Higher disposable income, festive demand drive Keells Food 3Q profits

?The market leader in processed foods, Keells Food Products PLC (KFP) saw its net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (3Q16) rising 7 percent to Rs.98 million over the corresponding period last year, the interim results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange showed. 

Shares fall for 3rd straight session on rising yields

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares fell for a third straight session yesterday to their lowest close in nearly 19 months due to rising yields and as investors sold their holdings to settle margin trading, brokers said.

New common floor-rates for calls & SMSs from February

?Sri Lanka’s telecom regulator, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) has issued instructions to telcos to scrap the existing two rate structure for on-net and off-net voice calls and replace it with a new common floor rate with effect from February 01, 2016.  

DSI opens Reebok FitHub Concept Stores at Maitland Crescent & Crescat Boulevard

?Early December 2015 saw the opening of two brand new Reebok FitHub Concept Stores by DSI. The first, was at 41/2, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 07 on the 3rd of December, while the second took place at Crescat Boulevard - No. 95, L30, Colombo 03, on the 12th of December. 

Indonesia Biz Council shows how to enter new overseas markets

The Sri Lanka Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with the Indonesian Embassy in Sri Lanka organised an interactive luncheon session under the...

Bio Extracts wins two Presidential Export Awards

?Bio Extracts Private Limited won two awards at the recently held Presidential Export awards under the Ayurveda and Health/ Personal Care Products Sector.

Kotmale launches ‘Drinking Yoghurt’ to local market

?Kotmale, Sri Lanka’s leading fresh milk brand has launched yet another stunning addition to its collection of superior dairy goodness with Kotmale Drinking Yoghurt. 

World’s largest AC manufacturer Midea ties up with Telesonic

?Midea, whose globally-acclaimed air conditioner technology powers iconic landmarks like Singapore’s Changi Airport, Brazil’s world cup stadiums and China’s Olympic stadiums now presents its commercial and residential air conditioner range to Sri Lanka.  

Colombo Agile Conference 2016 to kick off in February

? Sri Lanka’s largest gathering of ‘Agilists’, the Colombo Agile Conference, is back for the third year featuring a great line-up of globally renowned speakers and will take place on February 26, 2016. 

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank holds inaugural Board of Governors meeting

The Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held the inaugural meeting recently in Beijing under the aegis of Chinese President Xi Jinping.  

Ceylon Chamber’s YBSL trains budding entrepreneurs

The Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka recently trained over 230 budding entrepreneurs on the finer skills of entrepreneurship....

Opportunity for social entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

?SocialStarters (UK) is offering a unique training and development programme to a select group of social entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka starting in February 2016. 

Int’l experts to speak at CA Sri Lanka SMP forum

International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) SMP Committee Chairman Dr. Giancarlo Attolini and European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs President Bodo Richardt will share important insights relevant to the small and medium-sized ...

Sri Lanka-Pakistan trade could double in two years: TDAP CEO

Expressing expectation of bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan doubling within the next two years, ...

Ex-Tamil Tigers go jobless in Sri Lanka

Vallipuram, Sri Lanka (IRIN): Almost seven years after the end of Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, the majority of former Tamil Tiger rebels are struggling to find jobs despite billions of dollars of extra investment in their regions.

‘Destination Sri Lanka’ lures tourists at Vakantiebeurs 2016

?Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau together with nine industry members were at the largest tourism fair Vakantiebeurs 2016 in The Netherlands promoting the island among Dutch tourism trade and travellers. 

National Chamber to hold session with Norway Ambassador

A session on ‘Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Norway’ will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., at the Chamber Auditorium, No: 450, D R Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10.  

Oil price falls below US $ 28 a barrel as Iran sanctions lifted

?BBC: The oil price has fallen below US $ 28 a barrel amid fears the lifting of Western sanctions on Iran could worsen the existing oversupply problem.

Shares fall to near 19-month low on rising rates

REUTERS: Sri Lankan share index fell about 2 percent to near 19-month low yesterday due to rising yields and as investors sold their stocks to settle margin trading, brokers said.

IEEMA delegation promotes Elecrama-2016 in Colombo

?Aiming to strengthen the trade partnership between India and Sri Lanka, a high-profile delegation from the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) visited Sri Lanka last week to promote Elecrama-2016 and boost economic ties between the two nations.

SriLankan’s carbon footprint second lowest in Asia Pacific

An international travel magazine has ranked the national carrier SriLankan Airlines among the airlines with the lowest carbon footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. 

RPCs condemn attack on Lelwala estate executives

?Condemning the recent attack on the manager and the field executive of the Lelwala Estate managed by Elpitiya Plantations, the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) have urged the authorities to take immediate and strict action against the perpetrators. 

Top EU delegation in town to discuss GSP Plus

A high profile mission from the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels comprising of officials from the European Commission (EC) and European External Action Service (EEAS) will be visiting Sri Lanka from today to January 22,

OBG prepares to launch first-time country report

Better marketing and branding of Sri Lankan teas overseas, together with the potential for liberalising the industry, were just some of the issues discussed with Rohan Pethiyagoda, the newly inducted Chairman of the Sri Lankan Tea Board,

Oxfam says wealth of richest 1% equal to other 99%

?BBC: The richest 1% now has as much wealth as the rest of the world combined, according to Oxfam.

Sri Lanka telco outlook improves with new budget: Fitch

Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Sri Lanka’s telco sector to stable from negative as the new budget, introduced in November 2015, has scrapped the recurring taxes which could have diluted the industry’s EBITDA margin by an average of 6-7 percent. 

Barista Lavazza celebrates true meaning of the season with giving

?Barista Lavazza, Sri Lanka’s most popular coffee house chain celebrated the season by making a difference in a child’s life. 

HNB Grameen takes lead in child protection issues

Two inaugural conferences of a series of awareness raising conferences organized by HNB Grameen Finance Ltd under the theme “For a protected generation of children” with a view to enlightening the entire society on child abuses encountered ...

Laugfs’ annual book gifting campaign rolled out for 11th year

?The Sri Lankan business conglomerate, Laugfs Holdings Limited, demonstrated its continuing commitment to forging strong bonds with its employees by recently organizing its annual gifting of books and stationery as part of its Staff Welfare Program for the 11th consecutive year.

Berendina holds fund raising walk for ‘Rural Student’ scholarship program

?“A Walk for Education”, an initiative taken by Give2SriLanka, (www.give2SriLanka.com) was held at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo 7 recently.