Expolanka delivers record breaking Q1 performance

• 259% YoY growth in Group Profit After Tax up to Rs. 6.3 Bn
• 165% YoY increase in Group revenue up to Rs. 95.7Bn
• Logistics growth driven by surging retail demand in U.S.

Led by vibrant growth in its logistics sector, Expolanka Holdings PLC, delivered another record-breaking performance during the quarter ended 30 June 2021 (Q121).

Group revenue recorded a remarkable 165% Year-on-Year (YoY) expansion to reach Rs. 95.7 billion resulting in Gross Profit of Rs. 14.4 billion, up 130% YoY. Together with a strong focus on operational efficiency, Group Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by an outstanding 259% YoY up to Rs. 6.3 billion.

“Once again, our logistics sector served as the lynchpin of our growth, ably supported by commendable performances across all other business segments. Our record-breaking performance over this past quarter is a testament to the consistent focus on our strategy and the unified efforts of our team.

With their support, we successfully implemented a bold growth strategy that focused on expanding customer volumes, developing our ocean freight product, and proactive procurement and capacity building initiatives. In this manner, we were successful in optimizing all available opportunities that emerged from the gradual recovery taking place in the global economy amidst continued supply chain disruptions,” Hanif Yusoof, Group CEO, Expolanka Holdings stated.  

Impressive growth in volumes across both Air Freight and Ocean Freight products with stable yields served as a catalyst for another strong performance in Expolanka’s Logistics sector. Rising retail demand in the United States and the resulting intensification of activity in the North American trade lane, enabled volume growth and an expanding customer base across multiple verticals.

Despite less vibrant activity, amidst trade disruptions, business in European and Intra-Asian business also continued to demonstrate resilience. Notably, the European market also showed early signs of improvement.

As a result, Expolanka’s logistics sector was able to deliver 167% YoY growth in revenue, up to Rs. 94.9 billion. Additionally, gross profit expanded by 131% YoY up to Rs. 14.3 billion while PAT achieved a record breaking 240% growth up to 6.6 billion respectively. 

Meanwhile despite extended lockdowns and travel restrictions, the Group’s Leisure sector continued to deliver a stable performance, posting a turnover growth of Rs. 152 million – a reflection of the continued restructure and reorganization efforts focused on the long term.

The Group’s investment sector recorded a healthy 34% YoY increase up to Rs. 735 million, with the main contributor to growth arising from the Group’s export operation supported by a shift in portfolio towards niche product offerings. Similarly, the Group’s IT business also gained ground with moderate improvements in its contributions to the business.

About Expolanka Holdings:

Expolanka Holdings PLC is a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka and part of the SG Holdings Group, a leading logistics group in Japan. With interests in Logistics, Leisure and Investments, the company has successfully expanded its presence to cover 29 countries and 60+ offices across Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East and USA.

CBB calls for policy stability and facilitation of trade with an FTA with the UK

Roshanie Jayasundera-Moraes, Executive Vice President of John Keells Holdings, was re-elected as President of the CBB of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at a virtually held AGM on 20 July 2021.

Addressing the membership, she called for policy stability in order to facilitate business, build confidence among investors and attract FDI. She also called for a negotiation of an FTA between the UK and SL post Brexit.  

“Sri Lanka provides significant opportunities for British companies looking to access larger South Asian markets that have some of the fastest growing economies as well as sizeable populations. In order to facilitate this, we are fully aware that SL needs to improve its ranking on the Ease of Doing Business Index and it’s encouraging to know that our policy makers have made this a priority. We look forward to these developments and also volunteer to support the process in whatever way we can, at least in the UK-SL trade corridor,” she stated.

Over the past year, CBB has actively organised several business events such as investor forums, and webinars. It also gained membership to the British Chambers of Commerce, adding value to its members by enabling access over 60 British Chambers globally.

Dr Lakmini Mendis, Minister (Commercial), Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK said: “2020 was a challenging year for businesses. This compelled businesses to be more resilient and innovative while driving them to explore new markets. However, it’s been a remarkable year as total trade exceeded US$ 1 Billion, despite the pandemic. Apparel, comprising 70% of the export basket to the UK, was adversely affected but picked up later along with products such as rubber gloves, food items, coconut products, seafood, herbal teas, etc., stressing the importance of export diversification. In 2020 April we experienced a dip but increased sharply to record high growth in July, August, September, and October exceeding the figures of 2019. Brexit was another challenge we successfully overcame. Many representations and presentations were made by this Mission to the UK DIT in London. With their support Sri Lanka received similar market access as the EU for exports to the UK under the enhanced preferential scheme. During 2020, CBB, CCC, SL High Commission in London, British High Commission in Sri Lanka and DIT in collaboration promoted trade and investment. A stronger bilateral trade agreement is anticipated, noting that UK is our second largest export market.”

