Government to abolish SVAT system as planned despite strong opposition

The government will go ahead with the abolition of Simplified VAT (SVAT) system on January 1, 2024, despite vehement opposition from exporters and businesses. The Cabinet office...

Cabinet approves plan to procure 200 electric buses for public transport

The government is planning to increase the number of electric buses from 50 to 200 in the pilot project that is to be launched to improve public transport. The pilot project was originally....

ASPI edges down

The ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Hatton National Bank and Seylan Bank nonvoting with the turnover crossing Rs. 1.6 bn. A similar behaviour was....

Browns Hotels & Resorts honours inaugural graduates from its FutureKey Programme

Browns Hotels & Resorts (BHR), the renowned hospitality chain, proudly marked a momentous occasion as it celebrated the remarkable success of its pioneering venture, the FutureKey....

Anantaya Resort and Spa Passikudah celebrates 7th anniversary

Anantaya Resort and Spa, Passikudah, a leading luxury resort, proudly celebrated its seventh year anniversary with religious activities held at the resort premises recently. This milestone event....

SriLankan Cargo named as Best International Cargo Airline at India Cargo Awards 2023

SriLankan Airlines Cargo was aptly named as the Best International Cargo Airline at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards 2023, which has been dubbed the Oscars of the Cargo Industry and....

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts bags over 280 accolades for culinary excellence in first half

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts proudly celebrates an extraordinary series of victories in the realm of culinary excellence during the first half of the year, accounting for over 280 accolades at four key industry....

Sri Lankan receives best hotel housekeeper award

A Sri Lankan, Jon Manohar, received the best hotel housekeeper UAE 2023 award, at the Middle East Cleaning, Hygiene and Facilities Awards (MECHF), organised for the fifth time in Dubai....

Australian High Commissioner opens industrial kitchen training facility at Ahangama VTA Hotel School

In a significant effort to empower youth and boost the tourism sector in Sri Lanka, the Australian government-funded Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) programme, delivered in collaboration with the Sri Lankan...

DAE and Trinco Blu ink jet ski partnership

Debug Auto Exclusive (DAE), Sri Lanka’s leading water sports operator and authorised distributor for Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft, has recently partnered with Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, a renowned resort...

Jetwing Galle Heritage Home offers novel experience in South

Introducing the latest addition to the eclectic portfolio of Jetwing Hotels and Villas, Jetwing Galle Heritage Home is a lovingly restored traditional Southern manor, nestled in the historic city....

Over 80% of August tourist arrival target reached

Over 80 percent of the tourist arrival target set for August has been reached in the first 27 days of the month, the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.

Shaktiman’s Dealer Meet ignites agro innovation and partnerships

Shaktiman, the Indian agricultural machinery manufacturer, hosted the ‘Raising Shakti 2023 Dealer Conference’ at the Waters’ Edge in Battaramulla recently. The ‘Raising Shakti 2023 Dealer Conference’ has gathered partners such as Hayleys Agriculture, Overseas Automotive Private Limited, DSL Holdings, and AMW. The event features a comprehensive agenda, including presentations by Shaktiman’s management team, showcasing innovative products, and e

Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum introduces ‘Agcelerator’

A groundbreaking initiative by Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum (SLAF), the leading agribusiness association in the country, in partnership with Initiatives in Development of Entrepreneur Approaches and Strategies (IDEAS) and TRACE, Agcelerator, is set to revolutionize the agribusiness landscape by empowering innovators to transform the future of sustainable farming and agribusiness. The programme offers a unique opportunity for individuals with a

Lanka Coffee Association concludes AGM successfully

The Lanka Coffee Association (LCA), Sri Lanka’s only national coffee association in promoting and advancing the coffee sector in Sri Lanka, announced the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The event, held recently at Taj Samudra, Colombo, brought together key stakeholders, industry experts, and coffee enthusiasts to deliberate on the state of the coffee sector and chart a course for its sustainable growth and development.

