Product & Service Launches / Business Expansions
View all(77)SriLankan Airlines Resumes Colombo-Kuwait Flights ✈️
• Overview: SriLankan Airlines has officially resumed direct flights between Colombo and Kuwait, launching a six-weekly service effective 8 August. • Sector: The resumption strengthens vital air connectivity within the aviation & tourism and foreign employment sectors, enhancing travel convenience for both business and leisure travelers. • Flight Schedule: - UL229 (Colombo to Kuwait): Operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; departs at 5:10 p.m. and arrives at 8:05 p.m. - UL230 (Kuwait to Colombo): Operates on the same days; departs at 9:10 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 a.m. the following day. • Impact: Re-establishes key Middle Eastern connectivity to support passenger traffic, trade, and diaspora transit.
🍽️ City of Dreams Sri Lanka Redefines Colombo’s Dining & Tourism Scene
South Asia’s first integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, has launched an ambitious culinary ecosystem across its dual hotels, Nuwa and Cinnamon Life. By introducing 16 distinct food and beverage venues under one roof, the resort establishes a integrated destination model similar to Singapore, Macau, and Dubai. • Key Venues & Culinary Concepts: - Fine & Signature Dining: Sapphire Dragon (Cantonese), Yoroko (Robatayaki Japanese), Bistro des Marées (Mediterranean seafood), and Staten Bar & Grill (Western steakhouse). - All-Day & Casual: Quizine (multicultural live cooking stations), Sweet Lab (artisanal pastry/cafe), and Spice8 (24/7 Asian dining on the gaming floor). - Bars & Nightlife: The Crystal Lounge (NUWA), Flux, Dreams & Beats, The Vault (spirits), and Cloud Wine. • Economic & Sector Impact: - Tourism & Hospitality: Shifts Colombo from traditional scattered dining to an integrated "city within a city" destination, boosting appeal for luxury leisure and MICE (events/conferences) travel. - Local Growth: Elevates national hospitality standards while driving opportunities for local suppliers, chefs, and service professionals in hospitality and culinary tourism.
📈 Asahi Dyes & Chemicals Opens US$ 20.4 Mn Facility in Biyagama EPZ
• Investment Overview: Asahi Dyes and Chemicals SL (Pvt) Ltd opened a US$ 20.4 Mn advanced facility at the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, creating 281 direct jobs. The project is a joint venture between Japan's Asahi Dyes & Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Sri Lanka's Asons Ltd. • Industry Impact: Boosts Sri Lanka's high-value manufacturing and apparel & textiles sectors by driving vertical integration. It localizes production of textile dyes, printing, and finishing chemicals, reducing dependence on imported chemical inputs. • Global Reach & Tech: Blends Japanese technology with processing solutions from Italy's Tonello to supply export markets across Asia and Southeast Asia. • Sustainability: Developed to LEED v4 BD+C green standards, incorporating energy optimization, water conservation, advanced wastewater treatment, and carbon reduction aligned with ESG principles.
📈 PickMe Launches Colombo Connect to Drive Rs. 30 Bn Tourism & Digital Ecosystem Growth
• Overview: PickMe has launched 'Colombo Connect', the first city-wide destination featured under its newly expanded 'PickMe Explore' platform (formerly PickMe Events), integrating capital attractions, commerce, and transport into a single digital interface. • Flagship Gateway: Colombo Lotus Tower serves as the platform’s launch partner, offering integrated QR-enabled ticketing for its Observation Deck and Pixel Bloom digital art museum directly through the PickMe app. • Economic Impact: Designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay in Colombo, the connected ecosystem is estimated to generate over Rs. 30 Bn in annual economic activity once fully developed. • Sector Integration: Unifies tourism, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and mobility to boost urban discovery and local business growth, with plans to expand the model to other destinations island-wide.
