Mirror Business takes a break

There will be no Mirror Business on December 25th and 26th due to Christmas holidays. The next Mirror Business issue will be on the 27th.

Asia markets enjoy pre-Christmas cheer, euro avoids sell-off

AFP:  Most Asian markets yesterday saw in the Christmas break on a positive note, picking up the baton from Wall Street while the euro stood firm against a sell-off despite a victory for Catalan separatists in a snap poll.  

Idea Group CEO receives 2 Golds at Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2017

Idea Group Limited CEO/Managing Director Sampath Mayakaduwa was conferred with two Gold awards at the 22nd edition of the Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 awards ceremony held at the BMICH, organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) with the gracious presence of President Maithripala Sirisena as the chief guest. 

Rupee ends firmer on remittances, dollar conversions

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed firmer yesterday, as exporter dollar sales and inward remittances surpassed demand for the U.S. currency by importers, dealers said. 

German consumers to start New Year in high spirits

AFP: German consumers’ festive mood will continue into the New Year, a closely-watched survey said yesterday, as shoppers remain unfazed by a political impasse in Europe’s purring top economy.

WTO’s role crucial for Sri Lanka: Rishad

The role of rules based multilateral trading system led by WTO has become more crucial in paving a level playing field for its members, in particular for small economies such as Sri Lanka, said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in his message to the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference held from 10th to 13th December in Buenos 

Stocks end flat near 8-month low; turnover hits 1- year low

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended flat yesterday for a second straight session, while trading was muted with turnover hitting its lowest level in a year ahead of Christmas holidays.

Sunshine’s Zesta Tea sponsors CCC’s ‘Pre & Post Budget Insights’ video series

Diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings stepped forward as one of the main sponsors of ‘Pre and Post Budget Insights’ video series, developed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). 

SLT launches 2018 calendar under ‘Connected Lifestyle of Sri Lanka’ theme

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the country’s leading telecommunication provider, proudly announced the much-awaited launch of its calendar for the upcoming year. Continuing its reputation as one of the most coveted corporate collectables in Sri Lanka, SLT launched its 2018 calendar under the theme ‘Connected Lifestyle of Sri Lanka’.

Cash-strapped Greece sells stake in Thessaloniki port

AFP: The Greek government said this week that it had signed a deal to sell a majority stake in the port at Thessaloniki, part of the asset sales it agreed to as part of a huge international bailout.

ComBank of Maldives opens second branch in Hulhumalé

The Commercial Bank of Maldives (CBM), a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, recently opened its second branch in the Maldives, a little over a year since it commenced operations in the archipelago. The new branch is located in Hulhumalé, the reclaimed island that is connected by road to the airport island of Hulhulé, which is part of the North Malé atoll.

Chinese Dragon Cafe marks 75 years

Chinese Dragon Cafe (Pvt.) Ltd, the pioneering restaurant chain in Sri Lanka’s Chinese restaurant sphere engaged in a noble CSR initiative with religious activities to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

SLTDA profiles Colombo street artists

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority launched a booklet profiling the artists who showcase their paintings at Green Path, Colombo 07. Here, Tourism Development Authority Director General Malraj B. Kiriella presenting a copy of the booklet President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of an event organised by the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry this week 

Lotus Tyres rewards high-flying sales agents with holiday tour

Samson Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd, the manufacturer and distributor of Lotus Tyres, has seen its sublime imprint of trust amongst Sri Lankans for many decades and it honoured its sales agents and their family members with a domestic holiday recently.

DFCC Bank’s tree-planting efforts get special recognition

DFCC Bank embarked on far-reaching tree planting sustainability measures during the current year which have been commended by Reforest Sri Lanka, with whom the bank collaborated to plant endemic and native species of trees.

Drizzling Foundation conducts ‘Adhyapanayata Athwalak’ in Thalduwa

Drizzling Foundation hosted an event under the theme ‘Adhyapanayata Athwalak’ recently in Thalduwa, Avissawella.

UN to vote on new N. Korea sanctions targeting oil

AFP: The UN Security Council will vote on a US-drafted resolution ramping up sanctions on North Korea by restricting oil supplies vital for Pyongyang’s missile and  nuclear programmes.

Keys of Sri Lanka’s first oceanfront condos handed over to owners

Oceanfront Condos, Sri Lanka’s very first beach-front, serviced, luxury, leisure apartments located in Nilaveli,

Virtusa Celebrates Team Loyalty at Long Service Awards 2017

Virtusa celebrated the loyalty and commitment of its long-standing team members at a special awards 

N*Able hosts HRTalk on value creation and sustainability

One of Sri Lanka’s most prominent technology services companies – N*Able – hosted the recently held HRTalk, organised by SLASSCOM, with CEO Peter D’Almeida addressing the audience. 

John Keells IT wins Merit at APICTA 2017 in Dhaka

Evinta Departure Control System (Evinta DCS), a product by John Keells IT, won the merit award at the recently concluded Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards, held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

H-Connect gains recognition at Regional SSON Awards 2017

H-Connect was the proud recipient of the Bronze award at the Shared Service and Outsourcing Network (SSON) Regional Excellence Awards 2017, which recognizes and rewards annual achievements of the highest level for shared services operations around the globe. 

Daraz records SL’s first Rs.200mn online sale with Black Friday

In what is a first for e-commerce, Daraz scored Sri Lanka’s first Rs.200 million sale in revenue, securing 10 times more orders compared to a normal day, powered by three times more traffic on the e-commerce portal.

Huawei and Sunrise showcase fastest 5G connection in Switzerland

Huawei and Sunrise have jointly showcased the large scope of 5G use cases on a 5G E2E Network.

edotco unveils ‘Smart Lamp Pole’ initiative

edotco Group Sdn Bhd (edotco), a global leader in integrated telecommunications infrastructure services, recently reinforced its commitment to Sri Lanka in the presence of Malaysia International Trade and Industry Ministry Deputy Secretary General Yang Berbahagia Datuk IshamIshak and Sri Lanka Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Ministry Secretary Wasantha Deshapriya, at a ceremony to inaugurate the first Smart Lamp Pole solution on Mari

Southernn Star Home Improvements provides stylish dengue protection alternative

Southernn Star Home Improvements based on Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, has introduced revolutionary mosquito screening systems which can be installed and used in the comfort of one’s home, repelling all potential outlets for the dengue menace to penetrate.

Serenia to launch private beachfront residences and 5-star boutique hotel

Serenia Ltd, with a vision of being an ultra-premium beachfront resort living, mixed development company has partnered a-designstudio to bring its distinctive design elements to the iconic 47-apartment beachfront residential development and 10-roomed five-star boutique hotel - Serenia Residences Talpe Galle, with sales due to commence shortly.

Alumex as strategic partner to Architect 2018 for 9th consecutive year

Helping to build a sustainable future that is based on values of creativity and innovation, Sri Lanka’s foremost Aluminum Extrusion Manufacturer, Alumex PLC, announced its continuing role as strategic partner to the country’s largest construction and architecture exhibition, Architect 2018 for the ninth consecutive year.

Oceanfront Condos hand over keys to owners

Oceanfront Condos, Sri Lanka’s very first beach-front, serviced, luxury, leisure apartments located in Nilaveli, officially handed over the keys to its owners recently. The project concluded its phase one successfully with the second phase now underway to be ready for occupancy and renting by March 2018.

Vision for new era for China and world: Analysis of outcome of CPC Congress

The 19th CPC Congress, which expounded the theme of socialism with Chinese characteristics, declared that its foundation is based on Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory as well as Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.