Daraz Group CCAO named as SA representative torchbearer for 19th Asian Games Hangzhou

Daraz Group, South Asia’s leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, yesterday announced that Rakhil Fernando, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (CCAO) and previously Managing Director of Daraz Sri Lanka, was chosen as the South Asian representative torchbearer for the highly anticipated 19th Asian Games Hangzhou. The Asian Games, recognised as the world’s second-largest multi-sport event, brings together athletes fro

Lanka IOC unveils first fully-automated, women-operated IOC filling station

In a historic milestone, Sri Lanka witnessed the grand unveiling of its very first centrally-monitored, fully-automated, women-operated Lanka IOC (LIOC) filling station, recently.

Singer revamps Colombo Service Centre with enhanced customer experience

Singer Sri Lanka PLC has announced the revamping of its Colombo Service Centre, reaffirming the brand’s dedication to providing exceptional services to its valued customers. The new facility located in Borella aims to redefine the customer service experience for all patrons. Sharing his thoughts, Singer Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Wijewardene said, “The revamping of our Colombo Service Centre underscores Singer’s unwaverin

Exterminators once again certified as a Great Place to Work

Exterminators PLC, Asia’s first Great Place to Work-certified pest management company, announced that it has been certified as a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row. This achievement reaffirms its commitment to creating an environment that fosters learning, development and success for its staff members. The certification was awarded after an independent audit and certification process conducted by the renowned organisation Great Pla

Flora Tissues celebrates 40 years of unmatched quality and excellence in 2023

Pee Bee Management Services (Private) Limited, the undisputed market leader in soft disposable tissue paper products proudly made in Sri Lanka and marketed under the popular household brand Flora Tissues, held an event recently to celebrate the 40th year anniversary and unveiled its ambitious plans to launch new products, with the support of its renewed commitment by employees and distributors, amidst the rapidly evolving landscape and challenges

The Manhattan Fish Market celebrates a decade of excellence in Sri Lanka

The renowned award-winning restaurant chain The Manhattan Fish Market, with its franchisee in Sri Lanka Everbright Holdings Ltd, is celebrating its remarkable journey of serving excellence in the F&B industry to Sri Lankan diners for a decade. The celebration is marked with the launch of the MFM Rewards Programme. With a decade of excellence in serving premium seafood and creating unforgettable moments, The Manhattan FISH Market takes customer a

HIP supplies over 80% marine bunkers to Sri Lankan market

Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has benchmarked a 500,000-tonne volume in its bunkering business during the first eight months of 2023. The throughput, which is five times in volume compared to 2022, is attributed to the port’s strategic partnership with Sinopec Fuel Oil Lanka Limited (SFOL), for the supply and trade of marine bunker fuel. Through the offer of marine bunker fuel at competitive pricing to local bunker suppliers, the Ha

Embracing digital tools and AI to pave path for tourism development in Sri Lanka

The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has always been a key driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to employment and foreign exchange earnings. The importance of tourism into Sri Lanka has felt so much more than ever before. As the world becomes increasingly connected, travellers are seeking more personalised and immersive experiences. In recent years, technological advancements have transformed the global travel landscape and it is c

SLCB continues to scale up training regional hoteliers in MICE industry

SLCB has conducted a series of MICE tourism training sessions for regional hoteliers, including the Kandy and South regions and the latest was conducted in the Cultural Triangle area. The aim of these training sessions was to re-establish and enhance the awareness of the importance of Sri Lanka’s MICE industry. SLCB General Manager Krishantha Fernando delivering the inaugural and welcome speech elaborated in a nutshell how to make optimal use of

Hamoos Travels holds Service Excellence Awards 2023

Hamoos Travels recently held its Service Excellence Awards 2023 at Cinnamon Grand. The event aimed to honour long-serving staff and recognise outstanding performers. Marino Leisure Holdings Chairman S. Rengnathan, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts VP Kamal Munasinghe were key figures at the event. Vivanta by Taj GM Kiran Bassuri, Vistara Airlines Overseas Manager Gautam and SriLankan Airlines Head of Sales Sathira were among the distinguished invitees

