China shares dive; trading suspended

?Global shares dived yesterday, led by Chinese markets, which were suspended after a more than seven percent plunge as Beijing weakened the value of the yuan currency to a five year-low.

Top investor Soros expresses confidence in Sri Lanka

International financier and philanthropist George Soros yesterday expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic prospects, though he warned that the country would have to tread carefully as the world economic environment remains “hostile”.

Market regulator to employ CID tactics to curb misconduct

Sri Lanka’s capital market regulator is currently acquiring the tactics used by the country’s intelligence agencies to tackle market misconduct, a top official said.

French double boost for Sri Lanka tourism

?Tourism in Sri Lanka received a double boost when a delegation representing the two biggest travel associations in France confirmed that both their annual conventions will be held in Sri Lanka later this year. 

Dr. Wimal Karandagoda appointed as Durdans Hospital COO, Director Medical Services

?The first Joint Commission International-accredited hospital in Sri Lanka - Durdans Hospital - recently appointed veteran medical administrator Dr. Wimal Karandagoda as its Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Director Medical Services. 

Malith Mendis new Dispute Resolution Board Foundation Country Representative

?Chartered Engineer Malith Mendis has been appointed as the Country Representative of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF). 

Colombo Land appoints Vasula Premawardhana as CEO

?Colombo Land and Development Company PLC (CLDC), a leading real estate development company in Sri Lanka, announced the appointment of Vasula Premawardhana as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLDC with effect from January 1, 2016.

Hoover - A stylishly efficient brand by Abans

Abans shelters Hoover, a well-renowned brand globally for designing powerful, easy-to-use products that clean your entire home from floor to ceiling, thus, popularly known as an all-rounder in the department of cleanliness

‘Sri Lanka Next’ campaign propels country towards sustainable era

?‘Sri Lanka Next’, a landmark campaign to take Sri Lanka towards the blue-green era, was formally initiated on January 6, 2016 under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). 

SewEasy-VITAS partnership to optimize value for wages in apparel

?Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Kevin Perera facilitated establishing a partnership between the leading apparel software exporter SewEasy and the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). 

Buddhi Industries shines at Presidential Exports Excellence Awards

Buddhi Industries Private Limited excelled at the recently held Presidential Export Excellence Awards at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. The award ceremony was organised by the Export Development Board (EDB). 

Hirdaramani’s H - Connect celebrates 3 years of success

Hirdaramani’s H - Connect recently celebrated its third year of operations as a rapidly growing finance and accounting outsourcing company based in Sri Lanka. 

Two leaves and a bud, no more!

Industry representatives yesterday expressed fears over the Ceylon tea cup losing its appeal in the global market with increasing amounts of low-quality leaves continuing to enter the manufacturing process, hampering the standard of the end product.

Rupee edges up on bank dollar sales

?REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee edged up yesterday as dollar sales by a private bank offset demand for the greenback from importers, dealers said.

Indian Hotels transfers Tal Lanka shares to subsidiary

?Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) yesterday sold its total shareholding in Tal Lanka Hotels PLC, the owning company of Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, for Rs.850 million.

New life insurer to open shop; US-based PE firm among promoters

?The Sri Lankan insurance industry will soon see the entry of a long-term (life) insurer backed by one of the largest US-based emerging market private equity (PE) investors among its promoters. 

Mercmarine conducts programmes for IAAC cabin crew trainees

?Leading maritime education provider, Mercmarine Training (MSTI) has successfully conducted a series of training programmes for the Airline Cabin Crew Diploma conducted by the International Airline & Aviation College (IAAC).

Orient Finance to re-enter bourse with Rs.1bn IPO

?Janashakthi group subsidiary Orient Finance will be relisting on the Colombo Stock Exchange by way of a Rs.1.07 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO) later this month.

HNB Grameen soon to be listed on CSE: official

?Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) subsidiary HNB Grameen will be listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), a top official of the group said yesterday.

Spanish global family business expert impressed by Sri Lanka

?One of the most globally well-known family business consultants - Jose Manuel Zugaza -celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife and three children in Sri Lanka recently.

Qatar Airways begins New Year in Los Angeles

Qatar Airways rang in the New Year with a new daily, non-stop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, which started January 1.

Thomas Cook India completes Kuoni Travel buy

Having received clearance from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) earlier this week, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, a travel and travel-related financial services company, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary...

Norwegian Foreign Minister to meet Lankan biz community at CCC

?Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, who will be in the country today, will hold a high-level discussion with the Sri Lankan business community and related stakeholders at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

HNB Smart ATMs dispense over Rs.1bn in a single day during holiday season

?Hatton National Bank (HNB) has announced that its islandwide Smart ATM network, which includes over 465 multifunctional ATMs, has dispensed in excess of Rs.1 billion per day on two days during the festive period leading up to December 31, 2015.

‘Sri Lanka Economic Forum 2016’ kicks off today

?‘Sri Lanka Economic Forum 2016’, an initiative hosted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and attended by international figures such as George Soros, Joseph Stiglitz and Ricardo Hausmann, is to kick off today at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.  

Laugfs breaks ground for US $ 80mn LPG terminal

Laugfs Terminals Limited with China Huanqiu Contracting & Construction Corporation (HQC) recently broke ground for the 45, 000 metric tonnes Laugfs LPG import/export terminal at Hambantota Port, with an investment of over US $ 80 million allocated for the project.

Premier packaging exhibition ‘Lankapak-2016’ to be held in May

?To showcase state-of-the-art packaging, The Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) together exhibition organizer, CDC events and connected organisations have organized an all-encompassing exhibition in May 2016. 

New IMF Executive Director visits Sri Lanka for first time

?Dr. Subir Gorkan, Executive Director on the board of the International Monetary Fund representing India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka met Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the Finance Minister last evening (04).

MTI to evaluate Sri Lanka’s export strategy at chamber AGM

MTI Consulting CEO Hilmy Cader will be delivering the keynote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Chambers of Exporters (NCE) on 14, at Galadari Hotel.

All entrepreneurs should be armed with latest business knowledge- FCCISL Chairman

?Small and medium scale entrepreneurs are the main shareholders of the national economy. As such they should be armed with new business knowledge to give of their best to strengthen the national economy.