George Steuart & Company joined a CWEIC delegation to Nigeria and Kenya to explore trade and expansion opportunities across tea, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, digital trade and other sectors. The visit included the Manufacturing Africa CEO Forum, KIAC meeting, an Equity Group roadshow and meetings with Lagos officials and industry partners.
Tea & Plantation CropsHealthcare & PharmaConsumer Staples (FMCG)IT & Digital
Ada Derana·Dec 30, 2025·Promotional / marketingPositive
Port City Colombo marks 11 years as CHEC reiterates progress, announcing commissioning of public utility connections to Colombo’s grid and citing over USD 1bn in land development investments, including a USD 120m marina by Browns Investments (LOLC group).
Dialog Axiata PLC and the Dialog–University of Moratuwa Research Lab launched SinhalaVITS, an open-source Sinhala text-to-speech model now available for download on Hugging Face. The non-commercial model is intended to help developers, researchers and services in areas like education and healthcare.
Ninewells Hospital launched Ninewells Eye, billed as Sri Lanka's first fully integrated eye care centre, featuring two dedicated eye surgery theatres, advanced diagnostics (OCT, visual field, lasers), optical services and an on-site pharmacy. The centre provides adult and paediatric outpatient care, same-floor admission-to-discharge flow and a VIP lounge.
Round Table Sri Lanka mounted rapid relief after Cyclone Ditwah, distributing 10,000+ food parcels, 1,000+ ration packs, coordinating 100 rescues and airlifting dry rations to inaccessible areas with partner support.
Consumer Staples (FMCG)Healthcare & Pharma
Ada Derana·Dec 26, 2025·Promotional / marketing·DFCCPositive
DFCC Bank has partnered with Singhe Hospitals PLC to offer islandwide preferential healthcare benefits to DFCC Garusaru Senior Citizen Savings Account holders, covering specialist consultations, diagnostics, selected procedures, room concessions and ambulance/transport across Singhe’s network.
The Cabinet approved seven new Industry Consultancy Committees covering indigenous medicine, confectionery, traditional handicrafts, chicken-related industries, ornamental fish and seaweed, creative crafts and event management to strengthen policy coordination and industry participation. Each committee will have up to 25 members from state bodies, industry and academia.
Morison donated medicines worth nearly Rs. 4 million through its 'Suwa Deya' CSR platform to support cyclone‑affected communities, acting as Principal Medical Partner with Swarnavahini to distribute supplies via upcoming medical camps.
The Jaffna International Trade Fair will return 23–25 January 2026 at Muttraweli Ground, featuring 400+ stalls; last year the event attracted 78,452 visitors and 5,000 invited business delegates.
Construction ActivityTourismExportersHealthcare & Pharma
India pledged a $450m reconstruction package for Sri Lanka—$350m in concessional lines of credit and $100m in grants—to support recovery from Cyclone Ditwah. Assistance will target roads, bridges, housing, health and education, agriculture and disaster-response, with India also encouraging tourism and FDI.
Cabinet approved resumption of eight stalled hospital projects at a revised total State cost of Rs.16.223 billion. Most projects are now targeted for completion by end-2028, with revisions adding Rs.9.508 billion to public finances versus original estimates.
India will provide a comprehensive assistance package to Sri Lanka for relief and rehabilitation after Cyclone Ditwah, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sent as Special Envoy to coordinate implementation. The support follows 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' which delivered immediate relief and emergency services.
Bank of Ceylon issued a Basel III–compliant Tier II listed Sustainability Bond — the largest sustainability bond in Sri Lanka — which was oversubscribed and closed on opening day (22 December). Proceeds will fund eligible green and social projects including renewables, water/waste, agriculture, MSMEs, healthcare and education.
India committed US$450 million to Sri Lanka for Cyclone Ditwah recovery, comprising US$350m in concessional lines of credit and US$100m in grants to rebuild roads, railways, bridges, houses, health services and rehabilitate agriculture.
Hatton National Bank PLC raised Rs. 10 billion from an oversubscribed issuance of 100 million listed, rated “AA-(lka)” unsecured senior sustainable bonds in five- and seven-year tenors. Proceeds will fund renewable energy, energy-efficiency, green buildings, water infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives.
