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Boosting Northern Region MICE Expertise: SLCB Partners with Northern Province Tourism Bureau and University of Jaffna

Strengthening Northern Region MICE Capacity: SLCB Collaborates with Northern Province Tourism Bureau and University of Jaffna

In line with its annual activity plan, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) successfully conducted two major MICE capacity-building programmes in the Northern Province on 26 and 27 November 2025, aimed at enhancing industry knowledge, promoting innovation, and positioning the region as a future-ready MICE destination.

Hameedia Celebrates the Holidays with Timeless Style and Seasonal Spirit

 Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear and lifestyle brand, ushers in the festive season this December with a vibrant celebration that blends fashion, gifting, experiences, and meaningful community impact. Throughout the month, Hameedia invites customers to enjoy an elevated holiday journey across its outlets, featuring seasonal collections, festive activations, and thoughtfully curated surprises designed to spread joy and celebration.

Shoppers can explore Hameedia’s Seasonal Collection, showcasing festive edits across all six of its brands—Envoy, FH, Le Bond, Rosevelt, NUHA, and Husn. From refined menswear and elegant womenswear to lifestyle essentials, the collection offers versatile styles ideal for festive gatherings, corporate celebrations, and family occasions.

Adding to the holiday cheer, Seasonal Offers will run throughout December, delivering exceptional value for shoppers. Customers can also discover the newly launched Gifting Corner, featuring curated hampers, festive treats, and premium wrapping services. Selected outlets will host Lucky Dip Activations, while high-value shoppers can enjoy exciting rewards through the Seasonal Raffle Draw, held in partnership with Travelco Holidays and Galle Face Hotel.

The celebrations extend beyond fashion with the much-anticipated Christmas Market at Envoy Mansion, which brings together artisanal vendors, gourmet treats, and festive entertainment. Visitors can enjoy carols, live music, a Christmas photobooth, and surprise gifts for children—creating memorable experiences for the entire family.

Reinforcing its commitment to giving back, Hameedia continues its annual Christmas CSR initiative in partnership with the My Friend Foundation, supporting breast cancer patients while raising awareness and extending meaningful assistance during the season of giving.

Sharing his thoughts on the holiday campaign, Mr. Fouzul Hameed, Managing Director of Hameedia, said:

“The festive season is a time of togetherness, celebration, and giving. At Hameedia, we always look for ways to make this season more special for our customers—whether through style, meaningful experiences, or our commitment to the community. This year’s campaign brings all these elements together, and we are proud to offer a festive journey that is both joyful and memorable.”

Bringing together fashion, festive entertainment, gifting inspiration, and purposeful initiatives, Hameedia invites everyone to celebrate the true spirit of the season across all its outlets. The complete festive collection is also available online at www.hameedia.com

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HUTCH Partners with Evoke Digital Australia to Launch ‘Roopa Hala’ for Streaming Sri Lankan Cinema

 HUTCH Launches ‘Roopa Hala’ with Evoke Digital Australia to Stream Sri Lankan Cinema Anytime, Anywhere

HUTCH has unveiled Roopa Hala, a premium streaming platform launched in collaboration with Evoke Digital Australia, bringing Sri Lanka’s most-loved cinema and storytelling to audiences at the tap of a screen. Designed for seamless viewing at home, on the move, or abroad, Roopa Hala makes top local content instantly accessible through a single, intuitive platform.

The service brings together Sinhala films, TV series, web series, and exclusive premieres, offering viewers a rich and enjoyable entertainment experience. Available both in Sri Lanka and internationally, Roopa Hala enables audiences around the world to access Sri Lankan and regional content without borders.

Roopa Hala features an extensive library of over 1,000 hours of immersive content, including more than 500 Sinhala films, a curated selection of Timeline Classics, the latest cinematic releases, popular TV and web series, and exclusive movie premieres tailored for both local and global audiences.

Built with a strong focus on Sri Lankan viewing preferences, the platform caters not only to audiences at home but also to the Sri Lankan diaspora seeking to stay connected to their culture through film and storytelling. From this Christmas season, HUTCH customers in Sri Lanka, those travelling overseas, and long-term residents abroad can subscribe to Roopa Hala via the mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play, or through https://roopahala.com.au/
, ensuring a seamless viewing experience across multiple devices. The Roopa Hala Smart TV app is also available, enabling effortless viewing on all major smart TV platforms.

