Pioneering the Future with Copilot for Microsoft 365 

Stepping into the next frontier of innovation, Brandix is one of the first Sri Lankan companies to come on board with Copilot for Microsoft 365, the company’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance feature. 

Sharing a vision of the transformative power of AI, Group CEO Ashroff Omar, said: “The world we live in is progressing at a pace where soon we may scarcely recognize the past. AI will completely redefine how we work. Copilot is a revolutionary feature that will free us from routine tasks and pave the way for genuine innovation. It enables us to remain curious, consistently evaluate our contributions, and infuse our daily tasks with passion, ensuring we move with intent and purpose.”

Last week, Brandix, conducted its inaugural Copilot AI training programme strengthening its foray into the sphere of artificial intelligence. Built on OpenAI’s GPT4 through Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is set to redefine how industries operate and become one of the most powerful productivity tools on the planet. 

Chief Operating Officer of Digital Services at Brandix, Oshada Senanayake, said: “Brandix has constantly sat at the forefront of driving innovation in the apparel industry, adopting nascent technologies to boost productivity across all functions. Our latest association with Microsoft is another feather on our cap that will disrupt conventional practices in the apparel industry. It will also infuse a lot of fun and efficiency to how we work.”

Brandix has spearheaded inspiration and growth in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry over the past five decades and was also the first Sri Lankan company to work with the software company during the deployment of Microsoft Enterprise in the early 2000s. Brandix has placed digitalization at helm of its transformation journey and will redefine its competitive advantage and progressive working culture based on adopting AI across the value chain. Adopting this cutting-edge technology is a part of the company’s digital transformation journey with a vision of a ‘Smarter Brandix’. 

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is the latest evolution from the global technology company, and it helps users optimize their time and energy. Copilot is now available for enterprises.

The High Commissioner designate of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama who arrived in London on 19 November 2023 assumed duties at the High Commission at a simple ceremony on 20 November 2023. High Commissioner designate Bogollagama was received upon arrival at Heathrow Airport by Special Representative of the UK Foreign Secretary Kathryn Colvin.

In his address to the staff at the High Commission, after assumption of duties, the High Commissioner- designate emphasised the importance of advancing national interests and urged to work towards progressing the existing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. The ceremony was marked by the lighting of the oil lamp and milk rice and sweetmeats being served in keeping with Sri Lankan traditions.

High Commissioner-designate Bogollagama then paid a visit to the London Buddhist Vihara where religious observances and chanting of seth pirith was conducted by the Chief Incumbent of the Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayake of Great Britain the Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thero.

High Commissioner designate Bogollagama was a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka between 2000-2010 and has served in several key ministerial positions. He was appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province from 2017-2019. While being a Member of Parliament Rohitha Bogollagama served as Minister of Industries (2001-2004), Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development (2004-2005), Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005-2007) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2010).

In addition, High Commissioner – designate Bogollagama served as the Chairman of the SAARC Council of Ministers (2008-2009) and contributed establishing strong diplomatic relations with other countries as a Member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (2007-2009), Vice President of the Non-Aligned Movement (2009) and Chairman of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Meeting (2009) among others.

Prior to contesting the elections in 2000, High Commissioner designate Bogollagama has served in key positions heading various Government and Private Sector Institutions. Some of the highlights in his list of appointments include serving as the Director of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (1989-1993), Chairman, Sathosa Printers Ltd., (1992-1993), Chairman, Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (1993-1994), Chairman and Director General, Board of Investment, (1993-1994) and Director, Sri Lanka Export Development Board during the same year, proving his expertise in diverse fields.

High Commissioner- designate Bogollagama entered the Sri Lanka Law College in the year 1973 to pursue a career in law. With the completion of successive examinations, he commenced his legal practice in 1976 with a special focus on criminal law. In 1987 Rohitha Bogollagama expanded his expertise on commercial law with overseas engagements in Shipping, Trade, Settlements, Arbitration and Negotiation. During this period he has been responsible for advising major international clients including Maersk Shipping of A. P Moller & Company, Denmark and Voice of America of the Government of United States.

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama is a past pupil of Ananda College, Colombo.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
London

21 November 2023

Sri Lankan Rupee experienced a slight depreciation against the US Dollar in various commercial banks today (Nov 22), compared to the rates observed on Tuesday.Here’s a summary of the changes at different banks:

• At Peoples Bank, the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar increased slightly, standing at Rs. 322.66 for buying and Rs. 333.90 for selling.
• Commercial Bank reported a drop in the buying rate of the US Dollar, which is now at Rs. 321.23, while the selling rate slightly increased to Rs. 332.25.
• Sampath Bank saw an increase in both the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar, currently set at Rs. 324 for buying and Rs. 334 for selling.

The All Ceylon Expressway Employees Union, led by Chairman Hasitha Munasinghe, initiated a strike at 7 AM on Wednesday (22), impacting the operations of the Expressway Ticket Counters. Munasinghe highlighted that the strike stemmed from various grievances, notably pension-related concerns among others.

Despite the walkout by ticket counter employees, the Road Development Authority (RDA) assured the public that the strike would not disrupt traffic flow along the expressway. L. V. S. Weerakoon, Director General of the RDA, confirmed that armed forces personnel have been deployed to safeguard the expressway. Additionally, military personnel will step in to manage the ticket issuance process, ensuring continuity of service despite the strike action.

The Department of Government Information has confirmed that the anticipated Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) is scheduled for signing on February 3, 2024. This significant agreement is expected to follow the conclusion of rounds of discussions by December 2023.

