Remarkable time for Sri Lanka as a hub, says US

The US has stressed that there will be no major change in its trade policy towards Sri Lanka in the aftermath of its new administration and hinted on stronger economic relations in the future, based on the bedrock US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) inked in Washington in 2002, to which Colombo consented readily yesterday

Uber integrates emergency helpline number in app

Uber, the world’s largest on-demand ride sharing company, announced the integration of emergency helpline numbers in the rider app.

wOw.lk launches the Samsung Galaxy Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (64GB), the latest model in the Samsung Galaxy Note series, is now available for pre-order on wOw.lk. The Note 8 builds upon the winning formula of its predecessors

Maggi noodles now with more spices for enhanced flavour and goodness

Nestlé’s iconic Maggi brand has renovated its popular chicken flavoured noodles to include no less than eight spices to enhance taste. In a country where spices are used as natural flavour enhancers 

Millennium Housing successfully completes ‘The Heights Edmonton’

Millennium Housing Developers PLC (MHDL), Sri Lanka’s leading township developer, recently announced the successful completion of its inaugural  high rise development ‘The  Heights Edmonton’.

Economy grows 4.0% in 2Q, 3.9% in first half

Sri Lanka’s economy showed some level of resilience during the second quarter (2Q17) as it weathered substantial natural and self-inflicted woes during the period to grow at a modest yet a respectable pace. 

Lankan-born venture capitalist raises US $ 600mn in IPO for tech investments

Sri Lankan-born Chamath Palihapitiya, the founder of the venture-capital firm Social Capital, has launched a new ‘blank-check’ company named Social Capital Hedosphia with London-based venture capital firm Hedosphia and has raised US $ 600 million in its initial public offering 

LIRNEasia chief calls govt. to utilize Universal Service Fund for intended purpose

The head of an ICT policy think tank last week called on the Sri Lankan government to mobilize over US$ 350 million collected under the Universal Service Fund for its intended purpose of improving digital connectivity for all citizens.

Manufacturing activity records marginal gain in August

Sri Lanka’s economic activity in the manufacturing and services sectors improved marginally this August compared to a month ago, although expectations of future activity was high, according to the SL Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) maintained by the Central Bank.

EU ministers make push for Google, Facebook tax

AFP: Google and Facebook may face higher tax bills in Europe as the EU rushed this weekend to change rules so that more of Silicon Valley’s mega profits fall into public coffers.

New IR Act: Fine example of collaborative approach to policy making, says Ceylon Chamber

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has congratulated the Finance Ministry on the successful passing of new Inland Revenue Bill in parliament, saying that it was a fine example of collaborative approach to policymaking.

Three leading companies onboard as Gold Sponsors for 38th NCCA

Three of the country’s leading companies, Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), First Capital Holdings PLC and Softlogic Life PLC recently came onboard as gold sponsors for the 38th National Conference of Chartered Accountants (NCCA) organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka).

World’s biggest book sale in SL for first time

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale will be in Sri Lanka from the 5th to 15th October and will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC). 

Kantar unveils SL’s top 10 FMCG brands based on LMRB Household Panel

The latest Brand Footprint Study by Kantar World panel is now launched, recognizing the top 10 FMCG brands on the basis of 12 month performance based on Kantar LMRB Household Panel, the iconic study which monitors consumer purchase behavior of FMCG brands brought into the home.

Indonesian Ambassador at National Chamber of Commerce

Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa will be the Special Guest Speaker on ‘Bilateral Trade Between Sri Lanka and Indonesia’ on Tuesday 26 September, at the National Chamber of Commerce, from 3:00p.m. to 4:30p.m.

Hassle-free commuting for bookaholics from PickMe at CIBF ’17

For the third consecutive year, homegrown taxi hailing service PickMe will be rolling out a special transport plan for those visiting the Colombo international Book Fair (CBIF) from 15th to 24th September at the BMICH.

A Taste of Authentic Korean Cuisine at Hilton Colombo

Take a walk through yet another country of the world at GRAZE KITCHEN as we bring Korea to you from the 20th September to 1st October 2017, presenting two of our guest chefs from Hilton 

Advantis Projects Leverages Expertise to Improve National Transport Infrastructure

Transportation has always played an important role in the prosperity of a nation. As Sri Lanka takes its first steps onto the world stage with a focus on ambitious economic goals, a solid transportation 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) hold the potential to drive growth

Global real-estate consulting powerhouse Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) called for a re-evaluation of the regulatory and legal mechanisms around Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as a vital first step 

Thehan Wijemanne enters ATF semifinals in Malaysia

Thehan Wijemanne entered the semifinals in both Singles and doubles in the 12th Sarawak ATF 14 and Under series at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Centre.  In the pre-quarter final Thehan overcame 

Sri Lanka’s BOI celebrates 40 years of investment

In celebration of The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the country’s central facilitation point for investors, stepping into its 40th year, a ceremony was held at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone. 

France’s Le Maire promotes French ‘budget cuts’ to eurozone partners

AFP:  French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire firmly defended France’s pro-business reforms to eurozone ministers yesterday that he said would put France back on track in Europe. 

Climate change aggravates global hunger: UN

AFP: Hunger is on the increase across the globe once again after a decade of declines, a UN report said yesterday, thanks in part to climate change aggravating severe weather and conflicts. 

Hayleys group in historic acquisition of Singer Sri Lanka for Rs. 10.9 bn

Hayleys PLC and its subsidiaries announced the purchase of 61.73 percent of shares of Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, for a consideration of Rs. 10.9 billion, making it the single largest acquisition for a listed company in Sri Lanka in recent times.

Rupee ends higher on inward remittances

RETUERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended firmer yesterday as inward remittances and exporter dollar sales surpassed mild dollar demand from importers, dealers said.

Kirklees Estate amongst record books again

At the recently concluded tea auction of 13th September, Kirklees Estate had the distinction of establishing another all-time record price in the Uda Pussellawa category, when an invoice of Kirklees Estate Dust No-1 obtained a price of Rs.710/- surpassing  the previous record price of Rs.700 

Asia markets pare N. Korea losses, Seoul and Tokyo end up

AFP: Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong stocks ended higher yesterday as traders brushed off initial concerns over North Korea’s latest missile launch while most other Asian markets managed to pare their losses.

Sri Lanka unveils first SME incubator and national policy

Sri Lanka unveiled its first ever SME incubator this week and vowed its third generation economic reforms shall be led by innovation, technology transfer and SMEs.

TBWA\Sri Lanka - the only awarded Sri Lankan agency at AD STARS

TBWA\Sri Lanka continued its winning streak and was once again the only agency to be awarded metal at the prestigious AD STARS 2017 annual advertising festival, which took place in Busan,

Exports, govt.’s top priority, says Malik

The government yesterday emphasized on the importance of Sri Lanka getting its export equation right in the short to medium term so that the country can reap the benefits of a stabilized economy, despite some leading global economists increasingly cast doubts over the ability exports has to drive sustainable economic growth.