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Many listed entities in the Colombo Stock Exchange were seen taking advantage of the concessions offered in the Budget 2013 with regard to corporate debt, as few companies have already raised big sums this year through debenture issues with a several more to follow.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been unable to submit any substantial information to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with regard to the investigations on market misconduct, during the meeting held last week, a COPE member stated.

The shortage of medical professionals in Sri Lanka remains a major constraint for the private sector in exploiting the growing demand for private healthcare, a survey revealed.

At the recently concluded Architects Exhibition, JAT won the award for the Most Innovative and Informative stall, proving that they are the forerunners in the market for timber coatings. This was the first time an award was awarded for this category.

Despite recent efforts to tackle software piracy, Mirror Business learns that the unauthorized use of software by Sri Lankans has been shockingly high at 84 percent in 2012, implying that 84 out of 100 Lankans ran their computers on pirated software.

Hemas Hospitals Private Limited, the fully owned subsidiary of Hemas Holding PLC sending a strong signal to sector rivals yesterday revealed plans to construct its next hospital in Ratmalana, taking into account the area’s growing middle class. This will take the total number of Hemas hospitals to four.

The Rs.6 billion listed debenture issue by People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC), a unit of state-owned People’s Bank was oversubscribed yesterday—the opening day of the issue

Arrangements are being made to open the 26 kilometre-long Katunayake - Kelaniya Expressway, built at a cost of US$ 291 million, this August.

Asia’s defence spending overtook Europe’s for the first time last year, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said on Thursday, reflecting China’s military rise and shrinking European economies.

The Board of Investment (BoI) of Sri Lanka yesterday announced the signing of a US$ 4.40 million agreement with Paycorp Payment Solutions for the setting up of a Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) center.

Global oil demand will be squeezed by weak economic growth this year, while soaring U.S. production gives consumers a perfect cushion to withstand most supply outages, the West’s energy agency said yesterday.

Construction on Krrish Square is set to commence from June of this year, according to Krrish Group Chief Executive Officer R.P. Gupta.

MAS Holdings Chairman Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean has been recognized for exceptional leadership in championing women’s empowerment and support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles – a partnership initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact.

South Korea’s flag carrier, Korean Air on Sunday began direct flights to Sri Lanka.

CIMA ’s President, Gulzari Babber who is on an official tour to all CIMA markets in the region makes his visit to Sri Lanka this week.

A top energy expert recently warned of dire consequences of transferring the Norochcholai coal power plant back to the Chinese company in lieu of the massive loans obtained to construct the project and went on to describe a possible scenario of such a move as ‘dangerous'.

Standard Chartered Bank has entered into a collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the growth of the microfinance sector in Asia. This region-wide collaboration aims to improve access to financial services for the poor in ADB's developing member countries (DMC's).

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global policy/standard setter on anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT), with 36 member countries and regional organisations, has determined that Sri Lanka is a country that is compliant with its standards, at its meeting recently.

Sri Lanka’s largest lubricant industry player Chevron Lubricant Lanka PLC’s (LLUB) new blending plant that is under construction, is expected to produce 20 to 25 percent more lubricants in addition to the firm’s present capacity, a top official of the company said.

Full year net profit at Rs.2.9bn; quarter profits at Rs.949mn Recorded highest annual intake of local fresh milk, bringing the company’s total contribution to the rural economy to Rs.4 billion in 2012 Sri Lanka’s Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestlé Lanka PLC, posted a revenue of Rs.7.2 billion for the last quarter of the year.