The project is designed to help eligible micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as community organizations Business University of Sri Jayewardenepura publishes international case study on Port City Colombo’s role in Sri Lanka’s economic transformation Published 10 mins ag…
The project is designed to help eligible micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as community organizations
Business University of Sri Jayewardenepura publishes international case study on Port City Colombo’s role in Sri Lanka’s economic transformation
Published 10 mins agoon 2026/06/30
Prof. Dushan Jayawickrama / Prof. Prathap Kaluthanthri The Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in collaboration with Port City Colombo, has co-authored and internationally published an academic case study and accompanying teaching notes for students, examining the project’s potential role in shaping Sri Lanka’s long-term economic future. Published by Nova Publishers, New York, USA, the study titled “Port City Colombo: Catalysing Sri Lanka’s Emergence as a Global Investment Hub” provides a multidisciplinary analysis of the project’s urban planning, strategic, economic, regulatory, and sustainability dimensions. The case study is featured as a chapter in the book, “Is Sri Lanka Revitalising its Economy? An Analysis of Economic Policy and Technological Adoption,” edited by S. Perera, N. Nanayakkara, G. Samarakoon, and S. Bamunusinghe, and published under the 21st International Conference on Business Management (ICBM), the flagship conference of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce. The case study explores the transformational vision of Port City Colombo as a landmark urban development and Special Economic Zone designed to support Sri Lanka’s transition from a traditional tourism-and export-dependent economy to a dynamic, service-oriented, and globally competitive investment destination. Against a backdrop of shifting global economic dynamics and increasing competition for foreign direct investment, the study examines how Port City Colombo seeks to create an enabling environment for investment, innovation, and ease of doing business while contributing to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic resilience, diversification, and integration into the global economy.
Business AAC representatives at FIA Extraordinary General Assembly in Macau
Published 11 mins agoon 2026/06/30
In the picture (L/R) Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Dhammika Attygalle, President of AAC , Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President – FIA, Carmelo Sanz de Barros – President of the FIA Senate & Alberto Villarreal, General Manager of FIA. Federation Internationale de L’ Automobile(FIA) which is the world’s largest mobility sports organization located in Geneva, Switzerland, which has a membership of 245 clubs from 149 countries held an Extraordinary General Assembly hosted by The General Association of Macau, China recently. Executive Committee members of the Automobile Association of Ceylon were also at this conference. During the conference, Dhammika Attygalle – President AAC and Devapriya Hettiarachchi – Secretary – AAC had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem – President (FIA), Carmelo Sanz de Barros – President of the FIA Senate and Alberto Villarreal, General Manager of FIA to discuss matters relating to increasing road injuries, fatalities and other road safety related subjects, such as, vertical mobility, future of EV vehicles and awareness programmes and workshops to reduce future road accidents and fatalities in Sri Lanka in line with the UN Decade of Action 2021-2030.
Business Turning an ecological threat into opportunity: ‘Hyacinthesis’ Accelerator kicks off
Published 13 mins agoon 2026/06/30
Design workshop: Artisans and CSA students co-create products using water hyacinth The Foundation For A Good Life (Guarantee) Limited (TFGL), in partnership with Good Life X (GLX), actively repositions the invasive Water Hyacinth via the lens of responsible management and utilisation to turn the environmental threat into a valuable regenerative raw material. The Accelerator is supported through Scott Dunn’s ‘Partnership for Nature’ – a collaboration facilitated by the Conservation Collective, administered by the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF). Curated as an eight-month, market-driven programme was designed to transform Sri Lanka’s growing Water Hyacinth problem into a source of sustainable livelihoods and circular innovation. While Sri Lanka is still in the early stages of adopting Water Hyacinth as a viable material, a diverse mix of artisans, entrepreneurs, and community-led innovators has been selected. This included already established enterprises utilising Water Hyacinth-based craft, as well as organisations working with similar natural raw materials that were yet to experiment with Water Hyacinth to explore new possibilities through craft, material innovation, and circular value chains. Speaking on the initiative, Business Lead Expert, The Foundation For A Good Life (Guaranteed) Limited – Prabuddha Batuwatte, noted: “Cohort 1 of the accelerator programme is designed to work with enterprises and artisan communities across Sri Lanka. Aiding them in the development of market-ready handicrafts, fashion, and home décor items using Water Hyacinth as a primary material. With circularity in mind – the aim is to pair material innovation with structured business, design, and market support.” Following a rigorous shortlisting process and diagnostic visits, six [06] Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) from across the island have officially been onboarded (‘Cohort 1’) for the programme. Cohort 1 of the accelerator programme is designed to work with enterprises and artisan communities across Sri Lanka to develop market-ready handicrafts, fashion, and home décor items using Water Hyacinth as a primary material – pairing material innovation with structured business, design, and market support. Participating Enterprises include: Ima Water Hyacinth Products – Beliatta, Hambantota (A niche-scale craft enterprise by T.P. Imalka Rasadi); the Centre for Alternative Technologies (CAT) – Nallur, Jaffna (A locally rooted organisation by Rakulan Kandasamy); J.J. Products – Ehetuwewa, Kurunegala (A seasoned Water Hyacinth craft enterprise by Waduge Niluka Jayanthi); Kumari Athkam – Galgamuwa, Kurunegala (A well-established Water Hyacinth-based craft enterprise by I. M. Dhammika Priyadarshani Kumari); Sustain U – Bandaragama, Kalutara (A homegrown venture by Kasuni Chamudika,; and Pradeepa Eco-Products – Bingiriya, Kurunegala (An emerging enterprise by Manik Dhewage Pradeepa Madupani). Participants were onboarded via a kick-off workshop facilitated by Programme Lead Lonali Rodrigo, introducing supply chain and marketing fundamentals.