Catch Asia Cup live action on Dialog TV and ViU App

The eagerly anticipated 16th edition of the Asia Cup 2023 has arrived, promising an array of thrilling One Day International (ODI) matches that will be broadcasted live on Dialog Television’s Star Sports 1 (Ch. No. 68) and Star Sports 1 HD (Ch. No. 120). Activating these channels is convenient via the MyDialog App or SMS –To activate via SMS, simply type “ON Dialog Television connection no. channel no. (68 or 120)” and send it to

Vantage champions youth empowerment via ‘SLMUN 2023’

Vantage, Sri Lanka’s premier men’s clothing brand announced its second consecutive year of sponsorship for the Sri Lanka Model United Nations (SLMUN) as the Silver sponsor. The 16th session of SLMUN took place on August 19 and 20th at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Recognizing the crucial role that SLMUN plays in promoting education, diplomacy, and contemporary global issues, Vantage is dedicated to empowering and enlig

HIP ‘Sea Fair’ to showcase Hambantota entrepreneurs

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) has joined hands with the Ministry of Youth Affairs’ Small Enterprises Development Division to bring about progressive change for entrepreneurs in the Hambantota District. “As a forward thinking organisation, committed to the wellbeing of the community, HIPG is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs in our region.

Brandix shines brightly at 2023 Women-Friendly Workplace Awards

In a triumphant display of organisation leadership, Brandix shone brightly at the 2023 Women-Friendly Workplace Awards, securing the Most Outstanding Women-Friendly Workplace Award alongside nine other Sri Lankan organisations last week. This accolade, presented by the AICPA and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in collaboration with SATYN Magazine, is a testament to Brandix’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and women

Hayleys Fabric receives ‘Best SDG Impact Award’ at ESG World Summit

Hayleys Fabric’s success in clinching the Best SDG Impact Award stems from its unwavering adherence to its comprehensive ESG framework. The submission spotlighted a range of achievements, including a steadfast commitment to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and obtaining ISO 50001 certification.

Fifth edition of Sri Lanka’s only capital market quiz concludes on high note

The fifth edition of Sri Lanka’s only capital market quiz, CSE Masterminds 2023, organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was held recently at Shangri-La Colombo, with the participation of 77 corporate teams, with ZeroBeta emerging as the winner of the overall competition, with a cash prize of Rs.1,000,000 and vouchers from Shangri-La Colombo. Nithya Partners was placed as the First Runner-Up, with a cash prize of Rs.500,000 and Acuity K

FitsAir crowned as Asia’s most punctual airline for July 2023

FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first and only privately owned low-cost airline and a subsidiary of Aberdeen Holdings, was adjudged as Asia’s most punctual airline in July 2023.

Protesters pass on CB’s offer to address DDO and EPF concerns

The Central Bank yesterday said those who protested against the Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) programme and its potential impacts on the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) near the Colombo Fort Railway Station yesterday missed an opportunity to get their concerns clarified by the Central Bank officials. The Central Bank in a statement said it gave an opportunity to the protesters to clarify their concerns on DDO but they did not take it. Followin

Dutch to return stolen Sri Lankan treasures

AFP: The Netherlands returned formal ownership to Sri Lanka of six colonial-era treasures yesterday, including a more than 275-year-old cannon inlaid with gold, silver, bronze and rubies. At a ceremony at the cultural ministry in Colombo, Dutch deputy minister for culture, education and science, Gunay Uslu, signed over the ownership of the objects to Sri Lanka, local officials said.

Children of Mukesh Ambani join Reliance board

AFP: The three children of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani will become directors of the board of his Indian oil-to-technology conglomerate Reliance, the company said yesterday. Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani and Anant Ambani are already “leading and managing key businesses” of Reliance, including retail, digital services and energy, the company said.

Hands off EPF, demand trade unions

Trade unions and a group of civil society activists yesterday staged a demonstration in Colombo against the government’s Domestic Debt Optimisation plan and its potential adverse effects on the workers’ funds at the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). The demonstrators accused the government of triggering the worst economic crisis of the country’s history and making the people pay for it.

Visa to launch its govt. solutions in SL to enhance payment infrastructure

Global digital payments leader Visa plans to launch its Visa Government Solutions (VGS) in Sri Lanka, to help improve the nation’s payment infrastructure. The VGS is expected to bring technologies to Sri Lanka, which will focus on transparency and the manner in which the government deals with its finances.

CB dispels concerns over economic stability post-debt restructuring

The Central Bank last week dismissed the claims that the seemingly stable economic situation currently being experienced after last year’s crisis would be disrupted when the country starts repaying its loans to foreign creditors, following the debt restructuring.

The Tigers Onboard SriLankan Airlines

The National Cricket Team of Bangladesh, popularly known as The Tigers, became the latest international cricket stars to fly SriLankan Airlines.

SL replaces 20-year-old air operations comms system at BIA with high-tech DVCSS

Sri Lanka has replaced the 20-year-old air operation communication system at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake....