HNB relocates Nawam Mawatha Customer Centre to spacious new location

In a strategic move to strive for excellence and deliver significant value in commercial and retail banking activity, Sri Lanka’s premiere private sector commercial bank, HNB PLC, officially opened its newly relocated Nawam Mawatha Customer Centre at No.10, Sri Uttarananda Mawatha (R.A. De Mel Mawatha), Colombo 03.

Imtiaz Iqbal joins Amana Bank as Operations Vice President

Imtiaz Iqbal, a well versed and experienced banker, has joined Amana Bank as its Operations Vice President.

Japan’s SBI Group opens liaison office in Colombo

Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group in a bid to strengthen its presence in the Asian region opened a liaison office, Strategic Business Innovator Pvt. Ltd, in Colombo yesterday.

NDB Cash Management to provide quality services

NDB has always been a well-placed trusted adviser who understands and assists the financial challenges of its customers.

Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA: Gateway to integrate with advanced economies

The development policy of the government aims primarily at maximizing the economic benefits through integration into the global economy, attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs) in strategic sectors and improving export competitiveness. It is widely understood from the beginning that this requires policy, legal and institutional reforms in line with today’s global trends. One of the pillars of this strategy is establishing effective par

StanChart expects over 25bps rate hike this year

The Standard Chartered (StanChart) global research team yesterday said they are expecting an above 25 basis points (bps) hike in Sri Lankan policy interest rates this year to build a buffer for foreign exchange reserves, as the country’s external side vulnerabilities remain significantly high. Currently, the standing deposit facility rate (SDFR) stands at 7.25 percent and the standing len

Atlas acquisition will improve Hemas cash flow: Fitch

Diversified conglomerate Hemas Holdings PLC’s acquisition of stationary manufacturer Atlas Axillia (Private) Limited will improve the group’s defensive cash flow across economic cycles, ratings agency Fitch Ratings  said yesterday.

FinMin continues to consult banks on Debt Repayment Levy

The Finance Ministry is still consulting with banks to clearly identify transactions that would be liable for the Debt Repayment Levy which was introduced in the 2018 budget, a ministry advisor said.

CB documentaries to educate farmers on microcredit

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be filming two documentary dramas (docudramas) which are aimed to create public awareness on the issues related to microcredit, which has so far resulted in a number of suicides in rural areas.

France drops 2025 World Expo bid over cash worries

AFP: France has withdrawn its bid for Paris to host the 2025 World Expo citing financial risks as the country gears up to organise both the Olympics and Rugby World Cup.

Broad trade and investment plan to follow SL-S’pore FTA

In the post-free trade agreement (FTA) era, the Sri Lankan and Singaporean governments now have to create a comprehensive trade and investment plan in a collaborative manner to boost bilateral commerce, according the Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran.

Gulf Air’s on time punctuality garners top ranking in 2017

Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has been independently ranked by the UK aviation analysts OAG the third most punctual airline in 2017, amongst the Middle East and African airlines, with an average on-time performance (OTP) of 80.22 percent. 

Arabic Food Festival at Heritance Negombo

Bringing authentic flavours of exotic Arabic cuisine to the town of Negombo, Aitken Spence Hotel’s five-star property, Heritance Negombo, will unravel two days of gastronomic excellence end this month, laced with aromatic spices of the East.

Cruising the islands of Jaffna

An azure sea stretches into the distance and meets the blue sky at the horizon. It is a bright morning with a few white clouds above. The modern four-cabin cruiser sails along so smoothly that the welcome drink on the table on deck remains almost still. 

Ruhunu Hospital life membership offers greater benefits for customers

Ruhunu Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd is offering membership to its customers to enjoy greater benefits.

Balasooriya Hospital receives Gold at National Business Excellence Awards

The Chairman of Balasooriya Private Hospital Priyanthalal Balasooriya received the Gold Award in healthcare related category at the National Business Excellence Awards 2017 organized by the National Chamber of Commerce. 

Health checks at Durdans Hospital help detect diseases at early stage

Health checks done regularly can help identify risk factors before they evolve into an illness or detect diseases at an  early stage. 

Asia Pacific office property markets to stay strong in 2018

The Financial: Asia Pacific’s office property markets are expected to stay strong in 2018, driven by healthy levels in office occupancy and rent growth as new supply peaks during the year, according to Cushman and Wakefield’s 2018 Asia Pacific Forecast.

Lavanka Property Developers wins Shramabhimanee Business Excellence Award

Lavanka Property Developers won the Shramabhimanee Business Excellence Award 2017 at the recently concluded ceremony held at the BMICH. This award ceremony is organised once a year to reward business and social community who serve the betterment of 

Speed Land expands Speed City concept to Kurunegala

Speed Land (Pvt.) Ltd, a leading company in the real estate sector in Sri Lanka, launched its three latest housing development projects under the ‘Speed City’ concept at Kurunegala recently.

EliSh to begin development of second flagship project

EliSh Development (Pvt.) Ltd of The Flemington fame is all set to begin construction on its next flagship project, The Flemington 103 Campbell, a condominium complex built to the highest international specifications, with an emphasis on 21st century urban family life.

Do we have a healthy doctor-patient ratio?

An Internet search on a website called ‘bigthink.com’ gives a patient per doctor map of the world, where the topmost country listed is Cuba, with a ratio of 170 patients per doctor. Belarus and Belgium come a close second with 220, while Greece and Russia are at 230.  

Clean energy predictions for 2018 – and why I was wrong about 2017

2018 has already been unofficially declared as the year of the electric car. The next 12 months are likely to bring us closer to the dawn of a new era of renewable energy, when electric batteries will power many of the world’s cars, homes and indeed entire communities.

The Evolving Landscape of Start-Ups In Sri Lanka

Today Sri Lanka is steadily positioning herself as a regional economic hub, thanks to the revitalization of foreign

DFCC Bank in association with the National Eye Bank for a EYE donation campaign

DFCC Bank became the first bank in Sri Lanka to partner with the National Eye Bank (NEB) in conducting

Cold Stores Dec. net down 32% as beverage segment slows

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, a unit of the John Keells group, which has interests in soft drinks, ice creams and supermarkets, saw a significant fall in its December quarter earnings amid higher sales costs, the interim accounts released to the Colombo bourse showed.

Shares drop in dull trade; banks top drag

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares declined yesterday, marking their eighth session of fall in nine, as investors sold banking stocks in dull trade. The Colombo Stock index ended 0.34 percent weaker at 6,421.40. On Thursday, it closed at its lowest since December 29.

Cinnamon Lakeside owner’s December profits halved

Trans Asia Hotels PLC saw its earnings halved during the December quarter compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year amid lower top line gains, the interim financial accounts released to the Colombo Stock Exchange showed.

Rupee slips on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly weaker yesterday as dollar demand from importers and banks surpassed mild selling of the US currency by exporters, dealers said.

SL’s Credence Genomics to provide diagnostic services in India with Apollo Hospitals

Sri Lanka’s Credence Genomics will collaborate with India’s Apollo Hospitals Group to provide cutting-edge diagnostic services for infectious diseases for patients in India, starting with Chennai, Tamil Nadu.