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Sanjaya Mohottala, the Direct General (DG) of BOI met with Sarah Hulton OBE the British High Commissioner at the High Commissioners residence recently to discuss investment promotion strategies in order to attract more FDI from the United Kingdom. Michael Fernandopulle, Head of Trade & Investment and Asanthi Fernando, Deputy Head of Trade & Investment also jointed the discussion from the British High Commission along with Nilupul De Silva, Director (Investment Promotion), BOI. The objective of this meeting was to brief the High Commissioner regarding the current investment promotion initiatives/ programmes conducted by the BOI and to request the assistance of the British High Commission in Colombo to target potential British companies in the selected target sectors, already identified by the BOI. The High Commissioner and the team at the British High Commission agreed to assist the BOI via the respective British Chambers of Commerce and other counter part organizations. During the meeting arrangements for a proposed virtual Sri Lanka forum to be held was discussed. This forum will be a good event initially to encourage potential British investors to invest in Sri Lanka. The forum will also be a follow up to the road show organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK at London Stock Exchange (LSE) in close collaboration with the BOI in October 2019. The DG, BOI requested to work towards a bilateral trade agreement between UK & Sri Lanka to promote more trade & investment. As well as the UK Government’s assistance to promote the proposed Textile /Fabric Park to be established at Eravul in the Eastern Province and Pharmaceutical Zone to be established at Hambantota, by the Government of Sri Lanka. The DG BOI also informed that the BOI’s happy to make arrangements to organize a facilitation forum for the existing British investors to discuss their pending matters/issues and encourage them to expand their operations and re-invest in Sri Lanka. Image Caption: Sarah Hulton OBE the British High Commissioner           

