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Gapstars Continues Winning Streak : A ‘Great Place to Work’ for the 6th Year and Counting

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At Gapstars, building high-performing tech teams isn’t just about coding—it’s about culture, community, and connection. For the sixth year running, Gapstars has been recognized as a ‘Great Place to Work’ in Sri Lanka, adding yet another accolade to their growing collection. And if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also landed in the ‘Top 50 Small to Medium Enterprises’ list for the third consecutive year!

So what’s the secret sauce? It’s simple: people first. Gapstars is all about creating an inclusive, empathetic, and employee-driven environment. From day one, the company has strived to be more than just a workplace—it’s a space where growth, learning, and well-being are at the forefront. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with prestigious awards like Top 100 in Asia and Top 10 IT/ITes Companies in Sri Lanka backing up the company’s strong reputation.

Hugo Hemmen, CEO of Gapstars, stated, “Community is at the core of who we are. We believe that a company is defined by the passion of its people, and for a company to succeed, that passion should be authentic. This is why we go the extra mile in making sure that we imbue empathy into every aspect of our entity, so that our employees know that they are valued as the soul and life of the business.”

At Gapstars, health and well-being are top priorities. From regular games of badminton, swimming, and basketball to on-site masseurs and gym memberships, employees can unwind and recharge. For those who need a mental health check-in, Gapstars partners with professional therapists to provide counselling and support. And of course, they’ve got your back with medical coverage, OPD reimbursements, and partnerships with top hospitals and clinics.
Gapstars also ensures financial stability, with salaries pegged to the Euro, so that unpredictable times are made smoother. The company also makes commuting a breeze with shuttle services and offers a flexible work environment, allowing employees who are stationed out of Colombo to still contribute effectively to their teams.

About Gapstars :

Since its inception in 2015, Gapstars has grown from its humble Colombo roots into a thriving international powerhouse with offices in Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Dubai. Led by Co-Founders Hugo Hemmen and David Bijker, Gapstars continues to build agile, high-performance teams for tech start-ups and scale-ups across Europe and the U.S., showing the world just what Sri Lankan tech talent is capable of.

As Gapstars keeps growing, so does their commitment to fostering a culture of Growth, Impact, and Community. Here’s to many more years of great places, great people, and great work.

Heavy metal pioneer Suresh De Silva of Stigmata expands creative horizons with emotive solo track ‘Shrine’

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Suresh de Silva, frontman, vocalist and lyricist of pioneering Sri Lankan heavy metal band Stigmata, has released his very first solo track titled ‘Shrine’.

‘Shrine’ is a personal, introspective song that shows a different side to Suresh by deviating from the usual heavy metal music his legions of fans have been used to over the years. Music and lyrics of the track are by Suresh and he also plays the guitar while delivering his customary strong vocals. Expressing his thoughts about the creative process behind the song, Suresh stated, “Shrine was composed a couple of months ago while I was jamming along and strumming away on my box guitar. If I am focused on telling a story I tend to write visually and I generally envision what I am writing about. So, this catchy and yet sorrowful melody poured out which I knew immediately was to be the chorus. I then had an idea visually based on what I was feeling at the time what the structure would be, and it all came about pretty quickly. I teamed up with the brilliant Malcolm Boteju, our brilliant Live Engineer for Stigmata, to create the track. When we went to the studio and recorded the song it started taking on a life of its own.”

Having shared the track with a few of his closest and most trusted musical contacts, the song went through several iterations of the final version as Suresh incorporated a number of thoughtful ideas and creative inputs from his team and perfected it until he felt it was ready to be released to the world. ‘Shrine’ is available on all leading streaming platforms around the world including Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube. It has been aired on US-based platform iHeartRadio and is also receiving radio airplay here in Sri Lanka where it has got good reviews from fans of all ages.

Suresh reiterated that the release of the single by no means signals the end of his time with Stigmata, adding, “This is not me trying to embark on a solo career. I am extremely happy with Stigmata. Stigmata is my life and light from the darkness. But there are some things I can’t do with the band and this is one of them. I needed to express my personal thoughts in a different way and this track certainly allows me do so.”

