SLT-MOBITEL has strengthened its reputation for business excellence by securing three prestigious accolades at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026, organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and held recently at Shangri-La Colombo.
SLT PLC received two Runner-up awards in the Infrastructure & Utilities Sector Category and under the Excellence in Performance Management Criteria. The recognitions reaffirm the company’s focus on operational excellence, strategic leadership, innovation, and the development of a high-performance culture.
Meanwhile, eChannelling PLC received the Gold Award in the ICT Services Sector Category, recognising its continued focus on innovation and its contribution to advancing digital healthcare in Sri Lanka. The award reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance service delivery, and create greater value for patients, healthcare providers, and the wider community.
Together, the three accolades highlight the breadth of expertise and strong performance across SLT-MOBITEL’s telecommunications, infrastructure and digital services businesses. They also reinforce the Group’s ongoing transformation into a broader technology and digital solutions provider, driven by innovation, operational excellence and sustainable value creation.
The National Business Excellence Awards are based on a comprehensive evaluation process involving a multi-stage assessment conducted by an independent Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee, followed by a final review by an independent panel of judges.
The established evaluation framework recognises organisations demonstrating excellence across areas including leadership, strategy, governance, operational performance, sustainability and overall business excellence. The rigorous process continues to reinforce the Awards’ standing as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected platforms for corporate recognition.
Vietjet Connects Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia with New Direct Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City Service
Vietjet has officially launched a new direct service connecting Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Vietnam while creating a new travel link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The inaugural flight was marked by a vibrant ceremony attended by government officials, diplomatic representatives and aviation industry stakeholders from both countries. The flight also featured a strong Sri Lankan connection, with two Sri Lankan pilots among the three-member cockpit crew.
Ahead of the departure of Flight VJ1875 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of 18 August, Vietjet representatives presented flowers to the flight crew and passengers and extended their best wishes for the inaugural journey.
Two of the three pilots operating the flight were Sri Lankan—Captain Yonmeregngna Seemon Hewage Thiwanka Silva and First Officer Randil Hashen Perera—highlighting the strong local connection behind the new route.
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, the aircraft received a traditional water cannon salute. Passengers were subsequently welcomed with flower garlands and Sri Lankan tea gift packs, offering a warm introduction to the country’s hospitality.
The celebrations continued with a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance at the arrival pier before guests proceeded to the Silk Route Lounge for the official ceremony. Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy; Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism; H.E. Mrs. Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and Maldives; and H.E. Mr. Poshitha Perera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, joined senior representatives from Vietjet and Bandaranaike International Airport for the occasion.
The ceremony featured a traditional Sri Lankan oil lamp lighting and inaugural cake-cutting ceremony, followed by remarks highlighting the significance of the new direct air service and its potential to strengthen connections between the two countries.
The Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route operates three round-trip flights each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, providing Sri Lankan travellers with a convenient direct connection to southern Vietnam.
Flights depart Bandaranaike International Airport at 23:00 and arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 05:55 the following morning. The return service departs Ho Chi Minh City at 18:15 and arrives in Colombo at 21:50 local time.
SLT-MOBITEL Secures Three Prestigious Honours at National Business Excellence Awards 2026
