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The story is about communities that have waited years for reliable connectivity. For students, it means they no longer have to travel far to do their research online. For farmers, it means getting market prices in time to sell their produce at a fair price. For parents who travel long distances to send money to their children studying in the city, and for small business owners who could not reach online markets before, it means a door has finally opened.
HUTCH, in partnership with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), has deployed connectivity through newly commissioned sites, extending the reach of its Gamata Sanniwedanaya programme to unserved communities across rural Sri Lanka.
These new launches bring connectivity for the first time to Werellagama, Pelawa, Muruthalawa, Halloluwa and ten other new areas in the Kandy district. In Anuradhapura, the areas connected include Kumaraeliya, Jayagama, Pahalagama, Thalawa and two other new areas. In addition, fourteen more new areas across the districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kegalle and Trincomalee have also been connected.
This phase of the HUTCH and TRCSL partnership has added nearly 300 square kilometres of new broadband coverage to Sri Lanka, reaching more than 10,000 people. Each new tower brings people one step closer to equal opportunity, no matter where they live.
Saumitra Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, HUTCH Sri Lanka, said, “Building a tower in a remote area is never easy. The terrain, the logistics, access and power supply all bring their own challenges, but none of that changes our commitment. Bridging the digital divide is not something we do occasionally; it is an ongoing responsibility, and we have stepped up our investment to lead this effort.”
HUTCH has stated that construction of further tower infrastructure has already commenced in more identified unserved communities across the districts, which will be coming on air during the remaining course of this year. HUTCH remains committed to expanding the Gamata Sanniwedanaya programme, working towards Universal Connectivity that will drive Sri Lanka’s ambition of a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030.
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The latest publication by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) ‘Collective Bargaining and Agreements in Sri Lanka’ (Volume 1) aims to provide a detailed overview of the collective agreements signed from 2022 to 2024 between EFC member companies and trade unions. The publication is the fruit of the research efforts by the EFC’s Research and Publications Unit.
The EFC which is the national employers’ organization and the constituent of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Sri Lanka, has consistently pursued its vision to promote industrial harmony through productive employment. Through its proactive engagement with trade unions and government bodies, the EFC has fostered a collaborative approach to industrial relations, promoting collective bargaining as means of conflict resolution which has ensured long-term industrial harmony. Now into its 97th year and representing a diverse set of industries with over 800,000 employees in Sri Lanka, the EFC has established itself as a significant pillar in industrial relations platforms in Sri Lanka.
Collective bargaining process is a tool that can be used to create and enhance industrial relations between the employer and the employees. The foundation of the collective bargaining in Sri Lanka is a combination of statutory provisions, established practices/customs and mutual agreements. The mechanism provides a formal platform for discussion/ negotiations between employer and employee.
Through such discussions and negotiations, the employees collectively or through trade unions will have the opportunity to table their concerns while the employers will have the opportunity to put forward their expectations. This will create a relationship that is more transparent and it will further reduce the communication gap between the employer and the employee.
The first part of the monograph provides a brief snapshot of the legal framework and current practices which are applicable to the collective bargaining process in Sri Lanka, and the second part provides details of successfully signed collective agreements between 2022 to 2024.
The substantial number of collective agreements signed between the selected period (2022-2024) represents the current trend of adopting the collective bargaining process as a forum of discussion between the employer and the employee, notes EFC’s Director General, Yashoravi Bakmiwewa. “The publication aims to serve as a valuable reference for employers, HR professionals, industrial relations practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders interested in understanding the developments in remuneration and employment benefits negotiated through the collective bargaining process,” says Bakmiwewa.
The data presented in the publication constitutes a consolidated representation of salary increments, benefits, and other compensation-related information collected from multiple organizations across key industries. The publication can be purchased at the EFC.
From humble beginnings to provincial honours and national representation, the girls’ rugby team of Hemamali Girls’ College, Kandy, is steadily establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in schoolgirls’ rugby.
The team, which began its journey in November 2023, has made significant progress in just a few years, combining discipline, determination and teamwork to build a competitive rugby programme.
