New vehicle imports will cost 60%-70% more than pre-pandemic prices

Vehicle importers highlight that a vehicle imported in the current market condition will cost consumers 60 to 70 percent more than the pre-pandemic prices.

Former USDA Chief Raja Edirisuriya to head BOI

Former Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA) Chairman Raja Edirisuriya will lead Sri Lanka’s apex investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment (BOI) Mirror Business learns.

HCL Tech accused of wage theft in the US

Indian multinational information technology services, HCL Tech, which has centers across the world, including Sri Lanka, has been accused by American think-tank Economic Policy Institute (EPI) of wage theft in the US.

UNFPA further strengthens assistance for aging population in Southern province

Sri Lanka’s growing aging population will receive improved focus by the United Nations (UN) as efforts are underway to further strengthen capacitated Senior Citizen Committees (SCCs) in the Southern province.

MRIA promoted to wealthy businessmen to land private jets

A special programme has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism to increase the number of international airlines and private jets landing at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).

Cabinet nod for online ordering of gems

In a move to promote the gem and jewellery sector, a gazette notification for ordering gems worth up to US$ 3000 online received Cabinet approval this week.

Northern Province in the lead of ’’interesting’’ startups

Colombo is considered to be the most developed in terms of IT infrastructure and knowledge, however, it is not anymore the birthplace of ’’interesting’’ startups, says Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

Key board level resignations at BOI

At least three prominent members of Sri Lanka’s apex investment promotion agency, Board of Investment, have resigned from their positions with immediate effect, Mirror Business learns.

SL Tourism earns media mileage worth over $ 124K at Expo 2020 Dubai

Sri Tourism has earned high media mileage at the ongoing Expo 2020 Dubai as the pavilion has been successful in obtaining over US$ 124,000 worth of media coverage showcasing the island nation as a tourist destination.

CBSL announces “festival offer” for migrant workers

In a move to encourage the influx of foreign remittances, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced today what it called an “exclusive offer” for migrant workers for the December festival season.

SL plans for a joint venture with Japan to lure investors & tourists

Sri Lanka will soon launch a joint venture with Japan to lure in investors and tourists and a special promotional programme to expedite efforts is already underway, the Ministry of Tourism said.

British-born, Sri Lankan Australian tops highest paid CEO list

British-born, Sri Lankan Australian Shemara Wikramanayake has topped Australia’s highest-paid CEO list.

TRCSL kicks off preliminary talks with SpaceX to bring Starlink to SL

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has initiated preliminary engagement with SpaceX in exploring the introduction of Starlink Internet Services in Sri Lanka.

Travel ban imposed on incoming passengers from southern Africa

Passengers traveling from the southern African region will be banned from entering Sri Lanka from tomorrow (28, Sunday) due to concerns over the detection of the new variant ’Omicron’, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced today.

India’s HCL opens doors to its state-of-the-art facility at Cinnamon Life complex

India’s HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, today opened doors to its largest facility in the country at the state-of-the-art Cinnamon Life complex.

PM ceremonially opens BIA’s new apron and taxiway

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open today the newly constructed apron and taxiway constructed as a part of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Expansion Project.

CB maintains policy rates at current levels

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced today that it has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 5 percent and 6 percent.

Private sector allowed to import chemical fertilisers from today

Private sector stakeholders involved in agriculture will be allowed to import chemical fertilisers, weedicides, and pesticides from today.

Air traffic to Sri Lanka set increase further from December

Sri Lanka’s aviation traffic will increase further in the coming weeks with four new airlines gearing up to launch direct flights to the country starting December.

First set of Indian bloggers end #NamastefromSriLanka tour

The first set of 25 Indian bloggers who were in Sri Lanka for a familiarization trip ended the visit yesterday on a ‘high note’, SriLankan Airlines said.

Export sector fetch US$ 1.16 b revenue in October

The local export sector crossed the US$ 1 billion mark for the fifth time this year with October fetching an export revenue of US $.1.16 billion.

JICA affirms further commitment to up SL’s socio-economic development needs

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expressed commitment to further supporting Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development needs across diverse sectors.

B’desh to explore operating private airlines to Colombo

In an effort to lure more tourists to Sri Lanka from its neighboring countries, initial talks have kicked off on exploring the option of having direct flights between the island nation and Bangladesh.

Microsoft launches Imagine Cup 2022 for young developers worldwide

American multinational technology corporation, Microsoft Corp, yesterday launched the Imagine Cup competition 2022 for student developers across the world.

Singapore Airlines to resume daily services to Colombo

Singapore Airlines (SIA) today resumes daily services between Colombo and Singapore, increasing flight frequencies to seven times weekly from five weekly flights.

Budget 2020 a ‘stop-gap’ budget: IPS chief

Economic policy think-tank, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) yesterday called Budget 2022 a “stop-gap” budget rather than one that would set the framework for revenue mobilization, which is imperative given the current juncture the national economy stands at.

Over 200 farmers receive assistance from EDB to obtain intl. organic certification

A total of five farmer groups consisting of 254 farmers has been able to obtain organic certification from internationally accredited certification bodies and are able to have improved access to international markets following the implementation of the organic certification assistance scheme implemented by the Export Development Board (EDB).

Govt. says fight with unjust traders yet to end

As the livelihood of the masses have been impacted due to fraudulent business activities of individuals and institutions seeking illicit profits, the government yesterday said its “fight against those unjust traders has not come to an end”.

Sri Lanka targets to reduce budget deficit to 8.8% in 2022

Sri Lanka expects to reduce its budget deficit to 8.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, down from the 11.1 percent deficit estimated for 2021.

Public sector employees to remain in service longer

Employees attached to the public sector will be allowed to serve for longer periods with the retirement age proposed to be increased to 65 years.