Colombo AI Meetup deciphers fact from fiction

The Colombo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Meetup, organised by the Sri Lanka Association for Artificial Intelligence (SLAAI) and hosted at Virtusa, is a quarterly forum where industry professionals discuss the latest findings in AI, related technologies andnetwork. 

Microsoft holds second Southeast Asia New Markets Partner Summit in Bangkok

Microsoft held its second annual Southeast Asia New Markets Partner Summit in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month, bringing together 138 attendees from nine markets, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as partner leaders from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Seedstars coming back to Colombo

Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes is coming back to Sri Lanka. 

Botanicoir steers Sri Lanka’s coconut substrate industry through innovation

Taking significant strides in promoting value added Sri Lankan export products, Botanicoir, a premier Sri Lankan coco-peat manufacturer and supplier of high-quality and innovative coir products to the UK and global market.

Eastern Brokers Limited sets all time record for Kirklees Estate

At the Colombo Tea Auction held on 20th September, Kirklees Estate achieved yet another all time record Price of Rs.730 per kg for a Dust No.1 Grade in the Uda Pussellawa category.

Sadaharitha Plantations’ thriving export business relocates to Maharagama

Sadaharitha Plantations re-located its thriving export business, Sadaharitha Agri Farms and Exporters (Pvt.) Ltd (SAFE) to a more convenient location in Maharagama recently, demonstrating that diversifying has strengthened the business and brings much needed foreign exchange into the country.

Plantation Industries Ministry to launch US$100 million loan scheme

Addressing the 27th AGM of the Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association (SLTFOA), the Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake announced that the ministry is expecting to launch the loan scheme worth of US$100 million from Japan including Japanese government in December or early January next year.

Emirates SkyCargo helps Sri Lankan seafood exports to Europe

Sri Lanka’s edible fish exporters are experiencing a boom following the resumption of shipments to Europe, and Emirates SkyCargo is playing a key role in helping them capitalise on this resurgence. The freight division of the award-winning airline reports that it is currently transporting about 100 tons of edible fish a week from Colombo to markets in Europe and the USA, a noteworthy increase over export volumes that were prevailing before

Jet Airways announces thrilling holiday options with JetEscapes

Jet Airways, India’s full service, premier international airline, has unveiled a host of exciting domestic and international holidays for guests planning their winter getaway.

Qatar Airways chief sets plans to expand fleet

REUTERS: Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said the carrier plans to expand its fleet, stepping up orders for Boeing Co aircraft and accepting four Airbus aircraft that it had cancelled in July because of delays due to supplier problems.

KLM to increase Colombo-Amsterdam frequency

Due to popular demand, KLM will increase the frequency of its flights between Colombo and Amsterdam to three times a week in late October.

Measuring Sri Lanka’s sustainable tourism: Missing piece of the puzzle

Sustainable tourism represents numerous avenues for development in any destination and will be achieved only when its social and environmental benefits are realized, in addition to its economic benefits. This is applicable to any form of tourism, ranging from mass tourism to small-scale tourism. The Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 identifies the core strategies to foster sustainable tourism. 

Using PPPs for next-generation urban infrastructure

In Asia, dealing with urbanization is an especially acute challenge. Urban infrastructure systems are bursting at the seams, struggling to meet the needs of growing population.

Business needs to rise together not rise above

Following is the speech delivered by the newly-elected International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICC Sri Lanka) Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody at the 51st annual general meeting of the chamber.

Pan Asia partners with Small World for instant cross-border money transfers

Pan Asia Banking Corporation (PABC) has partnered with the leading money transfer service provider Small World Financial Services to enable instant cross-border money transfers to bank accounts in Sri Lanka. 

NTB COO speaks about digital future of banking

In embracing digital banking, Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) strongly believes that change is needed within the organisation and the financial services sector as a whole for it to survive and thrive in the future.

Seylan Cards ‘Travel the Island’ offers exclusive privileges

Reiterating its value as the card for travel and leisure, Seylan Cards ‘Travel the island’ is now offering big savings, convenient payment plans and exclusive privileges for its cardholders to explore Sri Lanka’s most exotic destinations. 

PCIASL-VISA Risk Symposium 2017

PCIASL-VISA Risk Symposium 2017, organised by the Payment Card Industry Association of  Sri Lanka (PCIASL) and Visa International, was held at Union Ballroom, Hilton Colombo Residences recently.

Gifts galore with new NDB children’s savings account

NDB’s new children’s savings account provides great incentives for children to accumulate savings by rewarding them at progressive milestones with exciting gifts. While this contributes to building a savings habit amongst the children, it also provides the parents a great tool to help build a children’s savings fund for their children that would be available when their child is 18 years old. 

Construction industry pushes for personalized EPF/ETF accounts

An apex professional and trade chamber in the construction industry is pushing for reforms in the manner contributions are made to retirement accounts at the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) in order to minimize companies defaulting on such payments.

Singapore’s Somap to buy controlling stake of Anilana Hotels for Rs.667mn

Singapore-based Somap International Private Limited will invest Rs.667.5 million in Anilana Hotels & Properties PLC in return for a 51 percent stake in the debt-ridden company subject to regulatory and stock exchange approvals, the company said in a stock exchange filing. 

Asiri Surgical divests 50% stake of cancer treatment centre for Rs.212.5mn

Asiri Hospital PLC, a unit of Asiri Hospitals group, yesterday said it divested 50 percent of shares of Asiri AOI Cancer Centre Private Limited to Cancer Treatment Services Hyderabad Private Limited for a total consideration of Rs.212.5 million.

Poultry output to fall this year due to supply side constraints

The growth of poultry production in Sri Lanka is expected to fall down to 3 percent in 2017 due to limitations in importing the required inputs to expand the industry to cater to the fast growing poultry demand in the country.

European tourists boost August arrivals for Maldives

The Maldives attracted 121,310 tourists this August, up 8 percent compared to the same month last year, with the demand being driven mainly by European travellers, according to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism.

Govt. begins drafting separate legal framework for Financial City

Amid the controversy surrounding the draft new constitution, the government behind closed doors is drafting a new legal framework to administer the China-backed Colombo International Financial City (CIFC), the 500-acre Colombo sea front reclaimed for a special economic zone, Mirror Business learns. 

Ex-EFC chief says keys to corporate governance are fair and equitable practices coupled with quality

Corporate governance within an organisation constitutes of two elements – one in relation to value chains and having a positive view on issues of sustainability and the other in relation to internal constituents, the employees. 

Sampath Bank partners with Colombo International Book Fair

Continuing to help nurture the habit of reading, Sampath Bank joined hands with the Colombo International Book Fair as the event’s official banking partner for the 13th consecutive year.

Innovative products to demo at ABAF 2017 ‘Start-up Corner’

Sri Lanka’s first Asian Business Angel Forum (ABAF), to be held next week, features a ‘Start-up Corner’ where innovative Asian region and local, start-up ventures will showcase new offerings for conference delegates as well as the public. 

Sri Lanka to hold its own PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards domestic galain 2018

PropertyGuru, Asia’s foremost online property company, has announced that the inaugural PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Sri Lanka) domestic gala dinner will take place at the Shangri-La

DFCC Bank felicitates inaugural batch from the ‘SamataEnglish’ programme

Pursuing its commitment to uplifting the standards of education in the country, DFCC Bank counts Education as a key pillar in its corporate social responsibility initiatives. In fact, DFCC Bank has