With a career spanning over a quarter of a century, Suresh has long been known as a key figure in shaping the sound and identity of Sri Lankan heavy metal music. As the frontman of Stigmata, Suresh’s captivating lyrics and powerful stage performances have enthralled audiences in Sri Lanka and abroad. His lyrics reflect on the complexities of modern-day life and touches upon themes of the human condition and psyche, social justice, personal struggle, apathy, abuse and resilience. Under Suresh’s dynamic leadership and passion for all things heavy metal, Stigmata has been able to successfully release several albums, with the fifth studio album, due to be released in 2025 supported by a plethora of overseas tours and festival appearances. Since inception, Stigmata has proudly taken Sri Lanka to the world and made its mark in several countries including Australia, Malaysia, Dubai, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, the Maldives and many more. Stigmata will celebrate their 25th anniversary next year, a mega milestone. Meanwhile hopes run high that Suresh will also work on and release his solo album in 2025.

COYLE’s Trade Delegation to South Korea Forges New Business Alliance

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The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) recently led a high-profile trade delegation to the Republic of Korea, marking a significant milestone for the Sri Lankan business industry. This visit, commemorating the chamber’s 25th anniversary, aims to strengthen economic ties and open up new business avenues between Sri Lanka and South Korea. Spearheaded by the Chairman of COYLE, Thushira Raddella and the Chairman of the Foreign Delegations and Overseas Business Promotion Subcommittee, Manusha Weeraratne, the mission signifies a new era of collaboration between the two nations.

COYLE inked important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two of the biggest business chambers in South Korea during the tour. One notable MoU was with the Chuncheon Chamber of Commerce, representing over 400 of Korea’s top corporations. This partnership is expected to boost trade and investment in various sectors, bringing economic benefits to both countries. Additionally, COYLE partnered with the IMA Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 150 small and medium-sized Korean enterprises (SMEs) operating globally. This agreement will pave the way for Sri Lankan SMEs to access international markets, fostering innovation and sustainable growth.

A critical player in facilitating this partnership was the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea, who coordinated significant discussions between COYLE and the Global Business Alliance. These conversations further enhanced the mission’s objectives of expanding business relationships and exploring joint ventures.

In a series of meetings with major South Korean companies, including POSCO International, LG CNS and Samsung Biologics, COYLE explored opportunities for investment, technology transfer and cross-border collaboration. These discussions are expected to bring long-term benefits to Sri Lankan industries, particularly in technology and healthcare.

Another key highlight was the delegation’s meeting with the Mayor of Wonju City, where opportunities for business matching were discussed. The purpose of this meeting was to build connections between Sri Lankan and Korean firms across various industries. In total, 200 Korean companies were matched with 32 Sri Lankan representatives within a four day period.  

Ultimately, this pivotal trade mission represents COYLE’s commitment to driving Sri Lankan entrepreneurship to the global stage. These partnerships initiated in South Korea are expected to foster innovation and growth and ensure enduring economic progress for both nations.

Image caption;

Mr Thushira Radella – Chairman COYLE and Mr Yang Hee Chul – President IMA Chamber of Commerce.

PR Wire Enters Policy Advisory Landscape with LexAG Collaboration

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PR Wire Sri Lanka (PRW), a member of the Wire Communication Consultancy Holdings Group (WCCG), announced a strategic partnership with LexAG – Legal Consultants, a renowned legal consultancy firm based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, further enhancing its service portfolio into policy advisory services. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for PR Wire as it expands its service offerings into the policy and advisory domain, enabling its clients to effectively navigate the complexities of the legal, economic, and political landscape.Colombo (15-oct.2024)

Through this strategic alliance, PR Wire will use the services of LexAGin order to leverage their expertise to deliver timely insights and analyses that are crucial for businesses operating in today’s dynamic environment. The partnership will provide essential insights on legal and policy developments impacting various industries, which will focus on specific challenges and opportunities, equipping clients with a comprehensive understanding of the risks they face.

Ranil Agunuwala Partner LexAG said, “As PR Wire steps into the policy advisory space, this collaboration will significantly strengthen its reputation management capabilities. By combining LexAG’s legal expertise with PR Wire’s strategic communication solutions, clients of PR Wire will gain a more robust understanding of the potential impact of policy changes enabling businesses to preemptively address issues that could affect their reputation while navigating the legal aspects of their communication strategies with greater confidence”.

“Businesses currently operating in Sri Lanka, as well as industries considering entering the market, will benefit from tailored solutions that support informed decision-making. The partnership between PR Wire Sri Lanka and LexAG paves the way for enhanced reputation management and communication strategies, backed by a robust advisory and collaborative services framework,” said Anjuu Bakshani, Associate Director at PR Wire.

“Regular updates on policy, industry, economic, and national development from a singular source are a critical need for the business sector it helps minimize business risk and ensures that no stone is unturned, thus bringing high-quality decision-making supported by the expertise of its partners,” said PR Wire Intel Head KavinthanShanmugaraja.

Founded in 2010, PR Wire Sri Lanka offers consultation and services to meet every marketing communications need in today’s rapidly changing market landscape. Combining the offerings of modern PR, stakeholder and policy relations, influencer relations, reputation building, brand positioning, crisis management, and much more, PR Wire is renowned for its custom-designed public relations solutions, deviating from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. PR Wire believes in being a distinct knowledge-sharing consultancy, elevating the local PR industry to global standards.

Image caption: (L-R) Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke, Partner, LexAG Legal Consultants; Ranil Angunawela, Partner, LexAG Legal Consultants; Anjuu Bakshani, Associate Director, PR Wire; and KavinthanShanmugaraja, Head of Intel, PR Wire.

SLAF STRENGTHENS MARITIME SURVEILLANCE WITH ACQUISITION OF BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 360ER

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The Sri Lanka Air Force formally inducted a newly acquired Beechcraft King Air 360ER today (10 October 2024) at a ceremony headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) as the Chief Guest. The event was further honoured by the presence of the Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Julie Chung and the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen Koehler, as Guests of Honour. This aircraft will be assigned to No. 03 Maritime Squadron at SLAF Academy China Bay, marking a major step forward in Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance operations.
The acquisition resulted from extensive discussions between the governments of Sri Lanka and the United States, focused on enhancing Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance capabilities. Since 2019, several rounds of dialogue have taken place to secure a suitable aircraft. The United States, through the Department of Defence’s Building Partner Capacity programme, agreed to provide the Beechcraft King Air 360ER to the SLAF on a gratis basis, thereby strengthening the country’s capacity to secure its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and maintain maritime security within Sri Lanka’s Flight Information Region (FIR).
The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), who was received by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. Following the arrival of the dignitaries, the newly inducted Beechcraft King Air 360ER performed its maiden salute to the Chief Guest and made its way to the apron at the No. 02 Squadron in SLAF Base Katunayake, where it was greeted with a water cannon salute, creating a graceful arc of water as the aircraft passed beneath.
The ceremony proceeded with the formal signing of documents symbolizing the transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER to the Sri Lanka Air Force. This significant moment was chaired by the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen Koehler and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa marking the official handing over and taking over.
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft funded by the US Department of Defence Building Partner Capacity Programme, manufactured by Beechcraft Textron Aviation, is certified by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This Multirole Light Transport Aircraft is a modern surveillance platform with the capability to travel 1,450 nautical miles. The SLAF has a long history of operating the earlier Beechcraft B-200, which has provided the Air Force with substantial operational and maintenance experience. This expertise will greatly benefit the future operation of the new 360ER model.
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER, equipped with next-generation technology and state-of-the-art surveillance systems and contributes millions of dollars in value at no cost to Sri Lanka. This aircraft will be deployed for maritime surveillance operations, a critical requirement in the current context, particularly in responding to maritime disasters (such as the MT New Diamond and X-Press Pearl incidents), conducting deep-sea rescue missions/Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations/Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, monitoring Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and supporting the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in countering transnational crimes like human smuggling and drug trafficking.
A team comprising pilots, observers, flight engineers and technicians from the SLAF has received a specialized training in the United States of America on the Beechcraft King Air 360ER, which is capable of performing various multi-purpose missions.

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka partners with the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts (ACCA)

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The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICC Sri Lanka) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the accountancy and finance sectors in Sri Lanka.

This MoU launches a series of initiatives to benefit members of both organizations, to broaden their global reach, and promote professional development and educational advancement.