Rugby was introduced to the school during the tenure of former Principal H. A. T. D. K. Jayarathna. Since 2025, under the leadership of Principal M. V. Gamlathge, the programme has continued to expand, with greater emphasis on player development, performance and long-term success.
The school administration and academic staff have played a key role in creating an environment in which students can pursue sporting ambitions while maintaining their academic commitments. The school views sport as an important means of developing discipline, leadership, confidence and resilience among young women.
Under coach Sulochana Athauda and Master-in-Charge Lakshika Madhurangi, the players have worked on their technical skills, fitness, tactical awareness and teamwork, gradually building a squad capable of competing at higher levels.
The team’s progress has been reflected in its results. In 2025, the Under-16 side won the All-Island Plate Championship, while the Under-19 team finished runners-up in the Central Province. The Under-19 team followed that achievement with a second runners-up finish in the province in 2026.
Perhaps the strongest indication of the programme’s potential has been the selection of four players for the Sri Lanka girls’ rugby squad. They are K. D. H. M. Gunasekara, who has represented the Sri Lanka national team, I. P. Weerarathna, J. M. V. S. Jayasinghe and J. M. C. O. Jayathilaka.
The Golden Lionesses added another chapter to their story at the Golden Lionesses Trophy Big Match held on October 24, 2026. S. M. G. V. Sanganayake was named the Outstanding Player of the Big Match, earning individual recognition for her performance.
Yet, the team’s success has been built on more than individual performances. Rugby demands communication, trust, physical commitment and an ability to function as a unit. The 20-member squad combines the power of the forwards with the speed, creativity and tactical awareness of the backs.
The players occupy a variety of positions, including prop, hooker, lock, half-back, fly-half, centre, winger and fullback, with several players capable of taking on more than one role.
For Hemamali Girls’ College, rugby is also about preparing students for life beyond the playing field. Regular training, maintaining fitness, balancing studies and sport, and supporting teammates are all part of the discipline expected of the players.
The continued support of Principal Gamlathge, Deputy Principal (Co-curricular) Deepika Karunarathna and the academic staff, together with the guidance of Athauda and Madhurangi, has helped provide the foundation for the team’s progress.
From its formation in 2023 to provincial success and national squad selections, the Golden Lionesses have shown what can be achieved when young athletes are given an opportunity to develop and the support to pursue their ambitions.
Their journey is far from over. With each season, the players are gaining experience, confidence and the belief that they can compete at the highest levels of schoolgirls’ rugby.
For Hemamali Girls’ College, the Golden Lionesses are building more than a rugby team. They are building a sporting legacy based on courage, unity, discipline and an unwavering determination to succeed.
Sampath Bank recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in profit after tax to Rs. 24.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, supported by strong loan growth and improved asset quality.
Gross loans and advances expanded by Rs. 273 billion, or 22%, to Rs. 1.5 trillion during the period, while the deposit base grew 13% to Rs. 1.9 trillion.
The bank’s total operating income increased 14%, with net interest income rising 15% to Rs. 65.9 billion and net fee and commission income growing 21% to Rs. 18.9 billion.
Interest income rose 14% to Rs. 152.8 billion, while interest expenses increased 13% to Rs. 86.9 billion. The net interest margin consequently improved to 4.22% from 4.11% at end-2025.
Asset quality also strengthened, with the Stage 3 loan portfolio declining by Rs. 14.4 billion. Recoveries from previously written-off exposures more than doubled to Rs. 841 million.
However, the bank’s total impairment charge increased 258% to Rs. 6 billion, including an Rs. 8.1 billion impairment charge on loans and advances. The bank said the increase reflected higher collective provisions arising from loan growth and additional buffers maintained amid macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Operating expenses rose 22% to Rs. 40.8 billion, pushing the cost-to-income ratio to 44.3% from 41.5%.
Total assets increased 13% to Rs. 2.23 trillion, while total liabilities rose 14% to Rs. 2.05 trillion.
The bank maintained capital and liquidity ratios above regulatory requirements, while its CET1 and total capital ratios stood at 12.27% and 15.32%, respectively, at end-September.
Sampath Bank also raised Rs. 10 billion through a Basel III-compliant debenture issue in October, which was oversubscribed.
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