What type of protectionism should we fear?

US President Donald Trump recently signed executive orders to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Both moves suggest his pre-election rhetoric of criticizing the current international trade regime is being translated into concrete action.

BOC-Mastercard team up to enable faster payment innovation

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) announced that it would be strengthening its longstanding partnership with Mastercard, enabling it to tap into Mastercard’s global technology and expertise to bring payment innovation to Sri Lanka faster.

Durdans Center for Orthopaedics sets standards for exemplary care

Total joint replacement or arthroplasty, represents a significant advance in the treatment of painful and disabling joint pathologies.

Lanka Hospitals partners Jaffna International Trade Fair 2017

Lanka Hospitals was the official health care partner of the 8th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) that took place from the 27th to the 29th January at the Municipal Grounds Jaffna. 

NDB Infinite, Signature credit cards offer access to world-class airport lounges

Overseas travel is now better than ever before with an NDB Good Life Signature or Infinite Credit Card. Along with your Infinite and Signature credit card, the bank gives you a complimentary Priority Pass membership card that allows customers to access over 1000 airport lounges at over 400 airports worldwide.  

French pharma giant Sanofi says profits up in 2016

pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi said cost-cutting measures and the strong performance of its rare diseases business drove up profits last year.

CAL to offer Sri Lanka’s first-ever digital account registration in CSE

Sri Lanka’s leading investment banking firm and the preferred partner in financial markets, Capital Alliance (CAL), has created history by becoming the only broker to register an account digitally with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for the first time in Sri Lanka. 

How emerging market investors can negotiate Trump factor

The first few weeks of the new US administration have made one issue quite clear – President Trump is keen to deliver on his campaign promises. One of the cornerstones of his declared policy is to negotiate better trade deals for the US with its neighbours such as Mexico and Canada, as well as with key trade partners in Asia.

Nawaloka Baby Care unit underscores value of informed decision making in maternity and infant care

Nawaloka Hospitals’ Mother and Baby care unit highlights the value of informed decision making in maternity and baby care to ensure health and well-being of child bearing mothers and infants. 

Fitch reaffirms People’s Bank at ‘AA+(lka)’ with Stable outlook

Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited recently reaffirmed the National Long Term Rating on People’s Bank at ‘AA+(lka) with a Stable outlook - continuing to put the institution amongst the two highest rated locally incorporated commercial banks in the country on a national scale.

Vallibel Finance December profit up 32%; loans & leases moderate

Vallibel Finance PLC, a Dhammika Perera-controlled licensed finance company, reported earnings of Rs.4.39 per share for the October-December quarter against Rs.3.34 a share reported during the same period last year, the interim report showed.  

Pannipitiya Private Hospital becomes tech savvy to mark anniversary

Sri Lanka’s premier private hospital, Pannipitiya Private Hospital parallel to its 20th anniversary celebrations has introduced several modern technological features to its portfolio for the benefit of  its patients.

Ranpatha Weda Medura opens for all sicknesses

Ranpatha Weda Medura in Kandy Road Peliyagoda managed by Dr, Ruwan Ranpatha of the Ranpatha ayurvedic generation now offers you Ayurvedic medical treatments for number  of sicknesses. 

Fifth Capital Market Conference on Feb. 21

The fifth Annual Capital Market (CAPM) Conference, organised by UTO EduConsult in conjunction with KPMG and Adl Capital as the key knowledge partners, will be held for the fifth consecutive year on February 21, 2017.

South Asian stock exchanges to meet in Colombo

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will host the Executive Committee Board Meeting for the current term of the South Asian Federation of Exchanges (SAFE) on February 27, 2017. 

Pathfinder convenes ‘Trincomalee Consultations’ regional conference

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) will convene ‘Trincomalee Consultations’, a two-day conference participated by the countries in the Bay of Bengal, which are dependent on the bay for their trade and other interactions. 