As the festive season approaches, Roopa Hala offers the perfect way to enjoy Christmas with family and friends—whether through cozy movie nights at home or entertainment on the go. The launch of Roopa Hala, in partnership with Evoke Digital Australia, reflects HUTCH’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class digital services that enrich lives and bring Sri Lankans closer to the content they love.

Seylan Islamic Banking Supports OrphanCare Trust to Empower Orphans Beyond Institutional Care

 Seylan Bank’s Islamic Banking Unit recently extended its support to OrphanCare Trust, contributing LKR 1 million from its charity fund to strengthen the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support orphaned youth as they transition into independent life beyond institutional care.

The donation was handed over at a simple ceremony attended by senior representatives of Seylan Bank, including Mr. Sameer Mohamed, Head of the Islamic Banking Unit; Mr. Ranil Dissanayake, Chief Operating Officer; and Mr. Ramesh Jayasekara, Director and Chief Executive Officer. OrphanCare Trust was represented by its Head, Mr. Azad Zaheed, and Deputy Head, Mr. Marshad Barry. The contribution reflects Seylan Islamic Banking’s continued commitment to uplifting underprivileged communities through initiatives that create meaningful and long-term social impact.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Ranil Dissanayake, Chief Operating Officer of Seylan Bank, stated:

“At Seylan Islamic Banking, we recognise the importance of sustainable giving—supporting initiatives that empower individuals to build better futures for themselves. OrphanCare Trust’s focus on supporting youth after they leave institutional care aligns closely with our core values of compassion, equity, and community development.”

Established in 2019, OrphanCare Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to addressing a critical yet often overlooked need—supporting orphans once they reach 18 years of age and are required to leave institutional childcare. Guided by Article 2 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Trust operates without discrimination based on race, religion, or background, providing care, guidance, and opportunities to orphaned youth across Sri Lanka.

Currently, OrphanCare Trust supports children from over 90 childcare homes, including six orphanages in the Western Province. Since its inception, the Trust has disbursed more than Rs. 75 million across 21 funding rounds, benefitting over 3,100 orphans nationwide. Beyond financial assistance, OrphanCare’s mission centres on ensuring that orphaned youth are not left without direction after exiting institutional care, supporting their access to education, employment, and pathways to long-term self-sufficiency.

As an initiative that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries, OrphanCare Trust continues to embody the spirit of unity and compassion, ensuring that every orphaned child is given the opportunity to lead a dignified and independent life.

The contribution further reflects Seylan Islamic Banking’s broader commitment to supporting charitable initiatives that go beyond immediate relief, focusing instead on sustainable empowerment, inclusion, and long-term social development.

GovPay Records Rs. 2 Billion in Digital Transactions by End of 2025

 GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform, concluded 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey. Notably, the platform doubled its collections from Rs. 1 billion to Rs. 2 billion within just 45 days, highlighting rapid adoption, growing public trust, and strong institutional uptake across the public sector.

Since its official launch on 07 February 2025, GovPay has processed over 69,000 digital transactions, enabling payments for 3,372 government services across 215 government institutions. This accelerated growth reflects the increasing reliance of both citizens and government agencies on secure, convenient, and transparent digital payment solutions.

Implemented under the strategic leadership of the Ministry of Digital Economy, GovPay is operated by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in collaboration with LankaPay. The platform has emerged as a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s national digital public infrastructure, playing a vital role in advancing financial inclusion, improving service efficiency, and strengthening transparency in public service delivery.

A major milestone in 2025 was the launch of the Online Traffic Fine Payment System through GovPay on 10 April 2025. Since its introduction, the system has facilitated over 50,000 digital traffic fine payments, generating more than Rs. 66 million in revenue. The service is currently operational across the Western, Southern, Northern, North Western, and North Central Provinces, including the Southern, Katunayake, and Central Expressways. While the planned island-wide rollout in December 2025 was postponed due to adverse weather conditions and disaster-related challenges, ICTA, in coordination with the Sri Lanka Police and with the support of LankaPay, will complete the nationwide rollout in January 2026, with a landmark launch in the Central Province.

