Product & Service Launches / Business Expansions
View all(110)💻 Microsoft Plans 3x Expansion in Global Data Center Capacity to 38 GW by 2032 📈
• Global Infrastructure Expansion: Microsoft aims to expand global data center capacity to ~38 GW by 2032—more than tripling its current 12 GW footprint. • Focus on Artificial Intelligence: AI-specific chip capacity is projected to increase from ~2 GW (16.7% of current output) to ~12.67 GW, representing a third of total capacity. • Capital Expenditure & Lease Strategy: Forecasts CapEx at US$ 175 Bn for CY2026 and US$ 50 Bn for Q1 FY2027. To optimize reporting, long-term data center leases will stretch to 25 years (up from 15 years). • Relevance to Local ICT/BPM Sector: Rapid global cloud and AI infrastructure growth reinforces long-term demand for Sri Lanka’s expanding ICT/BPM and digital export services.
📈 DIMO Unveils the All-New Mercedes-Benz GLB 2026 SUV
• Launch Overview: Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), the sole authorized agent for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka for over 85 years, officially introduced the All-New Mercedes-Benz GLB 2026 under the theme "Own Your New World." The launch took place during the inaugural Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League (SLTPL) 2026. • Key Performance Specs: The automobile features a four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, engineered to deliver everyday performance alongside improved fuel efficiency. • Design & Practicality: Built primarily for family utility, the vehicle offers a 7-seater layout with a 3rd row, sliding adjustable rear seats, signature star-shaped daytime running LED lights, and built-in multimedia streaming capability for long journeys.
🚗 HNB Partners with Automobile Technologies for GAC Vehicle Leasing
• Overview: HNB PLC has teamed up with Automobile Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, the official local distributor for GAC vehicles, to introduce an exclusive leasing scheme aimed at boosting accessibility to GAC's vehicle lineup, including electric models. • Key Financial Benefits: • Discounted leasing interest rates tailored for GAC models. • Waived annual fee for the first year on HNB credit cards. • Discounted vehicle insurance premiums via HNB General Insurance. • Economic Impact: Promotes sustainable mobility and green transition within Sri Lanka's automotive & transport sector by easing customer access to electric and smart vehicles through bundled financing, insurance, and technical support.
🤝 Hettich Celebrates 10 Years in Sri Lanka with Unveiling of Blaupunkt Appliances
• Decade Milestone: German furniture fittings leader Hettich celebrated 10 years in Sri Lanka with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo, reaffirming long-term commitment to the local market. • Market Expansion: The company officially introduced its award-winning Blaupunkt built-in kitchen appliances to Sri Lanka, expanding beyond traditional hardware into high-end interior solutions. • Industry Partnerships: The event featured global and regional leaders alongside key local partners, including representatives from Vallibel One PLC and Delmege Group. • Strategic Focus: Strengthens Sri Lanka's furniture fittings & hardware, architecture, and interior design sectors by introducing premium German engineering and smart kitchen technologies.
📈 Premier Wealth Management Partners with Ceylinco Life to Offer Value-Added Insurance
• Premier Wealth Management Ltd. (PWML) has partnered with Ceylinco Life Insurance Ltd. to offer life insurance cover to unit holders of its money market fund. • The initiative aims to enhance the overall value proposition for PWML's unit holders by integrating insurance benefits with investment services. • The agreement was finalized with key representatives from both organizations present, including PWML Deputy CEO Asela Gangodawila and Ceylinco Life Insurance General Manager of Operations Jagath Abeyratne.
🤝 SAU and Sri Lanka’s RCSS Partner to Drive Regional Research Cooperation 📈
• Key Agreement: The South Asian University (SAU) and Colombo-based Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) signed an MOU to expand research networks, academic partnerships, and collaborative initiatives across South Asia. • Strategic Objectives: The partnership aims to foster regional consciousness ("Southasianess") among youth, facilitate joint policy research, enhance capacity-building networks, and drive meaningful knowledge exchange. • Partnership Scope: Key collaborative focus areas include joint research projects, policy dialogues, academic publications, regional conferences, and expanded opportunities for young scholars. • Regional Impact: The initiative strengthens India-Sri Lanka cultural and academic ties while advancing SAU’s commitment to the wider SAARC mandate, including exploring potential regional campuses in Sri Lanka. • Sectors & Key Institutions: Reinforces collaboration across higher education, regional diplomacy, strategic research, and youth capacity development.
🏍️ Senaro Motor Company Launches Sri Lanka’s First Motorcycle Premier Center & Unveils RR250
• Key Highlights: • Senaro Motor Company, a 100% local firm with a 23-year history, opened Sri Lanka’s first-ever integrated Premier Center at Jubilee Post Junction, Nugegoda. • The all-new Senaro RR250 motorcycle model was officially unveiled to expand the product portfolio. • Opening ceremony featured former Sri Lanka cricket captains Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga. • Value Addition & Assembly: • Assembles models locally, including the SENARO GN 125, CLICK 150i, and BOXTER 125. • Incorporates over 35% local value addition in its locally assembled motorcycles, boosting the domestic automotive manufacturing sector. • Retail & Service Concept: • Shifts from standard showrooms to an all-in-one hub providing sales, technical expertise, genuine spare parts, and custom modifications under one roof. • Backed by an island-wide sales and distribution network spanning all provinces and districts to improve after-sales support.