HE Sarah Hulton, UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, while congratulating the new committee said, “I want to reflect on how challenges can make us see new prospects, sometimes create opportunities to think or act differently, and maybe help us push towards positive change.  So our thoughts have been turning towards building back better and moving towards that recovery from the pandemic, and I’d like to share some thoughts today on delivering change and in particular with an emphasis on climate action and clean growth, crucial areas of focus for both countries.

“How can we support countries like Sri Lanka in their economic growth and response to the global climate challenge? Clean growth is the core decarbonisation strategy. Supporting clean transport, energy transition and greener buildings together with green financing are areas of discussion we are having with the Sri Lankan government and businesses. Business leaders also have a role to play in delivering on climate action. I continue to encourage you to embrace and include energy efficiency and sustainable business practices as a key deliverable in your strategic business plans. I also hope you will work in partnership with the Sri Lankan government in playing your part to save our planet for our future generations.”

The 2021/22 executive committee comprises Linda Giebing, General Manager, Hilton Colombo Residences and Shirendra Lawrence, COO, MAS Holdings as Vice Presidents, Irfan Thassim, MD, Oceanpick, as the Treasurer and Mark Prothero, CEO, HSBC Sri Lanka & Maldives as the Immediate Past President.

New committee: Ameena Ziauddin, Development Director, Norfolk Foods, Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, MD, Inter Air & Sea Logistics, Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson, Unilever Sri Lanka, Sarath Ganegoda, Director, Hayleys PLC, S Renganathan, MD, Commercial Bank,  Arjuna Nanayakkara, Head of Shared Services, London Stock Exchange Group SL, Dougie Douglas, Founder, Point to Point Consulting, Indika Abeykoon, GM, Aitken Spence Travels, Gihan Jayasinghe, MD, Finlays Group, SL, and Derek Mansfield, Director & Plant Manager, Sri Lanka Currency, De La Rue. 

Michael Fernandopulle, Head of Trade & Investment at the DIT, of the British High Commission, Maarya Rehman, Country Director, British Council will be invitees to the Committee. Representatives from the BOI and the EDB too will be invitees. 

Further details regarding membership of the Council and its activities could be obtained from the Secretariat of the CBB at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, E-mail: [email protected] or Tel.: 011-5588861, 5588800, or via   www.cbbsl.com https://www.facebook.com/CBBSriLanka/ and on Twitter @CBB_SL.

Global technologies company, HCL, to take up 80% of ‘The Offices’ at Cinnamon Life for its Sri Lanka hub

Colombo’s newest state-of-the-art office tower, ‘The Offices’ at Cinnamon Life has been chosen as the hub for leading global technology company, HCL Technologies’ growth drive in Sri Lanka. Cinnamon Life is the first A-grade office tower in Colombo to attract a leading multinational company to occupy a majority of available office spaces within its premises.

HCL Technologies has entered into an agreement with John Keells Holding (JKH) to occupy over 80% of the space in the 30-storey Grade-A office building. HCL’s commitment as the anchor office tenant at Cinnamon Life adds immense value to the integrated mixed development project as a whole, as the office spaces are poised to attract a dynamic local and expatriate workforce. The international company’s commitment and growth drive in Sri Lanka are also reflective of the long-term business resilience of Colombo’s ascent as a commercial hub in South Asia.

For HCL, Cinnamon Life’s prime location, wide-ranging facilities and emphasis on utmost quality proved to be a winning combination.

“The state-of-the-art office space from Cinnamon Life is the perfect blend for HCL’s growth plans in Sri Lanka,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President, HCL Technologies. “Being at the heart of Colombo, this iconic signature structure is a reflection of HCL as a next-generation global technology company that is constantly reimagining business for a digital age.”

HCL Technologies Global Development Center in Sri Lanka was officially inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay in September 2020. Since then, it continues to work to place Sri Lanka on the global map as the preferred delivery center for Fortune 500 clients across diverse industry verticals.

Cinnamon Life, the much anticipated iconic mixed-development project by JKH, is set to be a key feature in Colombo’s skyline. It houses an 800-room five-star Cinnamon hotel, a retail and entertainment complex, unmatched conference venues, a grade A office tower and two separate luxury residential towers (‘The Residence’ and ‘The Suites’ at Cinnamon Life).

“We are looking forward to hosting HCL, one of the world’s leading technology companies, at Cinnamon Life, and to providing them a platform for growth over the coming years.  HCL’s commitment to anchor its offices at Cinnamon Life is a testament to the long-term vision we had when we launched this ambitious project.  With the full development including the hotel and mall slated for opening next year, we expect that Cinnamon Life will position Colombo as the leisure, entertainment, and retail epicentre of the South Asian region,” reflected Krishan Balendra, Chairman of John Keells Holdings.