📈 NCE Northern Province Visit Connects Exporters with Regional Enterprises
• Overview: The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) led a regional delegation of 20 member exporters and service providers to Trincomalee and Jaffna (July 21–22, 2026) to expand regional export opportunities and integrate Northern enterprises into national value chains. • Key Engagements & Partnerships: • Trincomalee: B2B session organized with the Trincomalee Chamber brought together over 20 regional enterprises. • Jaffna: B2B Forum joined by Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan and Indian Consulate officials engaged 40 regional businesses. • Capacity Building: NCE and EDB hosted an export workshop covering compliance standards, logistics, financial solutions, and digital marketing. • Key Sponsors: Seylan Bank (Exclusive Banking), Smart Marine Lanka (Exclusive Logistics), and Dialog Enterprise (Exclusive Digital). • Regional Potential & Economic Context: • National Exports: Exceeded US$ 9 Bn in H1 2026. • GDP Contribution: Northern Province currently contributes under 5% to Sri Lanka's GDP, presenting vast untapped growth potential. • Priority Sectors: Strong prospects identified in fisheries and seafood, agriculture and food processing, ICT/BPM, and tourism. • Infrastructure: Development of three BOI zones underway, including the Kankesanthurai (KKS) IT zone.
📈 Expo Commodities Global Expands Sri Lankan Operations with New Organic Spice Processing Facility
Expo Commodities Global, the spice and specialty products arm of Aberdeen Holdings, has launched a new dedicated organic spice processing facility in Colombo to meet growing global demand. • Facility & Standards: The Colombo facility boosts processing and export capabilities for Sri Lankan spices while meeting key international organic standards, including USDA NOP, EU Organic, JAS, and Bio Suisse. • Supply Chain & Quality: Features direct sourcing from local farmer groups and end-to-end quality verification to ensure product integrity, full traceability, and supply chain consistency. • Socio-Economic Impact: Strengthens Sri Lanka's spices & agriculture sector by boosting local value addition, generating employment across processing, QA, and logistics, and integrating smallholder farmers into international export markets.
🎵 NY-Based Indo-Sri Lankan Artist abiraahmi Releases Production Debut KAPALI
• Overview: New York-based artist and researcher abiraahmi has released her self-produced electronic music project, _KAPALI_, blending South Asian heritage with modern electronica. • Key Themes & Project Structure: • Project is inspired by Chennai’s Sri Kapaleeswara Temple, blending Sanskrit, Tamil, and English vocals. • Conceptualized as a three-part body of work focusing on grief, memory, culture, and intergenerational identity. • Released in two chapters between June and July 2026: Chapter one features a cinematic arrangement and spoken-word Reprise, while Chapter two offers a bass-heavy future rave remix. • Creative Background: • Developed over three months following a March 2026 visit to Chennai after the passing of her grandmother. • Informed by her background in research and human development, combining Sri Lankan and Indian roots with her upbringing in Dubai and life in NY. • Follows her previous work, including her single _Validation_, marking her formal transition into music production. • Availability: KAPALI and its remixes are currently accessible across all major streaming platforms.
🎵 NaadhaGama UK Draws Record 2,500+ Audience
• Event Overview: NaadhaGama UK brought together over 2,500 music lovers across the UK and Europe, marking one of the largest Sri Lankan live music concerts held in the UK. • Industry Impact: Highlights the expanding global reach of Sri Lanka’s creative & entertainment sector and growing international demand for South Asian live cultural events. • Key Highlights: - Lineup featured Sri Lankan artists Ridma Weerawardane, Kanchana Anuradhi, Supun Perera, Dhanith Sri, Dinesh Gamage, and Mithun SK, backed by an orchestra led by Eshan Denipitiya. - Organized by UK-based Sentil Events through months of cross-border planning with artists, partners, and volunteers. • Global Expansion: NaadhaGama will next host an orchestral edition at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia, on 31 October 2026.
