In a groundbreaking move, Sri Lanka’s Ideal Motors Ltd. has appointed Dilani Yatawaka as its new Group Managing Director and CEO, making her the first female business leader to head an automotive company in the country. Her leadership comes at a critical juncture, as Sri Lanka reopens vehicle imports after a five-year ban, threatening to derail the progress of the country’s burgeoning vehicle assembly sector.

Yatawaka, a seasoned finance and automotive professional with over 25 years of experience, steps into this pivotal role at a time when the local industry is voicing serious concerns over the government’s decision to lift the vehicle import ban without offering protective measures for domestic assemblers.

 Industry leaders warn that the move, coupled with increased taxation, could have disastrous consequences for Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing automotive assembly sector.

The vehicle import ban, enforced in 2021 to conserve foreign exchange amid economic instability, led to a halt in the inflow of new vehicles. This has caused the country’s fleet to age significantly, making spare parts scarce and expensive.

With the lifting of the ban, the government aims to boost tax revenue, but industry stakeholders like Nalin Welgama, Founder of Ideal Motors, caution that the lack of safeguards could cripple local manufacturing efforts.

Under Welgama’s leadership, Ideal Motors partnered with India’s Mahindra and Mahindra to establish a strong local presence. Today, Sri Lanka hosts 17 assembly plants manufacturing a range of vehicles from SUVs to electric three-wheelers. Another 17 investors are poised to enter the market, reflecting the sector’s potential.

The sector supports over 15,000 jobs, highlighting its socio-economic importance. Experts warn that imposing “tax on tax” and allowing unrestricted imports could stifle this momentum unless a supportive policy framework is put in place. Welgama has advocated for a tax regime that favors locally assembled vehicles to ensure sustainability, attract investment, and support growth.

Amid these challenges, Yatawaka’s appointment signals a bold and strategic move. A graduate of St. Bridget’s Convent and a Fellow of multiple prestigious accounting bodies, she began her career at Ernst & Young before advancing to senior roles at Associated Motorways (AMW), where she led a successful restructuring post-acquisition by the UAE’s Al Futtaim Group.

Since joining Ideal Group in 2017, she has played a key role in steering the company through multiple crises, including the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sri Lanka’s economic collapse — all without layoffs or salary reductions. Her strategic overhaul of Mahindra’s aftermarket operations led to a notable sales surge in just five months.

Yatawaka’s leadership is marked by a commitment to shared growth and employee empowerment. “Her vision and resilience were instrumental in our turnaround,” said Welgama. “She is the right leader to take Ideal Motors into its next decade of growth.”

As Sri Lanka’s automotive industry faces an uncertain future, Yatawaka’s historic appointment provides both a fresh direction and a symbol of hope — for inclusive leadership and for a sustainable local industry amidst looming import pressures.

In a dynamic shift that reflects the changing needs of today’s businesses, OC by Orion City has launched a new flexible office space concept in the heart of Colombo 3. Located at one of the most prestigious and well-connected addresses in the city, this venture offers a seamless blend of functionality, comfort, and innovation — all under one roof.

Modern businesses, particularly startups and SMEs in Sri Lanka, are increasingly seeking workspace solutions that reduce overheads and allow them to focus solely on growth. OC by Orion City addresses this demand by eliminating traditional setup costs and offering private, ready-to-move-in office units of varying sizes.

These fully furnished spaces cater to a broad spectrum of professionals — from freelancers and small teams to established firms — providing everything needed to hit the ground running.

But OC is more than just a workspace. It’s a business ecosystem thoughtfully designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and well-being. Each floor is equipped with stylish chill-out zones, professional meeting rooms, soundproof call pods, and an inviting dining area. The rooftop, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is a standout feature — an inspiring venue for networking events, team get-togethers, and client meetings.

What makes OC by Orion City particularly valuable for startups and entrepreneurs is its plug-and-play nature. With high-speed internet, secure cloud access, and round-the-clock operations, it meets the demands of digital-era enterprises that work beyond traditional office hours.

In a city like Colombo, where the startup culture is rapidly growing, such infrastructure is crucial to support lean teams with ambitious goals.

In line with Orion City’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and tech-forward infrastructure, the facility incorporates green initiatives like rainwater harvesting, solar power, drip irrigation, and landscaped green spaces. With modern fire safety, dependable backup power, and ample parking, the building ensures safety and convenience.

Orion City CEO Jeevan Gnanam stated at the launch, “We are excited to welcome businesses to OC by Orion City. Our goal is to provide more than just workspaces — we are building environments where innovation flourishes and people are motivated to achieve more.”

Since its establishment in Colombo 9 in 2007, Orion City has played a pioneering role in redefining workspaces in Sri Lanka. The expansion into Colombo 3 through OC marks a new chapter — one that aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of contemporary businesses looking for a central, collaborative, and fully equipped environment to grow and succeed.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has mandated stricter reporting protocols for cyber incidents targeting licensed banks, responding to a sharp rise in cyber threats and financial phishing attacks in 2024.

The new directive, outlined in a recent circular, requires banks to report any information technology (IT) incidents, cybersecurity breaches, or online scams to the Central Bank within two hours of detection. These incidents are classified into three categories:

IT incidents involving system failures or disruptions with operational or reputational implications.Cybersecurity breaches compromising the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of bank systems and data.Online and digital scams, including internet fraud that deceives users into giving away sensitive information or money.