A ‘city within a city’, Cinnamon Life aims to be the lifestyle capital of Colombo and promises to deliver a vibrant lifestyle experience. The property will also feature one of the city’s premium retail and entertainment malls among several state-of-the-art amenities and attractions.

Designed by renowned Sri Lankan-British designer, artist and writer Cecil Balmond, Cinnamon Life spans 4.5 million square feet and will be not just Colombo’s but the entire subcontinent’s ultimate lifestyle and entertainment hub.

For further information visit www.cinnamonlife.com.

Mediquipment installs Sri Lanka’s most advanced AI-driven CT scanner at National Hospital

Mediquipment Ltd, Sri Lanka’s leading biomedical engineering service provider, which specializes in high-end medical imaging technology, announced the introduction of an advanced standard in medical diagnostics with the successful installation of the first ever Canon AQ One PRISM Edition CT scanner at the Radiology Department of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

The new 320 row/640 slice Canon AQ One CT scanner is currently the only machine in the global market which combines Artificial Intelligence with Deep Learning Spectral Reconstruction using an advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE). This delivers a quantum leap in the quality of imaging and diagnostics.

“The successful installation of this advanced CT scanner, which is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, and in the public health sector, represents a vital and significant upgrade of the diagnostic capabilities in the country. This system gives radiologists immense new capabilities and capacity through Spectral CT scanning, advanced visualization and Deep Learning-based CT imaging.

“For patients, this means access to the highest global standard of diagnostics, delivered with greater accuracy and speed than ever before. Such technology could potentially redefine the standard of medical care in Sri Lanka,” Mediquipment Vice President – Applications, S. Senthuran said.

In addition to enhancing the images used by radiologists, the scanner is also one of the safest and most efficient on the market. The machine’s 16cm wide area detector significantly improves the consistency and quality of images. This means that cranial or cardiac scans can be completed in a fraction of a second, and then rapidly reconstructed into quality images in a few seconds.

Notably, this installation at the National Hospital is the latest in a series of recent deliveries successfully completed by Mediquipment, which previously installed the first and second generation Aquilion ONE CT scanners at some of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious private healthcare facilities, having installed the island’s first CT scanner in 1987.

“Medical-imaging technology is evolving at an incredible pace,” said Rienzie Nanayakkara, who leads the company’s radiology division. “Our challenge over the past 35 years has been to remain at the forefront, delivering safe, reliable and cutting-edge technology to Sri Lanka’s ever more sophisticated medical diagnostics sector. In addition to this, I think our most important selling point is the fantastic quality of our skills-enhancement and service capability.”

With a history stretching back 35 years, Mediquipment is now the country’s leading biomedical engineering technology provider. The company serves as exclusive distributor for Canon Medical Systems Corporation which includes an array of imaging equipment such as MRI scanners, CT scanners, angiography systems, x-ray systems and ultrasound scanners. It has, to date, successfully completed equipment installations at every one of the 400+ hospitals currently operating in Sri Lanka.

Trainocate recognised as #1 Microsoft Learning Partner worldwide

Trainocate Holdings, Asia’s largest IT and human capability development training provider, has been recognised as the 2021 Microsoft Learning Partner of the Year; the first Asian company to earn the title.

The global awards recognise Microsoft partners demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. It acknowledges outstanding successes by partners from over 100 countries and in a variety of categories, including partner competencies, cloud to edge technologies, entrepreneurial spirit, and social impact. Trainocate was selected over 4,400 entries this year.

“In this fast-paced digital era, being recognised as the first Asian company to achieve this honour is a testament to our hard work and dedication in close collaboration with Microsoft, to help our customers and partners achieve organisational success,” said Zafarullah Hashim, CEO, Trainocate Sri Lanka. “This award will strengthen our commitment towards broadening our portfolio of Microsoft-led training solutions and services, allowing us also to expand our network as a top-tier Microsoft partner.”

Founded in 1995, Trainocate has invested significantly in expanding its influence in emerging technologies by taking its cutting-edge and industry-recognised curriculum and certification courses across the globe. Currently operating in 14 countries, the company has helped 75,000+ professionals expedite their careers through core competencies such as Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Dev Ops, and Machine Learning.

