LankaPay USD Online channels Rs.1.8bn worth of transactions during first year

Sri Lanka’s national payment network – LankaPayis celebrating yet another milestone in its operations by completing one year of successful operations of their innovative ‘USD Online’service.

US $ 10bn by 2020 through smart agro cities

One U$ dollar in 1980 was equivalent to Rs.16.53 and at present, one U$ dollar equals to Rs.145, 

Etihad partners with Jimmy Choo for luxury brand’s 20th anniversary

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and the official airline of New York 

JAT awarded Green Labels in recognition of earth-friendly sustainable initiatives

JAT Holdings, Sri Lanka’s pioneer furnishing and finishing company was recently awarded two Green Labels by the prestigious Chartered Institute of Buildings (CIOB). 

uPVC, smarter choice to construct eco-friendly homes and buildings

The reputed green building material – un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride – popularly known as uPVC, is a popular choice in the construction industry today and it provides a healthy alternative for eco-

Emirates to offer first A380 Christchurch services

Emirates A380s will fly between Dubai and New Zealand five times daily from October 30 with the introduction of the airline’s double-decker flagship aircraft on Christchurch services.

Energy regulator not worried over rising world coal prices

The Sri Lankan energy regulator is currently not worried over the world coal prices, which have 

TEDx Colombo 2016 delegates visit the Hirdaramani flagship green facility in Agalawatta

Sponsored by Hirdaramani for the third consecutive year, TEDx Colombo 2016 concluded on a remarkable note with over 900 participants attending the event

Airtel - All Island School Games Netball Championships 2016’.

The Netball Championship segment of the 32nd All Island Schools Games Championships which was sponsored by Bharti Airtel Lanka and conducted by the Departments of Health,

Nanda Fernando takes over as Sampath Bank MD

Sampath Bank, ranked among the top-tier private banks in the country, recently announced the appointment of Nanda Fernando as its new Managing Director. 

Sri Lanka to get GSP Plus with dawn of 2017: Gamage

Sri Lanka will be able to regain the GSP Plus status from the European Union (EU) by February next year, according to Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage. 

Whither anti-dumping laws?

A powerful businessman, who controls a well-diversified conglomerate, is believed to be behind delaying the much-needed anti-dumping regulations, an absolute necessity to protect the local industries against the cheaper import substitutes, specially in light of the forthcoming trade pacts, Mirror Business learns.

UB Finance says all depositor obligations addressed

The top management of Union Bank of Colombo PLC (UBC) said its subsidiary UB Finance Company Limited has fulfilled all the obligations it has towards the depositors of the former Ceylinco group company, Finance & Guarantee Company Limited (F&G).

UDA to take over Cargo Boat properties for multi-storeyed car park

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has taken action to acquire the properties owned by Cargo Boat Development Company PLC (CABO) in Fort to develop a multi-storeyed car park. CABO in a stock exchange filing last week said that it had received a letter from the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry informing the decision.

HC allows Capital Maharaja’s appeal against Keangnam

The Civil Appellate High Court of Colombo in a landmark judgment held that the arbitration clause in an agreement is not a bar for the District Court to hear and determine the case wherein there is a novation (substitution of a new contract for an old one) of contract.

Budget deficit in first half narrows

Sri Lanka’s budget deficit for the first half of 2016 improved to Rs.328.29 billion from a Rs.401.67 billion deficit year-on-year (YoY), according to the provisional figures released by the Finance Ministry.  The current deficit was Rs.93.70 billion compared to a Rs.163.69 billion deficit YoY. 

Five new sugar factories to produce 50% of demand by 2022

Primary Industries Minister and former Sevanagala Sugar Industries owner Daya Gamage recently said that five new sugar factories would be set up in Sri Lanka within the next few years. 

Five reasons why everyone should learn to code

September 12 is not just the 256th day of the year – it is also the International Programmers’ Day, a time for us to celebrate the architects behind our increasingly digital world. In case you’re wondering - the number 256 symbolizes the number of distinct values that can be represented with an eight-bit byte.

Diamond International – Top priority for security seals, labels

Diamond International Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, a leading specialist in supplying a diverse range of security seals, tamper – free and tamper – evident security seals and materials, has expanded its product selection to include a variety of foil sealants as well. 

Fiserv sees greater growth prospects from Sri Lanka’s mature financial sector

Fiserv, a global leader in financial services technology solutions, has further augmented its focus and commitment to Sri Lanka and its existing customers in the banking and financial sector.  The Fortune 500 Company, which already has a team dedicated to the Sri Lankan market, has appointed IT and telecom marketing veteran Michael Sathasivam as Country Lead.

Prime Group, Most Respected Real Estate Company

Adding yet another feather to its cap, Prime Group has ranked as the top real estate organisation in the prestigious ‘Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka 2016’ commissioned by the island’s premier business publication Lanka Monthly Digest (LMD) and conducted by Nielsen. 

Nine leading companies on board as CA Sri Lanka training partners

Nine leading companies came onboard recently as training partners of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) representing diverse sectors and boosting the training partner portfolio of the institute, which currently comprises of over 700 organisations from the public and private sectors. 

Extended holiday offers for Seylan cardholders with Serendib Leisure

Seylan Bank announced its partnership with Serendib Leisure offering savings up to 40 percent and providing extended holiday benefits beyond the travel season for Seylan Bank credit and debit cardholders.

AVIC adds glitter to Facets Sri Lanka 2016 sponsoring it in the 26th year

AVIC International Hotels Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of Chinese mega incorporation Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the developers of super-luxury condominium project Astoria that aims to set a new standard in the luxury living style of Colombo, has added more glitter with its sponsorship extended to the international gem and jewellery exhibition ‘Facets Sri Lanka 2016’.

Toyota Lanka recognizes and rewards star achievers

Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited, the sole authorized distributor for Toyota vehicles in Sri Lanka, recently recognized and rewarded its top salesmen for the year. The awards ceremony was held under the patronage of Managing Director Shungo Yoshioka, Director/Chief Operating Officer Manohara Atukorale and Head of Sales Ashan De Silva. 

Protest against garbage!

A protest was staged yesterday by the residents of Ekala against the plans to relocate the Meethotamulla garbage dump to Ekala. Despite probably being the cleanest country in South Asia, Sri Lanka has so far failed to set up a working mechanism to recycle its garbage in a sustainable manner  Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Tapasya Industries lights six-foot-tall incense sticks for Nallur Festival 2016

Burning incense sticks is an effective way to beat stress, encourage balance and breathe new life into old routines. In the hustle and bustle of modern society, it can be challenging to make time for ourselves and escape from the busy pace of everyday life. Burning incense is a pleasant sensory experience that people have valued from time immemorial and the practice is being revived more and more as people realize how important it is to attend to

NIBM charts strategic direction with MTI

The National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) has selected MTI Consulting to develop a Ground Zero-based six-year corporate plan for the period 2016-2021 to strategize the institute’s future direction. 

Abans-Elba reward dealers with foreign tours

The Elba-Abans Partners Get-Together was recently held at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. The event symbolized Abans’ goal of recognizing and rewarding the achievements accomplished by its islandwide network of authorised dealers who are its closest associates in the business. Elba General Manager Sales Roberto Bedin graced the occasion as the chief guest while Elba Export Area Manager Marco Fabbian attended as the guest of honour. 

Huawei MediaPad set to take market by storm

Huawei, the fastest growing smartphone brand in Sri Lanka, has introduced a series of MediaPads expanding its portable computer tablets product portfolio in Sri Lanka.