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Daily FT - May 19, 2025

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In this issue

May 19, 2025

President to attend 16th anniversary of end of conflict in North-East

PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Disanayake is scheduled to participate in the National War Heroes’ Day celebrations today at the National War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte

1 mins

Govt. and Unilever partner to establish global standard for Ceylon Tea

Holds high-level review meeting on progress of collaboration Initiative aims to boost tea production up to 400 m kilos and tea export earnings to $ 2.5 b annually in next five years

2 mins

CBSL Chief dismisses likelihood of 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports amid US trade tensions

CENTRAL Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe last Friday stated that the imposition of a 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan exports to the US is unlikely, citing ongoing diplomatic engagement and recent developments in global trade policy.

1 mins

Advocata urges Govt. to reassess recent price controls on bottled water

THE Advocata Institute has urged the Government to reassess the recent price controls imposed on bottled water.

1 mins

Manufacturing suffers seasonal dip, services sector growth slows in April

CBSL says PMI survey points to optimistic outlook for next three months

2 mins

Dialog Axiata Group commits further $ 100 m to expand digital infrastructure

Latest move brings cumulative investment to over $ 3.37 b as Sri Lanka's largest FDI

2 mins

CEB moots 18.3% tariff hike for 2H to offset costs, operational challenges

Insists proposed tariff increase is essential to maintain uninterrupted power supply, ensure financial viability as per IMF program, and support national energy security goals States tariff hike to address projected revenue shortfall of Rs. 42.19 b between June and December 2025 Forecasts revenue from new tariff revision is over Rs. 230.71 b Cites significant maintenance outages scheduled across several plants—Lakvijaya Power Plant, Kotmale, Ukuwela, and Victoria hydro plants Notes 312 MW Sobadhanavi IPP Thermal Plant expected to begin operations in combined cycle mode by next month PUCSL to release Public Consultation Paper tomorrow, will make decision in early June

2 mins

AG appoints four-member committee to review Batalanda Commission report

ATTORNEY General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe has appointed a four-member committee to study the Batalanda Commission report and assess the possibility of legal action based on its findings.

1 mins

Israel airstrikes kill at least 130 in Gaza as negotiators seek ceasefire

ISRAELI strikes killed at least 130 Palestinians across Gaza overnight, health officials said yesterday, as Israel said talks with Hamas included a proposal to end the war, but sources on both sides said there had been no progress in the talks.

1 mins

NBRO issues landslide warning for six districts

THE National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday issued early landslide warnings fr six districts.

1 mins

Mahinda issues special statement to mark 16 years since war victory

FORMER President Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued a special statement to mark the 16th anniversary since the defeat of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for over three decades.

4 mins

Shamil Mendis joins Mahaweli Reach Hotels Board

SHAMIL Mendis has joined the Board of Mahaweli Reach Hotels PLC as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

1 mins

Janek Jayasekara joins Keells Food Products Board

TOP professional Janek Jayasekara has been appointed to the Board of Keells Food Products PLC as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

1 mins

Dushan Waduwavala appointed Executive Director on Alumex Board

DUSHAN Waduwavala has been appointed as an Executive Director on the Board of Alumex PLC.

1 mins

Hitachi Top Executives Here to Honour Browns' 150-Year Legacy in Sri Lanka

Delegates from Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. (HCM) led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kotaro Hirano will be visiting Sri Lanka to join the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Browns.

1 mins

Spa Ceylon clinches another coveted global win

Clinches 'Best New Personal Care Product' title at Natural and Organic Beauty Innovation Awards 2025, UK Launches new-tech infused SeaVeda and ForestVeda wellness collections

2 mins

National SME Forum 2025 to spotlight export opportunities for local enterprises

THE Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host the National SME Forum 2025 on Wednesday, 21 May at the Taj Samudra, Colombo. The full-day forum will bring together over 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from across Sri Lanka, providing an unparalleled platform to explore export opportunities, gain expert insights, and connect with global markets.

1 mins

Teejay Group closes FY 2024/25 with remarkable Q4 performance

TEEJAY Group, Sri Lanka's first multinational textile manufacturer, delivered a remarkable financial performance by posting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2.8 billion, marking a substantial 152% year-on-year (YoY) growth during the year ended 31 March 2025.

1 mins

Experts say universities must rethink or risk irrelevance

Panel at ESOFT University launch flags widening gap between academic training and job market needs, stressing urgent realignment

3 mins

Sphinx-class luxury liner AIDAstella makes maiden call at Hambantota International Port

HAMBANTOTA International Port (HIP) marked a significant milestone in its cruise operations, welcoming the Sphinx class AIDAstella, the first vessel from AIDA Cruises to call at the port.

1 mins

Etihad Airways expands fleet with 28-Boeing aircraft deal

ETIHAD Airways is further expanding its fleet, confirming an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft.

1 mins

US beefs up Sri Lanka's maritime security

Embassy transfers $ 1 m to SL Navy for advanced nuclear detection equipment to strengthen maritime security and ensure safer, secure Indian Ocean region and US homeland

2 mins

'Galle Dialogue 2025' Maritime Conference launches website

THE Commander of the Navy, officially launched the website for the upcoming International Maritime Conference 'Galle Dialogue 2025' at the Navy Headquarters last week.

1 mins

Airbus delivers first A321neo for Kuwait Airways

AIRBUS has delivered the first A321neo to Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of Kuwait, marking the first of nine A321neo aircraft on order.