GovPay has also continued to expand its reach across local authorities, including Divisional Secretariats, Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas, significantly improving citizens’ access to essential government services. The platform now supports digital transactions for all local authorities in the Northern Province and all Divisional Secretariats in the Southern Province, with a national target to digitize all local authorities by 2026.

Several institutions emerged as leading contributors to GovPay in 2025, including Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Technical Education and Training, the University of Moratuwa, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board. Strong adoption within the education sector, in particular, underscores the readiness of younger generations to embrace digital transformation and demonstrates the platform’s scalability and reliability.

Beyond routine government services, GovPay also played a critical role in supporting national disaster response efforts. Since 30 November 2025, the platform has facilitated digital donations to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund, collecting nearly Rs. 14 million across 909 transactions, including contributions from Sri Lankans living abroad. This ensured transparency, accountability, and ease of contribution during a national emergency.

As GovPay continues to evolve, ICTA is currently working on revamping www.govpay.lk
 with enhanced features to support institutional onboarding, service management, and advanced reporting capabilities. With Rs. 2 billion in digital collections achieved within its first year of operation—and the final Rs. 1 billion reached in just 45 days—GovPay stands as a powerful example of coordinated digital transformation, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s vision of achieving a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030.

Dialog Unveils Sri Lanka’s Largest 5G Network, Serving Over 1.5 Million Subscribers

 Dialog Axiata PLC has officially launched Dialog 5G Ultra, marking a major milestone in

WindForce PLC Launches Rooftop Solar Project at Joy Island, Maldives

 WindForce PLC has successfully commissioned a 432.2 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) power project at Joy Island, Maldives, further expanding its regional renewable energy footprint.

The project, located at Joy Island, Kassanfushi, Kaafu Atoll, was commissioned on 13 December 2025, following an Engineering, Procurement, and Commissioning (EPC) contract awarded earlier this year. WindForce entered into the EPC agreement with Joy Resort Pvt Ltd on 14 July 2025 to develop a rooftop solar PV system aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Following revised client requirements, the installed capacity was increased from the initially planned level, with the total project cost reaching USD 321,000.

WindForce PLC stated that the commissioning of the project aligns with its strategic objective of expanding its renewable energy portfolio and supporting the transition to clean energy across the region, while delivering long-term value to stakeholders.

HNB General Insurance Clinches Gold in Insurance Sector at National Management Excellence Awards 2025

 HNB General Insurance has been crowned the Gold Winner in the Insurance Sector at the National Management Excellence Awards (NMEA) 2025, organized by the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka (IMSL). This recognition highlights the company’s accelerated transformation journey, the maturity of its management practices, and the strength of its internal operating model, reinforcing its trajectory of sustainable growth.

The NMEA, widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s premier platform for management excellence, evaluates organizations based on governance, strategic execution, innovation, and operational resilience rather than short-term financial performance. Entries undergo a rigorous multi-stage assessment by an independent panel of eminent judges, ensuring credibility and impartiality.

Commenting on the achievement, Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance, said:
"This Gold Award validates the transformation journey we have undertaken over the past few years. It affirms that when people, processes, and performance are aligned with clarity of purpose, management excellence becomes a natural outcome. It also reinforces our belief that sustainable success is built from the inside out."

Dilshan Perera, Chief Transformation Officer, added:
"This award reflects the discipline with which we have strengthened our processes, governance frameworks, and execution capabilities. It confirms that our operational foundations are strong and future-ready, enabling consistent performance even in challenging conditions."

The NMEA 2025 recognized excellence across 15 award categories at gold, silver, and bronze levels, assessing leadership, governance, strategic execution, risk management, and organizational resilience. HNB General Insurance’s Gold recognition underscores its customer-focused insurance solutions, operational efficiency, and responsible financial management in a dynamic industry environment.

This accolade follows HNB General Insurance’s ranking as third in the “General Insurance” category of the LMD Customer Excellence Rankings, further highlighting strong customer confidence and consistent service delivery. Together, these recognitions reinforce the company’s position as a well-managed, customer-centric organization, committed to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

Bally’s Marks 30 Years of Excellence at the Grand Awards 2025

 Bally’s, Sri Lanka’s leading entertainment powerhouse, marked a monumental milestone with the Bally’s Awards 2025, held on 5th November 2025 at ITC Ratnadipa Colombo. Celebrating 30 years of legacy, this year’s ceremony united all departments under one grand stage to honour dedication, loyalty, and outstanding performance.

