The visit included a meeting with Major General Diodato Abagnara, head of mission and force commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL.

Counsellor Sanath Balasooriya and service assistant R.M.T. Dilshan Rathnayake accompanied the ambassador. A guard of honour preceded the headquarters meeting, during which Withanage signed the Book of Honour and exchanged gifts with Abagnara.

The discussions covered UNIFIL’s role in southern Lebanon and Sri Lanka’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The ministry reports that Abagnara expressed appreciation for Sri Lankan personnel serving with the mission, particularly those assigned to protect its headquarters. Withanage reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to international peacekeeping.

Following the headquarters engagements, the delegation visited the Sri Lankan contingent at Green Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Mahesh Pathiraja, commander of the Sri Lankan unit at UNIFIL headquarters, and other personnel hosted the visitors.

The programme included cultural activities and Sri Lankan food. Withanage discussed the contingent’s operational responsibilities and expressed appreciation for its work in southern Lebanon, according to the ministry.

He also assured personnel of the embassy’s continued support throughout their deployment and encouraged them to maintain professionalism and discipline in carrying out their responsibilities.

The ambassador thanked Pathiraja and the contingent for hosting the delegation. He also acknowledged the UNIFIL staff and Sri Lankan personnel involved in coordinating the visit.

The embassy in Beirut issued its account on 5 October, more than two weeks after the engagements. The visit brought together diplomatic discussions with UNIFIL leadership and contact with Sri Lankan personnel serving in the mission, as part of the embassy’s support for the contingent during its deployment in Lebanon.

The 28th National ICT Awards presented 127 awards across 43 categories at Monarch Imperial on 25 September, according to the National ICT Awards Trust.

The ceremony also announced 35 products and innovations nominated for the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards. Categories covered tertiary and postgraduate students, government and public sector organisations, and private businesses.

More than 600 guests attended, including government officials, business representatives, technology industry leaders, academics and award recipients, the organisers report.

The trust organises the competition with BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT’s Sri Lanka Section, leading the initiative. The awards assess technology products and innovations across the participating sectors.

DMS Group chairman Ruvan Ratnatunga received the ICT Lifetime Achievement Award. Organisers linked the recognition to his work introducing technologies, generating revenue and creating employment in Sri Lanka’s ICT industry since 1978.

Geethapriya Tillekeratne received a Distinguished ICT Stewardship Award for his contribution to the industry and the National ICT Awards.

Isuru Sirinimal headed the organising effort, while Lasith Gunawardena chaired the awards board of management. Rasith Fernando led a judging committee comprising 66 judges.

The event was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne.

In his address, Weeraratne encouraged Sri Lankan technology businesses to take products and innovations into overseas markets. He linked that ambition to government efforts to develop digital infrastructure.

In her message, Amarasuriya described the awards as supporting innovation and creating opportunities for technology professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators to contribute to the digital economy.

The competition combines recognition within Sri Lanka with a route to regional participation through the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance nominations. The 35 nominated products and innovations were drawn from the award winners announced during the ceremony, bringing together entries from education, government and the private sector.

The Carnage Athlete Foundation has reported international competition results for athletes it supports, including Commonwealth powerlifting medals and a para-category result at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

The Sri Lankan initiative was launched in June 2026 to support sporting development and help athletes compete internationally, according to Carnage.

Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation results list Rash*tha de Silva second in the women’s open 47 kg category, with a total of 342.5 kg. They also list Uvindu Jayasinghe third in the men’s open 105 kg category, with a total of 782.5 kg.

The championships took place in Winnipeg, Canada, from 17 to 27 September. The results support the foundation’s account of silver and bronze finishes for the two lifters.

Carnage also reports that visually impaired triathlete Khalid Oshman competed at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship with guide Mithun Liyanage and finished first in the Para Open Category.

The foundation identifies Oshman’s participation as a first for a visually impaired Sri Lankan. Its account presents the performance as part of its support for athletes competing across different disciplines.

The initiative also includes ultra-runner Cathryn Smart, whom Carnage credits with covering more than 330 kilometres across Sri Lanka to raise funds for a local charity.

Carnage chief executive Joel Tillekeratne linked the foundation’s work to providing athletes with sustained support and opportunities beyond individual partnerships or one-off competition results.

The organisation describes its approach as developing a longer-term pathway for athletes at different stages of their sporting careers, including emerging junior talent.

Carnage also identifies existing partnerships with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Rugby as part of its involvement in local sport.

The reported results span powerlifting, endurance sport and charity fundraising, reflecting the different activities undertaken by athletes associated with the foundation since its launch earlier this year.

Six Sri Lankan tea companies participated in a dedicated Ceylon Tea Pavilion at the Saudi Food Show in Jeddah from 27 to 29 September, according to Sri Lanka’s embassy in Riyadh.

