Hilton Colombo has officially welcomed the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held on 7 November. The event signaled the start of the hotel’s “Home for Christmas” program with an evening of sparkling lights, festive melodies, and shared joy in the heart of Colombo. From indulgent buffets at Graze Kitchen to authentic flavors at Emperor’s Wok, festive hampers and goodies from Café Kai, and lively New Year’s celebrations across L.A.B., SunsetBlu, and the Grand Ballroom, Hilton Colombo promises a season filled with warmth, flavor, and festive spirit.
A Feast for the Season Graze Kitchen presents a lavish Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet and Christmas Day Lunch and Dinner Buffet (Rs. 20,888 nett per person), brimming with international delicacies and seasonal classics. For those craving bold Chinese flavors, Emperor’s Wok offers a festive Szechuan set menu for two (Rs. 16,888 nett), perfect for sharing with family or friends.
Café Kai spreads holiday cheer with festive hampers, seasonal goodies, and gourmet roasts – perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. From almond stollen and Dutch breudher to Yule logs and gingerbread houses, each creation adds a touch of sweetness to the season.
From 15–25 December, guests can enjoy a festive high tea at L.A.B., featuring handcrafted sweets, savories, and seasonal beverages accompanied by nightly live entertainment. Throughout December, the hotel lobby comes alive with carol performances, Santa sightings, and thoughtful holiday touches that bring joy to every generation. Ring in 2026 with Style Hilton Colombo will bid farewell to 2025 with an array of New Year’s Eve celebrations. From a glittering gala dinner at the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, to a vibrant poolside party at SunsetBlu, each countdown experience promises dazzling entertainment, gourmet fare, and an unforgettable start to the new year.
“At Hilton Colombo, the festive season is about more than decorations and dining, it’s about reconnecting with loved ones and celebrating shared moments,” said Manesh Fernando, general manager of Hilton Colombo. “Home for Christmas is our way of inviting guests to experience the warmth, joy, and hospitality that define this special time of year.”
Newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan Prof. Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe presented the Letters of Credence to His Majesty Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo 31 October 2025. The Credentials Presentation Ceremony is one of the most solemn and formal ceremonies held by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Escorted by the Master of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household Agency, Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe was horse-drawn carriage courtesy of His Majesty from the historic Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace. At the outset of the formal occasion, His Majesty the Emperor conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and the Sri Lakan people which was warmly acknowledged by Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe. After the formal presentation of his credentials in the presence of the Honourable MATSUMOTO Yohei, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, representing the Prime Minister and the Government of Japan, Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe was afforded the opportunity to engage in an informal conversation with His Majesty Naruhito.
Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe becomes the nineteenth Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan. A distinguished academic, economist, and public policy advisor, he brings over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, and national capacity-building. Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe holds a Ph.D. in Development Economics from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Japan), a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan, and a First Class Honours Degree in Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Prior to this appointment, Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe served as a senior academic at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, where played a pivotal role in academic reform, research development, and public policy formulation. His research portfolio spans diverse topics including economic development, savings behavior, the role of SMEs, foreign remittances, and macroeconomic policy.
Ambassador Prof. Kumarasinghe has also served as a resource person to national ministries and institutions, including the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Defense, and held key administrative roles in the university sector, including Deputy Proctor, Director of Career Guidance, and Member of the University Governing Council.
In a landmark initiative aimed at empowering Sri Lanka’s healthcare professionals with advanced radiology knowledge, DIMO Healthcare, the healthcare arm of DIMO, recently collaborated with the non-governmental organization Radiology Across Borders (RAB) to host a series of educational sessions on RAB VITAL Ultrasound Scanning. This marks the first time such specialized RAB-led training sessions have been conducted in Sri Lanka. The programme, which attracted over 80 local medical professionals, took place across four leading medical institutions — the Army Hospital, Hemas Hospital (Wattala), Durdans Hospital, and Lanka Hospitals. The sessions covered a range of vital topics including gynecological and obstetric basic scanning techniques, FAST scans in ICU or point-of-care environments, and deep vein thrombosis scanning. The interactive training blended theoretical learning with practical exposure, enabling participants to perform scans under the direct guidance of eminent Australian sonographers representing RAB. Through its VITAL initiative, RAB provides focused, hands-on ultrasound education designed to help clinicians detect diseases earlier and improve patient outcomes. Speaking on the initiative, Priyantha Dissanayake, Chief Operating Officer of DIMO Healthcare, said:“As a pioneer in the local radiology sphere and the approved partner of Siemens Healthineers, we believe it is our responsibility to bridge the knowledge gap between global medical advancements and local practice. By facilitating such training programmes, we aim to uplift healthcare standards across Sri Lanka and empower our medical professionals with the tools and expertise needed to ensure earlier disease detection and better patient care.” DIMO Healthcare played a key facilitation role in organizing the sessions, coordinating between hospitals, medical professionals, and RAB experts to ensure the smooth execution of the programme. The initiative underscores DIMO Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to advancing medical education, fostering professional growth, and contributing to the broader development of Sri Lanka’s healthcare ecosystem. Sharing her thoughts on the collaboration, Saheeda Zotter from Radiology Across Borders (RAB) noted: “Our mission at RAB is to share radiology knowledge and training with clinicians across developing and emerging nations. Partnering with DIMO Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers in Sri Lanka allows us to extend our impact to a new region where such educational initiatives can make a real difference. Through our VITAL programme, we’ve successfully trained professionals in Samoa, Fiji, Vietnam, Cook Islands, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, and several regions across Australia— and we’re proud to now include Sri Lanka in that list.” By bringing global expertise to local institutions and professionals across the country, DIMO Healthcare continues to redefine its role from a solutions provider to an enabler of knowledge and innovation within the healthcare sector reaffirming its vision of fostering a healthier nation.
