December consumer inflation eases slightly to 7.1%

Sri Lanka’s consumer prices in December rose 7.1 percent from a year earlier, easing from the previous month’s 7.6 percent, government data showed yesterday.  Core annual inflation, which excludes fresh food, energy, transport, rice and coconuts, also cooled to 4.3 percent in December on an annual basis, from the previous 

PA commends swift actions taken to lift tea ban by Russia

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) yesterday commended the Plantation Industries Ministry, Sri Lanka Tea Board and all other state and diplomatic officials that played a role in negotiating the lifting of the temporary suspension of Lankan tea imports by the Russian Federation.

Rupee falls; down 2.5% in 2017

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed lower yesterday, ending the year 2.5 percent weaker, as demand for dollars from importers and banks outweighed inward remittances and conversion of the U.S. currency by exporters, dealers said. 

Shares rise; up 2.3 pct in 2017

REUTERS:  Sri Lankan shares rose for a sixth straight session in muted trade yesterday, ending 2017 with a modest 2.3 percent gain after two consecutive  annual losses.

India likens crypto cash to Ponzi schemes

AFP: India warned yesterday against investing in cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, likening them to “Ponzi schemes”, as it became the latest country to urge caution. Despite a boom in trade that has seen prices soar, cryptocurrencies “don’t have intrinsic value and are not backed by any kind of assets,” the Indian finance ministry said in a statement.

CA Sri Lanka launches revised Code of Best Practice on Corporate Governance 2017

In continuing to give leadership to corporates in the country to adhere to the best practices of corporate governance, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) recently launched the revised Code of Best Practice on Corporate 

Dollar heads into year 2018 on weaker note, Asia stocks mostly up

AFP: The dollar suffered fresh pressure yesterday as traders cash in the recent gains fuelled by Donald Trump’s tax cuts, while most Asian equities were on course to end a strong year on a positive note.

Bali declares ‘garbage emergency’ amid sea of waste

AFP: Bali’s palm-fringed Kuta beach has long been a favourite with tourists seeking sun and surf, but nowadays its golden shoreline is disappearing under a mountain of garbage.

Marginal impact on Lankan exports by US GSP pause : Rishad

Non-renewal of US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) does not affect our US trade in a significant way, said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at a meeting with top officials at his ministry yesterday.  

Samson Rajarata Tiles wins at 2017 National Business Excellence Awards

Samson Rajarata Tiles (Pvt.) Ltd. was acclaimed the Winner in the Chemicals, Ceramics and Glass Manufacturing

Japan’s Nomura poised to start China retail brokerage business: CEO

REUTERS: Nomura Holdings Inc is ready to serve wealthy Chinese as soon as the world’s second-largest economy allows foreign financial institutions to open securities brokerages, the Chief Executive of Japan’s biggest brokerage and investment bank said.

Fairfirst Insurance partners with All-Island School Children Transport Association

Fairfirst Insurance’s latest partnership was with the All-Island School Children Transport Association, an independent body of school van drivers whose objective is to raise awareness on the yellow colour school van concept and ensure the safety of the children travelling in them. 

HNB holds annual Christmas carols

The much awaited annual Christmas carols presented by the HNB staff was held at the bank’s auditorium on the 15th of this month with Malcom Cardinal Ranjith gracing the occasion. 

NDB delights children with surprise Santa

A child’s greatest wish during the festive season is to see the famed Santa Clause bring gifts, and NDB made that wish come true.

ComBank opens 261st branch in Kolonnawa

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently opened its 261st branch in Sri Lanka in Kolonnawa, strengthening its presence in the north eastern outskirts of Colombo city. 

SDB bank in association with Lanka Pay implements CEFT facility

SDB bank in association with Lanka Pay implemented the CEFT (Common Electronic Fund Transfer) facility for its valued customers in order to allow immediate fund transfers between accounts. 

Commercial Development Company moves to new premises

Commercial Development Company PLC, a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, recently moved to new premises at 8-4/2, York Arcade Building,Leyden Bastion Road, Colombo 1. 

Calamander Unawatuna celebrates Christmas in style

Calamander Unawatuna Beach is celebrating Christmas with an array of dining, shopping and entertaining events for the week of the festive season from December 23rd to 31st.

Emirates celebrates ‘Year of Zayed’ in-flight and in the air

Emirates will be sharing the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to a global audience in 2018.

UTE helps to boost Golf Tourism

United Tractor and Equipment (UTE), the local distributor for the world-renowned Caterpillar brand of equipment hosted the annual Caterpillar Far East Dealers Association Conference (CFEDA) for 50 overseas delegates from Caterpillar and their South-East Asian dealers, including India and China at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo recently.

Sri Lanka Tourism taps high-end luxury French travellers

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ventured into the world’s most prestigious global travel event International Luxury Travel Mart (ILTM) Travel and Tourism Fair which took place from the from December 4th to 7th 2017 in Cannes, France.

For a vibrant plantation industry in 2018

With the dawn of the New Year, plantations industry and especially the sector managed by the RPCs (Regional Plantations Companies) is going to be a continuous and fitting challenge to the government. The objective of this article is to analyze the current scenario affecting the industry and suggest few proposals (both long and short term) that will be of some use. We have also furnished some key performance indicators to measure 

Eranda Aberathna of Halpé Tea wins top entrepreneur award

Starting a business is always a daunting task for any entrepreneur. For Eranda Aberathna, Managing Director U.H.E. Exports (Pvt) Ltd, success comes from the courage to dream big.

Finlays Newburgh green tea factory wins award for best factory

Newburgh Green Teas (PVT) Ltd   went on to win the award  as  the  Best Green Tea factory in Sri Lanka at   the  National  Tea  Awards  ceremony  organized by the  Sri Lanka  Tea Board  on  8th December 2017 at the Nelum Pokuna  auditorium recently.  

Mel Medura to reduce alcohol misuse before year end

This is the time of year when many people make ‘new year resolutions’ to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Balasooriya Hospital receives Gold at National Business Excellence Awards 2017

Balasooriya Private Hospital Chairman Priyanthalal Balasooriya received the Gold award in ‘healthcare’ related category at the National Business Excellence Awards 2017 organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Wayamba Vijayabhimani Entrepreneur Excellence Award bestowed on Kurunegala Co-operative Hospital

Kurunegala Co-operative Hospital (Kurunegala Co-operative Aarogya Association (Pvt.) Ltd) was extolled of its potential by the award for the best service provider in the field of services and tourism at Wayamba Vijayabhimani Excellence Awards.

MyDoctor.lk stresses the importance of wellness for this season

Perfect health is the core to human happiness and well-being and it’s the most precious gift in this world. Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is absolutely crucial to live a higher quality life. Wellness matters.

Sunshine Holdings ups stake in Estate Management Services as Tata exits

Sunshine Holdings PLC said yesterday it bought over 6.7 million shares of Estate Management Services Limited (EMS) from Tata Global Beverages Limited for Rs.1.6 billion.

Stocks gain for fifth session in muted trading

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares inched higher yesterday in their fifth straight gaining session to a fresh three-week closing high as the Central Bank held key policy rates steady, with trading muted by the holidays after Christmas.