SLTPB participates in Arabian Travel Market

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) took part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for the 14th consecutive year recently, in an attempt to attract more tourists from the Middle East region to Sri Lanka, an SLTPB press release stated.

Global Alliance presents SL fresh opportunity to cut red tape in cross-border trading

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) yesterday presented Sri Lanka with a fresh opening to uplift its processes on trading across borders but implied a turnaround must be witnessed in the near future if it is to capitalize on the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Dickwella Estate achieves all-time record price

At the Colombo tea auction held on April 24 and 25, 2017, an invoice of Dickwella Estate BP was sold at Rs.720 per kilogramme, setting a new record.

Brandix ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand for 3rd successive year

Brandix has been ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand for the third consecutive year in the just-released 2017 Brand Finance rankings of the country’s leading brands.

Abans sofa sets: Ergonomic and non-toxic approach to stylish home

Our homes make up an essential component of our daily lives, providing not only shelter, but a living space where we can spend precious time with family and enjoy relaxing periods of solitude. 

Trump policies to deprive Sri Lanka of USAID funding?

The Trump administration is proposing to sever the funding line to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Sri Lanka in 2018 under federal budget cuts aiming to fulfill promises of cutting US donations for humanitarian projects and putting ‘America First’.

Asia Capital, Japan’s Belluna break ground for US $ 51mn hotel in Colombo

Sri Lanka’s Asia Capital PLC and Japan’s Belluna Co. Ltd. yesterday broke the ground for a US $ 51 million 4-star business hotel in Colpetty, Marine Drive. 

Laugfs boss Wegapitiya buys 6% stake in Pan Asia Bank from Nimal Perera

In a rather surprising move, Laugfs Holdings Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya, yesterday bought little over 27 million shares or approximately 6 percent stake in the mid-sized bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC, in a deal worth over Rs.500 million.

Rupee edges down on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly weaker yesterday on light importer dollar demand, but the currency is expected to trade in a narrow range until the market sees direction from an IMF loan tranche disbursement and sovereign bond sale, dealers said.

Focus on pepper to reach spice export earnings target: SAPTA

Sri Lanka having identified the spice sector as an avenue to expand its export earnings, the Spice and Allied Products and Traders’ Association (SAPTA) has urged the Primary Industries Ministry to increase focus on pepper, instead of cinnamon in fulfilling that goal.

First Colombo session on historic WTO agreement opens today

Sri Lanka’s first-ever country session for its exporters on the historic World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) will commence in Colombo today.

Ceylon Chamber to publish Northern Province SMEs registry

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in its initiative to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Province is making arrangements to publish a registry of SMEs operating  in the region. 

Hayleys Plantations shines with 20 awards at Forbes and Walker Tea Awards

 Sri Lanka’s leading tea producers from the Hayleys Group, Kelani Valley Plantations (KVPL) and Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL), recorded victories at the recently concluded Forbes and Walker Tea Awards 2016.

ACL Cables continues rise amongst ‘Top 50’ most valuable brands

Sri Lanka’s premier cable, ACL Cables PLC was ranked 41 amongst the ‘Top 50’ valuable brands for 2017, a continued ascent from last year’s ranking.  

Gestetner customers win grand prizes at final ‘Pick 2 Win’ draw

Customers who made purchases from Gestetner outlets across Sri Lanka last year were enrolled in a draw through which over 100 prizes were awarded. 

US businesses to expand investments in Sri Lanka: FinMin

The American Chamber of Commerce has agreed to further expand investment in Sri Lanka due to the country’s economic transparency, a Finance Ministry statement said yesterday, quoting Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. 

Apparel exports show decline despite full order books of large-scale manufacturers

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is currently grappling with a “strange development”, according to an industry expert, with the apparel export earning figures for the first two months of this year recording declines despite the full order books of large-scale manufacturers.

Employers seek relief over budgetary relief allowance

A group of private sector employers recently requested the government to provide further relief to them with regard to the budgetary relief allowance, which is making a massive impact on their businesses. 

NIPO calls for increased resources to fast-track SL route to Madrid Protocol

As Sri Lanka is observed to be actively preparing for Madrid Protocol Accession, the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) stressed the urgent need for increased resources to speed up efforts.

Court dismisses action against Agalawatte Plantations and subsidiary

The District Court of Colombo yesterday dismissed a case filed by Dr. Chris Nonis and Lalith Fonseka against Agalawatte Plantations and its subsidiary on a preliminary objection taken by the counsel of Agalawatte Plantations and its directors.  

Rupee slips on importer dollar demand; stocks fall from 6-month high

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker yesterday due to importer dollar demand while the broader market awaited positive news on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and sovereign bond sale, dealers said.

Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Tourism Development and Lands Minister John Amaratunga  formally opened the Sri Lanka pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai yesterday.  This Travel Market is one of the leading travel exhibitions in the Middle East. The Middle East contributes 8 percent of total tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.

Pathfinder Foundation to host conference on Indo-Lanka connectivity

The Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives of the Pathfinder Foundation, Carnegie India together with Vivekananda International Foundation (India) will conduct a conference on April 28, 2017 in Colombo, with the participation of leading academics, professionals, subject matter experts and scholars from both the countries seek to discuss six major areas of the concept of connectivity.

Technical experts deliberate IP rights of TK & TCE in Colombo

In an effort to safeguard the intellectual property (IP) rights of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions (TK & TCE),  a group of international technical experts yesterday kicked off the process of setting up legal instruments to ensure effective protection of the intangible assets that tend to replicated without due credit.

Dankotuwa Porcelain wins bronze at European Product Design Awards 2017

Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC (DPL), Sri Lanka’s premier manufacturer of Porcelain products announced that the company was adjudged winner of the bronze award in the catering products/table top specialties category at the prestigious European Product Design Awards (ePDA) 2017. 

G15 global grouping’s first-ever Colombo session opens today

The first-ever direct partnering effort by Group of Fifteen (G15) global grouping with Sri Lanka will commence today in Colombo.

Inflation flirts around double digit levels as national prices soar 8.6% in March

Sri Lanka’s national consumer prices reached a 26-month high in March while the authorities seem to be making massive efforts to rein in further price pressures resulting from higher bank credit, 

Surge in foreign capital inflows boosts CSE

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in recent weeks has garnered a keen interest among foreign institutional investors, with a surge in foreign activity contributing to a strong showing in both daily turnover levels and the performance of the stock market indices.  

Chevron March sales flat, profit declines amid tougher market conditions

It appears that the slowdown in the vehicle imports, liberalization of lubricants imports, lax regulations and intense competition have taken toll on Sri Lanka’s lubricants market leader, Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC (LLUB),

IMF members delete anti-protectionism pledge, keep currency commitments

REUTERS:  Member countries of the International Monetary Fund on Saturday pledged to work to reduce global imbalances but failed to repeat their past pledge to resist all forms of protectionism. The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the IMF’s steering body, also repeated its past commitments on currency exchange rates.