Sri Lanka stands at the threshold of a digital transformation that will define its next decade. With the government’s bold target of USD 15 billion in ICT exports by 2030, the stage is set for innovation, collaboration, and growth on an unprecedented scale. At the heart of this movement lies INFOTEL 2025, organized by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) — the nation’s premier and longest-running ICT exhibition.
This year’s theme, “Fuelling the Digital Economy,” captures the essence of the moment. It is both a rallying call and a roadmap, urging every sector of the economy to embrace digitalization as the engine of national progress.
A National Platform for Digital Transformation
Over the years, INFOTEL has evolved from a technology exhibition into a strategic platform for policy dialogue, industry innovation, and knowledge exchange. The 2025 edition aims to highlight how emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence and automation to fintech, gaming, cybersecurity, and digital education — can unlock new opportunities across industries.
In his message on the significance of INFOTEL 2025, Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Chairman of FITIS, remarked:
“INFOTEL has always been more than an exhibition. It is a national mission — one that brings together the brightest minds and strongest institutions to build Sri Lanka’s digital economy. The USD 15 billion target is ambitious, but through collaboration and innovation, it is within our reach.”
The event serves as a bridge between government policy and private sector innovation, creating a unified space for investors, educators, and entrepreneurs to collaborate on shaping the country’s digital roadmap.
Mr. Thariq Sanoon, Chairman of the INFOTEL Committee, emphasized this spirit of unity, stating:
“INFOTEL 2025 represents a shared national vision. It is where technology leaders, startups, and young innovators come together to turn ideas into reality. We want every Sri Lankan — from students to CEOs — to see their role in fuelling the digital economy.”
Partnership and Collaboration-INFOTEL 2025 would not be possible without the dedication of its valued partners, who have joined hands to make this national initiative a success.
Strategic Partner:ESOFT Uni,Gold Partner:Mogo Media Academy,Official Banking Partner:DFCC Bank,Official Gaming and Commercial PC Partner:MSI
Official Telco Partner:Dialog,Official Digital Outdoor Media Partner:Emerging Media
In addition, FITIS extends its appreciation to the General Partners: Cloud Partners, DB Automation, Future World Lanka, John Keels Office Automation (JKOA), Lankapay with Emudhra, Leosys Corporation with BPE, Metropolitan with Acer, Sankaraa, and State Trading (General) Corporation — and to Textware, the Official Messaging Partner and Browns, EV Partber.
Their combined support reflects a powerful message: the growth of Sri Lanka’s digital economy is a collective responsibility, driven by partnerships that span across industries.
A Vision Backed by Leadership-The government’s commitment to a digitally empowered economy is evident in its policy direction and strategic initiatives. Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, shared his perspective on the importance of INFOTEL in achieving the national target:
“To reach USD 15 billion in ICT exports, Sri Lanka must build an ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent. INFOTEL provides that platform — where the private sector, government, and academia meet to shape the country’s digital future.”
Beyond the Event-INFOTEL 2025 is not just a gathering of technology brands; it is a symbol of national ambition. It opens doors for startups to access investors, for students to learn from global experts, and for businesses to explore digital solutions that can transform their industries.
With thousands expected to attend, INFOTEL 2025 promises to be a landmark event — one that not only showcases technology but also inspires confidence in Sri Lanka’s ability to compete globally.
As FITIS continues to lead the charge, the message is clear: the future belongs to nations that invest in innovation, skills, and collaboration. Through INFOTEL 2025, Sri Lanka is taking that step boldly — fuelling its digital economy and driving steadily toward the USD 15 billion milestone by 2030.
