Breast is best for babies, mothers and economy: study

AFP - Breastfeeding more babies for longer could save the global economy some $300 billion in a single year, simply by yielding smarter and higher-earning offspring, researchers said yesterday.

Oil up in Asia, analysts temper hopes on Russia-OPEC talks

AFP - Oil extended a recent rally in Asia yesterday, boosted by weakness in the dollar and Russia saying it could meet the OPEC producers’ group for talks on possible output cuts to ease a painful supply glut.

Ruhuna University Alumni pay tribute to Ronnie De Mel

Ronnie De Mel, the former Finance Minister was felicitated by the Ruhuna University Alumni Colombo Association recently. The citation 

MTI RELEASES BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR 2016

The international management consultancy – MTI Consulting – recently concluded its fifth CEO Business Outlook Survey, collectively outlining the Sri Lankan business community’s perception for the state of business in 2016.

JKH’s commodity and stockbroking unit profits slump in 3Q

John Keells Holdings (JKH) subsidiary John Keells PLC, which has interests in commodity broking, stockbroking and warehouse operations, saw its net December quarter profits (3Q16) falling as much as 91 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.4.6 million.

Investment promotion and protection agreements will boost FDI: Mangala

The government has taken initiatives to sign investment promot ion and protect ion agr eemen ts to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament recently.

UK company law for businesses in Port City: PM

The UK company law would apply to the businesses that operate in the proposed business and financial district in the US $ 1.4 billion Chinese-financed Colombo Port City, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

November trade deficit narrows sharply

Sri Lanka’s November trade deficit fell sharply by 13.2 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 630 million amid significantly lower expenditure on imports, the Central Bank data released yesterday showed.

Hayleys Fabric 3Q net triples over lower costs

Hayl eys group kni t t ed fabr i c manufacturing unit, Hayleys Fabric PLC, tripled its net profit to Rs.71 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (3Q16) from Rs.17.4 million posted during the corresponding quarter last year,

Axiata and Bharti Airtel to merge B’desh subsidiaries

REUTERS : Axiata Group Bhd, Malaysia’s largest mobile operator by market value, and Bharti AirtelLtd, India’s largest telecom operator by subscribers, agreed to merge their subsidiaries in Bangladesh, Axiata said yesterday.

New foreign investors among JKH top 20 shareholders

New foreign investors have entered into the top 20 shareholder list of premier blue chip John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Mirror Business learns. As at December 31, 2015, HWIC Asia Fund, a unit of Fairfax Asia,

MTI launches ‘idea2fund’ platform for entrepreneurship development

?MTI Corporate Finance announced the launch of much-awaited ‘idea2fund’, a platform for anyone to pitch their business idea and gain access to funding and advisory.

Millennium Housing Developers breaks ground for ‘The Heights’ apartments

The Nawaloka group’s Millennium Housing Developers PLC on Wednesday broke ground on its Rs.580 million ‘The Heights’ apartment complex situated on a 50-perch property off Edmonton Road, Colombo 5.

CCC Solutions and CITI Bank to inaugurate entrepreneurship programme in Puttalam today

The ‘Rural Economic Empowerment Programme’, a joint effort between the CCC Solutions of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and CITI Bank Sri Lanka, which is aimed at nurturing prospective rural entrepreneurs,

Market Research Society elects new committee

?At the third Annual General Meeting of the Market Research Society of Sri Lanka (MRSSL) held recently, former MRSSL Secretary Himalee Madurasinghe was elected as the new President, succeeding Ravi Bamunusinghe, whose term as President ended after three years of valuable contributions. 

Omani Chamber says keen to invest in ‘big’ Lankan projects

?Omani Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Said Saleh Said Al Kiyumi, who visited the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce during this week, said Oman was ready to look at ‘big’ Sri Lankan projects to invest.

Ceylon Chamber launches dedicated website to promote international investor forum

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has launched a dedicated website to promote its upcoming event - Sri Lanka Investment & Business Conclave 2016 - which is to be held in March 2016.

Jaffna International Trade Fair 2016 opens today

?Today, the largest exhibition and consumer fair - Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) 2016 - opens for the seventh consecutive time at the Municipal Grounds, Jaffna.

Sunquick ‘Drink & Win’ promo to offer 100 Sisil refrigerators

Sri Lanka’s premier and number one fruit juice brand ‘Sunquick’ has once again commenced its annual consumer promotion, Sunquick ‘Drink & Win’, from January onwards. This mega promotion commenced on January

Access Engineering’s Kapparatota jetty construction in swift progress

The design and construction of Kapparatota jetty undertaken by Access Engineering PLC has been gaining momentum. The project will bring significant benefits to the local fishing industry with the increased anchoring facilities for 

DIMO-SLARDAR partner to bring Jeep Rally Championship 2016

Bringing to light a significant sporting feat in the form of the ‘Jeep Wrangler’ TSD Rally Championship 2016 to Sri Lanka’s motor sports calendar, the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders 

Jinasena marks 110th anniversary

Jinasena (Pvt.) Ltd recently had a ‘110th Anniversary Bonanza Draw’ to celebrate its 110 years. Director Ruvani Jinas ena, Deputy Chairman Nishan Jinasena and Yasiru of Western Province

Textured Jersey launches ‘Glacé’ collection

Textured Jersey (TJL) recently launched its second seasonal annual collection at a grand event that brought together some of its key customers. Designers and fabric technologists from some of the leading vendors were gathered to view 

Finco Engineering opens latest branch in Kaduwela

Finco Engineering, pioneers in Sri Lanka for waterproofing and market leader for multidimensional engineering and construction chemical products and solutions, with more than 30 years of experience, recently opened its doors in Kaduwela.

Global stationery giant Plus launches in Sri Lanka with Thef:;llstop

Japan’s Plus Corporation, one of the world’s leading stationery suppliers, made its Sri Lanka debut with a collection of innovative products led by its universally popular correction tape, which, at 83 million pieces in 2015,

OPA says no to ETCA affecting professionals

The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) has expressed its concerns over the proposed Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) with India. “The OPA, as the apex body of professionals in the country,

Lasantha Wickremasinghe inducted as 23rd CA Sri Lanka President

Chartered Accountant, Lasantha Wickremasinghe was inducted as the 23rd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) on January 26, 2016 in the presence of a distinguished audience including senior government officials,

Currency depreciation, higher import costs hinder Lanka Ashok Leyland bottom line

Lanka Ashok Leyland recorded a top line of Rs.7.4 billion, a 27 percent increase over the Rs.5.8 billion recorded for the same period last year. The third quarter recorded a turnover of Rs.2.7 billion.

Over US $ 1.5bn required to resurrect ailing Lankan rail network: Ircon

Investments exceeding US $ 1.5 billion would be required to resurrect Sri Lanka’s ailing railway network, according to a top official of Indian government’s rail construction subsidiary Ircon International Limited. 

SRR hike could eat into banking sector margins: research

?The banking sector margins and the profits could come under pressure due to the increase in the reserve requirement by the Central Bank, which came into effect from January 16, a research by a Colombo-based stock brokerage said.