World's No. 1 Salsa Team Headlines ALIF-SL Dance Festival in Colombo 💃🕺
Sri Lanka's premier Afro-Latin dance festival, ALIF-SL, returns for its 4th edition, reinforcing Colombo's position as an emerging regional tourism and social dance hub. • Event Scale: Features 30+ international and national artists and 175–200 participants from over 20 countries. Held from 25–27 September 2026 at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. • Headline Act: Headlined by Italy's Tropical Gem, the world's No. 1 salsa team, performing and offering workshops. • Local Development: Hosts the ALIF Cup Sri Lanka Open, evaluated by an international judging panel to connect local talent with global standards. • Economic & Sector Impact: Supports Sri Lanka's tourism sector by attracting foreign visitors and positioning the capital as a regional cultural attraction. Founded in 2023 by JD Ruban (Claves by Ruban). Future plans include expanding regional reach, adding competition categories, and bringing larger headline acts.
✈️ Emirates Expands Premium Economy to Paris Gateway
• Deployment Details: Emirates will deploy its retrofitted A380 featuring Premium Economy daily on the Dubai-Paris route (EK071/EK072) starting 25 October 2026. This completes coverage across all 3 French gateways (Paris, Lyon, Nice). • Cabin Features & Capacity: The A380 Premium Economy cabin offers 56 cream leather seats in a 2-4-2 layout with cushioned leg rests, gourmet dining on Royal Doulton fine china, dedicated check-in, priority boarding at CDG, and a generous 35kg checked baggage allowance. • Demand Trends: 1 in 10 passengers on French routes currently fly in Premium Economy, driven by strong long-haul demand connecting France to global destinations including the UAE, Australia, India, and Indian Ocean hubs such as Maldives and Mauritius. • Network Impact: Enhances long-haul connectivity across tourism and travel sectors, supporting premium transit routes through Dubai to key Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
📱 Apple Debuts iPhone 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max Featuring Variable Aperture and Siri AI
Apple has announced its flagship iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max lineup, introducing key hardware and performance upgrades driven by advanced silicon and artificial intelligence. • Pro Camera Innovations: • Features a new 48MP Fusion Main camera equipped with variable aperture (six laser-cut blades) for enhanced depth-of-field and low-light performance. • Introduces customizable Pro controls in the Camera app (manual control for aperture, shutter speed, and white balance) alongside 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse recording. • Performance & Battery Hardware: • Powered by the new A20 Pro chip and a next-generation vapor chamber for optimal sustained processing output. • Highlights a smaller Dynamic Island and superior battery performance, with iPhone 18 Pro Max achieving the line's largest battery life increase to date. • System & AI Integration: • Runs on iOS 27 integrated with Apple Intelligence and upgraded Siri AI capabilities focused on personalized context and device security. • Market Availability: • Offered in four finishes: black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. • Pre-orders start Saturday, September 12; general retail availability begins Friday, September 18.
📱 Apple Unveils First Foldable Smartphone "iPhone Duo"
• Overall Launch & Timeline: Apple announced the iPhone Duo, featuring a breakthrough foldable design powered by the A20 Pro chip, vapor chamber cooling, and dual-battery architecture. Pre-orders begin October 16, with availability on October 23. • Display & Hardware Specs: • Outer Screen: 5.4-inch display delivering 90% of screen area relative to iPhone 18 Pro. • Inner Canvas: 7.6-inch display (50% larger than Pro Max) with nano-texture finish for anti-glare and hidden FaceTime camera. • Features: 3000 nits peak brightness, ProMotion, Always-On, and upcoming USB-C Apple Pencil support. • Durability & Build: • Grade 5 titanium chassis, 3D-printed hinge cover, and Ceramic Shield 2 (3x scratch resistance). • IP68 splash, water, and dust resistance rating. • Software & AI: Integrates iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, and a dedicated Siri Camera mode via Camera Control. • National Context: Highlights Apple's ongoing push into premium consumer electronics, a key import category in Sri Lanka's high-end ICT & retail tech segment.
📱 JKOA and Dialog Partner to Bring 4G to Sri Lanka’s Feature Phone Market
• Market Impact & Strategy: John Keells Office Automation (JKOA), backed by John Keells Holdings PLC, partnered with Dialog Axiata PLC to launch the JKOA Classic 4G. The device targets the traditional feature phone segment to drive digital inclusion and extend 4G accessibility across the ICT/BPM and telecommunications sector. • Device Details & Pricing: • Price: Rs. 7,990. • Specifications: 4G connectivity for clearer voice calls, 1.77-inch display, 1,000mAh battery, Type-C charging, FM radio, torch, and 16MB + 16MB internal memory. • Localization: Supports typing in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. • Distribution: Now available islandwide through JKOA showrooms and authorized dealers.