Product & Service Launches / Business Expansions
View all(95)Symphonic Fusion: WAYO and Gustav Mahler Orchestra Set for ‘Mathaka Thanu 2’ 🎻
Sri Lanka’s entertainment and creative arts sector marks a significant milestone with a unique fusion of pop and classical music. The event signals a sophisticated evolution in the local live performance industry, blending mass-market appeal with orchestral prestige. • Event Details: Scheduled for Saturday, 28 March 2026, at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Due to high demand, the organizers have announced two sessions (3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.). • Collaborators: Features the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo, pop ensemble WAYO, and the Ceylon Quartet. • Key Highlights: • Reimagining of timeless Sri Lankan pop hits through full Western classical arrangements. • Directed by Chief Conductor Maestro Srimal Weerasinghe with arrangements by Concertmaster Darshana Amarasinghe. • Economic Context: Such high-production events contribute to the growth of the creative economy and tourism, showcasing Sri Lanka's capability for large-scale, innovative cultural productions. • Reservations: Booking is managed via WhatsApp (+94 77 798 7030), reflecting the digital shift in the local ticketing and events market. 📈
Dialog Expands 5G Network to 800+ Sites Nationwide 📈
• Digital Infrastructure: Dialog Axiata PLC has rapidly scaled its 5G coverage to over 800 live sites across 24 districts, marking the fastest 5G expansion in Sri Lanka's history. • Network Growth: The expansion follows the initial launch of 220 sites, now extending to key regions including Ratnapura, Badulla, Vavuniya, and Hambantota. • Connectivity & Adoption: The network currently serves over 1.5 million subscribers. To drive ICT engagement, Dialog has established 5G Experience Zones in Colombo and Kandy featuring AI and VR demonstrations. • Economic Context: This sustained investment in next-generation connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure aims to support enterprise innovation and inclusive national development. • Status: Expansion achieved within 3 months of commercial launch; based on official corporate data. _
Porsche Centre Colombo Unveils New High-Tech Service Facility 📈
Eurocars (Pvt) Ltd, the authorized importer and a subsidiary of IWS Holdings, has officially opened a state-of-the-art service facility in Colombo. The center is built to Porsche’s global standards, specifically designed to support the transition toward electrified mobility in Sri Lanka. • Infrastructure & Capability: The workshop is fully equipped to handle the entire Porsche range, with a specialized focus on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) like the Taycan and Macan Electric, as well as Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). • Technical Standards: The facility features Porsche PIWIS diagnostic systems, specialized EV high-voltage battery care, and dedicated service bays. All repairs are conducted by factory-trained high-voltage experts using only genuine parts. • Strategic Impact: This investment eliminates the need for overseas technical support for local owners, strengthening the automotive after-sales sector and supporting high-end premium mobility solutions in the country. • Global Recognition: Highlighting its operational excellence, Porsche Centre Colombo was recently named a recipient of the Porsche Aftersales World Challenge (PACE) for 2024 & 2025, ranking it among the brand's top-performing global service centers. • Services Offered: The facility is now open for routine maintenance, software updates, warranty repairs, and specialized diagnostics for all Porsche models currently on Sri Lankan roads.
⚖️ CA Sri Lanka Launches Faculty of Business Law and Regulatory Compliance
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has officially established the Faculty of Business Law and Regulatory Compliance to evolve the role of accountants from traditional finance to strategic guardians of corporate integrity. • Core Objectives: The faculty provides strategic direction for the CA Business School, focusing on building "legally aware" professionals capable of navigating complex governance and ethical compliance frameworks. • Strategic Pillars: The initiative is built upon four critical areas: • Business Law Integration • Regulatory Compliance Management • Financial Investigations • Dispute Resolution Expertise (including arbitration and mediation) • National Impact: By expanding expertise into alternative dispute resolution and legal proficiency, the faculty aims to reinforce transparency and public trust within the corporate Sri Lanka landscape. • Industry Context: CA Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe noted that legal fluency is no longer optional, as the profession shifts beyond bookkeeping toward roles as trusted advisors in highly regulated environments. 📈
Rs. 520m Apparel Training Complex Opens in Ratmalana 📈
The government has inaugurated a new three-storey multi-purpose facility at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) to bolster skills development within the export-oriented garment sector. • Investment Details: A total of Rs. 520 million was invested in the project, which commenced construction in 2024. • Key Facilities: The complex features a 150-computer CAD laboratory, an art and fashion studio, an auditorium, and a library to provide a modern learning environment for the textile & apparel industry. • Strategic Objective: Industry Minister Sunil Handunneththi stated the facility aims to reinforce the sector's supply chain and position Sri Lanka as a regional education hub for competitive garment manufacturing. • Economic Context: The apparel industry continues to serve as one of Sri Lanka’s primary sources of export revenue and a critical driver of national employment.
MullenLowe Sri Lanka & Synapse VII Partner for Data-Driven Advertising 📈
• Overview: MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka has integrated Synapse VII’s advanced data analytics into its digital ecosystem. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between daily digital content and long-term brand equity in Sri Lanka’s digital economy. • Strategic Focus: The partnership moves beyond short-term social media engagement metrics. It focuses on digital effectiveness and predictive diagnostics to identify media patterns that drive sustained business performance. • Expertise & Leadership: Led by Kevin Kulatilake (Managing Director, Synapse VII), the initiative brings UK-market experience—including performance leadership for global brands like Volkswagen Group and Unilever—to the local advertising and marketing sector. • Impact on Business: • Introduces a new benchmark for digital accountability. • Offers LoweDigital clients exclusive access to evidence-based strategies. • Shifts focus from traditional reporting to predictive growth trajectories. • Context: This move signals a maturing ICT/BPM and services landscape in Sri Lanka, prioritizing data-driven precision and measurable ROI for local and international brands.