The exhibition took place at the Jeddah Superdome. Ambassador Ameer Ajwad opened the pavilion with Consul General Mohamed Laffar and representatives of participating exporters.

The embassy organised the pavilion with the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Department of Commerce to promote Ceylon tea and connect exporters with the Saudi market.

The six pavilion participants were Imperial Tea Exports, Meezan & Company, Ceylon Tea Marketing Group, Ceylon Tea Land, Heladiv Tea and Martin Bauer Hayleys.

Five other Sri Lankan businesses participated independently: Empire Teas, Eswaran Brothers Exports, Anverally & Sons, Uniworld Teas and A.F. Jones Exporters Ceylon.

Addressing participants, Ajwad encouraged exporters to meet Saudi buyers, importers, distributors and retailers, understand market requirements and develop longer-term commercial relationships.

The ambassador linked the exhibition to opportunities for a wider range of Sri Lankan food and beverage products, alongside tea.

The embassy describes the display as the first dedicated Ceylon Tea Pavilion at the Saudi Food Show. It brought the participating companies together while other exporters maintained separate exhibition arrangements.

Ajwad also referred to growth in bilateral trade, reporting a 15 per cent increase in Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia compared with 2024. He identified packet and bulk tea as major contributors and cited approximately US$67 million in tea exports during the year.

According to the embassy, the Saudi Food Show and Saudi Food Manufacturing events together attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 95 countries.

The embassy’s first secretary for commerce, Tashma Vithanawasam, coordinated Sri Lankan participation. The programme focused on presenting products, developing buyer contacts and expanding commercial engagement in Saudi Arabia through a shared national tea pavilion.

Vietjet has won CAPA’s Asia Low Cost/Hybrid Airline of the Year award, following the launch of its direct service between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City.

CAPA confirmed the award among the winners announced at its Airline Leader Summit Asia in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, on 1 and 2 October.

The airline’s announcement identifies the Colombo route as operating three times weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The service connects Sri Lanka with Vietnam as part of Vietjet’s international network expansion.

Vietjet describes its hybrid model as combining cost discipline and operational efficiency with a wider choice of fares, amenities and services. Its strategy includes development of an Airbus A330 wide-body fleet.

Vice chairwoman, vice president and group chief financial officer Ho Ngoc Yen Phuong linked the model to investment in aircraft, technology and service capabilities, alongside competitive fares.

CAPA’s award recognises an airline adopting a low-cost or hybrid strategy that has distinguished itself through leadership and innovation. In its assessment, CAPA highlighted Vietjet’s growth and its integrated approach to training, maintenance, ground handling and technology.

The carrier also announced plans to deploy Starlink satellite internet across its fleet. The proposed service is intended to provide passengers with connectivity for work, communications and entertainment during flights.

Further investments described by the airline include a maintenance facility in Long Thanh and exploration of aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in Vietnam.

Vietjet identifies technology, artificial intelligence, data and cybersecurity as additional areas of cooperation. These developments form part of its effort to build support services alongside its flight network.

The airline presents the Colombo service as one element of that strategy, serving leisure travellers, people visiting friends and relatives, and business passengers. Its announcement links the new connection to opportunities for travel, tourism and commercial engagement between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Sri Lanka presented regional Ceylon teas at the Brussels Tea Festival on 27 September, with tastings and demonstrations supported by its embassy in Belgium and the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

The embassy reports participating for a second consecutive year in the one-day festival at Flagey, Place Sainte-Croix, in central Brussels. Organisers’ attendance, as reported by the embassy, exceeded 700 tea enthusiasts, media representatives and industry professionals from Europe.

A dedicated presentation introduced seven regional black teas, explaining how different growing areas contribute to differences in flavour and character.

Stijn Van Schoonlandt, owner of Kruze Tea Belgium, led the presentation and tasting session. The embassy identifies him as a certified tea master, a European Specialty Tea Association board member and the International Tea Masters Association’s regional director for Europe.

Black teas from high, medium and low-grown regions were brewed during an interactive session. Participants were invited to compare their flavour profiles and characteristics.

Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Belgium, Chandana Weerasena, and the embassy’s minister for commercial affairs, Thavishya Mullegamgoda, attended the presentation.

The programme included a question-and-answer session covering tea culture, production, sustainable practices and opportunities to visit tea-growing regions and tea trails in Sri Lanka.

Participating brands and estates included Basilur, Dilmah, Empire Teas, Bogawanthalawa Ceylon Tea, Amba Estate, Kaley Tea Estate, Rosyth Artisan Teas and Glen Nevis Plantation, according to the embassy.

Promotional banners and market brochures accompanied the teas on display. The embassy reports that visitors also asked about connecting with suppliers and arranging estate and factory visits.

Sri Lanka’s participation combined product promotion with information about the country’s tea-growing regions and tourism experiences. The programme brought suppliers into contact with European tea enthusiasts and industry participants, while presenting the regional differences within Ceylon tea through demonstrations rather than a single representative blend.

