Hambantota Port eyes growth spike as shipping lines shift back to primary East–West route

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLIC Life) has reaffirmed its position as the country’s preeminent life insurer, bolstered by the industry’s largest Life Fund of Rs. 247 billion and a total asset base reaching Rs. 275 billion.

The insurer’s prudent, long-term fund management strategy continues to yield substantial returns for policyholders. In its latest declared distribution, SLIC Life allocated Rs. 14.68 billion in bonuses for 2025. This latest payout brings the company’s cumulative bonus declarations since 2006 to an unprecedented Rs. 131.28 billion, reinforcing its unmatched track record of financial resilience and policyholder yield.

“Sri Lanka Insurance Life continues to demonstrate resilience, strength, and long-term stability. These achievements reflect the dedication of our people, whose efforts drive sustainable growth while contributing meaningfully to national economic progress,” said Nusith Kumaratunga, Chairman of SLIC Life.

Alongside its robust balance sheet, the insurer is executing an aggressive digital integration strategy across its nationwide footprint. Supported by over 230 physical touchpoints, agency networks, and bancassurance partnerships, SLIC Life has deployed key technological updates—including eKYC, digital signatures, core system automation, and the upgraded SLIC Life Pulse mobile application and customer portal.

“Our continued focus on customer-centricity and operational excellence has positioned us strongly for sustained growth in the years ahead,” stated Dr. Sameera Dharmasena, Chief Executive Officer of SLIC Life.

The company’s operations remain anchored in stringent international management frameworks, holding ISO certifications across quality management (ISO 9001:2015), information security (ISO/IEC 27001:2022), and greenhouse gas emissions reporting (ISO 14064-1:2018).

Beyond core insurance operations, SLIC Life maintains a significant community footprint. Its Suba Pathum Scholarship Programme has awarded over 2,425 scholarships exceeding Rs. 265 million, while the Pasal Piriyatha Surakimu initiative has extended support to more than 3,365 underprivileged schools islandwide.

Leveraging the legacy of its famous hill country retreat, Hunas Hospitality has formally initiated a strategic diversification strategy into beachfront and riverside tourism, marked by the opening of Hunas Beach in Balapitiya on October 17.

The 26-room boutique beachfront property on the Southern Coast represents a pivotal milestone for the group, transitioning Hunas from a single-location hill country landmark into a multi-destination boutique hospitality network backed by Sri Lankan leadership and Japanese capital.

For decades, the Hunas brand has been synonymous with central highland eco-luxury. The unveiling of Hunas Beach signals a broader portfolio roadmap designed to capture high-value coastal and inland riverine tourism segments across Sri Lanka.

“This evening is not simply the celebration of one hotel; it marks the beginning of many more exciting projects and opportunities that we look forward to bringing to life together under one unified brand—Hunas Hospitality,” said Atheeq Ansar, Managing Director of Hunas Hospitality.

Following the beachfront addition in Balapitiya, the group’s immediate pipeline includes a dedicated riverside property, establishing a distinct circuit spanning hill country, oceanfront, and riverine settings.

The expansion underscores sustained foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka’s high-end tourism infrastructure. Commenting on the long-term partnership, Japanese Director Watanabe-san recalled his initial investment in Sri Lanka 13 years ago, reaffirming his consortium’s ongoing confidence in the island’s tourism recovery and growth trajectory.

“We’re looking forward to growing together and building something meaningful in Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industry,” Watanabe-san stated, pointing to the genuine warmth of local hospitality as a primary competitive advantage in international markets.

Designed for the luxury leisure market, Hunas Beach features 26 ocean-facing rooms equipped with private balconies, complemented by an all-day dining venue, a beachside specialty cocktail bar, and curated wellness facilities.

“The unified brand will extend the spirit of Hunas beyond the hills, bringing distinctive destinations together under a shared vision of elevating hospitality and connecting extraordinary experiences,” noted Rajith Gooneratne, Head of Hunas Hospitality.

By Hiran H Senewiratne 

Investor sentiment at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) stayed subdued as surging global Brent crude oil prices which climbed past US $112 per barrel and intensifying Middle East conflict continued to weigh heavily on market momentum, analysts observed.

Amid such sentiments, both indices moved downward. All Share Price Index down by 209.38 points while S and P SL20 down by 35.98 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.1 billion with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 675,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 93 million and its share price traded at Rs 138 and Commercial Credit and Finance 695,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 53 million and its share price traded at Rs 90.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were JKH Rs 157 million (1.9 million shares traded), Sunshine Holdings Rs 103 million (3.8 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 39 million (198,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 37 million (266,000 shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 31 million (250,000 shares traded), HNB (Non-Voting) Rs 25 million (81000 shares traded) and HNB Rs 24 million (540000 shares traded). During the day 54 million shares volumes changed hands in 15370 transactions.

It was said that banking and financial sector counters performed well. Manufacturing sector especially JKH performed significantly well.

The direct holding in The Fortress Resorts  to 49.93 percent of the company’s issued shares.

Vallibel One acquired a total of 34,747,249 shares from two concert parties through market transactions on October 21.

Following this, Vallibel One’s shareholding in The Fortress Resorts PLC, together with the existing holding of its subsidiaries L B Finance and Royal Ceramics Lanka , is 53.89 percent.

Softlogic Holdings announced that the last date for payment for the conversion of warrants into shares has been extended to November 19, 2026, following CSE approval.

Direct deposit of the shares post-conversion is scheduled on or before December 4, 2026, with the declaration to be filed with the CSE on December 7, and trading of the new shares slated to begin on December 8, 2026.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the the Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted at Rs 332.11.20 to the US dollar in the spot market weaker from Rs 331.90/332.05 the previous day, while bond yields were quoted steady to higher on selected tenors, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted flat at 11.05/15 percent.