Net foreign inflows to Colombo bourse tops Rs.28bn

Net foreign inflows to the Colombo bourse topped Rs.28 billion yesterday—the only silver lining in the otherwise gloomy market hindered by higher interest rates, a debt-ridden economy, natural disasters and political volatilities stemming from a coalition government.

Rupee ends firmer on exporter dlr sales

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly firmer yesterday as exporter dollar sales surpassed importer demand for the US currency, dealers said.

ICCSL calls on small businesses to participate in ‘ICC-WTO Small Business Champions’

The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) is calling on small businesses across the country to submit proposals for the ICC-WTO Small Business Champions, a global event organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Norwegian pension fund continues to play active role in Lankan stock market

The central bank of Norway, Norges Bank, which manages the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, has been active in the Colombo Stock Exchange over the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Lankans’ love for Pandas, Kwids and Nanos lifts July vehicle registration

More Pandas, Nanos and Kwids are seeing slowly taking more space in already congested Sri Lankan roads as the policymakers have dashed the hopes of many who were aspiring to drive a quality Japanese or European car in style. 

Economist blames outdated labour laws for high youth unemployment

Archaic labour laws and lower educational spending are responsible for the top-heavy and ageing private sector and high unemployment among Sri Lanka’s youth, an economist said recently.

Inner Temple’s Honourable Society to address BASL

A delegation of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple will make an inaugural visit to Sri Lanka from September 1 to 8, 2017. 

KTI Continues To Bring Families Together With LEGO Dayat Cool Kidz

LEGO® Day has once again thrilled children and parents alike with enthralling activities that brought families together and entertained them for hours on end. This completely immersive experience was 

SLASSCOM and ICT Norway in Joint Effort to Boost Sri Lanka’s IT Sector

In an effort aimed at helping Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry reach the USD 5 billion mark by 2022, the country’s primary IT/BPO chamber, the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies 

Chevron props Sri Lanka’s economic growth through exports to Pakistan

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC celebrates another key achievement of exporting the first consignment of Havoline PRO DS ECO 5 OW-20 Synthetic Dexos-1 licensed premium engine oil, designed especially for hybrid vehicles, to Pakistan.

June external sector performance improves

Sri Lanka’s export earnings grew for the fourth consecutive month in June while the expenditure on imports declined for the first time in 22 months demonstrating somewhat improved external trade conditions amid a slowing economy.  

IPS study provides new insights to tea estate workers’ pay

According to a study by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), the estimated living wage (a little more than the minimum pay rates needed to let workers and their families lead a decent life) for the estate workers in the tea plantation industry in Sri Lanka was Rs. 21,585 in December 2015. 

SLASSCOM and ICT Norway to assist Lankan IT/BPM industry reach US$ 5 bn mark by 2022

In an effort aimed at helping Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry reach the US$ 5 billion mark by 2022, the country’s primary IT/BPO chamber, the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) together with ICT Norway (IKT-Norge) kicked off a fresh initiative to empower startups in the country. 

Lankan banks’ property sector loan exposure rising

Sri Lanka’s banking sector’s exposure to property sector has been growing fast in the recent years and the Central Bank data shows that a majority of such loans were granted during the last three years.

RIL Property June quarter profit up 37% to Rs.78mn

RIL Property PLC, a developer and manager of ‘Grade A’ commercial office space releasing its first set of quarterly results since the company went public in early April this year showed positive financial performance in both its top and bottom lines, but the share is currently trading slightly below its Initial Public Offer (IPO) price.   

CA Sri Lanka to promote dynamism and agility in corporate leadership

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has decided to promote the need for corporate leaders to embrace dynamism and agility at the 38th National Conference of Chartered Accountants.

Iflix celebrates 1 year in Sri Lanka

iflix, the world’s leading mobile-based subscription video on demand (SVoD) service for emerging markets, offering subscribers unlimited access to thousands of TV shows, movies and more, celebrates its first anniversary of operations in Sri Lanka. 

NCC announces WP Entrepreneur Awards

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) has joined hands with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) for the second year in succession to conduct Entrepreneur Awards 2017 

Bernard Botejue Kolonna plant celebrates 25 years

Bernard Botejue Industries (Pvt.) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s oldest apparel manufacturer and pioneer in the garment sector, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its Bernard Botejue Kolonna plant today.

CMA-NIOE to conduct professional training in cost management

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA) and National Institute of Exports (NIOE), the training arm of the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to impart professional training in cost management to enhance the competitiveness of the export industry.  

Learnability more important than knowledge

In a world where knowledge has become an increasingly ubiquitous commodity thanks to the internet, learnability is slowly but surely replacing it in the classroom as the single most important trait that 

Be the Huf and Dee Girl and win scooters

Huf and Dee, the leading fashion brand has launched an innovative shopping experience for fashion-conscious young ladies offering an opportunity to win attractive prizes. 

Natuzzi-Softlogic launch exciting new luxury furniture products in Sri Lanka

The form, craftsmanship and vibe of Italian luxury furniture are perfectly embodied in a new selection from Natuzzi, just arrived at the iconic brand’s flagship store in Colombo.

Qantas records strong profits, flags ultra-long haul flights

AFP:  Australia’s Qantas unveiled plans for the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight yesterday, calling it the “last frontier of global aviation”, as it posted healthy annual net profits on the back of a strong domestic market.

Rupee ends lower on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly weaker yesterday as importer demand for the U.S. currency surpassed exporter dollar sales, dealers said. 

Sri Lanka Wood 2017 to be biggest furniture technology trade expo in SL

Through proactive engagement with stakeholders and a genuine commitment to excellence, Sri Lanka Wood has evolved in line with industry demand and is globally recognized for doing so. Evidently, exhibitors continue to value the strength of Sri Lanka wood as a strategic.

Shares recover after govt. drops plan to tax trading profits

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended firmer yesterday, recovering from an over four-month closing low hit in the previous session as investors bought battered shares following the government’s decision to drop a proposed tax on profits from share trading. 

Extreme weather slashes French wine output by a fifth

AFP:  France’s wine production is expected to plummet 18 percent this year after spring frost damaged vines across the country, the government said yesterday, but a hot summer is expected to yield a top vintage.

Brexit could bring 100,000 jobs to Frankfurt: study

AFP:  The expected mass exodus of UK-based bankers because of Brexit could bring up to 100,000 new jobs to Germany’s Frankfurt region over the next four years, according to a study published yesterday.

CSE Toastmasters Club holds 3rd Installation Ceremony

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Toastmasters Club celebrated the achievements of its second Toastmaster year and made appointments of new members and office bearers at the club’s third Installation Ceremony, which was recently held at the CSE.