SriLankan Airlines has once again been recognised with the prestigious Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, reinforcing its standing in the regional travel and tourism industry.
Having received the accolade in previous years, the national carrier was the only international airline recognised in this category at this year’s awards. The 10th anniversary edition of the ceremony was held earlier this month at Hotel Barcelo Nasandhura in Malé, Maldives.
Recognised as a key event on the Maldivian tourism and travel industry calendar, SATA celebrated its milestone 10th anniversary with a gathering of prominent industry stakeholders. Attendees included government ministers, distinguished dignitaries, diplomats and senior representatives from leading airlines and their respective head offices.
Commenting on the achievement, Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial at SriLankan Airlines, said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. Being named the Leading International Airline in the Visitors’ Choice Awards once again is a meaningful acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our passengers and strengthening our presence in the region. This award inspires us to continue enhancing the travel experience we offer and to build stronger connections with the markets and communities we serve.”
Supporting its focus on service excellence, SriLankan Airlines operates an extensive flight network offering convenient connections to destinations worldwide. Across South Asia, the airline operates nearly 130 flights each week to 15 destinations in India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh.
With schedules designed to meet the needs of different travellers, the airline provides convenient connectivity for passengers visiting Colombo for business or leisure, as well as those connecting through the city to destinations across the globe.
Dialog Enterprise Joins Forces with Hayleys’ Alumex to Drive AI-Led Manufacturing Innovation
Dialog Enterprise, the corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka’s number one ICT solutions provider, has partnered with Alumex PLC, a member of the Hayleys Group and a leading manufacturer of aluminium extrusions in Sri Lanka, to enhance manufacturing performance through an AI-powered solution designed to improve productivity, streamline access to operational knowledge and optimise production processes.
The solution comprises two key components: an AI-powered Knowledge Assistant and an Alloy Optimization System. The Knowledge Assistant allows employees to access standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production-related information through natural language conversations, while the Alloy Optimization System supports cost-efficient alloy formulation, material selection and inventory management.
Developed on Microsoft Azure and powered by Azure AI Foundry, the multilingual Knowledge Assistant enables employees to retrieve essential operational information in both English and Sinhala. By making critical knowledge more accessible through conversational interactions, the system supports teams on the production floor in accessing the information they need more efficiently.
Meanwhile, the Alloy Optimization System applies advanced Integer Linear Programming (ILP) models to identify optimal material combinations, improve stock utilisation and support production planning across multiple alloy types. These capabilities are designed to help Alumex reduce material costs while enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Commenting on the partnership, Pramuk Dediwela, Managing Director of Alumex PLC, said, “At Alumex, we are committed to embracing innovative technologies that strengthen operational efficiency and support data-driven decision-making. Our partnership with Dialog Enterprise has enabled us to unlock the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in both knowledge management and production optimization. These solutions provide a strong foundation for improving productivity, accelerating access to critical information, and enhancing material utilization across our manufacturing operations.”
Navin Pieris, Group Chief Officer – Dialog Enterprise, added, “AI is creating new opportunities for businesses to improve how they operate and make decisions. At Dialog Enterprise, we focus on applying these technologies to address specific business needs and deliver tangible outcomes. Our collaboration with Alumex brings together AI and advanced optimisation capabilities to improve access to operational knowledge, enhance material utilisation and support more efficient manufacturing processes. It is a strong example of how emerging technologies can be applied to create practical value within Sri Lankan enterprises.”
SriLankan Airlines Named Leading International Airline at SATA 2026 Visitors’ Choice Awards
