next Sourcing Long Service Awards 2017 recognises key team members

next Sourcing, a wholly owned subsidiary of the retail clothing and accessory giant next PLC - UK, celebrated its Long Service Awards 2017 at the Park Street Mews Colombo recently.

Sri Lanka: Year in review 2017

An upturn in exports and investment helped counter weaker output from Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector in 2017 facilitating steady growth overall and raising prospects of further gains this year.

Four risks to global economy for Sri Lanka to watch in 2018

The world economy appears to be booming – in its latest World Economic Outlook Update, published on January 22, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that global gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.7 percent last year, up from 3.2 percent in 2016, which is the fastest rate of expansion since 2011. 

Importance of MS and RW batting together

A prominent administrator after reading my column last week wrote to me and said, “Push has come to shove. Sirisena is breathing fire. A drastic change of direction is needed after February 10.”

Mobitel pioneers 4.5G network to revolutionise local mobile telecom industry

Sri Lanka’s National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel, is proud to be the first to initiate the roll out of the 4.5G network to revolutionise the industry and to significantly enhance user experience for its valued customers.

DirectPay and PayMedia facilitate eLocal government payment services

DirectPay and PayMedia have come forward as pioneers to facilitate eLocal Government service payments that was launched by Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha recently.

Avian Technologies hosts partner enablement event for Veritas

Avian Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd recently hosted a partner enablement event for Veritas Technologies at the Cinnamon Lakeside.

PM visits pioneer IT operator WNS Global Services Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently pledged not to waste even an ounce of human talent in Sri Lanka when he addressed the young employees of WNS Global Services (Pvt.) Ltd, one of the pioneer IT/BPM operators in  Sri Lanka.

Huawei introduces first ever facial recognition feature through nova2i

Huawei launched the facial recognition option for their latest smartphone series, the Huawei nova2i.  This is the first occasion a Huawei smartphone comes with a facial recognition feature which is available to existing nova 2i customers by updating to the latest  software version. 

N*Able completes two years of partnership with RAMIS

Led by CEO Peter D’Almeida, N*Able, a prominent and skilled technology services company in Sri Lanka, recently marked the completion of their second year of partnership with state Revenue Administration and Management Information  System (RAMIS).

Walkers Colombo Shipyard launches fourth vessel ‘Sea Gulf 3’

Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of MTD Walkers PLC, has successfully completed the construction of its fourth vessel, a 10-tonne bollard pull tug ‘Sea Gulf 3’. 

Emirates to launch services to Santiago de Chile via Sao Paulo

Emirates, the world’s best airline according to TripAdvisor 2017, has announced its plan to launch a new, five times a week, service from Dubai to Santiago International Airport (SCL), via the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, starting on July 5, 2018. 

Hemas Integrated Logistics rebranded as Spectra Integrated Logistics

Hemas Integrated Logistics, known across the industry for its service excellence, proven track record and corporate backing, turned a new chapter in its journey when the company rebranded itself as Spectra Integrated Logistics. 

SL to launch new export strategy to coincide with 70th Independence

Coinciding with Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Anniversary, the government will be launching a new national export strategy this month in collaboration with the government of Singapore, following the strengthening of bilateral relations last month.

National Economic Council in top gear to fulfil country’s economic agenda

The National Economic Council (NEC), Sri Lanka’s apex economic policy advisory body chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena, is gearing to expand its scope of work within its mandate by this April, NEC Secretary General Prof. Lalith P. Samarakoon said.

December sees second lowest vehicle registrations in 2017

The number of vehicles registered in Sri Lanka during December 2017 fell to the second lowest level in 2017, with the only noteworthy positive development coming from the small hybrid car segment due to recent tax revisions in the budget.

NDB records strong December; full year profit up 38%

National Development Bank PLC (NDB), becoming the first bank to release December quarter (4Q17) earnings, reported group earnings of Rs.7.10 a share or Rs.1.20 billion compared to the Rs. 4.41 a share or Rs.726.1 million reported for the same period, last year. 

Chevron’s Lankan unit December quarter net down 21%

Chevron Lubricants (Lanka) PLC, the leader in Sri Lanka’s lubricant market, saw its December quarter (4Q17) earnings narrowing 21 percent t year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.549.2 million, the interim financial accounts released to the Colombo Stock Exchange showed yesterday.

Janashakthi Insurance says in talks to divest general insurance arm

Schaffter family controlled Janashakthi Insurance PLC (JINS) yesterday confirmed market speculations that they were in talks to sell their general insurance business carried out by fully owned subsidiary Janashakthi General Insurance Limited.

Higher tea prices boost glove maker Dipped Products 3Q

Dipped Products PLC reported a jump in earnings in its December quarter as the company’s non-medical gloves received an unprecedented fillip from its plantation business. 

Southeast Asia’s top drugmaker eyes Sri Lanka

PT Kalbe Farma, Southeast Asia’s biggest pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking a partner in Sri Lanka and eyeing the Middle East as a new market for its nutritional products.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a circulation standard commemorative currency note

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a circulation standard commemorative currency note in the denomination of Rs. 1000 to mark the 70th Independence celebration in the country. The currency note was officially presented to the Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera by the Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka records highest annual apparel export revenue in 2017

Sri Lanka’s 2017 apparel performance has matched the recent forecast made by the Minister of industry and Commerce. 

Chinese initiative termed unique in the field of infrastructure development

Addressing the Joint symposium conducted by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) on the Belt and Road Initiative, held in collaboration with the Pathfinder Foundation (PF), Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Sim Annin her keynote address said that the Chinese initiative is unique in the contemporary world in the field of infrastructure

IPS highlights importance of developing skills in Sri Lankan graduates

While Sri Lanka has been performing well at the primary education level, significant policy gaps exist when it comes to secondary and tertiary education, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) revealed recently. 

SL’s Supreme Global partners Alibaba to boost tourism, e-commerce

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Global Holdings and Alibaba Group owned ‘Alitrip’ which is now called ‘Fliggy’ launched the ‘Sri Lanka Pavilion’ in Fliggy’s tourism platform that will target to bring a million new Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka every year. 

SLID continues to contribute towards good coporate stewardship

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), from certified 29 participants from the 5th and 6th intake who completed all 4 parts of the Board Leadership Director Certification Programme (BLT) at a recently held event at the Galadari Hotel. 

Australia’s MyBudget announces Sri Lankan entry in November

MyBudget Pty Ltd, Australia’s largest firm for providing personal budget management services has announced that it will be officially entering Sri Lanka and expanding its operations in November this year. 

X30 Asia Cup 2018 takes local motorsports to a new level

ThisJanuary the local karting scene was taken to an international level as the first ever X30 Asia Cup was held at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit in Bandaragama. The event was organized by the David Pieris Racing & Leisure (Private) Limited and kicked off an enthralling start to Asia’s Karting season.

15 Days of Love At The Hilton Colombo!