### Hayleys Mobility Launches Premium OMODA C9 PHEV 📈
Hayleys Mobility has expanded its premium automotive portfolio in Sri Lanka with the introduction of the OMODA C9 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), priced at Rs. 29.9 million. • Performance & Power: The SUV features a 1.5L DGI Turbo engine paired with a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system. It delivers a combined output of 395 kW and 650 Nm of torque, achieving 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. • Range & Charging: Powered by a 34 kWh NCM battery, it offers a total driving range of 1,100 km and a pure electric range of 169 km (NEDC). Fast-charging capabilities (70 kW DC) allow a 30% to 80% charge in 25 minutes. • Technology & Safety: Equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Automatic Parking Assist, and a Driver Monitoring System to enhance road safety. • Market Context: The launch signifies a push toward New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) within the transportation sector, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional internal combustion engines while catering to the luxury SUV segment.
📈 WindForce PLC Secures 10 MW Battery Storage Project in Panadura
WindForce PLC has been awarded its 13th grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka's renewable energy infrastructure. • Project Capacity: 10 MW / 40 MWh facility located in Panadura. • Investment: Approximately Rs. 1.73 billion to be financed via a mix of debt and equity. • Model: Build-Own-Operate (BOO) with a 15-year operational term. • Strategic Impact: The facility aims to enhance grid stability and manage peak demand, supporting the national transition toward sustainable energy. • Ownership: The project will be 100% owned by WindForce, expanding its dominant footprint in the local power & energy sector. The move reinforces the role of the utilities sector in driving national energy security through advanced storage technology.
SL to Fast-Track Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm Redevelopment 📈
Sri Lanka is accelerating the restoration of the World War II-era Trincomalee oil tank farm to secure a long-term solution for the national energy crisis and fuel distribution challenges. • Strategic Partnership: The project is being developed as a regional energy hub with backing from India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a tripartite MoU signed in April 2025. • Current Status: The Energy Ministry is currently reviewing technical aspects of a submitted concept proposal before moving the project to the formal tender stage. • Economic Impact: Billed as a "permanent solution" to volatile global supply chains, the redevelopment aims to stabilize energy costs and enhance storage capacity in the eastern district. • Policy Shift: The move signals a pragmatic pivot by the current administration, prioritizing infrastructure diversification and regional cooperation despite previous political opposition to foreign involvement in the site. _Note: Based on recent ministerial statements and provisional project proposals._
### HNB Launches 'The Happiness Card' Campaign for Avurudu 2026 📈
HNB PLC has rebranded its card proposition as 'The Happiness Card,' timed with the upcoming Avurudu (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) season to enhance consumer purchasing power through flexible financing and extensive retail partnerships. • Seasonal Offers & Savings: The campaign features discounts of up to 70% across a network of over 300 merchant partners. Key focus areas include apparel, supermarkets, electronics, home appliances, and wellness. • Flexible Payment Solutions: To support high-value household and lifestyle purchases, the bank is offering 0% interest installment plans for up to 48 months. Standard repayment tenors of 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months are also available to improve affordability. • Sector Diversification: Benefits extend beyond traditional retail into travel & leisure, dining, and solar energy solutions, reflecting a shift toward sustainable and experiential consumer spending. • High-Value Incentives: As a premium highlight, HNB Visa Club Infinite cardholders can enter a draw to win a three-day trip for two to the USA for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Finals. _Note: Information based on campaign launch data as of March 23, 2026._
### 📈 DFCC Bank Launches Avurudu 2026 Card Campaign to Ease Seasonal Spending
Amidst rising living costs, DFCC Bank has introduced "The most rewarding swipe of the Avurudu" to support household liquidity during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. • Key Financial Incentives: Savings of up to 70% at leading merchants across retail, dining, and travel sectors. Cashback of up to 3% on eligible transactions to offset seasonal expenses. 0% Easy Payment Plans (EPP) extending up to 48 months for high-value purchases. • Sector Focus & Consumer Impact: Targeted spending categories include clothing, home-related goods, and festive gifting. Designed to facilitate consumer spending while providing budgetary flexibility through debt restructuring at the point of sale. • Security & Digital Integration: Support for secure contactless and online transactions with integrated fraud protection. Real-time transaction visibility via digital banking platforms to enhance financial monitoring during high-expenditure periods.
Sampath Bank & Apartner Digitise Condominium Payments 📈
• The Partnership: Sampath Bank PLC has partnered with Apartner Ltd to introduce a secure, real-time digital payment and settlement framework for Sri Lanka’s expanding real estate and condominium sector. • Technology Integration: The system integrates Visa’s Cybersource payment gateway with Sampath Bank’s API Manager. This allows for seamless digital collection, instant outward settlements, and automated reconciliations for apartment management. • Key Benefits: Operational Efficiency: Eliminates manual cash handling, paper receipts, and delayed reconciliations for management corporations. Resident Convenience: Residents can now settle maintenance fees and other charges digitally through the Apartner platform, which already manages visitor access and facility bookings. Financial Transparency: Provides real-time visibility into cash flows, improving payment discipline and reducing operational friction within residential communities. • Market Reach: The solution is already being utilised by premier developments, including Havelock City, Capitol Twin Peaks, Trillium, and John Keells Properties. • National Context: This move supports Sri Lanka’s broader push toward a cashless economy and modernises the financial infrastructure supporting urban living and the ICT/digital services landscape.