In the words of Dr. Rajapakse, “We are not just adapting to a digital future — we are building it, together.”
Colombo, 29 October 2025 – The need to invest in Sri Lanka’s care economy has never been greater.
Sri Lanka has taken first steps to build a stronger, fairer care system that supports families, workers, and communities. With one in four Sri Lankans expected to be over the age of 60 by 2040, the demand for quality care services is growing rapidly. On one hand, women, who shoulder most of the unpaid care work, continue to face challenges in entering, remaining, and progressing in the workforce. On the other hand, it is important to recognize unpaid care work as a vital contribution to both the economy and society, even though it often goes unnoticed and undervalued. Investing in the care economy is now more urgent than ever, as it offers a powerful opportunity to improve social well-being, drive economic growth, and promote gender equality.
Following cabinet approval of the National Social Protection Strategy in September 2025, the Government, together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has started the development of a roadmap and a national action plan on care on 29th October 2025, marking the International Day of Care and Support.
The initiative focuses on both care providers and care recipients, ensuring that those who provide care have access to decent work and that those who receive care have access to quality, reliable and affordable services.
The Inter-Ministerial Social Care Working group co-chaired by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment and the Ministry of Labour, includes representatives from key line ministries such as Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; Health and Mass Media; Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development; and Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
The Deputy Minister of Labour, Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe conveyed the Government’s steadfast commitment to promoting decent work within the care sector. Mr. S. M. Piyatissa, secretary to the ministry, reaffirmed that the Ministry remains dedicated to establishing the right legal and policy frameworks to strengthen care infrastructure and to transform how care work is valued and supported.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Mrs. Tharangani Wickramasinghe, underscored the importance of recognizing both paid and unpaid care work, noting that with Sri Lanka’s changing demographic profile, care responsibilities will increasingly fall on women. She highlighted the need to ensure that high-quality care services are made affordable and accessible for all.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Joni Simpson, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, stated that the care economy is a cornerstone of social well-being and a driver of economic growth and gender equality and conveyed ILO commitment to support this effort. Guided by the ILO’s 5R Framework for Decent Care Work – Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Reward, and Represent, this process, she said, would ensure that care work was recognized, rewarded, and supported through inclusive and sustainable policies.
The Working group will now move forward with an evidence-based approach and broad consultative process aligned with good practices to develop the plan, inviting inputs from tripartite constituents, ministries, social partners, care providers, and the public. The Roadmap and National Action Plan on Care are expected to be finalized and launched in 2026.
The President, as the Minister of Finance, will present the 2026 budget tomorrow (07) at 1.30 p.m.…
The Budget Debate will be held for 23 days from November 8 to December 5. The Second Reading Debate will be held from November 8 to 14 – Second Reading Vote will be taken on November 14 at 6:00 PM.
Committee Stage Debate from November 15 to December 5 – Third Reading Vote on December 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Caption – Bosch representatives along with other distinguished guests at the 10th anniversary celebration.
Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services proudly completes 10 years of its operations in Sri Lanka. Under the theme “Transforming a Decade. Inspiring the Future”, Robert Bosch Lanka (Pvt) Ltd celebrated a journey of innovation and impact, in the presence of Bosch’s regional leadership, government representatives, business partners, and academia.
“Bosch’s journey in Sri Lanka is a true reflection of our purpose of delivering technology that is ‘Invented for Life.’ Over the past decade, we have worked alongside our customers and partners to drive innovation, empower talent, and
contribute to the country’s sustainable development.” said Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India, and Managing Director, Bosch Limited.
The special proceedings began with a Tech Day with a spotlight on Bosch’s cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions across its key business sectors – Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. Industry experts and students attending the event, got a first-hand experience of Bosch’s global innovation capabilities and its commitment to nurturing future-ready talent. The celebrations culminated in a dinner graced by government dignitaries, diplomats, Bosch’s regional leaders and esteemed business partners.
“This milestone marks ten years of dedication, innovation, and trust. We are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, and partners for their continued support. As we step into the next decade, Bosch Sri Lanka remains committed to driving transformation, innovation, and skill development to inspire the future.” added Sandeep Kamat, Managing Director, Robert Bosch Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
Since its inception in 2015, Bosch in Sri Lanka has grown into a trusted technology and services partner, supporting industries and communities through a diverse product portfolio across businesses. This 10th anniversary celebration reaffirms Bosch’s long-term commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s technological and industrial future.
Havelock Sports Club celebrates 110 years of rugby.
The sponsors for the 2025/2026 season are ‘Turbo’, the latest local energy drink, Flyhigh Sports (Sponsor for the third season), Lanka Hospital PLC (Medical Services Partner), Prima Group (Co-Sponsor), TVS Lanka (Co-Sponsor)