On the occasion of signing the MOU, the ACCA was represented by Nilusha Ranasinghe, ACCA Head of South Asia and Ruchera Jayawardane, Business Development Manager ACCA. ICC Sri Lanka was represented by, Shanil Fernando, Chairman, Hemakumara Gunasekera, Secretary, Buddhappriya Ramanayake, Deputy Secretary and Sanjeeva Karunaratne, Chief Operating Officer.

Under the agreement, ICC Sri Lanka and ACCA will collaborate on competency development, skills mapping, and training programs. ACCA will provide access to its extensive development resources, and both organizations will work together on marketing to promote ACCA’s training programs and qualifications. They will also create new educational opportunities to better prepare students for careers in accountancy and finance, with biannual reviews to ensure alignment with their goals.

Chairman of ICC Sri Lanka, Shanil, emphasized the importance of joint marketing campaigns with ICC Sri Lanka to highlight the value of ACCA’s qualifications and foster a culture of professional excellence. ACCA Head of South Asia Nilusha highlighted the partnership’s potential to offer significant development opportunities and innovative resources to enhance student employability and career success.

Navy flood relief teams intensify operations amid adverse weather 

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Due to the heavy rainfall caused by adverse weather conditions affecting the island, several areas in the Western and Northwestern Provinces are experiencing flooding. To assist those impacted, 08 Navy flood relief teams have been dispatched to the Gampaha, Colombo and Puttalam districts, working in coordination with the Disaster Management Center (DMC). These relief teams are continuing their flood relief efforts today (14th October 2024).


Due to heavy rains, the Kalu Ganga, Kelani Ganga, Aththanagalu Oya and Deduruoya have reached overflow levels, causing flooding in several areas in the Gampaha, Colombo and Puttalam districts. In this backdrop, Navy flood relief teams were deployed to Kaduwela, Mabima, Nawagamuwa, Ihalagama, Ja-ela and Naththandiya to provide assistance to those affected and the teams are working in full swing.

The relief teams are actively conducting operations to assist flood-affected individuals, including offering safe transportation to 641 people by dinghies, distributing cooked meals and dry rations to 4876 people, rescuing 03 at the risk of drowning and guiding people to secure locations.


Working in coordination with DMC, the Navy has 22 relief teams on standby in the Western Naval Command, 9 teams in the Southern Naval Command, and 17 teams in the Northwestern Naval Command, totaling 48 teams, ready for immediate deployment when required.

Hayleys Solar and Sampath Bank Join Forces to offer Affordable Solar Loans

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In a significant step towards encouraging solar power adoption island-wide, Sampath Bank PLC and Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide an easy and affordable lending scheme for Rooftop Solar PV installation investments targeting residential, commercial, and industrial clusters. This initiative aims to encourage Sri Lankans to embrace solar power, yielding significant savings on electricity bills over the long run and contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Managing Director of Sampath Bank PLC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential to drive the widespread adoption of solar power installations in Sri Lanka. She emphasised the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives that align with the nation’s renewable energy goals.

Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons, highlighted the importance of forging strategic alliances to accelerate the transition towards clean energy solutions. He emphasised Hayleys Solar’s dedication to delivering high-quality solar products and services while leveraging Sampath Bank’s financial expertise to make solar power accessible to all.

Key representatives from both Sampath Bank PLC and Hayleys Solarattended the MOU signing ceremony, symbolising their shared commitment to fostering a greener and more sustainable future for Sri Lanka.

This initiative falls under Hayleys Solar’s initiative ‘Nayak Nowena Nayak’, allowing customers to pay a low monthly bank installment that is less than their current monthly electricity bill. As a result, the savings after paying the bank installment could be invested in their family’s future while enjoying free electricity for 20 years. For more information on how to get started, contact Hayleys Solaron 0112 102 102.

CAP– Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Managing Director of Sampath Bank PLC and HasithPrematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons

Acting IGP instructed to expedite investigations into seven high-profile cases

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The Ministry of Public Security has instructed the Acting IGP to expedite the police investigations into seven high-profile cases including the Easter Sunday bombings and the controversial Treasury Bond auction in 2015.