The Central Bank emphasized the need for “prompt and transparent” reporting to assess risks, mitigate service disruptions, and protect assets. This move comes amid alarming figures from the 2024 Kaspersky Security Bulletin, which reported 9,218 financial phishing incidents in Sri Lanka—a sign of increasingly sophisticated tactics used by cybercriminals.

Financial phishing, where fraudsters mimic legitimate financial institutions to steal banking credentials and payment details, is becoming a serious concern for both individuals and businesses. Attackers typically employ malicious links and attachments, leading to severe financial and reputational harm.

“Phishing attacks in Sri Lanka are a clear sign that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated,” said Sam Yan, Kaspersky’s Head of Sales for Asia Emerging Countries. He urged businesses to adopt multi-layered cybersecurity strategies, stressing that cybersecurity must be treated as a core business priority.

Kaspersky’s data shows the rise of phishing is particularly acute in the business-to-business (B2B) space, with companies increasingly targeted via fraudulent financial communications. The report also recorded over 8.6 million web-based threats and 12.5 million local malware attacks in Sri Lanka in 2024, highlighting widespread vulnerability.

To defend against this growing wave of attacks, Kaspersky recommends the following measures for organizations:Deploy anti-phishing technologies to detect and block malicious messages in real time.Train employees to recognize phishing tactics and report suspicious behavior.Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance the security of financial transactions.

Kaspersky also offers the Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA), a solution designed to enhance event monitoring and cyber incident response.

While countries like Belarus, Moldova, and the Philippines remain global hotspots for cyberattacks, Sri Lanka is emerging as a key regional target. The Central Bank’s updated rules signal an urgent push to bolster the nation’s cyber resilience in the face of mounting threats.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, recently met with Thailand’s Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Bangkok to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation in social protection and human rights.

Ambassador Edirisinghe expressed her gratitude for Thailand’s support in implementing the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims of human trafficking, particularly in facilitating the rescue and repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who had been trapped in cybercrime centres in Myanmar. She confirmed that all Sri Lankan victims have now been safely returned home.

The Ambassador extended the Sri Lankan Government’s deep appreciation to the Thai Government for its assistance and highlighted the exceptional support provided by Thai officials in both Mae Sot and Bangkok throughout the operation.

Minister Silpa-archa praised the close collaboration between the two nations and reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to continue supporting Sri Lanka in future humanitarian efforts. He also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s active role in promoting mutual cooperation on human rights and social protection.

Both sides welcomed ongoing bilateral initiatives, particularly those focused on protecting the rights of women and children and increasing women’s representation in national legislatures and decision-making bodies.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between Sri Lanka and Thailand, built on shared regional values and a joint commitment to advancing human dignity and inclusive development. The discussion was also attended by A.W.S. Samanmali, Head of Chancery, and Vireshika Bandara, Minister Counsellor (Commercial).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Professor I.M. Karunathilake as the 20th Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions.

The official appointment letter was presented to Professor Karunathilake yesterday (May 23) at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

A trailblazer in the field of medical education, Professor Karunathilake holds the distinction of being the first Professor of Medical Education at the University of Colombo, where he has been a faculty member since June 2000. He is an alumnus of both the University of Colombo and the University of Dundee in Scotland, and a Senior Fellow of the UK’s Higher Education Academy and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Professor Karunathilake is internationally recognized for his contributions to medical education and has collaborated extensively with global organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), and SEARAME.

Domestically, he has held several influential roles, including Secretary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), founding President of the College of Medical Educationists (CME), and Vice President of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA). In 2021, he made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to be unanimously elected as Secretary-General of APACPH.

With his appointment, Professor Karunathilake takes the helm of an institution originally established in 1921 as the University of Ceylon, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a global perspective to guide the University of Colombo into its next chapter.

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A Sri Lankan delegation is set to participate in crucial discussions in Washington, D.C., focused on tariff-related matters, following an invitation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). This marks the second in-person meeting as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two nations.

The initiative follows a series of virtual engagements between Sri Lankan officials and the USTR, highlighting a shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation. The upcoming talks are expected to explore new avenues for enhancing trade ties and securing favorable outcomes for Sri Lanka, especially amid current economic challenges.

In preparation for the visit, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a high-level meeting on May 22 to align the delegation’s approach with Sri Lanka’s broader economic strategy. The focus was on ensuring that national interests are effectively represented during the discussions.

Participants in the preparatory meeting included Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, K.A. Vimalenthirarajah; Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa; Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; Finance Ministry Secretary K.M.M. Siriwardana; Attorney General’s Department representative Nirmal Vigneshwaran; and Dharshana Perera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Details of the Washington discussions will be released following the conclusion of the meetings.

A private bus carrying 54 passengers overturned in the Top Pass area on the Nuwara Eliya–Kandy main road on the night of May 23, police reported.

The bus, returning from a leisure trip to Badulla, was en route to Kandy when it veered off the road and overturned. The passengers had originally departed from Kurunegala.

Twenty-three people, including the driver, conductor, and 20 women, sustained injuries in the accident and were admitted to Nuwara Eliya Hospital for treatment. The injured are residents of the Kurunegala and Kiribbanwewa areas.

Nuwara Eliya Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

Malini Fonseka, affectionately known as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning in Colombo at the age of 78.

With a career spanning more than five decades and over 150 films, Fonseka was a towering figure in Sri Lankan cinema. Renowned for her powerful performances and timeless grace, she earned numerous national and international accolades and was instrumental in shaping the country’s film industry.

Her passing marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan arts and culture. Tributes have begun to pour in from across the nation, with fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a true cinematic icon whose legacy will endure for generations.