Harry J withdraws plans to appoint Dinesh to HNB board

Business tycoon Harry Jayawardena appears to have taken a step back in his plans to appoint former Commercial Bank Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody to the board of the country’s second largest private lender, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB).

Lankem to raise Rs.150mn rights issue

Diversified Lankem Developments PLC has resolved to raise Rs.150 million by way of a rights issue subject to shareholder approval.

Poorest province most active in e-commerce says online store co-founder

Sri Lanka’s poorest province is the home to some of the country’s most active e-commerce users, one of Sri Lanka’s digital business founders said this week.

BRAC Lanka Finance in Rs.1.3bn cash call to fund micro-lending

BRAC Lanka Finance PLC, a LOLC group company specialised in microfinance, last week announced a rights issue in the proportion of 5 new shares for every 4 held at an issue price of Rs.10 a share to raise Rs.1.32 billion in equity capital, a stock exchange filing said. 

Sri Lanka February tea output falls 19.7%

REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s tea output fell 19.7 percent in February compared to a year earlier due to drought during the past six months and the lack of fertiliser use, the state-run Tea Board said. Production in the first two months of the year also dropped 17.1 percent compared to the same period last year. 

Significant Real Estate Opportunities in Tier II Cities

Since the civil war ended over seven years ago, Sri Lanka has rapidly become a hotspot for investment among emerging markets. The booming property market in the island has become popular 

Oman Air Launches New Route to Nairobi

Oman Air, the national carrier of the sultanate of Oman, is delighted to announce the launch of its new four times weekly flight from Muscat to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, starting

Dominar dominates at ‘Auto Vision Motor Show 2017’

The star of the Auto Vision Motor Show 2017 which is currently been held at the BMICH was certainly the much awaited ‘Dominar 400’. Engineered to dominate it is a modern masterpiece

FinMin tells foreign investors to exploit Lanka’s opportunities

Sri Lanka has ideal investment opportunities to secure diverse business options as the country has been achieving economic prosperity through accelerating growth with social inclusion, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake told an investors meeting in Hong Kong. 

Mobitel and Telecom Ministry connect with Ericsson for strategic ICT partnership

Ericssonin collaboration with Mobitel and the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructurehas formally signed the 5G Island of Innovation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 10th March, representing a landmark strategic ICT partnership that aims to bring 5G Internet of Things (IoT) innovation and entrepreneurship to Sri Lanka for the first time in South Asia. 

Surge in exports

A general view of Tanjong Pagar container terminal is seen in Singapore on March 17.

NEDA gears for island-wide youth entrepreneur drive

Sri Lanka’s apex State operated entrepreneurship developer, the National Enterprise Development Agency (NEDA), is now on a major youth entrepreneur drive-and the latest node in Sri Lanka’s grassroots market linkage network to start operations will be serving the small time young farmers and fisher-folk in Northern Province’s Mannar district.

World Bank indirectly backs harmful SE Asian projects: report

AFP: World Bank investments in commercial financial institutions are indirectly allowing land-grabs, evictions and pollution in Southeast Asia, a watchdog group charged in a report yesterday.

Oil prices dip as doubts remain over OPEC supply cuts

REUTERS: Oil prices dipped yesterday as the market looked for clues on how effectively OPEC production cuts are working to absorb a global supply overhang.

Seylan Seylfie empowers ‘Youth with Talent’ programme

Sri Lanka’s youth are immensely talented and a preview of their wondrous talent was glimpsed at the ‘ITN Youth with Talent’ grand finale, which held the audience enthralled. As the official banking partner of the show, Seylan Bank awarded cash prizes to the winners and all finalists of ‘ITN Youth with Talent’ in recognition of their capabilities and to encourage the unique skills and talents of young Sri Lankans.

Dhammika Kalapuge continues to chant ‘Service Mantras’

Dhammika Kalapuge’s most popular inspirational and educational programme ‘Service Mantras’ will be repeated for the seventh time on March 30, 2017, at The Kingsbury, Colombo. 

Annual pirith ceremony at AMW

The traditional pirith ceremony held every year at AMW took place recently at the Suzuki showroom located in Borella.

Rupee weaker on dollar demand from foreign bank

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee edged down yesterday on dollar demand from a foreign bank, but a state bank sold dollars, capping losses in the local currency, dealers said.

NTB holds Nations Trust Bank Amex Golf Extravaganza 2017

The seventh Annual Nations Trust Bank American Express Golf Extravaganza 2017 teed off at the Royal Colombo Golf Club recently.

Upcot’s Strathspey Estate celebrates 150 years of Ceylon tea

Strathspey Estate, situated in Upcot, managed by Maskeliya Plantations PLC, which is owned by Richard Pieris Group of Companies, performed very many religious activities to bestow merit to James Taylor, the father of the Ceylon tea industry, and those who were involved in this industry in the past and to invoke blessings for those currently employed.

Fairway Colombo Street Food Festival kicks off today

Organised and sponsored by Fairway Colombo, the Colombo Street Food Festival will set new standards for food festivals in the region with its ultimate brand of entertainment mixed with ambiance and venue.  

Hameedia in ethical fashion at Colombo Fashion Week

Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist, is participating in the 14th edition CFW Showcase, which commenced on March 15, 2017 and concludes today, at The Hilton Colombo. 

Malik meets Vietnamese envoy

The Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Phan Kieu Thu paid a courtesy call on Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama at the ministry.  

Rich Look Fashion opens massive outlet in Ratnapura

Rich Look, the revolutionary name which brings the latest trends of fashion closer to Sri Lanka, opened its latest mega outlet at No: 90/4, Pothgul Vihara Mawatha, Ratnapura, fulfilling the need for a one-stop fashion mansion in the region. The Ratnapura branch is the fourth such mega outlet in the Rich Look chain and was declared open for business at a grand opening ceremony, which was followed by a glamorous fashion show, entertainment and a fi

Paranthan Chemicals marks World Water Day

The World Water Day is commemorated on March 22 highlighting the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of the water resources.

DFCC extends Vardhana Virtual Wallet to all smartphone users in the country

Encouraged by the fast-paced adoption of the Vardhana Virtual Wallet by customers, DFCC Bank now invites both DFCC and non-DFCC customers who own a smartphone to use the Wallet, enabling 

DFCC Bank releases concise Annual Report

DFCC Bank continued its revolutionary approach to presenting its annual report in a comprehensive yet concise format, in line with global trends. This concise approach to reporting enables the Bank

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week launches ‘Fashion Films’

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week plays host to a week of activities, enriched by the new addition – Fashion Films. This new initiative adds another dimension to the fashion designers’ collection 

Mobitel & Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure partners with Ericsson for the fi

Ericssonin collaboration with Mobitel and the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructurehas formally signed the 5G Island of Innovation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 

Sail Lanka’s sensational new ‘Massage Cruise’ offers a romantic cruise topped with an ayurvedic mass

To celebrate the festive season ahead, Sail Lanka, the pioneer in Sri Lanka yachting and coastal cruises is launching an exciting new package - 'The Massage Cruise' on one of their 53 - foot