Google eyes Chinese e-sports market with investment in Chushou

REUTERS: Alphabet Inc’s Google has joined an investment in Chinese live-stream mobile game platform Chushou that brings the startup’s total funding to US$120 million, as the U.S. firm eyes new inroads to China where its search engine is blocked.

SLT Broadband boosts data plans for 2018, 75% increase in monthly Gigabyte volumes

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national telecommunications service provider boasts of the market’s biggest data allowance with its announcement of the increase in broadband data volumes adding up to 75 percent more Gigabytes data volumes offered for the new year 2018 at the existing prices for all its broadband packages.

Mobitel partners with HMD Global for the latest Nokia Android Smartphones promotion

Sri Lanka’s National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel has entered into a partnership with HMD Global to launch a special seasona

Top tech lobby joins legal battle to keep ‘net neutrality’

AFP: The lobby group for some of the most powerful US tech firms said it would join the legal challenge to the planned rollback of ‘net neutrality’ rules requiring internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally.

Sophos’ partners hosted by Avian Technologies at gala event

Avian technologies, a leading provider of total unified threat management and secure content management solutions and a sole distributor of Sophos’ comprehensive and innovative IT security product suite, recently hosted Sophos’ partners from Sri Lanka and the Maldives at a gala event.

Eimsky emerged victorious at APICTA Awards 2017

Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd, providing world class customisable software solutions serving multiple industries across Sri Lanka, SE Asia and Australia, was recognised with a merit award in the application tools and platforms category at the prestigious APICTA Awards 2017 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Expert panel to discuss 2018 economic outlook and implications for biz

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has lined up a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the economic outlook and its implication for business during the year 2018. 

Fitch cuts Sunshine Holdings rating over debt-funded acquisition

The high debt burden on diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC following the acquisition of an additional stake in one of its subsidiaries recently,  has resulted in credit rating agency Fitch downgrading the firm.

SL records Rs.22bn primary surplus for first time in 63 years

For the first time since 63 years, the government has been able to a record Rs.21.9 billion surplus in the primary balance of fiscal accounts during the first 10 months of 2017, the Finance and Mass Media Ministry 

Watawala Plantations announces Rs.1.3bn share buyback

Watawala Plantations PLC, a unit of Sunshine group, has announced a share buyback from its shareholders to the tune of Rs.1.3 billion.

Mark Mobius  retires from Franklin Templeton

REUTERS: Well-known emerging markets investor Mark Mobius will retire from Franklin Templeton Investments at the end of January, the investment fund announced recently.

Government seeks to hire advisor to sell Hilton, Grand Hyatt

The Sri Lankan government last week took the first step in the long overdue process of divesting non-strategic state-owned enterprises by announcing that it is headhunting for a Transaction Advisor for the Colombo Hilton and the Grand Hyatt.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister visits Colombo port

The Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono paid a special visit to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) following his official visit to Sri Lanka. 

EFL leads the way in sustainable logistics to obtain ISO 14064 certification

Leading global logistics provider, Expolanka Freight (EFL) once again set a new industry benchmark with the obtainin

McDonald’s opens new restaurant in Mt. Lavinia

McDonald’s, the world’s most iconic fast food chain, launched its latest restaurant in Mount Lavinia, just in time for the new year. 

The Cauldron introduces Roast Paan Breakfast

What better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast. But with the busy lifestyles that we city dwellers lead, it is often difficult to find time to make a healthy and filling meal. So we opt for a quick bite, which may not always be what you need to start the day. Enter The Cauldron!

Shramibhanee 2017 rewards Mihimandala Environmental Foundation

Mihimandala, one of the leading environmental organisations established in 2000, was rewarded at Shramibhanee 2017, held at the BMICH recently.

Dhanusha Group bags 2 FCCISL awards

Dhanusha Group of Companies was rewarded two awards, as the Western Province Medium-Scale Silver and National Level Bronze winner, at the recently concluded annual awards ceremony organised by the Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), held at the BMICH.

Shares climb to near 2-month closing high

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares rose yesterday, closing the first week of the New Year on a firm note, on the back of heavy foreign buying in blue chips. The Colombo Stock Index ended 0.85 percent firmer at 6,514.73, its highest close since Nov. 11. 

Qatar allows full ownership for foreign investors

AFP: Qatar has approved legislation allowing 100-percent ownership for foreign investors in most sectors of the economy in a bid to boost non-energy revenues, the government said this week.

Rupee ends higher on exporter dollar sales

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly firmer yesterday due to dollar conversions by exporters, but demand for the U.S. currency from banks capped the gains, dealers said. 

AmCham says overall impact of US GSP withdrawal on Lankan exports “small”

The United States’ Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme was discontinued for 120 countries across the world, with effect from the 1st of January 2018. Sri Lanka is one of them.

Lanka Sathosa playing great role of lowest price setter: PM

State-owned Lanka Sathosa shopping chain has dramatically ascended to become the largest retail player in Sri Lanka, beating all other local supermarket brands unmistakably.

Jetwing Symphony makes CSE trading debut as first listing in 2018

Jetwing Symphony Limited rang the opening bell to commence trading and celebrate the listing of its shares as the first listing at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for 2018. 

Sri Lanka records highest tourist arrivals in 2017

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka reached an all-time high of 2,116,407 in 2017, according to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The arrival figure for 2017 represents a 3.2 growth or 65,595 more arrivals over the preceding year when the figure crossed the 2 million mark for the first time.

Most Asian markets rise as New Year rally extends

AFP: The equity rally that has kicked off 2018 continued yesterday, with Asian markets picking up the baton from another set of records on Wall Street. Dealers are now turning their attention to the release later in the day of key US jobs data, which is expected to show the world’s top economy continuing to improve. A forecast-smashing reading Thursday on private take-ups boosted optimism, which had already been bolstered by US tax cuts, he

Monetary Board extends suspension on Perpetual Treasuries

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has extended the suspension on controversial primary dealer Perpetual Treasury for a period of six months from January 5, 2018.

DFCC’s FinTech subsidiary, Synapsys, joins hands with Tenaga Car Parks

Synapsys, the FinTech subsidiary of DFCC Bank, recently signed an agreement with Tenaga Car Parks (Pvt

Eimsky emerged victorious at APICTA Awards 2017

Eimsky Business Solutions Pvt Ltd, providing world class customizable software solutions serving multiple

BBDO Lanka celebrates three big awards in 2017

BBDO Lanka celebrated its three big wins, and the season, under the theme ‘Just Clap’ at the Gregory’s Room, Taj Samudra on December 15th.