Acorn Group celebrates remarkable achievements

Acorn Group, a distinguished conglomerate known for its diverse portfolio of businesses, hosted an elegant Awards Night recently at the Courtyard by Marriott Colombo. The event was a resplendent affair, gathering industry leaders, stakeholders and over 200 employees from five countries to honour and applaud the exceptional accomplishments achieved across various sectors within the group. The Acorn Group Awards Night was a splendid showcase of el

SriLankan Airlines holds two-day aviation workshop for journalists

SriLankan Airlines wrapped up a successful, pioneer two-day workshop on airline operations for local journalists from September 13-14, 2023, in Katunayake, laying the groundwork for a new breed of aviation journalism.

S&P upgrades SL’s local currency rating following DDO completion

S&P Global Ratings yesterday raised its long and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default) following the recently completed Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) programme. The outlook on the ‘CCC+’ long-term local currency rating is stable. S&P also raised the issue rating on Sri Lanka’s local currency bond maturing in October 2023 to ‘CCC+’ from ‘D’ in line with the change in the so

SL welcomes one millionth tourist

Sri Lanka yesterday welcomed its one-millionth tourist for this year, who happened to be a Russian national travelling with his family for a month-long journey across the country. Alex Mazkov arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, after a journey that took him from Iran via Oman Air. This marks a significant milestone as Sri Lanka reaches the one-million tourist arrival mark for the first time since the onset of the global p

SEC makes four new senior level appointments

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) yesterday announced four new senior appointments with diverse backgrounds to leadership positions to fulfill its regulatory and developmental mandates. Manuri Weerasinghe has been appointed as Director, Corporate Affairs. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of Accounting, Financial Management, Financial Reporting and Auditing with over 8 years’ of experience at the SEC.

John Keells back on top as highest market cap company

Premier blue chip John Keells Holdings yesterday dislodged Expolanka Holdings PLC, which has been enjoying the top seat for some time, to gain the top spot at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in terms of market capitalisation. At the end of yesterday’s trading John Keells market capitalisation stood at Rs.266.9 billion, accounting for 6.13 percent of the Rs.4.4 billion total market capitalisation of the CSE.

Sri Lanka to finalise multi-billion-dollar oil refinery deal with China’s Sinopec in October

Sri Lanka expects to finalise the proposed multi-billion-dollar oil refinery project in Hambantota with China’s Sinopec Corp. in October during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to China, which is set to become the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country to-date. “I believe the largest foreign direct investment to be made in Sri Lanka will also be with Sinopec entering into the refinery operations. It is set to take place in

President to meet with visiting IMF mission today

A special meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to take place today (26) to discuss the initial review of the Extended Fund Facility.

Sri Lanka welcomes 75k tourists during first 20 days of September

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first 20 days of September crossed the 75,000 mark, fulfilling 62 percent of the target set for the month.

Lubricant market shrinks in 2Q as economic activity yet to pick up pace

Sri Lanka’s lubricant market contracted in the second quarter of the year on a year-on-year (YoY) and a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis, reflecting the reduced activity level in economy, following the unprecedented economic crisis that gripped the country last year.

