Harsha assures CEPA with India will not cause free flow of natural persons

?Renewed negotiations of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Sri Lanka and India will not cause a free flow of natural persons to Sri Lanka, contrary to protectionist industrialists who claim so, according to the country’s economic policy planner.

Vesak holidays boost Pinnawela Open Zoo income

?The income of newly opened Pinnawela Open Air Zoo topped Rs.3.5 million during Vesak holidays (May 1-4).

CIMA Global President meets PM

?CIMA Global President Keith Luck who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Tress yesterday. They discussed areas relating to better cooperation, strengthening public service capacity and competency building in the private sector. 

Krrish cleared to go ahead: BOI Chief

The Krrish Square mixed development project which was halted due to delays in its final payments of Rs.640 million to the government, is now resuming operations.

CMC to extend online tax payment facility

?The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to extend its online tax payment system by setting up 5 kiosks within the municipal council limits. This will enable even tax-payers who do not possess internet facilities of their own, to make their tax remittances to the CMC online. 

FR case on CB bond issue to resume next week

The fundamental rights petition filed by three good governance activists, Dr. G. Usvatte-aratchi, Dr. A.C. Visvalingam and Chandra Jayaratne seeking an independent and competent inquiry into the controversial Central Bank bond issue is to resume before the Supreme Court on May 13.

Dialog’s service team first to achieve People CMM Maturity Level 5 in Sri Lanka

?Dialog Axiata PLC’s service delivery team earned the distinction of becoming the first customer service outfit in Sri Lanka to be awarded a rating of Maturity Level 5 on the People Capability Maturity Model (People-CMM), last month. 

Chamber seminar to discuss stock market, regulations and challenges to investment

?‘Stock Market’, ‘Market Regulations’ and ‘Good Governance For New Opportunities’ will be the key topics that will come under discussion during an upcoming seminar organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber.

President-PM postpone CB monitoring tour

?A monitoring tour of the Central Bank (CB) by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, which was to be held yesterday, was postponed last minute. 

AAMO Council to meet for first time in Sri Lanka

?Delegates representing 17 member countries of the Asian Association of Management Organisations (AAMO) will hold a Council meeting for the very first time in Sri Lanka on Thursday, May 7, at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

Big firms’ export motives cause local poultry prices rise

Supply of poultry in the local market has fallen below demand, leading to higher prices, due to the big corporations’ motivation to export day-old chicks to regional markets in South Asia and the Middle East instead of supplying farms.

Eran calls for immediate dissolution of Parliament

?Highways and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratine yesterday called for the immediate dissolution of Parliament, as the present Parliament has outlived its mandate by disrupting President Maithripala Sirisena’s programme endorsed by the people on January 8.

CCC views 19A “very important and positive”

?Sri Lanka’s premier trade chamber the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday observed the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution “very important and a positive step.”

CB to open branch in Kilinochchi

?The Central Bank is to open a regional branch in Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi on May 6, 2015.

Central Bank gets Rs.400mn from RBI

The Central Bank said it was getting US $ 400 million from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through a currency swap agreement between the two countries.

Airport Christmas Shopping Festival promo rewards winners

The awards ceremony in connection with the mega seasonal promotion titled ‘Airport Christmas Shopping Festival’ conducted for the 5th consecutive year by Airport & Aviation Service (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) during 1st December 2014 – 31st January 2015...

Lanka Hospitals opens doors with new and improved appearance

?The newly refurbished front lobby area of Lanka Hospitals Colombo was declared open by Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake recently. The new floor space accommodates patient registration, admission and channeling counters, a VIP lounge and customer services facilities.

Bureau Veritas CPS becomes first accredited laboratory for cosmetic product testing

?Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka (Pvt) Ltd has received the accreditation for cosmetic product testing, becoming the first laboratory in Sri Lanka to possess the accreditation for cosmetic products. 

Softlogic takes retail partners for Cricket World Cup

?Making history by introducing many ‘first time’ events in the field of the mobile phone marketing sector during the past, Softlogic Communications PLC was able to take their retail partners to Australia for a new experience. 

Silvermill Real Coconut Milk makes cooking extremely easy

?Carefully extracted using state-of-the-art technology, Silvermill Real Coconut Milk is rich in nutrients and is full of wholesome goodness. Coconut milk has many health benefits and contains a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. 

Holcim Lanka introduces Ready Flow Plus to market

?Holcim Lanka’s Ready Flow Plus enters the market with a promise of high performance that combines with strength, consistency and workability.  A product manufactured in Sri Lanka with local inputs encourages a leaner but stronger...

Textured Jersey records highest annual net profit of Rs. 1.3bn

?Textured Jersey Lanka PLC (TJL) recorded its highest ever annual net profit of Rs. 1.3bn for the year ended 31st March 2015, an increase of 16 percent year-on-year. 

Sri Lanka on cusp of better political and economic change: JWT Regional Head

Sri Lanka is on the cusp of better political and economic change, according to the incoming regional head of J. Walter Thompson, which is part of the world’s largest advertising company WPP PLC.

Cairn India in the red over Lankan exploration costs

?Cairn India has incurred an impairment loss of US$ 79.74 million (INR 505 crores) originating from its oil exploration activities in Sri Lanka’s Mannar basin, the company’s fourth quarter results showed. 

March tea output up 17.5 pct on better weather

?REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s tea output gained 17.5 percent in March from the same month a year earlier, helped by favourable weather conditions, the state-run Tea Board said yesterday, helping to lift first-quarter production by 7 percent on last year.

Rupee forwards slip on importer dollar demand

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan rupee forwards slipped yesterday as importer dollar demand outpaced early selling of the greenback by banks, while dealers expect the local currency to remain under pressure due to lower interest rates.

SEC requests Kalpitiya Beach to postpone EGM

?The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday said it requested from Kalpitiya Beach Resort PLC to postpone the firm’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) ....

Sri Lanka raises US$ 81mn through development bonds

?Sri Lanka raised US$81.25 million through two and three-year dollar-denominated development bonds yesterday, the Central Bank said.

Shares at 7-week closing high; political woes weigh

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares edged up to their highest close in seven weeks yesterday led by diversified shares, but volume was light as investors awaited cues from the political front ahead of a parliamentary vote on proposed constitutional reforms.

Wireless communication more important than basic human needs: Cisco

Wireless solutions utilized by individuals and business entities to make their lives and tasks more efficient and simpler, had become the next big thing in the mobility communication sector, said the visiting Cisco Product Sales Specialist for India and Saarc, Arun Negi.