Moody’s says outlook for global sovereigns stable

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) said that its outlook for sovereign creditworthiness in 2018 is stable overall, with the healthy growth and synchronized global economic expansion of 2017 likely to continue into 2018.

Insurance regulator renamed as Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka

The name of the insurance sector regulator, the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka, has been changed to the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, with effect from October 19, 2017, consequent to an Amendment to the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act, No. 43 of 2000 by Act No. 23 of 2017. 

Govt. should put aside short-term calculations

On the 8th of January 2015, the shock electoral defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa by his former ally, Maithripala Sirisena, rescued Sri Lanka from a slide into increasingly nationalist authoritarianism. 

Dipped 2Q boosted by plantation segment performance; gloves still in red

Dipped Products PLC’s (DIPD) September quarter was supported by its plantation sector performance— mainly the higher tea prices— and for a lesser degree by the glove manufacturing business. 

Dialog Axiata 3Q net profit up 31% to Rs.3.21bn

One of the country’s leading telecom operators, Dialog Axiata PLC, experienced a positive third quarter from July-September (3Q17) compared to the same period last year amidst increased revenue and the decline of indirect taxes on data services.

CB downplays domino effect in housing market from any trouble in luxury segment

The Central Bank this week said that even if one company in the luxury property market collapses, it would not have a knock-on, domino effect on the rest of the market and downplayed the possibility of an asset bubble in the property sector emanating from the luxury segment.

Trade First attends Leister World Sales Conference

Global market leader in plastic welding and industrial hot air applications, Leister Technologies AG held its global sales conference recently in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Amãna Bank’s 3Q17 profit before tax triples

Having recently doubled its capital to over Rs.10 billion, Amãna Bank reinforced the confidence of its shareholders by tripling its 3Q17 profit before tax (PBT) to reach Rs.186.1 million as against Rs.62.9 million of 3Q16.

Embark brings ‘passion’ to Kurunegala

Embark,the popular brand with a cause, opened its 11th standalone store in the city of Kurunegala on 29 October. Keeping true to its vision of improving the lives of street dogs in Sri Lanka,

The Galle Face Hotel Promotes Clean Eating with Vegan Week 2017

Over 150 years of history and heritage later, the Galle Face Hotel continues to lead culinary trends in Sri Lanka. With a focus on promoting clean eating, the iconic hotel 

International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring recognizes Deepal Sooriyaarachchi as a

Well-known business professional, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi has recently been conferred the title of ‘Accredited Master Coach & Mentor’ (AMC/M) by the International Authority for Professional

EDB organizes Sri Lanka pavilion at ASEAN Expo in China

The Export Development Board (EDB) organized Sri Lanka’s participation at the 14th China – ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, China from 12th -15th September  in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate in Guangzhou.

Dr.Hiran Hettiarachchi invited to speak at Asia Real Estate Summit in Singapore

Blue Mountain Group Chairman Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi will represent Sri Lanka’s property sector at the prestigious ‘PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit’ today at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. 

Re-mastered Herman MillerAeron 2.0 unveiled

The re-mastered version of the most famous and best-selling office chair in the world, Herman MillerAeron 2.0 was unveiled in Colombo recently.

Hatch transforming Sri Lanka’s collaborative workspace

Sri Lankan start-up incubation and acceleration platform, Hatch, announced plans for the launch of the island’s single largest co-working office space designed exclusively for start-ups to collaborate, create and grow.

EFC to add muscle for building consensus on sustainable enterprises

First coined in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WECD) or the ‘Bruntland Commission’, the term ‘sustainable development’ was defined in its report as: ‘Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own ends’. 

‘HelloMom’ to combat maternal and infant mortality

Three young undergraduates of the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed ‘HelloMom’, a SMS platform that seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality by empowering pregnant women and mothers (with infants under the age of one-year) with invaluable knowledge and information.

Ruhunu Hospitals opens nursing college in Karapitiya

Ruhunu Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd, one of the leading private hospitals in the Southern Province opened a new nursing training school in Karapitiya recently with the aim of providing nursing students a platform and a clear path in providing the basic knowledge and training to strive for a professional nursing career.

Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce hosts special workshop on diabetes for women

Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with Healthy Life Clinic will conduct an awareness programme on diabetes and healthy lifestyles in conjunction with the World Diabetes Day keeping to the theme ‘Women and Diabetes’.

SLCPI partners NMRA to improve effectiveness and efficiency in pharmaceutical industry

Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) together with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), held a forum to discuss and agree on several key areas that will improve effectiveness and efficiency in the pharmaceutical industry towards a healthcare roadmap for Sri Lanka.

One-stop preventive health screenings at Durdans Executive Wellness Centre

The Executive Wellness Centre at Durdans Hospital is a dedicated one-stop facility providing comprehensive multi-phase health screening services, preventive care and lifestyle management essential for the early detection and management of diseases.

Hemas Hospital Wattala introduces one-stop breast cancer prevention and treatment centre

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Sri Lanka and the world over, and if detected at the early stages the type of cancer that can be nipped in the bud with proper treatment and care.

MyDoctor.lk organizes symposium to empower early detection of breast cancer

In the early stages of breast cancer, symptoms are minimal, therefore disease might progress even without notice. Annually, more than 2500 women in Sri Lanka are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s a timely requirement to make increase the awareness about breast cancer, and thereby to reduce the number of deaths caused by it.

MBSL introduces ‘Double Wheel Leasing’ one-day facility

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) has introduced a one-day leasing facility for unregistered motorcycles and scooters from reputed brand names. 

HNB Grameen Finance signs MoU with Ideal Motors

HNB Grameen Finance Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently with Ideal Motors (Private) Ltd to offer attractive leasing options for Mahindra vehicles.  

ComBank makes leasing more affordable with ‘Hybrid Leases’

A new leasing product that makes leasing a higher value vehicle more affordable at commencement has been launched by Commercial Bank of Ceylon especially for upwardly mobile company executives and professionals.

Imperative and rationale for ESCR in Sri Lanka: An analytical briefing

Historically, Sri Lanka’s poverty alleviation programmes such as Janasaviya and Samurdhi are notorious for not covering the real poor and the needy; instead, the poverty alleviation programmes have been mostly handouts for the supporters of the ruling political parties at different time periods. (See Centre for Public Impact, 2017; Glinskaya, 2003) The poverty alleviation programmes are yet 

Sujeewa appointed as UNESCAP Trade and Investment Committee VP

At the fifth Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Week that was held recently in Bangkok, where the deliberations of the Committee on Trade and Investment were held, International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe was unanimously appointed as Vice Chairman of the Fifth Session of the Committee. 

Ceylon Chamber to hold post-budget seminar

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will hold a customary post-budget seminar on November 16, 2017, at its auditorium.

Malik to speak at Global Investment Forum

Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities will receive global spotlight with Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama speaking at the ‘Global Investment Forum’ of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) taking place next week.