The event was graced by Mr. Anuradha Perera, Chairman of Bally’s Ltd., as Chief Guest, adding prestige to the celebrations. Excellence was recognised across multiple categories, including Performance Excellence Awards, Service Excellence Awards, Leadership Excellence Awards, and the Golden Handshake, acknowledging retiring employees for their valued service. Special recognitions such as Most Popular Employee (Gaming & Corporate) and Bally’s Personality of the Year brought extra excitement to the evening.

With over 300 awards presented, Bally’s Awards 2025 emerged as one of the most significant internal recognition events in the company’s journey. The ceremony’s theme beautifully blended traditional Sri Lankan artistry with modern creative elements, symbolising Bally’s evolution from a homegrown brand to an internationally acclaimed entertainment name. A standout performance by Mr. Randhir Witana added star appeal and elevated the night’s entertainment experience.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Mr. Rahul Attanayake, Chief Human Resources Officer, highlighting Bally’s people-centric culture and commitment to employee development. A special message from Mr. Tony Macmillan, CEO, reflected on Bally’s transformative journey, future vision, and the collective spirit that has driven the company forward over three remarkable decades.

More than just an awards ceremony, Bally’s Awards 2025 reaffirmed the company’s dedication to recognising talent, nurturing its workforce, and fostering a culture where excellence thrives. The evening concluded with renewed pride, motivation, and inspiration as the Bally’s family celebrated three decades of achievement and looked ahead to an exciting new chapter.

Gree Airtech launches its flagship store in Nawala

 Gree, the world’s No.1 air-conditioning brand, marked a milestone in its Sri Lankan journey with the opening of its flagship store at No. 378, Araliya Gardens, Nawala Road, Nawala, on 22 December 2025. The store was officially inaugurated by Gree Airtech Pvt Ltd, the authorized agent for GREE in Sri Lanka.

The new showroom reflects GREE’s long-term commitment to the local market, offering customers, industry professionals, and partners a comprehensive brand experience. Visitors can explore GREE’s technology, design philosophy, and service standards in a modern, purpose-built retail environment.

Coinciding with the launch, Gree Airtech introduced two new models to the Sri Lankan market: the GREE Joywind Floor Standing Inverter Air Conditioner, ideal for large residential and commercial spaces, and the GREE Clivia Air Conditioner, available in Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, Black, and Silver. The Clivia combines advanced functionality—AI-driven climate optimization, UV sterilisation, and smart controls—with elegant design to enhance everyday living.

Speaking at the opening, Adhil Anees, Managing Director of Gree Airtech Pvt Ltd, said:
"The opening of our flagship store in Nawala marks an important step in strengthening the GREE brand in Sri Lanka. It reflects our long-term vision to build a strong market presence supported by quality products, reliable service, and meaningful customer engagement."

The ceremony was attended by company leadership, industry stakeholders, dealers, and invited guests, underscoring the strategic importance of the launch.

With the Nawala flagship store and the expanded product portfolio, Gree Airtech Pvt Ltd continues to reinforce GREE’s reputation as a trusted provider of innovative and reliable air-conditioning solutions in Sri Lanka.

Atlas Paata Lowak Dinana Hetak Celebrates Emerging Artists Across the Nation

 Atlas, Sri Lanka’s leading learning brand, recently reaffirmed its commitment to making learning fun and engaging through the Atlas All-Island Art Competition 2025, held under the theme ‘Atlas paata lowak dinana hetak’ at Arcade Independence Square.

Students from Preschool to Grade 11 showcased their creativity across five categories, with all-island winners receiving cash prizes, certificates, and gift packs. Merit winners in each category were also recognized for their efforts.

The event brought together students, parents, and educators, celebrating Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity while nurturing young talent and reinforcing Atlas’s dedication to education, creativity, and building confidence among schoolchildren.

The competition concluded with the ‘Atlas Art Carnival’, a lively celebration where children and parents enjoyed games and creative art activities in a fun-filled atmosphere.

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