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Puritas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Haycarb PLC and a member of the Hayleys Group of companies, announced the launch of 25 sustainability-focused initiatives in celebration of its Silver Jubilee. Each of the initiatives will focus on advancing a variety of social and environmental causes including biodiversity protection, animal rights and welfare, water purification, the distribution of face masks to combat COVID-19, as well as concerted community and employee outreach and awareness building programmes focused on the protection and conservation of natural resources. “Puritas was founded in the knowledge that environmental, social and economic prosperity are all interlinked. One cannot be achieved in absence of the others. Hence, for the past 25 years, our business model has been focused on deriving economic value from measures aimed squarely at protecting our environment. Combining global scientific expertise with local knowledge, Puritas is consistently striving to support a cleaner, greener Sri Lanka. “Each day, Puritas is directly responsible for purifying 5 million litres of raw water, 9.2 million litres of industrial wastewater and 18 million litres of domestic wastewater. However, we are acutely aware that much more needs to be done. Our nation continues to face existential threats from the scarcity of clean drinking water, climate change and environmental pollution. In our 25^th year, we recommit ourselves to solving these challenges, in order to create a sustainable future for generations of Sri Lankans to come,” Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys Group stated. Initiatives on environmental protection and conservation launched by the Company for its Silver Jubilee include, an indigenous tree planting initiative in collaboration with the Colombo Municipality, and a knowledge sharing session by veteran Puritas employees on environmental protection. Additionally, Puritas will also launch a packaged domestic wastewater treatment plant initiative. Meanwhile, in an effort to prevent waste plastic from entering the oceans, Puritas will also be launching its ‘Net-to-Net Floating Hazards’ initiative which will install systems of purpose-built floating nets at estuaries in the capital. The Company will continue to support the health authorities and tri-forces by providing Oxypura Care masks to aid in their courageous battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Puritas will be establishing special disposal bins at selected locations in Colombo to raise awareness on the safe disposal of used masks. The ‘Breathe Out Love’ initiative will distribute face masks to tourists and returning expatriates at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The Company will also introduce a range of innovative face masks during this period. “Puritas is no stranger to working with communities and businesses in order to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations. An excellent example of this commitment in practice is the Puritas Sathdiyawara initiative. Through this initiative, we have been able to provide over 33,000 people in the North and North Central Provinces with clean drinking water. The 25 new initiatives driven by the Company in celebration of its Silver Jubilee have been designed to have lasting positive impacts on the environment and communities,” Rajitha Kariyawasan, Managing Director – Haycarb PLC  said. Animal welfare, is another new area in which Puritas aims to be a catalyst for progress. Through its ‘Be Pawsitive’ initiative the Company hopes to vaccinate and feed stray animals, while the ‘Behold the Turtle’ initiative is another act of goodness which will work towards protecting turtles native to the Kumana region. Meanwhile, the ‘Be with the Bee/ One Bee at a Time’ initiative will take measures to protect indigenous species of bees, butterflies, and birds in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the Company will be initiating ‘A Passive Barrier for Our Pachyderms’ project which aims to supplement existing elephant fences with lime plants which tend to repulse elephants, thereby providing an environmentally friendly method for mitigating the human-elephant conflict. Other initiatives of the Silver Jubilee initiative include the ‘Water Your Mind to Grow Your Soul’ project, which will provide water filters to schools in remote areas to ensure all children have access to clean drinking water. The ‘No One is Left Behind’ initiative will support the Eastern Vedda community with the provision of agricultural seeds and guidance. ‘A Basic Right/ Not to Be Left Without the Basic Right’ initiative assists children born during the 30 year conflict in Sri Lanka who have no proof of legal identity with access to obtaining birth certificates and other documentation. Meanwhile, Puritas employees will also push several initiatives amongst themselves such as ‘Seeking/Moment of Inner Peace’ to bring together employees in prayer each day, and a ‘Drop of Goodness’ to promote employees to spend at least an hour each month making a difference in someone’s life. ‘Be the Change You Want to See in the World’ initiative will push employees to practice greener lifestyles, to create a positive impact on the environment while also engaging in a 25-day challenge, where employees have to take on a challenge while nominating a colleague each day. These 25 initiatives will enhance the positive impact created by the Company’s flagship Puritas Sathdiyawara initiative. Since commencing six years ago, the initiative has established 16 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants across the North and North Central Provinces catering to the demand for clean drinking water in areas battling the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKDu). Since then, the programme has evolved to include community outreach initiatives which have provided school children with academic essentials for the school year. Ranked amongst Sri Lanka’s most innovative companies, Haycarb PLC, parent company of Puritas, has been at the forefront of a highly successful pioneering effort to be a globally leading enterprise in premium quality coconut carbon manufacturing and marketing , a field in which the Company already holds a remarkable 16% of global market share. Established in 1878 by Chas. P. Hayley as a trading house in Galle specialising in import and export, the Hayleys Group has since grown to serve as a centrepiece of the Sri Lankan economy while maintaining a global presence of manufacturing and marketing offices across five regions with business interests spanning a total of 16 sectors. Today it stands out as one of Sri Lanka’ most prominent success stories, having been the first listed Sri Lankan corporate to surpass US$ 1 billion in revenue and accounting for 3.3% of the nation’s total export earnings. Photo Captions: Puritas/Haycarb PLC Managing Director, Rajitha Kariyawasan participating in a tree-planting campaign Image: Puritas/Haycarb PLC Managing Director, Rajitha Kariyawasan with Puritas senior management participating in a tree-planting campaign    

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In a bid to expand and fortify its exceptional diagnostic capabilities in the country, Sri Lanka’s leading private healthcare provider Nawaloka Hospitals recently unveiled a brand new, state-of-the-art addition to its well-regarded chain of medical Laboratories, in the heart of Ragama. The mini-laboratory was declared open by Nawaloka Hospitals Deputy Chairman, Harshith Dharmadasa. Well-equipped to facilitate over 100+ specialised tests in haematology and biochemistry, the mini-lab aims to service the Ragama Teaching Hospital and the many private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and medical centres in Ragama. Operated by a team of highly-skilled medical professionals and technicians under the supervision of a Lab Consultant, Nawaloka Hospitals’ latest venture brings affordable, convenient and reliable complex diagnostic solutions to patients in this locale, fulfilling a growing need in the region. Trusted over generations of Sri Lankans, the new facility has proactively instigated strict protocol at its point of operation. The lab’s COVID-19 protocol is founded upon recommended best practices deployed by both the Ministry of Health (MOH) and World Health Organization (WHO), in a concerted attempt to ensure the safety of both employees and patients within its premises. This includes regular disinfection procedures, strict compliance to preventative measures, and a thorough triage check upon entry, amongst others. “Sri Lanka is presently engaged in the most important battle that we have had to fight in recent times, and this has increased the country’s need for immediate, accurate and convenient diagnostic solutions. With the launch of our new mini-lab in Ragama, we are expanding our breadth of services and geographic reach to equip medical personnel whilst optimising efficiency and accuracy to the benefit of patients who have placed their trust in us during this time,” Nawaloka Hospitals Chairman Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa commented. The new facility in Ragama is expected to cater to over 150 medical centres spread within the territory. With the whole new portfolio of facilities that go beyond just simple blood tests, the facility aims to maximise efficiency and volume of testing while cutting down turnaround times and minimising pre-analytical errors. “We are at a unique advantage of offering the most reliable diagnostic solutions due to the strength and high logistical proficiency of our network of Labs and medical centres strategically placed around the country. As a leader in the private healthcare sector, the highly-skilled team at Nawaloka Hospitals remains deeply committed to equip medical personnel with comprehensive and state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities.” he went on to remark. Nawaloka’s chain of labs is founded upon the ethos of affordable, convenient healthcare accessible to patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds, asserting its motto of ‘Committed towards a healthy nation.’ Its network of labs serve more than 3,000 doctors on a national scale and operates round the clock; 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to offer over 1,200 tests using the latest global advancements in medical technology. It has continuously performed over 2 million tests a year, with every test conforming to international quality benchmarks, at affordable prices for all Sri Lankans. Image Caption: [Left to Right] Nawaloka Hospitals Deputy Chairman, Harshith Dharmadasa, Consultant Physician Prof. Arjuna De Silva, and Nawaloka Hospitals Executive Director & General Manager Prof. Lal Chandrasena. Image: Nawaloka Hospitals’ new state-of-the-art lab located in the heart of Ragama