Instructions have also been given to expedite investigations into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter death and the death of a police officer during the shooting incident near the “W15” Hotel in Weligama in 2023, according to the Police Spokesman.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said the Ministry of Public Security has instructed the Acting IGP to direct special attention and to expedite several special investigations being carried out by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and other agencies as the progress of these investigations have been observed to be somewhat insufficient. 

He stated that specially the investigations being handled by the CID were recently subjected to a review and that instructions were given with regard to several cases identified including the bond scandal and the Easter attacks, to assign more officers and expedite investigations.  

DIG Thanduwa said instructions were also given to further investigate the suspicious death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter in 2022 and the disappearance of the former Eastern University Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Raveendranath in 2006.

With regard to the latter, he said that it was observed that investigations have not been sufficient and that the ministry instructed to expedite investigations and report on the progress.  

He said instruction were given to expedite investigations into the incident where a Police Constable was killed in a shooting carried out by officers of the Weligama Police Station near the “W15” Hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023.

The police spokesman added that instructions were issued to launch investigations into the abduction and murder of Tamil journalist Taraki Shivaram, also known as Dharmaratnam Shivaram, on April 28, 2005 as well as to expedite probing the disappearance of activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganathan in Jaffna on December 9, 2011.

Tissamaharama Material Recovery Facility Opens Doors: Cleantech and Elephant House Paves Way for a Sustainable Waste Management Future in Sri Lanka

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Cleantech (Pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka’s leading provider of integrated waste management solutions, recently inaugurated the Tissamaharama Material Recovery Facility, marking a significant milestone in its fight against plastic waste. This facility, launched in partnership with Gunadamin Elephant House , the  CSR arm of Ceylon Cold Stores Elephant House – Beverages, underscores Cleantech’s unwavering commitment to establishing a robust recycling infrastructure across the island nation. Rukitha Nanayakkara, Chief Executive Officer of Cleantech (Pvt) Ltd, commented saying. “The Tissamaharama Material Recovery Facility represents a crucial step forward in our mission to collect, recycle, and repurpose plastic waste in Sri Lanka. These initiatives serve as stepping stones on our collective journey towards a sustainable future, where waste transforms into a new beginning,”   

Gunadamin Elephant House stands as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Elephant House, dedicated to a range of initiatives designed for the betterment of society. This project falls under the Waste Management pillar, which, together with the Community and Sustainable Sourcing pillars, forms the holistic approach of Gunadamin Elephant House towards sustainable and responsible practices. As a subsidiary of the John Keells Group, Elephant House aligns with the Group’s strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. This commitment extends to interventions in waste management, reducing carbon footprint, and implementing sustainable/renewable energy projects.

Jude Martino, Vice President, Head of Beverages – John Keells Holdings, at Ceylon Cold Stores PLC also commented saying, “This is an important moment for both Elephant House and Cleantech. We have worked together to improve plastic recycling capacities, and will continue to work in partnership to improve the collection and recycling of PET plastics, helping to reduce our impact on the environment.

With a staggering daily generation of plastic waste exceeding 968 metric tons, the need for comprehensive solutions is pressing. While current recycling efforts manage only 38 metric tons daily, Cleantech is dedicated to bridging this gap. 

The Tissamaharama facility aims for a significant monthly collection of recyclable materials. This strategic initiative marks a significant step towards Cleantech’s vision of establishing a nationwide network of material recovery facilities. “By engaging the local community and providing opportunities for informal collectors to join formal collection networks, Cleantech is committed to fostering a sustainable recycling ecosystem in Sri Lanka,” said Kasun Thennakoon Senior Manager – Circular Economy Services of Cleantech (Pvt) Ltd 

Cleantech’s commitment extends beyond the Tissamaharama facility. Their collaborative endeavors include the annual PET collection drive at the Colombo International Book Fair and cleanup initiatives during festivals like the Katharagama Perahera. 

Cleantech, through the Tissamaharama Material Recovery Facility and its other efforts, is actively building a future where responsible waste management practices are embraced by communities across Sri Lanka. This not only tackles the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also contributes significantly to a more sustainable future.   

Cleantech for a Cleaner, Greener Tomorrow Image Caption – opening of the Thissamaharama Recycling Plastic Center, marking a significant step towards sustainable waste management and environmental conservation

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