Trainocate enjoys authorized training partner status and affiliations with leading IT vendors and organisations like AWS, Cisco, CompaTIA, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft, NetApp, IBM, Red Hat, Trend Micro, and VMware. Trainocate’s strong curriculum of industry-certified training consists of over 2000 courses. It encourages multi-dimensional approaches in learning, where some courses are developed with cross functional vendor capabilities. With Training Needs Analysis, Trainocate works with clients to measure existing competencies against industry benchmarks to identify technical and operational skill gaps and recommend action plans.

About Trainocate

Trainocate Holdings has over 25 years of experience as one of the most trusted IT and professional development training providers, with a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Trainocate is currently operating in 14 countries and regions. Trainocate empowers individuals and organizations to embrace lifelong learning, along with acquiring digital skills to ensure competitiveness and survivability in a dynamic workplace.

Embrace your individuality with The Body Shop’s Scents of Life fragrance line

Nothing says ‘bespoke’ like your own personal scent, and fragrance enthusiasts now need look no further for their signature scent, with the launch of The Body Shop’s new Scents of Life fragrance line.

At a time where expression of one’s individuality is taking centre stage, the British beauty brand has expanded its expertise in the arena, to encourage its customers to find their own voice –and scent!- through a mix and match collection of sophisticated fragrances, pure essences, and fresh spritzes.

Designed to be mixed, matched, and layered, all scents -although delightful enough as stand-alone fragrances- can be experimented with until decided upon as a bespoke perfume that’s truly and unmatchably you.

The potent and powerful essence oils come in a rich variety of flavours; namely Rose & Cedarwood, Bergamot & Patchouli, Ginger & Cinnamon, Iris & Violet, Musk & Mandarin, and Pomegranate & Red Apple. For the long-lasting Eau de Toilettes, choose from a refined selection of Amber Wonder, Gold Addiction, Pure Attraction, Red Fixation, Spice Sensation, and Bold Ambition. Finally, for that top up layer to take that signature perfume the whole way, the range of uplifting fragrance mists include All Mine, Charm Me, My Pick, Say Yes!, Sweet Love and Feel Alive.

Whether intensely fruity, spicy and gourmand, sweet and woody, playful and floral, or a little bit of it all, feel empowered and enjoy the fun and freedom of mixing and layering with The Body Shop’s new Scents of Life line.    

Shop the entirely vegan and cruelty-free Scents of Life collection -and more- from The Body Shop outlets in Colombo (flagship store on Bagatale Road, Colombo City Centre, and at Odel Alexandria Place) and Kandy (Kandy City Centre). Contact 0115765656 for delivery to Colombo & suburbs, and 0774476170 for Kandy & suburbs.

your own personal scent, and fragrance enthusiasts now need
look no further for their signature scent, with the launch of The Body Shop’s new Scents of
Life fragrance line.

John Keells Properties reports steady construction progress on TRI-ZEN

Construction is progressing steadily on TRI-ZEN, John Keells Properties’ highly anticipated residential development in Colombo 02. The property developer has reported that the project is moving forward in anticipation of completion in 2023. A welcome update for both investors and the industry alike, amidst an extended global health crisis.

Structural work is currently ongoing for the 24^th floor of Tower 1, the 26^th floor of Tower 2, and the 27^th floor of Tower 3 which faces Union Place. Interior masonry work has also commenced and has progressed to the 13^th and 14^th floors of the complex. This has allowed for MEP work to proceed, with the installation of plumbing, fire systems, and electrical conduiting already underway.

TRI-ZEN is a joint venture between Indra Traders (Pvt) Ltd. and John Keells Properties. TRI-ZEN’s contractor and global leader in construction, China State Construction Engineering Corporation LTD., has forged through with the project during this particularly challenging period.

“The past year has been extremely challenging for everyone in Sri Lanka given the huge range of complexities of operating in the midst of the pandemic,” said Nayana Mawilmada, Sector Head of John Keells Properties. “Despite the challenges, it is exciting to now see TRI-ZEN really taking shape. The rapid progress achieved is testament to the resilience and commitment of our exceptional team.”

On completion, TRI-ZEN will comprise of a trio of residential towers, yielding a total of 891 apartments; each of which will include a mix of one, two and three bedroomed units, with two-bedroomed apartments starting at 36 million rupees. Each unit will be outfitted with a suite of world-class smart home technology and design features, allowing for residents to enjoy an upscale and contemporary lifestyle.

As an urban escape, TRI-ZEN will also provide a suite of residential amenities, green spaces, a jogging track, swimming pool, fitness and wellness studios, and a games room, among many others.

What makes the apartment complex most attractive to potential homeowners  is its location just a few steps or a short drive away from Colombo’s main public transport terminals, business hubs, schools, hospitals, attractions and entertainment venues. TRI-ZEN brings new meaning to ‘urban smart living’.

For further information John Keells Properties can be reached on +94702294294 or www.trizen.lk