Sri Lankan engineering and technology company ISF has launched what it describes as the world’s first fully automated coconut dewatering system, marking a significant milestone for the country’s engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors.
Developed and manufactured entirely in Sri Lanka by local engineering professionals, the innovative system, ISA 2.0, was officially launched in Peliyagoda, highlighting the growing capabilities of Sri Lankan engineers and the potential of locally developed technology to compete in international markets.
Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, who highlighted the achievement at the launch, described the innovation as an example of the country’s growing technological capabilities.
“Innovation is never easy. It requires vision, courage, persistence and the ability to remain focused on the future, even during difficult times,” Minister Abeysena said.
The ISA 2.0 system automates the coconut dewatering process, which has traditionally relied heavily on manual labour. By automating this stage of coconut processing, the system is expected to improve productivity, reduce labour dependency and address operational inefficiencies while enhancing the overall return on investment for processors.
The Minister noted that the development demonstrated the ability of Sri Lankan engineering professionals to design and manufacture sophisticated industrial technology locally.
“Local engineers have demonstrated the country’s growing technological capabilities by developing and manufacturing a fully automated coconut processing system,” he said.
He added that the achievement represents an important milestone for Sri Lanka’s engineering and manufacturing industries while highlighting the importance of innovation, research and indigenous technology development.
According to the Minister, the machine was conceived, designed and manufactured by Sri Lankan engineering experts, demonstrating the skills, creativity and determination of local professionals to develop solutions with potential for international markets.
The machinery sector continues to play an important role in Sri Lanka’s economy and export industry. With plans to export the newly developed systems to other coconut-producing countries, ISA 2.0 could create further opportunities for Sri Lankan manufacturers while showcasing the country’s engineering capabilities on the global stage.
Port City Colombo Takes Sri Lanka’s Investment Proposition to the Maldives
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in the Republic of Maldives, in collaboration with CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., hosted the Port City Colombo Investor Forum at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on August 10, 2026.
The invitation-only forum brought together a curated group of senior Maldivian business leaders, investors and developers to explore investment opportunities at Port City Colombo and strengthen commercial ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The event represents another step in deepening the economic relationship between the two countries and forms part of Port City Colombo’s ongoing regional investor engagement programme. The development has already hosted investor forums in Singapore, the UAE and Oman during the year.
The forum provided Maldivian business and investment leaders with an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka’s flagship 269-hectare master-planned city and Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Discussions also explored how Port City Colombo could serve as a strategic platform for Maldivian businesses and investors seeking to expand their operations and access opportunities across South Asia.
Opening the forum, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
He noted that Sri Lanka and the Maldives share close geographical, cultural and people-to-people connections, adding that Port City Colombo provides an opportunity to translate these longstanding ties into a stronger economic partnership.
Delivering the keynote address, Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, Chairperson of Visit Maldives Corporation and President of the Maldives Association of Travel and Tour Operators (MATATO), called for the next phase of Sri Lanka–Maldives relations to extend beyond traditional areas such as trade, tourism, education and healthcare.
He highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation into areas including investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and commercial partnerships.
The main feature of the forum was a detailed presentation by the Port City Colombo team, structured across three key segments.
Sri Lankan Engineers Develop World’s First Fully Automated Coconut Dewatering System