In alignment with the agreements reached during rounds 06 and 07 of these discussions, the Cabinet of Ministers has given approval to the customs levy releasing program of Sri Lanka. This program has been devised to facilitate the phased release of categorized serial numbers, allowing for the release of 80% of the combined categorized serial numbers over a 15-year period based on the 2022 data. Additionally, a provision has been made to partially release 5% of the combined categorized serial numbers within a span of 15 to 18 years. The remaining 15% of the combined categorized serial numbers will be included in the minus list, pending submission by the President for their consent, according to the Department of Government Information. This step represents a strategic move towards the facilitation and regulation of trade between the two nations

Parliament witnessed an unprecedented move as State Minister Sanath Nishantha faced a two-week suspension due to his disruptive behavior within the Chambers on Tuesday (Nov. 21). Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena made the announcement to Members of Parliament following the initiation of the Third Reading and Committee Stage debate on the 2024 Budget this morning.

The suspension highlights a rare and consequential action taken against a sitting member, emphasizing the significance of maintaining decorum and respectful conduct within the parliamentary sessions.

1. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says SL will move to a “fully floating exchange rate” & the CB will no longer have to collect foreign reserves: also says SL would like to see reserves around 3 months of imports, but not large volumes as recommended by the IMF.
2. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he rejects recent allegations regarding the economic management by his team: also says that he remembers how people who talk about depriving the rights of persons, actually worked when in power: asserts it is not necessary to respond to mudslinging whenever people resort to it.
3. Former Diplomat & respected Senior Journalist C A Chandraprema says politically interested parties seem to have gone overboard in paroxysms of hatred & triumph, due to the manner in which many media outlets reported the Supreme Court Majority judgement in the FR case against the former Presidents and others: explains that what it stated in the Majority Judgement is that Mahinda Rajapaksa & others had “demonstrably contributed” to the economic crisis, but that there is a significant difference between saying that someone is “responsible” for a certain situation and saying that someone has “demonstrably contributed” towards such situation: further says the Majority Judgement further says that – (a) it would not be appropriate to order the Respondents to pay compensation to the Petitioners & therefore no compensation is ordered: (b) Court notes the Respondents’ argument that the root causes for the economic debacle spread well beyond the time period covered in the Plaint, & therefore no responsibility could be attributed to these Respondents as claimed by the Petitioners: (c) Court notes the Respondents’ claim that heavy borrowings of previous Governments & mismanagement of such funds had a direct impact on the debt sustainability of the country.
4. Former Diplomat & respected Senior Journalist C A Chandraprema says Justice Jayawardena’s Dissenting Judgement had dismissed the FR case and covered the following points: (a) Plaintiffs have not invoked the jurisdiction of the Court within 1 month of the alleged infringements, as per Article 126(2) of the Constitution: (b) the decision not to go to the IMF had been communicated to Parliament on 10th Dec’21 by then Finance Minister, the and Cabinet had also decided on 3rd Jan’22 not to get IMF assistance but to pursue a “homegrown” solution to the the fiscal & economic issues faced: (c) the Auditor General’s Report shows the Govt had considered the pros & cons of going to the IMF, the past experiences with IMF, & the effects an IMF programme on the economy & the people, and thereafter taken the “policy decision” not to go to the IMF: (d) Courts do not interfere with “policy matters” or economic decisions, as such matters are highly technical and even experts in those fields hold different opinions on the same point.
5. BOI says that RM Parks Inc (a US Petroleum products distributor) has signed an agreement with the BOI to bring USD 110 mn worth Shell products to Sri Lanka: a RM Parks Inc & Shell collaboration to also operate 200 fuel stations & provide services of mini-supermarkets with EV charging facilities as well.
6. Dept of Census & Statistics says the overall rate of inflation measured by NCPI on a YoY basis has increased to 1.0% in Oct’23, from 0.8% in Sep’23: Food inflation unchanged in Oct’23 at -5.2%.
7. Colombo Stock Market falls for the 6th consecutive market day, wracked by the money market being almost perennially short, complemented by the Govt’s huge borrowing appetite: ASPI now at 10,507 points: turnover at a miserly Rs 912 mn.
8. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says an agreement for a USD 5 bn Refinery to be built by China in Hambantota district will be submitted to Cabinet next week: also says if the Cabinet approves & the agreement is signed, it will be the single largest investment project ever.
9. Sri Lanka’s left-arm speedster Dilshan Madushanka included in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Team due to his phenomenal individual performances across 7 weeks of high-class international action.
10. ICC moves the Under-19 World Cricket Cup to South Africa from Sri Lanka: ICC says the decision has been taken in view of the administrative uncertainty in SL Cricket: further says Cricket involving the SL team will continue uninterrupted.

In response to mounting concerns and recent backlash surrounding the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission bill, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has taken decisive steps to introduce new legislation aimed at regulating electronic media.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Bandula Gunawardena addressed the media, revealing that following extensive discussions, the Cabinet approved a resolution directing the Legal Draftsman to craft a new bill based on the foundational draft for the establishment of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission.

The Government Information Department highlighted that the primary objective behind this resolution is to ensure precise media practices within the electronic media landscape while safeguarding the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression.

During the Cabinet meeting held on 22nd September 2022, a Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, was appointed. This committee’s mandate was to provide recommendations on crucial policy matters for consideration in drafting the proposed bill. Subsequently, the committee formulated a foundational draft incorporating appropriate provisions for the envisaged broadcasting regulatory commission.

The Cabinet of Ministers, therefore, granted its approval for the resolution presented by the Minister of Mass Media, directing the Legal Draftsman to create a comprehensive draft bill based on the outlined foundational principles.