✈️ Vietjet Launches 8.8 Sale Ahead of Colombo Route Debut
Vietjet has announced its August 'Double Day Sale' with promotional fares starting from US$ 90 for Sri Lankan travellers, just ahead of its inaugural Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City flight launching on 18 August 2026. • Key Fares & Offers: • Eco Fares: Fares starting from US$ 90 one-way (inclusive of taxes and fees) on the direct Colombo route and wider network. • Premium Discounts: Up to 30% off Business and SkyBoss fares (promo code: `BUSB88`) and 20% off Deluxe fares on select routes (promo code: `DLX88`). • Meal Savings: 50% instant discount on pre-ordered meal combos for travel starting 18 August 2026. • Timelines & Validity: • Booking Window: Open until 21:30 SLST on 8 August 2026 via official app and website. • Travel Window: Valid for travel between 5 September 2026 and 31 March 2027 (excluding peak periods). • Aviation & Tourism Impact: • Enhances Sri Lanka's travel & tourism and aviation connectivity by linking Colombo to Ho Chi Minh City, offering seamless onward routes across Asia-Pacific. • Coincides with Vietjet being named "Best Hybrid Airline" at the Korea Consumer Awards 2026.
📱 TECNO Launches CAMON 50 Pro in Sri Lanka at LKR 159,999
• Market Entry & Distribution: TECNO has officially launched its CAMON 50 Pro smartphone in Sri Lanka in partnership with John Keells Office Automation (JKOA), expanding choices in the local consumer electronics and mobile technology retail sector. The device is priced at LKR 159,999 across islandwide authorized retailers. • Camera & AI Capabilities: - Features AI 60X Super Zoom and Super Zoom Flash Snap for sharp action shots. - Equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-700C Ultra Night main camera with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. - Introduces Aqua Mode for underwater photography, backed by IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance. - Integrated with AI Auto Zoom and Best Moment 2.0 subject-tracking tools. • Hardware & Display Specifications: - 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. - Powered by a MediaTek Helio G200 Ultimate processor, offering up to 16GB RAM (including extended RAM) and 256GB storage. - Packed with a 6,500mAh battery supporting 45W fast charging. • Strategic Focus: Enhances high-spec smartphone availability for Sri Lanka's youth demographic, driving competition within the national ICT & mobile retail landscape.
📈 JAT Holdings Expands Bangladesh Footprint with Strategic Site Acquisition in Singair
• Strategic Expansion: Asia Coatings (Private) Limited (ACL), the Bangladesh subsidiary of JAT Holdings PLC, has acquired a strategic site in Singair (Dhaka Division) to expand future manufacturing and warehousing operations. • Market Impact: Bangladesh is a key regional market for JAT Holdings, driving long-term international expansion and contributing an average of ~30% to total Group revenue. • Industry Positioning: ACL currently holds the No. 1 position in Bangladesh's industrial wood coatings market. The acquisition leverages projected growth in Bangladesh’s construction sector, which is forecasted to expand at an average annual rate of ~6.3% between 2026 and 2029. • Operational Efficiency: Located 35 km from Dhaka, the new site brings operations closer to key industrial clients, optimizing supply chain speed, inventory response, and distribution across key manufacturing hubs.
### Hayleys Engineering to Drive Continental’s Facility Expansion in Sri Lanka 📈
• Overview: Hayleys Engineering (Pvt) Ltd has been awarded a turnkey contract to expand global tyre maker Continental's manufacturing plant in Wagawatta, Kalutara. The deal was formalised on July 21. • Employment & National Impact: The project operates under the Board of Investment (BOI) framework. It aims to expand local pre-production capabilities and create ~200 new jobs, strengthening Sri Lanka's position as a regional manufacturing hub. • Key Sectors & Scope: • Focuses on enhancing national industrial infrastructure and rubber & tyre manufacturing capabilities. • Hayleys Engineering will lead civil works, structural engineering, pre-engineered steel buildings (PESB), MEP systems, utilities, and site development. • Supported by specialist engineering partners Hayleys Fentons and ATAD Steel Structure Corporation (Vietnam).