HNB launches Smart Pay card for Lankan schools

Sri Lanka’s most technologically innovative bank, Hatton National Bank (HNB) partnered with D.S. Senanayake College to launch Smart Pay – a revolutionary new proprietary card that will completely redesign payments and attendance recording in schools. 

Agricultural livelihoods in Sri Lanka impacted by salinisation

Agriculture is one of the main sectors impacted by the impacts of climate change and its effects are very much felt due to the dependency on the natural resources that this livelihood has. Among the impacts on the agriculture sector are the impacts of the slow onset events of climate change. 

Fitch revises SLIC’s outlook to Stable

Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation’s (SLIC) Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating to Stable from Negative and affirmed the IFS rating at ‘B+’. 

US visa restrictions could shift more work to SL, India:Virtusa

In the event of the inward-looking Trump administration enacting regulations to restrict foreign IT professionals entering the United States, VirtusaPolaris, a US-based technology company, says more work will move out of the US to countries like India and Sri Lanka.  

Dialog fourth quarter profit doubles amid strong mobile revenue

Sri Lanka’s leader in mobile telecommunications services, Dialog Axiata PLC (Dialog), doubled its December quarter (4Q16) net profits to Rs.1.25 billion or 15 cents a share in spite of some hefty net finance costs resulted from higher borrowings, the interim results showed. 

Japanese firm invests US $ 1mn in 700kW mini hydro project in Erathna

Zero Plus Co. Ltd, a Japanese firm with interests in cosmetic production, mail-order business and fitness, has invested US $ 1 million in a 700 kilowatt (kW) mini hydro project in Erathna, Ratnapura. The project,

Sri Lanka launches tender to develop natural gas site in Mannar Basin

REUTERS: Sri Lanka has launched a tender to develop a gas block in the Mannar Basin off its northwest coast, vacated when Cairn India pulled out of an exploration project in 2015 as oil prices plunged.

Bogala Graphite doubles profit in December

The vein graphite supplier, Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC, nearly doubled its net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 (4Q16) to Rs.24.23 million from Rs.12.44 million recorded during the corresponding quarter in 2015 amid higher top line growth and gains form an income tax reversal. The earnings per share increased to 26 cents from 13 cents year-on-year (YoY). The company shares were trading at Rs.12.80 at trading close yesterday.

Top brush maker Beira group announces Rs.368mn IPO

The leading brush manufacturer, BPPL Holdings, also known as the Beira group, will be opting for a Rs.368.22 million initial public offering (IPO) on the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) next month.

Top brush maker Beira group announces Rs.368mn IPO

The leading brush manufacturer, BPPL Holdings, also known as the Beira group, will be opting for a Rs.368.22 million initial public offering (IPO) on the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) next month.

Haycarb profits surge 23% despite supply challenges

The pioneering coconut shell-based activated carbon manufacturer, Haycarb PLC, reported earnings of Rs.7.08 per share for the October – December quarter 2016, up from Rs.5.74 a share reported a year ago despite the continued cost pressure stemming from the shortage of charcoal supplies.

Shares hit more than 1-week closing high; blue chips gain

REUTERS:Sri Lankan shares hit a more than one week closing high yesterday as investors picked up battered blue chips such as John Keells Holdings PLC and Dialog Axiata PLC, brokers said. The Colombo stock index ended 0.73 percent firmer at 6,138.73, its highest close since February 2. The index hit its lowest closing level since March on February 6.

Creations Master Builders to exhibit world renowned products at ‘Architect 2017’

World renowned OWA acoustic and mineral fibre ceilings, Kronotex laminated wooden flooring, Vetedy outdoor wood decking and cladding will be exhibited at the ‘Architect 2017’ exhibition starting this week at the BMICH.

MBSL gears for growth with new blue ocean strategy

The Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) & Finance PLC has kicked off 2017 with new 3-year strategic plan, after the most complex but successful consolidation in Sri Lanka’s financial sector history, MBSL is now poised to enter a new era of growth and progress by leveraging the synergies of a highly skilled workforce backed by the latest specialized financial sector technology.