Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL) served as the Strategic Partner for ‘Scale Up 2.0 – National SME Forum 2026’, a national-level platform organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
The forum was held on August 11 at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra Hotel, under the theme ‘Connected. Competitive. Ready to Grow’, bringing together members of Sri Lanka’s SME community, industry stakeholders, business leaders, decision-makers, investors and potential business partners.
The event aimed to support the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises by providing opportunities to gain industry insights, engage with key decision-makers, explore new markets and establish potential partnerships.
As Sri Lanka’s SME sector continues to expand, safeguarding business operations remains an important component of sustainable growth. Proactive risk management and comprehensive insurance protection can help businesses manage unforeseen challenges while protecting their long-term investments.
SLICGL’s participation at Scale Up 2.0 provided an opportunity to engage directly with entrepreneurs and business leaders, gain insights into their evolving requirements and raise awareness of general insurance solutions designed to address the specific risks faced by SMEs.
The company adopted an advisory approach at the forum, helping SME owners better understand their risk exposure and consider suitable insurance options.
For many SMEs, growth is measured through new markets, partnerships and business opportunities. However, protecting the assets and resources already built—including premises, machinery, vehicles and employees—is equally important, particularly when unexpected events occur.
As businesses expand, they may face a broader range of risks, including property damage, fire, natural disasters, accidents, vehicle-related incidents, liability exposures and business interruptions.
Comprehensive insurance protection can help SMEs manage the financial impact of such events, enabling them to maintain business continuity and pursue long-term growth with greater confidence.
Tony Ganlath Appointed to Head Sri Lanka–Malaysia Business Council
Ganlath Timber and Transport Services Chairman Tony Ganlath has been elected President of the Sri Lanka–Malaysia Business Council (SLMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for the 2026–2027 term.
The appointment was announced at the Council’s 32nd Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Amari Hotel, Colombo, with Malaysian High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam attending as the Chief Guest.
The AGM marked an important milestone for the SLMBC with the appointment of a new office-bearer team to guide the Council’s activities over the coming year.
Zahrine Hameen of Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd was elected Senior Vice President, while Mohamed Rushdi of MTL Lanka Travels and Logistics (Pvt) Ltd was appointed Vice President. Wathsala Wijesinghe of International Scholar Educational Services (Pvt) Ltd will serve as Treasurer.
Immediate Past President Marshad Barry of Amana Bank PLC will continue to serve on the committee.
Representatives from a diverse range of businesses will also contribute to the Council’s activities. The committee includes representatives from Dialog Axiata PLC, Eduko Pathway (Pvt) Ltd, K&D Group of Companies, Mansoor Gems, Mway (Pvt) Ltd, Overseas Cargo Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, Public Bank Berhad, SmashTaps (Pvt) Ltd, SN Travels (Pvt) Ltd and World Express (CMB) Ltd.
During the AGM, Barry presented the latest edition of the SLMBC newsletter and a token of appreciation to Malaysian High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam.
The newly appointed leadership is expected to continue strengthening business and trade ties between Sri Lanka and Malaysia while creating greater opportunities for companies and investors from both countries.
SLIC General Insurance Named Strategic Partner for ‘Scale Up 2.0’ National SME Forum
