Professor Indraratna: Guru of gurus

In memory of Professor A.D.V De. S. Indraratna, this is a republication of the article initially published in Mirror Business in 2011under the ‘Sri Lanka’s Prominent Economists’ series

What does Forbes Under 30 entrepreneurs tell us?

When Forbes recently announced its list of Under 30 movers and shakers, the list was more than a statement of young entrepreneurship. It was a confirmation of how entrepreneurship captures the young early on; it also highlighted the power of technology in helping most of these talented young men and women to leap into billion-dollar categories with seemingly little effort.

Lanka Hospitals to hold workshop on breast cancer

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and is increasing particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka where the majority of cases are diagnosed in late stages. Cervical cancer has been identified as the second most common cancer among females in Sri Lanka. However, with early detection and treatment cancers can be cured and managed. 

Sancharaka Udawa tourism trade fair to be held in May

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) announced the annual Sancharaka Udawa tourism product trade fair, which will bring to the forefront many unidentified small and medium service providers by creating a platform to showcase their services as well as build links with the tourism industry. 

Nine tips on digital transformation of business to drive customer success

We live in an age where we see digital native unicorns, a name fondly used for start-ups valued for more than US $ 1 billion. They’ve turned the world of business upside down by focusing on customer experiences with great user interfaces (UIs) that sit in front of the masses backed by a great systematically driven supply chain. 

The year of the ‘pivot’?

For the global economy and markets, the start of 2017 couldn’t have been more different from a year ago. Business confidence as well as growth and inflation expectations are once again on the rise in the US and other major economies.

PM-JBIC CEO hold bilateral talks in Davos

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral discussions with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) CEO/Executive Managing Director Tadashi Maeda during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

DFCC Bank to offer greater convenience to Pettah biz community

DFCC Bank recently opened a fully-fledged branch in Pettah, located at No: 143, Main Street, Colombo 11.

Top tourism professional to promote Sri Lanka in Europe

A veteran hospitality and tourism industry professional has been appointed as honorary consultant to the Ministry of Tourism Development with special focus on Germany and the European Continent.  Minister of Tourism Development John Amaratunga officially presented the letter of appointment to Nihal Samarasinha at a special event in Colombo recently.

Emirates to launch daily flights to Croatia

Emirates has announced that it will further expand its European network with the introduction of a daily flight from Dubai to Zagreb (ZAG), the capital of Croatia from June 1. 

IBSL issues guidelines on conducting insurance claim investigations

The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) has issued ‘Guidelines on conducting investigations on insurance claims’. 

Colombo Dockyard delivers 80-passenger vessel to Northern Province

Colombo Dockyard successfully delivered the 80-passenger vessel built for the Northern Provincial Council on 10th January in Delft.

ICRA Lanka assigns Capital Alliance A-

Sri Lanka’s leading investment banking firm and the preferred partner in financial markets, Capital Alliance Limited (CAL), has been assigned the issuer rating of [SL]A- with stable outlook by ICRA Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of ICRA Limited (a group company of Moody’s  Investors Service). 

Seylan Bank launches Seylfie youth savings account

Yet again revolutionizing the banking industry in Sri Lanka, Seylan Bank has launched a state-of-the-art digital bank account for the youth of Sri Lanka named - Seylan Seylfie. 

George Steuart Health introduces allergen neutralizing spray

George Steuart Health, the pharmaceutical solutions provider in Sri Lanka has yet again proved their aspiration to deliver the finest medical care to their customers across the island by introducing Allergof, an allergen neutralizing spray which helps treat symptoms of house dust allergens related allergies. 

Fifty fifth visit to Sri Lanka amazing landmark to achieve

If anyone visits only one particular destination for the 55th time, and stays for the 50th time at the same hotel, then it’s something worth being interested, and something really remarkable.

Lankan WEF delegates hold talks with StanChart Chair

The Sri Lankan delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, held talks with Standard Chartered Bank Chairman Jose Vinals yesterday in Davos. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

ApekshaIVF signs MoU with Kasturba Medical College of Manipal

ApekshaIVF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal (Manipal University). 

DFCC Bank to offer greater convenience to the business community in Pettah

DFCC Bank recently opened a fully-fledged branch in Pettah located at No 143, Main Street, Colombo 11. The inauguration witnessed the coming

ICRA Lanka assigns A- rating for Capital Alliance Limited (CAL)

Sri Lanka’s leading investment banking firm and the preferred partner in financial markets, Capital Alliance Limited (CAL), has been assigned the issuer rating of [SL]A

S&T completes turnkey interior project for Mövenpick Hotel in Colombo

S&T Interiors announced that it has successfully completed the turnkey interior project for the Mövenpick Hotel, Colombo. 

"Prima Treats Partners with S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia Rugby "

Prima Treats proudly co-sponsors the first XV Rugby team of S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia for the upcoming season of 2017. 

Fitch reaffirms NDB long-term rating of A+ (lka) with Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited (Fitch) has affirmed National Development Bank PLC (NDB) a Long Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of A+ (lka) with an Outlook Stable pursuant to Fitch’s revised its ratings followed by its periodic review. 

Exporters’ chamber chief pleads with politicos to do away with ‘yes & no’ policies

Sarada De Silva, the outgoing President of the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), pleaded with the country’s  political masters to do away with the ugly habit of ad hoc policy changes, which he termed as the “yes and no” style of policies, which have hurt the progress of the country’s economy and the export trade in particular.  

SEC clamps down on Swarnamahal Financial

In what appears to be the biggest clamping down on a listed entity in recent times, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday imposed several restrictions on Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFS) as the entity is said to have violated several mandatory corporate governance requirements. 

Govt. fiddles with leasing ratios to put off three-wheeler, small car purchases

The loan-to-value ratios (LTV) of vehicle financing stipulated in the 2017 budget will go ahead as planned after the Central Bank advised the banks and financial companies to follow the Finance Ministry regulations.

‘Believers in Glass’ says no plastic is safe

Though Sri Lanka does not have a strong stance on reducing the usage of plastic, many countries have taken big leaps to ban plastic and to highlight the health hazards pertaining to the leach of plastic. 

With drought looming, Sri Lanka tries something new: preparing

THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION: With rainfall in many areas just a third of that last year and many water reservoirs far below normal levels, Sri Lankans have begun holding traditional ceremonies to invoke rain - some with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Labour shortage in key sectors will hold Sri Lanka back

Daily FT cover story on Tuesday highlighted the 10 most important things to look for whether a country is rising or falling, quoting Ruchir Sharma’s latest book – The Rise and Fall of Nations – one of them the country’s talent pool, i.e. is the manpower pool growing? 

Iconic Developments breaks ground for US$ 50mn apartment complex

The ground breaking ceremony of the US $ 50 million Iconic Developments Limited’s, second project ‘Iconic Galaxy’ took place in Rajagiriya yesterday, with the presence of Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali