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.

Three prestigious wins for team CDB at NASCO Awards

The NASCO Awards held annually to recognise and reward sales leadership organised by the apex national marketing body in the country, the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing saw its timely theme of ‘Prepare to take charge’ fittingly crown members of one of the country’s most dedicated, committed and proven  sales teams.

Airtel bags Silver at SLITAD People Development Awards

Airtel Lanka walked away with a Silver award at the People Development Awards 2017 organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development (SLITAD). The award recognises public and private sector organisations from Sri Lanka’s corporate world that excel in the field of training and best practices across human resource development (HRD).

Waves flip-flops make waves at SLIM Brand Excellence

Waves, Sri Lanka’s only natural flip-flops, won the Merit award for ‘The Innovative Brand of the Year’, for its novel concept ‘Make your own Waves’, at the recently concluded 16th SLIM Brand Excellence Awards.

GroupM becomes top award-winning media agency of 2017

GroupM Sri Lanka became the country’s most awarded media agency in 2017, successfully adding another two medals to its collection at the Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards in Mumbai on December 5th 2017.

Oppo launches ‘F5 Youth’ in Sri Lanka

Oppo, the selfie expert and leader, recently unveiled the Oppo F5 Youth especially targeted towards the next generation, the youth.

IIT wins multiple awards at prominent ICT competitions

The pioneer in providing British higher education in Sri Lanka, the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) once again bagged multiple accolades for innovation at prominent ICT competitions which were held recently.

Mitra Innovation to expand recruitment in 2018

Digital transformation and product innovation are driving the global tech economy to great levels of success.

Huawei conducts ‘Tech Service Days’ in Sri Lanka

Huawei, the number one growing smartphone brand in Sri Lanka conducted exclusive ‘Tech Service Days’ across the island spanning a three month period. The Tech Service Days were offered exclusively for Huawei customers who had the opportunity to visit the nearest centres for all their smartphone servicing needs.

Sampath Bank introduces Slip-less transactions

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank, the pioneer in innovative banking solutions, recently launched Slip-less transactions to provide its customers with even greater convenience by ridding them of cumbersome form filling.