Blue Mountain spreads light for Vesak celebrations

Blue Mountain’s ethereal lanterns brightened up the UN Vesak Day celebrations, which were held in Sri Lanka this year with the participation of Buddhist leaders from around the world. 

Siddhalepa commemorates Vesak on grand scale

Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital exhibited Vesak lanterns made by the Siddhalepa staff for the 28th consecutive year to mark Vesak from May 10 to 13, at the Mt. Lavinia Hospital premises. 

Asus Sri Lanka holds ‘Avurudu Fiesta’ with Gold partners

Asus Sri Lanka hosted its key performing partners along with its sales teams and loved ones to the ‘Asus Avurudu Fiesta’ recently, in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. 

DFCC marks Vesak with Bakthi Gee recital

The DFCC Bakthi Gee recital was held at the DFCC Bank head office on May 5, 2017 to commemorate Vesak, bringing together the staff from across the branch network.

Triad hosts ‘Silent Avurudu Festival’ with Western Province Deaf Association

A one-of-a-kind Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was organised recently at Frazer Grounds, Dehiwala by the Western Province Deaf Association (WPDA) in collaboration of Triad (Pvt.) Ltd. Children, youth as well as adults with hearing and speech impairment eagerly participated in the full-day programme packed with a variety of entertaining and exciting games, sponsored, coordinated and adjudged by the staff of Triad (Pvt.) Ltd. 

ACAP celebrates Avurudu

In keeping with the traditions of the national new year, Asia Capital PLC recently celebrated Avurudu with its staff at Taprobana Wadduwa.

Asian traders cautious after hefty sell-off as Trump woes linger

AFP: Asian traders headed into the weekend on a nervous note yesterday as a pick-up in US stocks and positive data were offset by worries about a crisis engulfing Donald Trump’s presidency that could throw his economic  agenda into doubt.

Central Bank aims to buy US$1.2bn from market to boost reserves

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has set a target of US $1.2 billion in direct market purchases of dollars to boost the island nation’s reserves this year, the monetary authority’s chief Indrajit Coomaraswamy said yesterday.

Lion Brewery deep in red due to higher taxes, flood impact

Draconian taxation on soft alcohol coupled with the reintroduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on alcohol products pushed the country’s largest brewery, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC (LION), into the red, the interim financial accounts filed by the company with the Colombo bourse showed. 

Colombo Dockyard returns to profit in March

Colombo Dockyard PLC (DOCK) posted a net profit of Rs. 141.43 million for the March quarter (1Q17), recovering from a Rs. 76.66 million net loss year-on-year (YoY) through ship repairing operations, ending the ship builder’s loss-making streak largely due to global headwinds. 

Sri Lanka to host SAARC Trade Fair and Investment Forum this September

Come September, Sri Lanka will host the annual SAARC Trade Fair and Investment Forum, nurturing greater economic and social cooperation within the SAARC region.

EU to propose 10-year licence renewal for weed killer glyphosate

REUTERS: The European Commission will propose extending by 10 years its approval for weed-killer glyphosate, used in Monsanto’s Roundup, a spokeswoman said this week.

Dipped Products 4Q net soars over better glove and plantation performance

Dipped Products PLC (DPL), the non-medical glove manufacturing unit of Hayleys group, reported a net profit of Rs.668 million or Rs.11.16 a share for its January –March quarter (4Q17) recording an increase of 145 percent from a year ago.

Softlogic bags franchise rights for Baskin-Robbins

Softlogic Restaurants (Private) Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings PLC has acquired the franchise rights for the import and sale of Baskin-Robbins ice cream in Sri Lanka for an undisclosed amount.

SLT offers total voice/data solutions for micro and SME businesses

The Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) with the concurrence of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will shortly introduce a nationwide programme to bring all micro, small and medium scale businesses to a mainstream platform with the objective of lending suppo

Finance Ministry says it champions relief to country’s workforce

The Ministry of Finance stated that it has been at the helm of several pioneering initiatives to benefit the workforce, the lifeblood of this country, it said in a media release issued over May Day.

US-based East West Centre promotes cooperation amongst Asian nations

The Hawaii, U.S.-based East-West Centre’s future scenario-building forum ‘Discovering the Futures of Asia’ was held recently at Renuka City Hotel in Colombo. 

Chinese Minister visits TRI

Minister of Plantation Industry Navin Dissanayake and Chinese Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Xiaohua inspected the Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute in Talawakele recently,

McQuireRens Corporate Training Director receives WEF17 top award 

Senela Jayasuriya, Director Corporate Training of McQuireRens Group of Companies received the prestigious WEF17 Award of ‘Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All’ at the Annual Women Economic Forum 2017. 

Prime Group to power Toastmasters Ovation 2017 as strategic partner

The Annual Conference of Toastmasters District 82 – Ovation 2017 has been given a major impetus with one of the country’s most respected real estate giants Prime Group, coming on board as strategic partner. 

Niranjan Deva Aditya congratulates PM on regaining GSP Plus

The Sri Lankan-born European Parliament Member, Niranjan de S Deva Aditya, in a statement yesterday congratulated Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sri Lanka being granted GSP Plus status by the EU Council and the European Parliament.

‘Skechers GoWalk 04’ gives flexibility and versatility to your walking

Walking is commonly regarded to be one of the best methods through which we could combat the adverse health conditions associated with a largely sedentary lifestyle. 

Pizza Hut and Visa join hands for pizza promo

Once again, Pizza Hut, Sri Lanka’s leading pizza brand and Visa, the global leader in payments technology, have come together to offer its customers the ever popular ‘Your Visa for free Pizza’ offer.

Russel’s felicitates 150th anniversary of tea industry

Russel’s felicitated the 150th anniversary of the tea industry at Russel’s head office in Punchi Borella recently.

Pioneers’ Expo youth festival on June 3, 4

Pioneers’ Expo, Sri Lanka’s first ever youth festival organized by the United Nations Clubs of Visakha Vidyalaya and D.S. Senanayake College  will be held at Ape Gama, Colombo on June 3 and 4. 

Over 50 foreign firms to attend ‘Sri Lanka Investment Conclave’

Senior executives and owners of over 50 foreign companies from more than 15 countries have already registered to take part in the upcoming ‘Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conclave 2017’ showing interest in exploring opportunities in diverse economic sectors of the country.

Slower consumer spending bites into Ceylon Cold Stores 4Q profits

Weak consumer demand hit the performance of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS) during the January – March quarter (4Q17) as higher inflation, interest rates and the impact of the increased value-added tax eroded the disposable income of the people, affecting the demand for the retail and beverage produce substantially.  

Prime Minister assures extensive support for exports having bagged GSP Plus

As Sri Lanka gears up to reap the benefits of GSP Plus, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the business community must maximize all efforts to fully capitalize on the opportunity that could be the golden ticket in reviving the nation’s dampening exports.

Employees should also benefit from GSP Plus, says Harsha

The government will work with the employers to pass on an equitable share of the benefits the exporters would gain from GSP Plus to the employees, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday.

Cinnamon industry stakeholders stress need for standards

The longstanding stakeholders of Sri Lanka’s cinnamon cluster yesterday alleged the newcomers are distorting the quality of the spice exported due to poor producing and processing practices and urged the government to impose minimum standards to ensure the quality.