Distilleries share trading to be halted to facilitate share swap

Trading in Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) will be halted on October 3 as part of 

Govt. to enforce law on standard of plastic water bottles

Sri Lanka’s consumer rights watchdog, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), will be enforcing plastic mineral water bottling standards starting from September 1, a statement from the Industry and 

SL insurance industry grows 15% in first quarter: IBSL

Sri Lanka’s insurance industry grew by 14.59 percent year-on-year (YoY) to a gross written premium (GWP) of Rs.33.29 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, 2016, the industry regulator, the 

Ceylon Chamber and Customs conduct seminar on Import Procedures and Goods Classification

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold a workshop on Import Procedure, Good Classification and Harmonised Goods on the 26th of August, as part of its ongoing workshop series on  ‘Export and Import Procedure’ .

Colombo Supply Chain Forum to begin in October

The 3rd Colombo Supply Chain Forum (CSCF) will be held from 3rd to 5th October at Cinnamon Lakeside. 

CCC launches ‘TIPS’ to boost trade awareness for businesses

The country’s trade agenda received a boost this week with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce launching a platform to enhance the awareness level of its members on the country’s  trade policies.

Minister refuses free plant subsidy for big spice growing firms

The Primary Industries Minister last week refused to reintroduce the free plant subsidy to big spice 

WB unveils new procurement framework for Sri Lanka and South Asian partner countries

The World Bank (WB) recently unveiled a new procurement framework to help Sri Lanka and its other 

Urjit Patel named new Governor of Reserve Bank of India

AFP: The Indian government during the weekend named insider Urjit Patel as the new Governor of 

FinMin says tax income up 27% in first seven months

Sri Lanka has been able to increase tax income by 23 percent or Rs. 143.8 billion to Rs. 769.7 billion in the first seven months of the year 

Operating costs weigh down Nawaloka Hospitals June profit

Pioneers in private healthcare in Sri Lanka, Nawaloka Hospitals PLC saw its group net profits falling by 21 percent to Rs.45.3 million or 3 cents from a year ago amid rising operating and finance costs, 

Ceylon Chamber to discuss ways to improve business with China

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold a discussion session on August 26, to gain inputs from the Lankan businesses on how to enhance business activities with China.

CA Sri Lanka kicks off registrations for 52nd Annual Report Competition

A competition of this nature would help the country to get more investors and issuers to the Colombo bourse, as it improves the governance and accounting standards, Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) 

Ignite your kid’s creativity this holiday season

Just like you, every mom is concerned about engaging her kids during the holidays. Watching your child in front of the TV for hours can be very disturbing. When they do take a break from the TV, it is 

Amana Bank’s June quarter profit hurt by higher expenses, narrowing margins

Sri Lanka’s Amana Bank PLC saw its net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (2Q16) falling by 62 percent to Rs.17.9 million from a year ago as the higher expenses weighed down Sri Lanka’s first 

Millennium Housing Developers launches second high-rise project

Leading mega township developer, Millennium Housing Developers Plc (MHD) launched its second high-rise project - The Heights at Nawala Road, Colombo 05, which is to be completed by 2017. 

Prym Intimates becomes world’s first apparel accessory firm to adopt chemical leasing

Prym Intimates, a subsidiary of apparel giant MAS has just announced the successful launch of a chemical leasing model to treat its waste water. 

Intex launches Aqua 4G+ smartphone

Intex Technologies announced the launch of its first 4G product - Aqua 4G+ - running on AndroidLollipop 5.0. The smartphone will be available at a price of Rs. 13,999.

Damro in major expansion drive in Sri Lanka

Damro Group, South Asia’s leading furniture retailer which is on a major expansion drive by introducing 50,000 square feet   mega showrooms, inaugurated its latest showroom in the heart of the 

MBSL relocates Kilinochchi branch

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) has relocated its Kilinochchi branch to a more 

Asia stocks cautious, oil price holds above $50

AFP - Asian stock markets were cautious yesterday even after gains on Wall Street and as oil entered a bull market. 

IASL Chief calls for urgent cooperation amongst industry players to boost life segment

Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) Chief yesterday called for urgent and increased cooperation amongst industry players to make certain the potential of life insurance, which has witnessed dampened growth rates, is fully untapped.

Abeysekera gets re-elected as SLBBC President

The 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka – Benelux Business Council was held on 11th August  at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Council, which focuses on the objectives of ‘promoting investment, trade and joint venture between Sri Lanka and Benelux’, is one of the twenty One bilateral business councils that functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber  of Commerce. 

Stocks hit 3-mth closing high led by banks, construction shares

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares hit a three-month closing high yesterday as investors bought banking and construction stocks, brokers said.

Rupee steady; importer demand offsets exporter dollar sales

REUTERS - The Sri Lankan rupee was steady for a fifth straight session yesterday as dollar sales by exporters and banks were offset by demand for the U.S. currency from importers, dealers said. The spot rupee was at 145.50/55 per dollar at 0632 GMT, unchanged from Thursday’s close. “The demand is offset by (dollar) sales by foreign banks to buy bonds and some stock-related inflow,” a currency dealer said, asking not to be named.

After drought, Southern Africa threatened by floods

AFP - UN agencies warned Thursday that southern African countries were at risk of another year of food shortages as the drought-hit region is expected to be hit by above-average rainfall likely to  trigger floods.

Foreigners barred from buying Australia’s largest energy grid

AFP - Australia will block the sale of its largest electricity network to foreigners, the government said yesterday, as two Chinese bids for the grid were rejected over national security concerns.

Ceylinco Life to award another 160 ‘Pranama’ scholarships

For the 16th successive year, Ceylinco Life has begun the search for bright young Sri Lankans eligible to win ‘Pranama’ scholarships under the life insurance leader’s flagship rewards programme. To be presented in early 2017, these scholarships to four recipient categories will benefit another 160 students and youthful Sri Lankans with disbursements totalling Rs.10 million, the company announced.

Amãna Bank initiates Grade 5 scholarship reward programme

Amãna Bank has taken the initiative to encourage and reward the academic achievements of its children’s savings account holders who are sitting the forthcoming Grade Five scholarship examinations.

Kelani Cables brings ‘Kelani Visura’ to Anuradhapura again

A brand-new ‘Kelani Visura’ electrical technicians’ workshop conducted by Kelani Cables PLC was held in Rajarata Hotel, Anuradhapura recently.