Sampath Bank has enabled merchants using its Internet Payment Gateway to accept Google Pay, through a partnership with payment infrastructure provider Bancstac, according to the bank’s announcement.

The service is intended for payments through e-commerce platforms, mobile applications and digital invoices. Participating businesses can add Google Pay as a checkout option within the Sampath Bank gateway.

The partners describe the payment process as using tokenisation and customer authentication, including biometric verification or device passcodes. Bancstac processes transactions after verification, while reconciliation follows Sampath Bank’s existing settlement arrangements.

According to the announcement, businesses already using the gateway, or joining it, do not need technical integration or development to access the capability.

Sampath Bank’s head of card centre, Chirath Samarasekara, linked the service to efforts to expand the bank’s payment options and enable merchants to reach customers using digital wallets.

Bancstac chief executive Evan Lau described the integration as reducing technical barriers for businesses seeking to offer Google Pay. He also linked it to the partners’ aim of improving online checkout and reducing abandoned purchases.

The announcement concerns merchant acceptance through the bank’s online gateway. Google separately lists Sampath Bank Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards among supported payment methods for Google Wallet in Sri Lanka.

Card eligibility and merchant acceptance serve different parts of the payment process. Google’s support information states that banks determine whether their cards work with Wallet and may restrict individual cards from mobile payments.

The partners identify Android devices as part of the intended customer experience and present the gateway integration as an additional option for online purchases.

Bancstac provides payment infrastructure to licensed financial institutions, including connections to banking systems and payment networks. Sampath Bank was established in 1987. The partnership extends the bank’s relationship with Bancstac into Google Pay acceptance for its gateway merchants.

Colombo Stock Exchange will hold the eighth CSE Masterminds Quiz at Shangri-La Colombo on 9 October, offering more than Rs. 5 million in prizes, rewards and giveaways, according to the exchange.

The team competition begins at 3 pm in the hotel’s Main Ballroom and brings together teams from the public and private sectors.

Questions will cover international business, global markets, current affairs, the Sri Lankan economy and business, the local stock market, and sports and entertainment. A rapid-fire round will conclude the competition.

The winning team can receive up to Rs. 2 million, with up to Rs. 1 million for the runners-up and Rs. 750,000 for the team placed third. Sector awards will recognise the highest-performing team from each participating sector.

The exchange’s combined prize figure includes championship prizes, sector awards, audience prizes, raffle offerings and participant gift bags. It therefore covers rewards beyond the main team competition.

Guest participants can take part in audience question rounds and a raffle for three free return tickets provided by Fits Aviation. The audience segment is supported by ACCA, CIMA and Sarvodaya Development Finance and facilitated through Layup by Creative E-Learning.

An evening after-party will feature the band Doctor and guest performer Umara Sinhawansa, together with food and beverages. Each participant will receive a gift bag supported by the event’s sponsors.

Hatton National Bank and Bartleet Religare Stockbrokers are platinum sponsors. Other partners include financial institutions, technology companies and consumer businesses.

Shangri-La Colombo is the hospitality partner, International Distillers the beverage partner and Fits Aviation the official airline partner. Daily FT, Daily Mirror and the Sunday Times are print media partners.

Enquiries about participating in the competition can be directed to Shanika on 076 305 6691 or Dinusha on 076 431 6907.

SLIIT has won two honours at the BestWeb.LK 2026 competition: Gold for Best University and Higher Education Institute Website and the category’s Best Mobile User Experience Website award.

The LK Domain Registry’s published winners list identifies www.sliit.lk as the recipient of both awards. The competition recognises websites using Sri Lanka’s .lk domain.

The awards distinguish the institution’s overall website from its performance for users accessing information on mobile devices. According to SLIIT, the assessment covers technical quality, performance, design, content and security.

The institute identifies navigation, accessibility, responsive design, loading performance and the quality of information as factors that shape visitors’ experience. Mobile usability concerns how information is presented and accessed on smaller screens.

SLIIT’s website combines information about programmes, study pathways, research, student life and the institution. Its programme finder enables visitors to explore courses using factors including study area, qualification and location.

These functions provide prospective students and families with a starting point for comparing study options before attending a campus visit. They also allow users to move between course information and other material about the institution.

SLIIT links the recognition to the role its website plays in helping visitors understand available programmes and decide their next steps. The institute describes the website as an early point of contact with prospective students.

The Gold award concerns the website as a whole, while the separate mobile award recognises the experience within the same higher education category. The honours relate to the digital platform rather than an assessment of individual academic programmes.

The recognition comes from the competition organised by the LK Domain Registry, which evaluates websites across several sectors. Within the university and higher education category, SLIIT’s site appears on the published list for both the Gold award and mobile user experience recognition for 2026.