NDB 3Q profit up on healthy growth in loans, margins

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) reported an after-tax profit of Rs.1.03 billion or Rs.6.13 a share for the July-September quarter (3Q17), which is an increase of 17.2 percent from the same period last year, the interim financial accounts showed.  

Rupee edges down for 3rd straight session

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended slightly weaker for a third straight session yesterday on importer dollar buying, with the market expecting further depreciation in the currency on anticipated higher imports this month, dealers said.

Lower room inventory hurts JKH’s resort operations here and Maldives

John Keells Hotels PLC, which operates the John Keells group’s non-city resort hotels in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, saw its net profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 (2Q18) falling 71 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.100.6 million, amid a top line slowdown due to lower room inventory. 

Seylan Pahasara 134th library gains ground

Seylan Pahasara 134th Library successfully developed and handed over to the students of Jinaraja Girls College of Gampola.

SriLankan Airlines rewards passenger survey winner

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier and Oneworld member airline, held its monthly draw to select the lucky winner from those who provided feedback by taking part in the international  passenger survey.

FALIA holds alumni event in Sri Lanka

The Foundation for the Advancement of Life & Insurance Around the world (FALIA) Japan, recently hosted the alumni get together in Sri Lanka, at which the title of ‘Grandmaster’ was conferred on Ceylinco Life’s Managing Director R. Renganathan.

TBWA Sri Lanka ranked No.1 Creative Agency by Campaign Brief Asia

One of the premier creative power houses in the country, TBWA Sri Lanka has been ranked the number one Creative Agency in Sri Lanka by Campaign Brief Asia.

Kapruka.com and Grasshoppers to open export market for Lankan producers via Amazon

Doors are being opened for Sri Lankan producers to export to ‘Fulfillment by Amazon’ (FBA) centres in mature online markets such as the USA and UK.

Shraddha TV spearheads rebuilding of landslide affected school in Matara

Shraddha Media Network in partnership with the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society Malaysia, Theravada Buddhist Council Malaysia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Disaster Management and Dialog Axiata PLC commenced the construction of a new building for landslide-affected Kalubovitiyana Maha Vidyalaya in the district of Matara.

TEA Rohan responds to Tea Board Rohan

Mirror Business received the following letter from former Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) Chairman Rohan Fernando in response to the article titled ‘If government needs a backbone, TEA needs a brain’, authored by Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Rohan Pethiyagoda that appeared yesterday. 

Shangri-La Colombo partners with Trail to drive a fundraiser

Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel, resort and residential group Shangri-La joined in as a partner with Trail Sri Lanka last month to drive a fundraiser in USA, urging the Sri Lankan expats to contribute towards this year’s Trail initiative of building a cancer unit at Karapitiya Hospital.

NDB Wealth offers best returns for your family

Sometimes the smallest decisions can be the most rewarding ones. Such is the case with the NDB Wealth Family Share Builder account, an ideal alternative to fixed deposits with just a little more risk. 

Sampath Bank relocates Puttalam branch

Sampath Bank’s Puttalam branch, previously located at No. 114/A, Kurunegala Road, Puttalam is now relocated at No. 85/1, Kurunegala Road, Puttalam. 

JIT CSR practices recognized at Asia Pacific HRM Congress

Just In Time Group (JIT), a leading ICT Systems and Solutions company received the award for ‘Best CSR Practices’ in the ICT sector at the Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards 2017 held in Bangalore, India recently.

Building a vibrant export-oriented vision for SL’s poultry industry

The rising popularity of chicken meat as a daily staple in most Sri Lankan diets has been well underway over recent decades with the country projected to consume as much as 189,690 metric tonnes (MT) of chicken, projecting an annual growth rate of 3 percent by end-2017. 

HNB General Takaful wins Gold at Islamic Finance Forum

HNB General Insurance Takaful, the Islamic Insurance unit of HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA), received the Gold Award for ‘Takaful Window/Unit of the Year’ at the recently held Islamic Finance Forum of South Asia. 

