Shortage of real leaders

Our world looks in vain for strong leadership. Politicians and religious leaders no longer seem to offer it.

You may have heard data is the new oil. It’s not

We’ve seen it used numerous times, from the cover of prominent publications to speeches by Fortune 500 CEOs and world leaders: “data is the new oil”.

RPCs restored and revived government-subsidized plantation industry

We refer to the article that appeared in Mirror Business under ‘Performance of RPCs: Facts or Fiction’ by Lalin I. De Silva.

Talawakelle Tea Estates honoured again at Presidential Environmental Awards

Hayleys PLC-owned Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) continued its winning streak at the prestigious Presidential Environmental Awards, after the plantation company won four awards for its continued contribution towards promoting green practices and environmental sustainability. 

Serene Pavilions wins Luxury Boutique Hotel Award

Serene Pavilions made Sri Lanka proud with their prestigious double win at the recently held World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017 ceremony in Switzerland. 

RCL commences Colombo-Tuticorin new feeder service at JCT

Regional Container Line (RCL) commenced a new twice weekly feeder service connecting Colombo with Tuticorin, the second largest port in Tamil Nadu state, India. 

Emirates makes new destinations more attractive to Lankan travelers this year

Emirates is making it even more attractive for travellers from Sri Lanka to enjoy new destinations and experiences in 2018. 

London and Hong Kong next destinations for SIA’s new A380 cabin products

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that London and Hong Kong will be the next destinations to be served by its newest Airbus A380 aircraft, featuring the Airline’s recently unveiled new cabin products. Starting 16 February 2018, the aircraft will operate as SQ322 (Singapore-London) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. From 17 February 2018 to 5 April 2018, it will operate as SQ305 (London-Singapore). With effect from 7 April 2018, the new ai

Everest Group Recognizes Virtusa as a Major Contender in its PEAK Matrix

Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ GS: VRTU), a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company that accelerate

Sampath Bank hosts seminars to share knowledge on int’l trade

Continuing to support businesses around the nation, Sampath Bank, one of the leading commercial banks in the country, hosted over 100 representatives of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the second edition of the bank’s ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’ interactive seminars on imports and exports in Galle recently.

Boosting SMEs role in exports vital: Eran

Sri Lanka’s plans to increase the contribution made by smaller-scale businesses to exports and lift foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2018 were both topics of conversation at a meeting held recently between State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne and a team from Oxford Business Group (OBG).

EDEX Expo 2018 to kick off this Friday at BMICH

Sri Lanka’s largest education exhibition and job fair, EDEX Expo will be held from January 19th to 21st 2018 at BMICH Colombo.

Sri Lanka to participate in world’s largest consumer goods show Ambiente

Ambiente is the world’s biggest and most international association of trade fairs for the consumer-goods industry and with a clear target-group specific structure within the dining, giving, living and sourcing.

Pathfinder takes part in int’l conference in Shanghai, China

The Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, under the leadership of Professor Zhang Jiadong conducted the second annual academic conference on ‘The International Conference on Regional Security of Indian Ocean’ recently.

AIA Real Rewards, over 7,000 winners this year

AIA Insurance has taken customer rewards to a new level with the re-launch of AIA Real Reward. With over 7,000 winners for the year, the rewards programme offers more benefits to the customer, while placing AIA even higher on the scale of superlative 

People’s Leasing recognised for responsible corporate citizenship

People’s Leasing and Finance (PLC) was recognised as one of the Best Ten Corporate Citizens at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2017, presented by the premier trade chamber in the country, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

HNB Al Najaah scoops three awards at Islamic Finance Forum

Hatton National Bank’s Islamic Banking product, Al Najaah won three accolades at the recently concluded Islamic Finance Forum, South Asia (IFFSA) awards night, competing against Islamic Banking giants from Pakistan, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Maldives.

NDB relocates Ratnapura branch to satisfy customer convenience

NDB relocated its Ratnapura branch to a more spacious and a conveniently accessible location at No.211, Main Street, Ratnapura in a bid to provide a better service experience to people in the area.

Vallibel Finance opens latest branch in Wennappuwa

Vallibel Finance, a much respected force in the competitive financial sphere, got the new year off to a rising start with another new branch opening, this time in the coastal town of Wennappuwa.

Visa data reveals Lankans spent more on food and apparel this holiday season

Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, recently released spent data for the month of December 2017, indicating a spike in spending across categories in particular, across apparel, food and groceries and home improvement by Sri Lankan consumers during the holiday season.

Sri Lanka tea output up in 2017 for first time in four years

REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s tea output rose 5 percent year-on-year to 307 million kilograms in 2017, recovering from a seven-year low hit in the previous year, the state-run Tea Board said yesterday.  

Removal of tax exemptions to boost revenue by 0.5%: IMF

?The removal of tax exemptions through the new Inland Revenue Act (IRA) Sri Lanka legislated last year will increase the country’s revenue by 0.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

Lanka Ashok Leyland profits double as new vehicle sales spike

The profits of Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC virtually doubled during the most recent quarter ended in December (3Q18) as the company made phenomenal growth in sales of new vehicles during the three months. 

Forensic audit on bonds, EPF by external party: CB

The audit into the issuance of government securities by the Central Bank and the alleged losses to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) from 2008-2014 will be undertaken by an external party, the country’s monetary and financial sector regulator said in a statement yesterday.

Interest rates carry upward bias in 2018: CAL

Despite the recent easing seen in the interest rates and the money market liquidity remaining in the positive territory for one of the longest stretches in recent times, Sri Lanka’s interest rates carry, “a slight upward bias” but the monetary sector stability will remain on track, said CAL Research. 

India lends US$ 45mn to develop KKS harbour

Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India has extended a US $ 45.27 million credit line to Sri Lanka to upgrade and rehabilitate the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour as a commercial port.

DI unveils new brand logo and concept

Aleader in leather footwear in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Leather Products PLC announced the re-launch of the brand DI, in a bid to augment the traditional, British military perception of DI shoes, to a lifestyle oriented brand fuelled with generations of quality and trust.

eZ Cash rolls out first phase of ATM machines in Northern Province

Sri Lanka’s first and largest mobile money and payment service, eZ Cash, rolled out the first phase of its mobile-operated ATM machine to selected retailers from the Northern Province. 

Lanka Tiles recognized for social dialogue and workplace collaboration

Lanka Tiles PLC clinched the exemplary Gold Award in the medium scale manufacturing industry segment at the recently concluded ‘Excellence in Social Dialogue and Workplace Collaboration Awards 2017’ held at the BMICH.

Three Sinha receives two Golds at entrepreneur awards

Three Sinha Group of Companies, an organization that constantly strives to break new barriers in the roller door industry, won the Gold Award in Extra Large Category – National Level and the Gold Award in Extra Large Category – Western Province at Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Awards Ceremony organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).