HNB PLC raised LKR 10 Bn from an oversubscribed issuance of 100 million listed, rated (AA-(lka)) unsecured senior sustainable bonds in 5- and 7-year tenors. Proceeds will fund renewable-energy, energy-efficiency, green buildings, water projects and social initiatives including housing, healthcare and education.
George Steuart & Company joined a CWEIC delegation to Nigeria and Kenya in late 2025 to explore trade and expansion opportunities across tea, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, travel and digital trade, with Kenya highlighted as a gateway to over 500 million consumers. Meetings included Manufacturing Africa CEO Forum, KIAC, an Equity Group roadshow and discussions with Lagos officials and industry groups.
The National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC) awarded over LKR 227 million to nine projects selected in Q1, with Bank of Ceylon providing funds under MoUs and disbursements tied to project KPIs. Projects span AI, energy supercapacitors, tea and cinnamon processing, coconut oil testing, kitul beverages, export knitting and soil microbial inputs.
World Bank's GRADE estimates Cyclone Ditwah caused US$4.1 billion in direct physical damage in Sri Lanka (about 4% of GDP). Infrastructure accounted for US$1.735bn, agriculture US$814m and residential US$985m; the World Bank has mobilized up to US$120m for recovery.
Construction ActivityHealthcare & Pharma
Ada Derana·Dec 22, 2025·Award or certification·NHLPositive
Nawaloka Hospitals PLC (NHL.N0000) marks 40 years of operations, emphasizing patient-centred care and responsible growth while highlighting recent integration of advanced and AI-supported medical technologies to improve diagnostics and clinical workflows.
Flemingo Duty Free pledged LKR 1 million to the National Cancer Hospital (Apeksha Hospital), Maharagama, through the KickCancerThon initiative. The donation was announced at the ICA International Marathon on 14 December 2025 and will support the hospital’s Surgical Department.
Healthcare & Pharma
Ada Derana·Dec 22, 2025·Management or board change
The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes appointed a new Governing Council for 2025–2027, naming Raveen Wickramasinghe as President. The council includes representatives from Asiri, Nawaloka, Lanka, Ceylon and Singhe hospitals and will focus on policy advocacy, quality and capacity building.
Seylan Bank PLC integrated eChannelling Ltd. with its Open API Banking platform to enable real-time, secure automated payments and instantaneous reconciliation via LankaPay JustPay. The integration aims to improve transaction efficiency and reduce manual reconciliation for corporate and healthcare partners.
IMF approved US$206 million in emergency RFI financing for Sri Lanka to address urgent balance-of-payments and fiscal needs from Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability. The Fifth Review under the EFF is deferred and an IMF mission will visit in early 2026 to resume discussions.
Jaffna Hindu College won the Active Lifestyles Award at AIA's regional Healthiest Schools Competition for its bicycle rental initiative managed via custom software, engaging over 100 students and receiving prize money to support ongoing health and wellbeing activities.
KIU University established South Asia’s largest caregiving skill lab (over 30,000 sq ft) to train youth with internationally recognised caregiving qualifications and create structured overseas employment pathways. KIU Group also won awards for a Lahugala water project and senior staff received global recognition for international partnerships and ethical recruitment.
ADB launched a $40 million emergency Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program facility to help Sri Lanka import food, medicines and relief supplies after Cyclone Ditwah. The funds, backed by Munich Re and Swiss Re, will be channeled through six partner banks for rapid delivery.
Link Natural Products was awarded Best Exporter – Herbal & Ayurveda Products Category at the 27th Presidential Export Awards for the 2024/25 financial year. Its flagship product Link Samahan is sold in over 30 countries and in major international retail chains.
Sunshine Holdings (SUN.N0000) ran 'Unmask Diabetes 2025' free screenings across 10 Healthguard outlets in Colombo, reaching nearly 900 people on 14–15 November. The Suwa Diviya CSR drive offered free blood sugar and blood pressure tests plus consultations on diabetes prevention and management.