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Green Care Organic Supermarket recently announced the launch of Mal Organic Products at their flagship store, as Mal Organic launches its export quality products to the local Sri Lankan market. An internationally-certified Organic company, Mal Organic is an export company established in 2010, employing over 50 staff. They began their business with the export of Coconut and coconut-based products, mainly organic virgin coconut oil to the EU, UK, New Zealand, UAE and Indian markets, with operations in the UK and Malaysia, and a factory in Kuliyapitiya and plantation in Embilipitiya. Green Care provides 100% organic produce and has continued to support community livelihoods, with both Founders describing the store as a community market “where people and food matter.” Making a positive impact on the communities and stakeholders of Green Care. Speaking with Founder, Green Care Organic – Miss N. Rathnayake, “At Green Care Organic we strive to keep improving our product offering and range. It is in our company DNA to not only provide these products but also to educate the wider market on the value and importance of using organic produce.” In addition to the Mal Organic products now being available to the Sri Lankan market, at Green Care Organic, the brand is also celebrating its three [03] year anniversary, introducing organic cosmetic products and has become control union certified. Concluding Director, Mal Organic – Mr N. S. M. Mendis added “We are pleased to partner with Green Care Organic on this venture, as we look forward to uplifting the organic product market with our export quality products. We don’t see why the local market should not have access to internationally standardized products. Sri Lanka is rich with organic produce and it is our prerogative to make it accessible to our local community” Green Care Organic initially began in 2016, with the intention of supporting the green society, showcasing and promoting their products​. ​Since then they have amassed a strong following and have become ‘Participatory Guarantee System’ (PGS) certified for organic food. Green Care carries a variety of locally grown produce.