1 mins

CASA and Sri Lanka Customs: A journey of continuous collaboration and progress

THE Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) has maintained a longstanding and continuous dialogue with Sri Lanka Customs, engaging on a variety of operational, strategic, and policy matters critical to the shipping and logistics industry.

2 mins

Colombo hosts global conference Maritime Security of Small, Middle and Island Nations

THE international conference on 'Maritime Security of Small, Middle and Island Nations: Between Competition, Cooperation and Co-Existence' was successfully held from 15-16 May 2025 at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

2 mins

5th Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue opens tomorrow in Colombo

THE Bay of Bengal region is one of the most densely populated regions in the world featuring some of the world’s fastest rowing economies.

1 mins

India elevates maritime security to MARSEC Level 2 amid growing threats

AMIDST escalating tensions with Pakistan and repeated attacks by the neighbouring country, India has issued an advisory elevating the security level at all its ports, terminals, and ships from MARSEC Level 1 to MARSEC Level 2.

1 mins

IATA launches 10-year global roadmap to modernise baggage operations

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a 10-year Global Baggage Roadmap to modernise baggage operations.

1 mins

Chamila Bandara appointed as WISTA Sri Lanka President

WOMEN’S International Shipping and Trading Association, (WISTA Sri Lanka) held its 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28 April at the Hilton Colombo Residences, followed by cocktails, amidst a large gathering of members and distinguished guests.

2 mins

DMASL's 2025 Digital Summit in July

THE Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL) will hold the DMASL Digital Summit 2025 from 24 to 25 July in Colombo.

1 mins

Uber Eats Sri Lanka wins Silver at Festival of Media Asia-Pacific Awards

UBER Eats Sri Lanka has won its first-ever regional marketing accolade, bagging Silver in the Creative Media award category at the prestigious Festival of Media Asia-Pacific Awards 2025.

1 mins

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka appoints Sarah Nasry as Director/CFO

Sets record as first female member of MLG's Board of Directors

1 mins

Experts share insightful perspectives at ‘PR in the Age of Disruption’ webinar for Sri Lanka

MARK and Comm, a strategic communications and PR agency, in collaboration with the Public Relations and Communications Association Asia Pacific (PRCA APAC) hosted a regional webinar for Sri Lanka titled ‘PR in the Age of Disruption’ on 28 April.

5 mins

How did Kotler become Father of Modern Marketing?

PROFESSOR Philip Kotler, fondly known as the Father of Modern Marketing, is a living legend. Not only is he the founder of the base of modern marketing, he's also a man who has proven himself to be living his values.

4 mins

Sanjaya Mohottala appointed to NDB Board

TOP professional Sanjaya Mohottala has been appointed to the Board of the National Development Bank PLC (NDB) as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director.

1 mins

Secondary Bond market yields drop; Activity robust

Rs. 173 b T-Bill auction fully subscribed; rates unchanged Money market liquidity decreases Foreign holdings in Rupee treasuries declines Rupee see-saws; closes down

2 mins

ComBank wins 'Best Cross Border Salience – LMM' award from Visa

Commercial Solutions Excellence Awards 2025, presented during the recent Visa Leadership Conclave in Colombo.

2 mins

Amãna Bank delivers strong Q1 performance

Records highest ever Q1 PBT of Rs. 739 m and PAT of Rs. 434 m Advances up by 13% or Rs. 14 b to Rs. 125 b

2 mins

Stench of sexual violence and incompetence of State

THE tragic suicide of a young girl following a harrowing case of sexual violence has laid bare, yet again, the deeprooted failures of our institutions, our society, and our collective conscience.

2 mins

Deja vu?: How to prevent Yahapalana 2.0

The Government must not forget that many that would not have traditionally voted for the JVP voted for the NPP for two main reasons

7 mins

Let creative and enterprising people head local bodies, not those with party affiliations

Therefore, though NPP is still leading, its popularity has been gravely dented within just six months of forming a very strong Government.

5 mins

Trump and Mar-a-Lago Accords

“As currency accords are typically named after re- resorts where they are negotiated, like Bretton Woods and Plaza, with some poetic license I'll describe the potential agreement in the Trump Administration... as the prospective ‘Mar-a-Lago Accord” — Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran

10+ mins

Sri Lanka's renewable energy dilemma: Choosing the right path forward

THE recent article published, 7 May 2025 in Daily FT Sri Lanka, under the title \"Wind power: Essential element of renewable energy mix for Sri Lanka,\" shared by Mayura Botejue (a.k.a. 'MB'), makes a passionate case for the primacy of wind in Sri Lanka's renewable energy transition.

7 mins

Sixth-placed Sri Lanka to receive $ 840,000

SRI Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be richer by $ 840,000 after their national cricket team finished sixth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25.

1 mins

Paolini ends wait for home winner of Italian Open

JASMINE Paolini produced a scintillating display as she blew away Coco Gauff in straight sets to end a 40-year wait for a home winner of the Women’s Singles at the Italian Open.

1 mins

Legal experts express concern over Asian Rugby Chief's letter to Attorney General

LEGAL experts have expressed concern over Asian Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai's decision to write to Sri Lanka's Attorney General's Office amidst ongoing litigation.

1 mins

Supreme Isipathana retain President's Trophy in last-gasp thriller

IN a nail-biting finale at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday, Isipathana College edged out Trinity College 12/9 to defend their Dialog President’s Trophy Knockouts title.