AgStar partners Israel’s NetaFim to offer irrigation solutions to local farmers

AgStar PLC, an entity that operates in the fertilizer manufacturing sector, inked an agreement with NetaFim, an Israeli-based global leader in irrigation solutions for sustainable agriculture, yesterday to help local farmers uplift farming practices. The newly inked AgStar tie-up with NetaFim is a strategic partnership geared to benefit crop cultivators, smallholder farmers, commercial growers, and regional plantations. As a member of the LOLC gr

Bio Foods celebrates 30 years in sustainable and ethical agriculture

Bio Foods (Pvt.) Ltd. recently celebrated its 30th anniversary as a leader of organic and fair-trade agriculture on a global scale. Established in 1993 by founder and Chairman, Dr. A. Sarath Ranaweera, Bio Foods has emerged as an exemplary model for sustainable and ethical farming practices. With an unwavering commitment to cultivating positive change, the company has excelled by embracing the entire food production chain, from certified farmer

ComBank and Browns collaborate for special leasing promotion for tractors and harvesters

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has once again announced a new leasing promotion with Browns Agriculture, to empower the country’s farming community to acquire cutting-edge technology and equipment in order to enhance productivity. The promotion will run till the end of 2023, covering TAFE branded tractors, as well as harvesters from Sumo and Yanmar, which are imported, sold and serviced by Browns Agriculture. Tractors and harvesters purchase

NDB Bank credit cardholders get 15% discount at Dufry – BIA Sri Lanka

NDB is back again with the most awaited travel offers for the seasons. Having commenced the Dufry – BIA offers, NDB Bank credit cards expand the wings to Dufry - BIA to offer savings for the banks credit cardholders. Now the credit cardholders will be able to indulge in seamless benefits and discounts at the Dufry –BIA. The offer of 15 percent discount on all non – promotional items at Dufry – BIA located at the arrival and departure terminals of

LOLC Finance offers transformative lending solutions

LOLC Finance offers transformative lending solutions 4LOLC Finance PLC has announced the launch of its wide-ranging lending campaign aimed at bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement. In light of the economic challenges faced by the nation, LOLC Finance has activated its new lending campaign, reinforcing its role as an economic enabler. The company’s distinctive approach revolves around providing meticulously customized financial solu

Sanasa Life Insurance arrives in Jaffna

Sanasa Life Insurance recently opened its latest branch in Jaffna, broadening its network of branches. The opening ceremony which was held in accordance with traditional Sri Lankan values and customs was graced by Director P. Gajeendra, Director S. S. Maaran, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Nicholas and Chief Business Officer Kennady J. Michael along with the Board of Directors and the Senior Management of Sanasa Life Insurance. One of the key feat

DFCC Bank bags Gold for Best Digital Marketing Campaign at ACEF Asia Leaders Awards

DFCC Bank has once again proved its mettle on the international stage by clinching the Gold Award for Best Social Media Content on YouTube at the prestigious ACEF Asia Leaders Awards 2023. Accordingly, this marks the 3rd consecutive year that DFCC Bank has received awards for digital marketing at the ACEF Asia Leaders Awards. This achievement stands as a testament to DFCC Bank’s commitment to innovation and its deep-rooted connection with the cu

Amana Bank receives shareholder nod for rights issue

At the recently concluded Extraordinary General Meeting of Amana Bank, the shareholders in attendance unanimously passed the resolutions with regard to the bank’s forthcoming rights issue. Accordingly, it was resolved to issue 2,902,267,365 ordinary voting shares, in the proportion of one new share for each share held, at a consideration of Rs.2.30 per share. The bank is due to raise Rs.6.7 billion through this rights issue, to meet the Central

China outbound travel surges ahead of ‘Golden Week’ holiday

Outbound travel from China is surging ahead of the first ‘Golden Week’ holiday period since the country has allowed international travel to resume and even as China’s economic growth has slowed. Bookings for popular foreign destinations such as Singapore, Australia and Thailand have increased by 20 times compared with the same holiday period last year, travel provider Trip.com said in a press release yesterday. Golden Week, which begins October

USAID donates 4,700MT of soya beans and maize to support Thriposha programme

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) facilitated the handover, at a special event held at the Thriposha factory. This consignment forms part of a wider contribution of US $ 20 million from the United States towards the WFP’s emergency operation to support Sri Lankan communities impacted by the country’s economic crisis. As a significant contributor locally and globally, the United States has enabled the WFP to provide cash, food assist