SANKEN GEN steps into new era as independent global group

The British Examination Centre (BEC), an independent examination and assessment administration body established under CEG Education Holdings, was officially launched at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo recently.

The establishment of the centre marks a significant milestone in expanding access to internationally recognized qualifications, teacher development, and examination administration across Sri Lanka.

A key highlight of the launch was BEC’s official appointment as a Cambridge Associate, enabling the centre to support the administration of Cambridge International examinations islandwide. Designed to cater to schools, educational institutions, parents, and private candidates, BEC aims to deliver an efficient, accessible, and highly reliable examination experience, allowing partner schools to focus on core educational delivery.

Through this partnership, students in Sri Lanka will gain streamlined access to Cambridge Checkpoint assessments (Grades 5 and 8), Cambridge IGCSEs, and Cambridge International AS & A Levels—qualifications recognized by over 2,500 universities worldwide.

Beyond student assessments, BEC will place a strong emphasis on educator development by delivering Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications for Teachers in collaboration with international partners. These specialized initiatives are designed to strengthen classroom practices, elevate teacher capabilities, and better prepare students for academic success.

Commenting on the launch, Upali Witharana, Executive Director and CFO, noted that BEC intends to provide a seamless registration and post-results experience for candidates and parents while building a dependable platform for partner institutions. He added that the centre plans to progressively broaden its portfolio with additional international assessments in the near future.

Jonathan Hardy, Head of Business Development for Cambridge Assessment International, welcomed the partnership, stating that Cambridge is pleased to work alongside BEC to expand global academic opportunities for Sri Lankan learners.

Echoing these views, Dr. Punarjeeva Karunanayake, Executive Director of ANC Campus, emphasized that internationally benchmarked academic pathways remain increasingly vital for students seeking global higher education and career opportunities.

Guided by a commitment to high administrative standards and strong institutional partnerships, BEC aims to serve as a comprehensive educational hub for students, private candidates, and educators across the country.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reinforced its position as Sri Lanka’s leading digital banking innovator by winning three prestigious awards at the Global Finance World’s Best Digital Bank & AI in Finance Awards 2026, held at Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The bank secured top honors for Best Consumer Digital Bank, Best Mobile Banking App, and Most Innovative Digital Bank. The event was attended by key leadership, including Chief Digital Officer Randil Boteju, Manager of the Digital Banking Unit (DBU) Ramendra Nonis, and Senior Engineering Manager for IT R&D Nadika Nagahawatte.

The recognition highlights Commercial Bank’s sustained investments in digital transformation, customer-centric technology, and advanced research spearheaded by its DBU and IT R&D teams. Winners were evaluated by Global Finance based on digital customer growth strategies, breadth of product offerings, tangible user benefits, website and app functionality, and design. Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance, noted that the winning institutions are setting global benchmarks as banks increasingly integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to meet rising customer expectations for speed, personalization, security, and seamless service.

This international accolade places Sri Lanka’s digital banking ecosystem alongside world-class peers like DBS Bank, which was named World’s Best Digital Bank at the same ceremony. The awards affirm Commercial Bank’s commitment to delivering secure, efficient financial solutions aligned with international standards.

The achievement complements Commercial Bank’s extensive record of industry leadership. In 2026,

SANASA Life Insurance Company PLC has appointed veteran insurance professional Susantha De Silva as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 8, 2026. Bringing over three decades of industry experience across sales, business development, operations, and executive leadership, De Silva steps into the role to drive customer-focused innovation and sustainable growth. He officially assumed duties following a ceremony at the company’s head office in Colombo, attended by founder Dr. P. A. Kiriwandeniya, the Board of Directors, and key executives.

De Silva began his career at Ceylinco General Insurance and subsequently held senior leadership positions at major Sri Lankan insurers, including Union Assurance, Janashakthi, and Allianz Life. Complementing this leadership transition, outgoing CEO Nuwanpriya Gunawardena moves into the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) to spearhead the firm’s digital transformation and IT capabilities. This strategic realignment combines extensive market expertise with advanced technology leadership to reinforce SANASA Life’s long-term business evolution.