No conspiracy to layoff H’tota Port employees: Malik

Employees of the Hambantota Port who are now facing the possibility of mass layoffs may be recruited by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority or the new owners of the port, China Merchant Holdings, depending on qualifications, a Sri Lankan minister said this week.

Ravi says digitalization will help mid-income countries improve public service efficiency

The economic digitalization process proposed by Budget 2017 will create a conducive background, giving easy access to markets and technology, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.

Last minute Christmas shopping

A roadside vendor is seen selling Christmas decorations ahead of Christmas Day in Colombo yesterday. Christians account for around six percent of Sri Lanka’s 21 million population  Pic by Damith Wickramasinghe

CSSL elects new council for year 2017

The Annual General Meeting of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) was held recently, and the new executive council for the year 2017 was duly elected. 

Ports Authority to hire female gantry crane operators

ECONOMYNEXT: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority will next year employ its first female gantry crane operators presently undergoing training at its Mahapola Training Institute, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga said.

Asia gold-price slump fails to revive demand in India; China premiums shrink

REUTERS: Gold demand in India remained subdued this week despite a sharp fall in prices to over 10-1/2 month lows as a severe cash crunch and holidays kept buyers away from the market, while premiums in China fell from near 3-year highs touched in the prior week.

Wealth inequality rises in euro zone - ECB survey

REUTERS: The concentration of wealth among euro zone’s richest households has increased since the bloc’s debt crisis, even as wealth levels fell across the board due to lower property prices, a survey released by the European Central Bank showed yesterday. The euro zone’s top 5 percent of households owned 37.8 percent of the net wealth in 2014, up from 37.2 percent in 2010 while the bottom 5 percent owned only debt, the ECB said

Asian stocks fall after Wall Street rally stalls

AFP - Hong Kong and Shanghai led an Asian sell-off yesterday, as markets followed Wall Street lower and oil prices weakened on the last trading day before Christmas.

Blink International offers Casio genuine watches in Sri Lanka

Casio wrist watches are world renowned as iconic timepieces, which offer reliability and style for users worldwide. However, a problem faced by Casio watch lovers in many countries is buying a genuine watch in a market flooded by fakes. Understanding this need of the customer, Blink International (Pvt.) Ltd, the official distributer for Casio watches and related accessories in Sri Lanka, has now presented the widest range of Casio watches availab

HNB holds annual Christmas carols

Hatton National Bank (HNB) staff held their annual Christmas carols at their head office auditorium recently. 

Seylan Bank celebrates ‘Christmas in Harmony’ with carols for 26th consecutive year

Seylan Bank recently held its annual Christmas carols under the theme ‘Celebrating Christmas in Harmony’ to usher in the festive season. 

Unilever-Cargills Food City Shopping Star - Season 4 grand finale on Dec. 27

The Season 4 of the Shopping Star annual shopping promotion, jointly organised by Unilever Sri Lanka and Cargills Food City draws to a successful closure recording a surplus of interest from customers. 

Excel World becomes Colombo’s coolest place this Christmas

It’s the season for carolling, presents under the tree, sounds of bells and good cheer! It is again that special time of the year that is filled with holiday traditions, gifts and special surprises. This year, add more excitement to your holiday season by heading to Excel World, as it hosts the much-awaited Snow World 2016 for the 14th consecutive year. 

Rupee steady in thin trading ahead of holiday

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee was steady in lacklustre trading yesterday ahead of a long weekend, amid little importer demand for the dollar,  dealers said.

Coca-Cola and magical story of Santa Claus

Over the years Coca-Cola with its well-loved Christmas adverts and campaigns, as well as its ongoing promise of refreshment, has become an integral part of the holiday season. The festive season however,

4rever celebrates a decade of beauty

4rever Skin Naturals (FSN), one of Sri Lanka’s largest herbal-based cosmetics manufacturers, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The brand’s journey has been very fragrant and colourful as it has gone from strength to strength since its inception. As part of the celebrations, 4rever engaged in religious observances and various other programmes in Anuradhapura and around  the island.

PABC organises evening of Christmas carols

Pan Asia Bank recently organised an evening of Christmas carols to celebrate the spirit of the season. At this event, which was held at Pan Asia Bank’s head office, talented choristers of Pan Asia Bank staff entertained the audience with a selection of seasonal melodies in the presence of the management, staff and their families.

ZMAX Fairway Colombo takes on lead role in Colombo Art Biennale

From December 2 to 20, Colombo was the location of Art Biennale 2016, an exhibition of art, architecture, music and performance centred on the theme, Conceiving Space.

Mobitel Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza awards 11th lucky winner

Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza 2016, introduced by the national mobile service provider SLT Mobitel, saw A.L. Sathkumara from Weerapokuna walk away with the Montero for November 2016, as the 11th lucky winner. 

Abans rewards annual Christmas carol competition winners

Abans recently held its Christmas carol competition at Abans Elite Welisara. 

DSI Mega 2016 Shopping Festival Opens With A Bang

The ultimate shopping festival, DSI Mega 2016 was declared open on the 23rd of December. Happening at the head office complex of D. Samson and Son

Loud call for unity to protect Governor, Central Bank’s independence

Highly respected economist Prof. Razeen Sally this week revealed clear attempts by certain powerful individuals in the government to undermine the good work of the incumbent Central Bank...

Shares fall for 8th straight session in thin trade

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares fell for an eighth straight session yesterday, closing at their lowest in more than eight months, in typical holiday-thinned trade as investors stayed away ahead of the Christmas weekend.

Brac Lanka Finance to raise Rs.1.3bn via rights issue

The LOLC group’s Brac Lanka Finance PLC (NIFL) yesterday announced its plans to raise Rs.1.32 billion through a rights issue of shares

Much to worry despite touted optimism, say economists

?Despite the bullish attitude of the country’s finance minister, Sri Lanka’s import-driven economy is unlikely to experience any respite on its external front for a significant period of time, senior economists warned recently, compounding fears over the trigger of another economic crisis.

Sujan International launches healthy vegetarian food range

Focusing on healthy vegetarian lifestyle, Sujan International (Pvt.) Ltd has introduced a range of highly nutritional beverages and vegi kottu with moringa. 

Maliban becomes only food company to seize World Class Award at APQO Conference 2016

Maliban Biscuits, Sri Lanka’s most renowned and trusted biscuit manufacturer, has become the only food company..

Randeniya Int’l receives Western Province Best Entrepreneur Award

Randeniya Internatinal (Pvt.) Ltd received the award for Best Entrepreneur 2016 in the Western Province recently.

Dialog TV introduces Power Plus package

Dialog Television, the leading satellite entertainment network in the country with over 800,000 customers, launched its newest post-paid monthly rental package Power Plus to the market recently. 

LOLC subsidiary opens first utility-scale solar power project in Sri Lanka

The LOLC group company, Sagasolar Power (Private) Limited (Sagasolar), announced the opening of the first-ever utility-scale solar power plant in Sri Lanka.