Top poultry producer says Sri Lanka’s chicken meat consumption up in 2016

Despite all the noise about the current political stalemate, expected economic slowdown and crisis-stricken agricultural sector, Sri Lankans have increased their daily intake of proteins by way of eating more chicken meat, perhaps to produce more energy to face tougher times ahead. 

CSE banks on whistleblowers to curb market manipulation

Sri Lanka’s stock market, which has lost significant value during the last couple of years, is now on a mission to rebuild investor confidence by clamping down on market manipulation with the help of whistleblowers. 

Installation of container scanners in 2-3 months: FinMin

The installation of an advanced container scanning system, which has attracted controversy, would take place within the next two to three months, Sri Lanka’s finance minister said recently. “We will probably start in the next two to three months maximum,” Ravi Karunanayake said at the 12th Ease of Doing Business Forum, last week.

Sri Lanka protests cripple health services, dent investor sentiment

REUTERS:  An islandwide protest on Friday by Sri Lankan doctors demanding closure of a private medical college crippled the health services, leaving thousands of patients unattended and threatening the investment climate.

Oil rises further above US $ 55 on Libyan field shutdown, Syria

REUTERS: Oil rose further above US $ 55 a barrel yesterday, supported by another shutdown at Libya’s largest oilfield and heightened tension over Syria following the US missile strike.

Industrial activity edges up in February

Sri Lanka’s industrial activity picked up slightly this February compared to a year ago, amidst higher inflation, although production slowed down compared to January 2017, provisional data released by the Census and Statistics Department showed. 

Microsoft hosts second ‘Device Day’ in Sri Lanka featuring top experts

Microsoft recently held its second ‘Device Day’ at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. 

Brandix wins third Gold at National HCM Awards

Brandix won Gold and two special awards for Human Resource Management at the 2015-16 National Human Capital Management (HCM) Awards ceremony at the Cinnamon Grand hotel on  March 31, once again demonstrating the Group’s commitment to its people. 

British School in Colombo embarks on wave of digital transformation

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the British School in Colombo embarks on the wave of digital transformation in partnership with Tech One Global, Microsoft, and Learning Possibilities. 

IPS assists MCC in identifying binding constraints on access to land

To assist Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent U.S. foreign aid agency fighting global poverty, to identify issues faced by investors with regard to access to commercially-viable land, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) recently held a roundtable discussion on land use policy in Sri Lanka, bringing together experts and stakeholders. 

Huawei to offer over Rs.1.5mn worth gift vouchers this Avurudu

Huawei, the number one growing smartphone brand in Sri Lanka, launched its seasonal Avurudu promotion tagged ‘Avurudu Bonus’ providing gift vouchers worth Rs.1.5 million for customers who purchase the Huawei GR5 2017 and P9 Lite between March 24 to April 30, 2017. 

Gulf Air selects Recaro to supply economy class seats for airline’s incoming fleet

Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has appointed German aircraft manufacturer Recaro Aircraft Seating to supply Recaro CL3710 Economy Class aircraft seats for the airline’s 10 new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 29 Airbus 320/321neo aircraft. 

Development Strategies Ministry and EDB conduct symposium on ‘NES’

The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) conducted the first national symposium for Sri Lanka’s National Export Strategy (NES) with more than 150 public and private sector representatives to plan the next export growth cycle of the country. 

Artificial Intelligence gurus share insights at Colombo AI Meetup

The fifth session of the Colombo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Meetup was hosted by the Sri Lanka Association for Artificial Intelligence (SLAAI) at VirtusaPolaris recently.

Dialog Axiata launches ‘Workstreams’ with Ericsson

Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC recently announced the launch of the most simplified cloud-based applications suite via its Cumulus brand, designed to empower small and medium businesses in Sri Lanka. 

Blink International launches watch experience centre

Blink International recently announced the launch of a dedicated multi-brand watch experience and service centre. 

The reflation story is broadening

It has been more than five months since President Trump’s surprise election victory infused new life into the eight-year long US equity bull market. Global markets have behaved as many, including us, anticipated: equities, riskier corporate bonds and industrial commodities rose, while government bonds fell, as business and consumer confidence indicators and corporate earnings improved after years of lacklustre growth and inflation.

Sujeewa Senasinghe to participate in Harvard University Meeting

International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe has been formally invited for the second time to attend a prestigious meeting at the Centre for International Development (CID) at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Oxford Business Group launches Academic Programme in Sri Lanka

The students at the University of Colombo were recently provided with access to the extensive library of economic reports on emerging markets produced by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

Evolution of production networks in Asia Pacific

As production activities became increasingly fragmented and relocated across borders, a number of observers started to use the expression ‘global value chain’ (GVC). The term is often used without knowing what a value chain really is or looks like. What is clear is that the GVCs,

Price checks by FinMin!

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake made surprise visits to several supermarkets in Colombo on April 9 to ascertain whether the standard commodity prices are maintained in the market.

Abans solar systems – Next step towards sustainable future

The world today is awakening to the realization that sources of renewable energy are more beneficial for energy consumption in both domestic and industrial aspects. Solar power is one such type of renewable energy that has gained widespread popularity globally. 

Boosting exports – A solid way to get out of debt crisis

Sri Lanka’s debt has increased from Rs.7.3 trillion to Rs.9.4 trillion in the last two years. With domestic rates moving up from 6 percent to 10.74 percent, on a domestic portfolio of Rs.4277.8 billion, there would be an additional cost of around Rs.202.1 billion and for the new borrowings the total cost would be Rs.113.25 billion. 

Kuwait Airways to operate 10 flights to Colombo weekly with runway opening

Kuwait Airways to operate 10 flights to Colombo weekly with runway opening  Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait announced the increase in frequencies to Colombo with effect from 08th April with the runway renovation completion. 

DIMO continues winning streak with Silver at HCM Awards 2016

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC’s (DIMO) futuristic approach to human capital management was recognized at the recently concluded ‘SHIFT2020’ Sri Lanka HCM Awards 2016. 

Qatar Airways wins ‘Airline of the Year’ at Air Transport Awards

Qatar Airways accepted the ‘Airline of the Year’ award recently at the 2017 Air Transport Awards, as the airline was recognised for its innovation, service, hospitality and leading product design. 

Sale of OPPO F3 Plus kick starts across Sri Lanka

OPPO, an ever-evolving global smartphone brand kick-started the first sale of OPPO F3 Plus across Sri Lanka from April 1st.

Farlin unveils first ‘Farlin Corner’ in Matale

Farlin, one of the world’s most trusted baby care brands, unveiled the country’s first Farlin Corner store featuring the entire line up of Farlin products in Matale recently. 

AIA Sri Lanka recognizes top performers

AIA Sri Lanka’s Annual Sales Convention for the year 2017, was recently held with 1300 wealth planners from across the island convening to celebrate their notable achievements at the BMICH.   Held under the theme ‘Race to the top’, these peak performers were honoured for their indomitable stamina in forging ahead and emerging on top of their game. The celebrated wealth planners were recognized for going beyond their roles a

Fiona Nanayakkara launches Bully & Co self-help book

As a step to provide guidance on how to face harassment in the work place, corporate professional Fiona Nanayakkara launched a self-help book called Bully & Co, recently.