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LAUGFS Supermarkets has recently initiated a brand new campaign titled ‘LAUGFS Super Family’. The campaign is exclusively for LAUGFS One loyalty card members and will allow members to gain even more benefits from their LAUGFS One loyalty card through entry into a raffle draw for a range of exciting prizes in collaboration with Crimson Bakeries and JADE Restaurants. The campaign will run through the months of August and September. The LAUGFS Super Family campaign is active across all 38 LAUGFS Supermarket outlets island-wide nd customers will need to shop using their LAUGFS One loyalty card, have a minimum bill value of Rs. 2,000/- during their time of purchase and have at least one Crimson bakery item included in their bill. Customers that meet all three of these requirements will be drafted into the campaign raffle and 38 winners will be selected with one winner from each outlet. Every selected winner will receive Rs.20,000/- shopping vouchers for LAUGFS Supermarkets with the option for doorstep delivery. Winners will also receive a scrumptious assortment of baked goods from Crimson Bakeries and will receive dinner vouchers for JADE Restaurants. LAUGFS One loyalty card members receive exclusive discounts and rewards for shopping at any LAUGFS Supermarkets outlet with their LAUGFS One loyalty cards. Crimson Bakeries produces the freshest baked goods and their products can be found in every LAUGFS Supermarkets outlet, island-wide. JADE Restaurant serves authentic Chinese delicacies prepared by expert chefs, with locations at both Maharagama and Jubilee Post, Nugegoda. A pioneer brand in the supermarket concept in Sri Lanka, LAUGFS Supermarkets introduced the chain of 24-hour supermarket retailing concept in Sri Lanka. The company currently manages 38 supermarket outlets in Colombo and its suburbs, as well as in Kurunegala and Chilaw. The Company’s flagship brands, LAUGFS Super and LAUGFS SuperMart, cater to over 800,000 shoppers monthly. The supermarket chain also features its very own Crimson Bakeries and Medz Pharmacies, while catering to a broad spectrum of everyday customer needs such as utility bill payment facilities, providing continued convenience to its customers. LAUGFS Holdings Limited is one of the largest diversified business conglomerates and a trusted and well-loved home-grown business in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, LAUGFS today has expanded across 20 industries in Sri Lanka and overseas, establishing a strong presence as a leader and pioneer in the power and energy, retail, industrial, services, leisure and logistics sectors. With 3,500 employees and an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 60 billion, LAUGFS continues to expand and empower millions as a trusted Sri Lankan brand.

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For thousands of Sri Lankans, the Ruhunu Katharagama Maha Dewalaya and surrounding areas are the gateway to spiritual practice. Exhibiting a deep care and concern for the environment and helping to keep the sacred site clean, Eco Spindles (Pvt) Ltd renowned for its pioneering pathways towards recycling plastic waste, organised a clean-up at the pilgrim site recently. Notably, this programme is an annual project initiated by since 2014. Eco Spindles is a subsidiary of BPPL Holdings PLC. The programme which took place from 21st July to 4th August, engaged over 50 enthusiastic volunteers from the ‘Soba Parisara Thurunu Samajaya’, a local youth society, and other local communities who actively supported the clean-up efforts to maintain the beauty of the surrounding environment. Eco Spindles team members also participated helping to ensure the area was restored and completely in harmony with nature. Due to Covid-19 and following social distancing regulations, a reduction in the number of pilgrims visiting the site was evident in comparison to previous years. However, the Eco Spindles team was able to efficiently collect 80,710 bottles, amounting to an impressive 2306 kg of plastic waste “The cleanliness and sanctity of this sacred site is often marred by plastic waste. Eco Spindles was able to actively engage local communities and youth to deepen their knowledge about environmental issues that need to be addressed and the importance of being proactive. Rooted in our company’s values is environmental ethos and sustainable manufacturing by recycling plastic waste. Programmes such as this reinforce our commitment to reduce plastic pollution. We work to ensure that PET bottles collected never become waste but are recycled to re-enter the economy as components of value-added products. Thereby we lead the charge in impacting the environment in a positive manner and also contributing to a circular economy on a national scale,” stated Dr. Anush Amarasinghe, Managing Director/CEO BPPL Holdings PLC. Eco Spindles is at the helm of the nation’s recycling revolution addressing the dire problem of plastic pollution. The company’s well-established island-wide collection network ensures over 250 metric tons of PET plastic waste is collected monthly and transformed through state-of-the-art machinery into mono filaments for brushes and polyester yarn for fabric manufacturers worldwide. Eco Spindles passion for recycling contributes a model of care for the environment leaving a positive footprint on earth. BPPL Holdings (www.bpplholdings.com), operating in Sri Lanka since 1986, is a pioneer in creating eco-friendly products and one of Asia’s largest producers of cleaning tools. Eco Spindles (www.ecospindles.com) as part of the group leads the way in recycling plastic waste to produce textile polyester yarn for fabric and mono filaments for brush manufacturers. Beira Brush (Private) Ltd (www.beirabrush.com), another subsidiary of the group manufactures a range of brushware including professional and household cleaning tools exported worldwide. Photo Captions: A group of volunteers and Eco Spindles team members who participated in the clean-up organized at the Ruhunu Katharagama Maha Dewalaya surrounding areas

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The Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Western Australia, under the guidance of Honorary Consul Rosh Jalagge, was able to bring much-awaited relief for Sri Lankans who were unable to return to Sri Lanka, due to various COVID-19 related issues such as state border closures and the absence of direct flights.

