CEAT Kelani Holdings has further strengthened its premium retail presence beyond the Western Province with the opening of its latest Shop-in-Shop (SIS) outlet, ‘Sumidag Prime’, on Negombo Road, Kurunegala. The new outlet brings CEAT’s premium tyre solutions and professional automotive services closer to customers in the region.
Located near Welagedara College in Malkaduwawa, the outlet is CEAT’s 14th SIS premium retail location in Sri Lanka. It forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion of a retail concept aimed at making the tyre purchasing and servicing experience more convenient, engaging and customer-focused.
The opening also marks a new chapter for Sumidag, one of CEAT Kelani’s longest-standing dealer partners. Founded in 1986 by Ajith Karunarathna, Sumidag partnered with CEAT soon after the tyre brand entered the Sri Lankan market, establishing a relationship that has now spanned more than three decades.
Over the years, the business has grown into one of CEAT’s leading dealer partners and a key distributor of CEAT two-wheeler tyres in the Kurunegala region.
The launch of Sumidag Prime represents the next phase of this longstanding partnership, with the next generation of the Karunarathna family, led by Chamod Karunarathna, taking the business forward with a renewed focus on growth, customer experience and excellence.
Developed under CEAT’s premium Shop-in-Shop concept, Sumidag Prime transforms the traditional multi-brand dealer environment into a dedicated CEAT retail destination. The outlet features comprehensive interior and exterior branding, an illuminated brand façade, upgraded roofing and glazing, enhanced lighting, modern furniture, attractive tyre display racks and interactive merchandising solutions.
The upgraded facility is designed to provide customers with a more engaging and professional retail experience while strengthening CEAT’s presence in one of the country’s key regional markets.
NCE to Honour Sri Lanka’s Exporters at 34th Annual Export Awards on December 11
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is set to host the 34th Annual NCE Export Awards in December 2026, celebrating the resilience, achievements and continued growth of Sri Lanka’s export sector.
Held consistently for more than three decades, the NCE Export Awards have continued to recognise export excellence through periods of economic uncertainty, global disruptions and changing international trade conditions, highlighting the resilience of the country’s exporters.
Applications for this year’s awards remain open until September 30, with winners set to be recognised at the 34th Annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony on December 11, 2026.
First introduced in 1996, the NCE Export Awards were established to recognise the contribution of Sri Lankan exporters to the national economy while encouraging higher standards of performance and excellence across the export sector.
Initially introduced as a recognition programme covering a number of sectors, the awards have evolved over the years into a broader platform representing a diverse range of export industries.
A key feature of the NCE Export Awards has been their uninterrupted continuity. Sri Lankan exporters have navigated numerous challenges over the years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Ditwah, economic difficulties and geopolitical developments that disrupted global trade flows. Despite these challenges, the NCE has continued its annual awards programme, recognising exporters that sustained their businesses, met international commitments and contributed to the country’s export earnings during difficult periods.
The awards have also evolved beyond traditional measures of export and financial performance. While export growth and financial results remain important considerations, the evaluation process now encompasses a broader range of business practices, including value addition, product and market development, research and development, innovation, governance, ethical business conduct and human resource development.
Through this expanded evaluation framework, the NCE Export Awards continue to highlight businesses that demonstrate not only strong export performance, but also sustainable, responsible and innovative approaches to international trade.
CEAT Expands Premium Retail Network with New Shop-in-Shop Outlet in Kurunegala
