A new fuel station operated by C.B. Halith Pvt Ltd in Natpiddimunai, within the Kalmunai Municipal Council area of Ampara District, has been inaugurated as the 98th Shell-branded fuel station in Sri Lanka under the RM Parks–Shell partnership.
The opening ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including L. Edward Susanta Silva, Managing Director of RM Parks Pvt Ltd and Shell Sri Lanka, along with M. Kugarajan, Regional Manager, Duminda Wijesuriya, HSEQ Manager, and other representatives of the company.
The expansion is being carried out under a 20-year agreement involving RM Parks Inc. of the United States, the Tristar Group of the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Power and Energy.
Under the long-term initiative, around 150 fuel stations across Sri Lanka are expected to be upgraded and brought under the globally recognised Shell brand.
A key aspect of the programme is RM Parks’ direct funding of fuel imports. As the company imports fuel using its own capital, the initiative does not require the Government of Sri Lanka or the Central Bank to allocate foreign exchange for these imports. This is expected to support the country’s foreign exchange position while strengthening the local fuel retail network.
The return of the Shell brand to Sri Lanka after nearly six decades is also bringing customers access to internationally recognised fuels, premium lubricants and modern convenience store facilities designed to meet global standards.
The expansion of Shell-branded stations across the country marks a significant step in modernising Sri Lanka’s fuel retail infrastructure while offering consumers greater access to international fuel and service standards.
Atlas PlayPalz Joins National ECD Week 2026 to Support Early Childhood Development
Atlas PlayPalz, the activity-based learning brand from Atlas Axillia Co. (Pvt) Ltd., partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs for Sri Lanka’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Week 2026, supporting efforts to raise awareness of the importance of quality early learning experiences.
The initiative reached more than 1,000 participants, including children, preschool teachers and parents, through three events conducted as part of the islandwide ECD Week programme. The activities highlighted how play-based and activity-based learning can support children’s cognitive, emotional, social, physical and creative development.
With around 90% of a child’s brain development taking place during the early years, the first seven years are widely recognised as a crucial period for shaping future learning and development. The programme therefore brought together children, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to encourage greater awareness of early childhood development as both a family responsibility and a national priority.
ECD Week 2026 commenced on July 14 under the guidance of Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs. As part of the nationwide programme, Atlas PlayPalz launched its activities with a children’s event at SriBodhi Ground in Gampaha on July 15.
More than 500 children participated in the event, which featured interactive activity zones and educational play experiences designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and hands-on learning.
Through its involvement in ECD Week 2026, Atlas PlayPalz aims to reinforce the role of purposeful play and activity-based learning in helping children develop essential skills during their formative years, while supporting broader national efforts to strengthen early childhood development in Sri Lanka.
Shell Opens Its 98th Branded Fuel Station in Natpiddimunai