Western Australia is home to a small population of Sri Lankans who faced many difficulties due to the current pandemic situation. A significant number of Sri Lankans were therefore stranded in the state, wishing to return to their homeland but were unable to do so. With the help of the Government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Airlines, the Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia, and other supportive parties the Honorary Consulate was able to arrange a special repatriation charter flight for the safe return of these Sri Lankans back to their homeland as they wished.

This national carrier flight UL 609 departed Perth airport at 9:00am on Thursday, 27 August 2020. The passengers will then follow government quarantine requirements and PCR testing, to ensure the safety of the passengers as well as the Sri Lankan public.

As there is no direct flight from Perth to Sri Lanka, it was almost an impossible feat to bring about this highly necessary service for our Sri Lankans who were faced with numerous and sometimes unspeakable challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For accomplishing a task which was deemed almost impossible, the Honorary Consul Rosh Jalagge wishes to extend his deep gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Airlines, Acting High Commissioner Mr Senarath Dissanayake, Defense Counsellor Mr. Prasanna Kosala Warnakulasooriya, Sri Lankan Airlines Manager for Australia and New Zealand Mr Sanjeeva Jayathilake & his team, and the staff of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Western Australia for their immense support that made this possible.

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In an effort to protect local small scale agriculture exporters, the government imposed restrictions on the importation of several agriculture crops. Accordingly, the government restricted the importation of Corn, Green gram, Peanut, Dried chilli, Black gram (ulundu), Turmeric, Ginger, Black-eyed pea (cowpea), Big onion and Red onion among other crops. Meanwhile, today (27) Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella assured that there will be enough and more ginger and turmeric in the market after the next harvest season. The Minister stated this at the Cabinet press briefing today. “There is a temporary setback. You can’t achieve anything unless you are willing to sacrifice in certain areas and that is exactly what we are trying to do. There are certain sacrifices that you have to make for a limited period of time for a long term benefit. If we import to fill the gap, the farmers will get discouraged and then the cultivation today, I can assure you that there is enough and more and sufficient ginger and turmeric in the market within the moment when we have the next harvest,” Minister stated. Meanwhile, Co-Cabinet Spokesmen  Dr. Ramesh Pathirana also expressed the following; “Apart from ginger and turmeric, we have sufficient quantity for all the other varieties. We have encouraged the farmers to come forward and cultivate. If we start importing again that would be a hindrance to the current process. We will encourage people to grow. We have seen tremendous potential in Sri Lankan agricultural sector. So, why can’t we go forward? That is the way we have been living over a period of time. Let us provide that energy to the farmers. So, once they get a decent price to their produce, then we can further encourage them and then go to the next step of exporting them.”  

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Cabinet approval has been granted on 07 June 2019 to procure a new data management system to meet the existing requirements in the management of the country’s foreign reserves as well as to facilitate future developments. Accordingly, bids have been invited on an internationally competitive basis to provide, install, operate and maintain the data management system. Considering the recommendation of the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers and the views and recommendations of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA)  on the proposed procurement, the Minister of Finance proposed to award this contract to Simcorp Pte. Limited Singapore. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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Sri Lanka’s per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had dropped by US$ 227 in 2019 and this marked the first such decline in 20 years, the new State Minister for Finance, Capital Market, and State Enterprise Reforms,  Ajith Nivard Cabraal stated. He made this remark addressing the parliament today (27). “According to the Central Bank reports, Sri Lanka’s per capita Gross Domestic Product had dropped by $227 in 2019. This marked the first such decline in 20 years.  In stark contrast, the per capita GDP increased by $ 181  in 2006, by $ 191 in 2007, by $397 in 2008, by $43 in 2009, by $690 in 2010, by $381 in 2011, by $226 in 2012, by $258 in 2013 and by $210 in 2014. Sri Lanka’s per capita GDP grew rapidly by $200 annually until the Yahapalanaya Government came into power in 2015,” he stated. Speaking further he also expressed the following: “Under the proposed Vote on Account (VoA), a total of 981 billion has been allocated for recurrent expenditure while Rs. 334 billion has been separated for capital expenditure. This is a large sum of money. Therefore, some members of the Opposition think that we won’t be able to manage this.” “We have managed the COVID- 19 situation really well. Despite this huge challenge we will continue to take the economy on a path of development.” “From 2006 to 2014, Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate averaged around 6.4%, but once the Yahapalanaya’ Government came into power in 2015, the economic growth slowed to an average of 3.7%  and in 2019 it went down to 2.3%.  After opening our economy, excluding one year, the lowest economic growth rate was  reported last year (2019) .”