Multilac spearheads ‘Lead Poisoning Prevention Week’ Campaign

Multilac, one of the leading paint brands in the country spearheaded a campaign called ‘Lead Poisoning Prevention Week’ recently to create awareness among public on the harmful aspects of lead exposure especially to the children.

Take the plunge, there’s never a perfect time: Reddy

Anjana Reddy named as one of the top 30 e-commerce and retail entrepreneurs in the Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for Asia 2017 is founder of Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd (USPL), which owns the brands Collectabillia, Imara and Wrogn. She is a go-getter who works 18-hours a day, loves cars, cares for eight dogs and builds Lego sets to ease her mind after a hard day’s work. If one meets this 28-year-old on the street they would not be able to

Assetline Leasing opens branch in Kiribathgoda

Assetline Leasing Company Limited opened its new branch in Kiribathgoda, expanding the company’s island-wide presence to 49 branches and further strengthening its network in the Gampaha district. Situated in Makola Road, Kiribathgoda, the new branch is equipped with all facilities.

Sammana account holders can obtain pension on any day they wish: Pan Asia Bank DGM

Pan Asia Sammana Account was specially introduced for all pensioners who have given their best years for the country and are now enjoying life in retirement. As a result of the increasing popularity of this product, the bank recently decided to add several new value-added features to same.  To uncover more about Pan Asia Sammana account, the following question and answer session was conducted with Nalaka Wijayawardana Deputy General Manager-

Cyber security, trusted Cloud, data sovereignty and blockchain for financial services industry

The Association of Banking Sector Risk Professionals of Sri Lanka together with the Association of Compliance Officers of Banks organized a Forum on Cyber Security and Trusted Cloud, Data Sovereignty and Blockchain recently.

Crysbro Sisudiriya provides school equipment to Puttalam charity foundation

Under the theme ‘Buddimath Hethak Wenuwen Shishaadara’ the charity foundation in Puttalam has commence a programme to distribute exercise books and school equipment sans any race or caste difference to over 300 children selected from poor families of all religions and races in the Puttalam area.

Scarcity of trained labour a huge challenge: Access Engineering MD

This is the 13th of the Mirror Business-Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) interview series, featuring top executives of the S&P SL20 companies. Here, Access Engineering PLC Managing Director Christopher Joshua talks about Access Group’s performance, future plans and industry growth prospects.

Integrated risk management key to success of SL’s new growth model: WB

To sustain growth, job creation and poverty reduction, Sri Lanka needs to move to a more private investment, tradable sector-led growth model, says the latest Sri Lanka Development Update, the World Bank’s half-yearly flagship report on the country’s economy, future outlook and policy priorities.  It recognizes Vision 2025 as a road map that outlines such a shift.

Capitol 7: A Financially Savvy Investment

Already occupied by satisfied owners, the on time delivery of Capitol 7 once again entrenches the credentials of Capitol Developers as the foremost real estate development company in the country

Experience Smart Home Solutions at Mobitel X Station

Sri Lanka’s National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel, further entrenches its credentials as the ICT leader in Sri Lanka, by expanding its product portfolio to offer smart home solutions to customers

Sri Lanka needs specialist skills to grow faster and employ more people

Finance State Minister Eran Wickramaratne’s comments that the government will cut red tape in issuing visas to fill critical skill gaps is a welcome development as it will help Sri Lankan businesses grow faster, win bigger contracts and employ more people.

How to turn blockchain fintech hype into reality

I was wrong to think that financial technology (fintech) would automatically reduce financing gaps. Blockchain, as well as other applications for fintech, has the potential to solve lots of problems.

A lifeline for female-centric MSMEs in Sri Lanka

Indrani is a 41-year-old cinnamon oil producer living in Meetiyagoda, Ambalangoda in the Galle District, which is well-known for cinnamon production. She is a single mother and entrepreneur, owning a cinnamon oil distillery unit. Prior to this, she had worked as a day worker at the distillery unit but found balancing work and family challenging. 

If government needs a backbone, TEA needs a brain

I was astonished to read claims attributed to Rohan Fernando and Jayantha Karunaratne, the past and present Chairmen, respectively, of the Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA), in ‘Mirror Business’ of October 23.