Don’t politicise monetary policy: Bundesbank chief

AFP - The European Central Bank must stick to its price stability mandate and not be swayed by politics, Germany’s top central banker said yesterday, warning against extending loose monetary policy for too long.

Quebee Den’s Rohanthi tops JCI’s Outstanding Sri Lankans ranking

Rising star Quebee Den has once again been awarded one of Sri Lanka’s highest accolades with its Founder/CEO Rohanthi Wijewickrama adjudged the winner at the Junior Chamber International’s (JCI) Top 10 Outstanding Persons of Sri Lanka, for her Economic and  Entrepreneurial accomplishments. 

NSBM University gets CIOB Green Mark certification

As the premier professional body which promotes green constructions, the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), presented the coveted CIOB Green Mark award certification and plaque to NSBM University, the first-ever green university in the whole of South Asia. 

Rupee falls as CB reference rate hike weighs; stocks down

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee fell for a third session yesterday as banks bought the dollar after the Central Bank raised spot reference rate further and the U.S. Federal Reserve signalled more tightening next year, dealers said.

US files WTO complaint against China over grain import restrictions

AFP - The US government this week announced it was taking aim against illegal Chinese restrictions on imports of American grain, as well as price supports China provides for domestic farmers.

‘Towards a greener tomorrow’ – A Phoenix Industries sustainability initiative

As the world strives towards achieving sustainable environmental processes and practices, it becomes a shared responsibility of every individual to both actively participate in such initiatives and make their contribution. This is no more an option, but an imperative.

Dollar holds gains on Fed, Tokyo rises a ninth day

AFP - The dollar held its gains against most other currencies in Asia yesterday following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate call, while the unit’s surge against the yen provided fresh impetus to Japanese stocks.

UBL programme holds national event

The University Business Linkage (UBL) programme held its fourth national event at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies in Colombo 7 recently.

Second Singapore banker jailed in Malaysian 1MDB scandal

AFP - A Singaporean private banker was sentenced to two weeks jail yesterday for fraud relating to Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, becoming the second person convicted in the international multi-billion dollar affair.

S&P Global Ratings indicates mixed finish for APAC region in 2016

The 2016 macro story is finishing on a mixed note with China expected to hit its growth target and activity in Japan picking up, S&P Global Ratings said in a report published yesterday, titled ‘Asia-Pacific Economic Snapshots--December 2016’.

HNB empowers local artisans, designers to shine at SLDF 2016

Clearing a path for entrepreneurship among Sri Lanka’s design and traditional crafts industry, the country’s most innovative bank, HNB joined Sri Lanka Design Festival 2016 as official banking partner and title sponsor for the festival’s dedicated Island Craft exhibition.   

PBSS wins Gold and Silver at FCCISL Entrepreneur Awards 2016

Perfect Business Solution Services (Pvt.) Ltd (PBSS), a leading business software solutions provider with presence primarily in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Middle East, recently clinched the Gold award for Western Province and National Silver award at Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2016, both under the Medium category.

AB Securitas achieves Global Performance Excellence Award 2016

AB Securitas (Pvt.) Ltd, the leading loss prevention and secure transport service provider in Sri Lanka, was honoured with the world class Global Performances Excellence Award (GPEA) under Service Sector (Large Scale), organised by Asia Pacific Quality Organisation (APQO). 

Hirdaramani inaugurates new centre of operations for shared services teams

Hirdaramani is proud to announce the opening of The Hub, a new purpose-built centre of operations to house the core group shared services functions namely finance shared services & commercial under the H Connect brand and IT under the H One brand. 

Dollar surges, Asia markets dive on Fed rates signal

The dollar surged against its peers yesterdau and most Asian markets tumbled after the Federal Reserve indicated it will likely embark on a steeper path of interest rate hikes over the next year.

Fitch affirms Sunshine Holdings at ‘A(lka)’; outlook stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka-based diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC’s national long-term rating at ‘A(lka)’. The outlook is stable.  

Exporters’ chamber discusses draft national trade policy

Sri Lanka is in the process of finalizing a national trade policy, which is being developed by the Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry, with the assistance of the Industries and Commerce and Finance Ministries and related state agencies, with inputs from the private sector and other stakeholders.

Altair builds Hindu shrine with facilitation of Gangaramaya Temple Chief Incumbent

Altair, the property development that is transforming the Colombo 2 neighbourhood with its iconic twin-tower high-rise, has responded to the request of a leading Buddhist prelate to build a Hindu shrine at the intersection of Union Place and Sir James Peiris Mawatha at Kompanña Veediya as a service to the community.

Richard Pieris Finance-Chilaw Finance merger to be completed in March

The Richard Peiris group’s financial arm, Richard Pieris Finance Limited (RPFL), has been granted 

Shares hit 2-wk closing low; blue chips weigh

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares closed at their lowest in two weeks yesterday as foreign investor outflows 

Fed set to hike rates, policy outlook now hinges on Trump presidency

REUTERS: The Federal Reserve will conclude its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday afternoon 

SilkAir to operate flights to Colombo from April

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines (SIA), will commence flights to Colombo on April 8, 

Ceylon Chamber to hold seminar on electronic phytosanitary certification

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold two seminars to create awareness on ‘Establishing 

Rupee ends weaker; importer dollar demand weighs

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker yesterday as importer dollar demand surpassed selling 

Board of Investment signs MoU with Oxford Business Group for new report

Sri Lanka’s evolving trade and investment laws and their impact on FDI levels will be analyzed in a 

HMD launches first new Nokia phones

REUTERS: HMD Global, the Finnish company that owns the rights to use the Nokia brand on mobile 

Malaysia’s Axiata in US $600mn deal with Khazanah, Japanese firm

REUTERS: Malaysian mobile network operator Axiata said that sovereign wealth fund Khazanah 

MTI launches 2017 CEO survey with Wijeya Newspapers

For the sixth consecutive year, MTI Consulting will be carrying out the CEO Business Outlook 

SL approves 2017 budget, aims to raise revenue through taxes

REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s coalition government won the final vote on its 2017 budget which aims to 

SL’s still high credit growth flagged; CB told to stand ready for further tightening

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week expressed its deep concerns over private credit