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The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to construct 02 flyovers over the railway line at the Sri Uttarananda Mawatha near the Slave Island Railway Station. Addressing the cabinet briefing today(27) Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Udaya Gammanpila stated that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the construction of two flyovers estimated to cost around Rs. 6 billion near the railway station in Slave Island in Colombo. “The flyovers will be constructed above the railway tracks along Sri Uttarananda Mawatha and Justice Akbar Mawatha in Slave Island. The two flyovers are expected to help address the daily traffic congestion reported from the area,” he said. “The flyover constructed near Sri Uttarananda Mawatha will be 420m in length, while the flyover near the Justice Akbar Mawatha will be 350m in length,” he added. The proposal was presented to the Cabinet by Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando and subsequently granted approval for the implementation of the relevant project. Further, the Cabinet has also approved for the proposal to call bids from local contractors for the construction of the 02 flyovers under the project.    

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Emirates has announced it will resume passenger services to Conakry, Guinea and Dakar, Senegal from 3 September, taking the total number of cities served by Emirates in Africa to eight. Flights from Dubai to Conakry and Dakar will be linked services, operating twice weekly, utilising an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.* The addition of linked services between Conakry and Dakar will boost Emirates’ growing network to 77 cities, providing travellers enhanced global connectivity, particularly to and from destinations in the Middle East, West Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Far East, with one convenient stop in Dubai. More information on Emirates’ current routes and services can be found on www.emirates.com/wherewefly. Customers can book flights on emirates.com or via travel agents. Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Destination Dubai: From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai is one of the most popular global destinations. In 2019, the city welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events. Dubai was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety. Free, global cover for COVID-19 related costs: Customers can now travel with confidence, as Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination. For more details: www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance. Health and safety: Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers. For more information on these measures and the services available on each flight, visit: www.emirates.com/yoursafety. Tourist entry requirements: For more information on entry requirements for international visitors to Dubai visit: www.emirates.com/flytoDubai. Dubai residents can check the latest travel requirements at: www.emirates.com/returntoDubai. Photo caption: The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER

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A total of 3000 mangrove plants will be replanted in the area of Anaiwasala in the Kalpitiya divisional secretariat and the Anaiwasala grama niladhari area, as part of Arinma Holding’s commitment and support to “upscale livelihoods and biodiversity through community mobilisation and lagoon restoration in the Anaiwasala area in Kalpitiya” project implemented by Green Movement Sri Lanka (GMSL). This project is an outcome of the memorandum of understanding between Arinma Holdings and GMSL, consistent with the company’s sustainability strategy and commitment to prevent pollution, reduce waste, and consumption of depleting natural resources. The selected Kalpitiya area along the Puttalam lagoon is one of the most extensive mangrove systems in Sri Lanka. Moreover, this area is also one of the most affected by human interventions caused through the exploitation of mangroves for commercial, industrial, and housing needs predominantly due to the lack of knowledge on the ecological role of mangroves amongst rural communities. Arinma Holdings will provide funding to implement the project and, by extension, play a part in rehabilitating the ecosystem of this area. By supporting the local community, the initiative will facilitate long-term opportunities for employment as well as education of the communities on how to carry out activities in an environmentally sensitive manner.  Furthermore, Arinma Holdings will monitor the progress of the project and support GMSL to build strong partnerships with the local community by creating awareness amongst selected schools, five identified youth groups, and 20 fishing groups in the Anaiwasala area. “There is a gross lack of awareness amongst the public about the economic and ecological importance of mangroves. They facilitate a healthy habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, nursery and breeding ground for birds and fish, provides protection from tsunamis, and prevents soil erosion. Most significantly, the carbon sequestration ability of mangroves makes an immense contribution towards the sustainability of our planet, enhances livelihoods, carbon sinks, and mitigates the impact on climate change and disaster management. We believe the community-based approach to mangrove forestation is the most widely used and most effective. This project is the first of a series of sustainability-related projects we plan to execute across the island in collaboration with GMSL.” Said Mr. Harsha Mapagunaratne, Sustainability Lead of Arinma Holdings. Incorporated in 2007, GMSL is an organisation concerned with environmental conservation, awareness creation and sustainable development, comprised of a consortium of 153 non-governmental, community-based organisations and other group members across the island. GSML is a part of various international networks, including the Asia Pacific Research Network, the Reality of Aid Network, and the Asia Pacific Network for Food Sovereignty.  GMSL envisions the achievement of natural resource-based sustainable development through the empowerment of the poorest sections of the population and conservation of the environment, through activities aimed at developing vibrant and sustainable communities across the island. Incorporated in 2008, the Arinma Holdings group is a climate-resilient infrastructure development conglomerate. Arinma addresses critical environmental, social, and economic imperatives through cutting edge, human-centric infrastructure that meets community aspirations of prosperity, social justice, and sustainability.

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The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) has recently upgraded the course structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, adding novel topics and subject areas such as Digital Marketing, AI in Marketing and Services Marketing, to develop the desired skills needed to respond to international marketing challenges. SLIM has also renamed the programme as the “Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management”, in which the course content ensures providing comprehensive knowledge about the key marketing management theories while educating the students on their practical application. Whether you are new to marketing or have a wealth of experience in the industry, this professional qualification adds immense value for both professional and personal development. The carefully curated course content not only ensures a deep understanding about the key marketing theories and concepts, but also grooms students to face the future challenges. Budding marketers can easily secure their career paths towards obtaining an MBA by qualifying in SLIM-PGDIP. The new 18-month programme consists of 4 levels; Diploma in Marketing Management, Higher Diploma in Marketing Management, Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management. While the duration of the first stage to the third stage will be 4 months each, the final stage will last for 6 months. With various assessment criteria to evaluate the performance of students, the course ensures continuous learning and development. The graduate-level of the course focuses on wide concepts such as Sustainability and Strategic Marketing Planning, and every student is required to carry out an individual research study to complete the final level. With an experienced panel of expert lecturers, SLIM is synonymous with bringing out the best in students. The revamping of the programme was initiated and executed by the Education Reforms Committee of SLIM headed by Prof. Arosha S. Adikaram, who is currently an academic of the Human Resource Management Faculty at the University of Colombo. The structural change of the course was implemented upon the approval of the institute’s Board of Study lead by Prof. Sampath Amarathunga, who is currently serving as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission. Following the revamp, SLIM expects to add more value to the industry by igniting the potential of budding marketers, who one day will steer the corporates towards greater heights. With the vision of leading the nation’s efforts towards economic prosperity and the mission of establishing marketing as the driving force to enhance business and national value, SLIM actively promotes marketing as an essential business philosophy. Commenting on the course upgrade, Roshan Fernando, President of SLIM stated, “As the national body for marketing, SLIM is dedicated to elevate the marketing profession in the country. SLIM PGDIP, one of the most sought-after marketing qualifications in Sri Lanka, was revamped to suit the modern-day requirements. With our exceptional resource personnel who possess extensive experience in both local and international spheres, this programme promises a remarkable learning experience.” “This is the most-preferred marketing qualification looked for by employers when it comes to recruiting the top talent to their organisations. The PGDIP holders are pursuing successful careers not only in Sri Lanka but also beyond our shores as well. While SLIM students are trained and mentored by industry experts, they also get an opportunity to take part in various national events conducted by SLIM such as SLIM-NASCO, SLIM Brand Excellence, SLIM Peoples Awards, SLIM Marketers’ Ball, EFFIES, and the opportunity to join SLIM Toastmasters,” added Nuwan Gamage, Vice President of SLIM. Sharing his opinions about the programme, Sanath Senanayake, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of SLIM said, “SLIM PGDIP is the most recognised professional qualification in marketing in Sri Lanka. We are sure that the new course content will enable students to delve deeper into the world of marketing, including the digital aspects of it, and be empowered to face the challenges of the future.” SLIM President, Roshan Fernando and CEO/ Executive Director, Sanath Senanayake handed over the revamped Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management book to Prof. Sampath Amarathunga, the Chairman of the University of Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, and Prof. Arosha S. Adikaram, an academic of the Human Resource Management Faculty at the University of Colombo.

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• Launches a guarantee scheme on all standing orders to HNB Singithi and Teen accounts between Rs. 1,000-25,000
• Max limit of Rs. 75,000 established per parent, Rs 25,000 per account
• Scheme enabled through partnership with HNB Assurance
• Urges parents to set standing orders to Singthi accounts to gain free access to the facility

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