Colombo inflation eases to 4.3% as food prices fall

Consumer prices in Colombo have slowed to 4.3 percent during the 12 months to August from 5.5 percent in July, recording the second consecutive monthly decline in headline inflation, as the food prices marked a significant drop in the month, the data from the Census and Statistics Department showed.

Independent director exodus from Richard Pieris group companies

An exodus of independent directors from two Richard Pieris group companies has taken place at an alarming rate this year, raising questions over their overall  corporate governance.

Batticaloa trade expo to kick start in October

The 3rd Edition of Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition (BITE) 2016 is scheduled to be held on the 30th September, and 1st & 2nd of October 2016 at the Shivananda Vidyalaya Grounds in Batticaloa.

CA Sri Lanka’s 37th National Conference to be held next month

The 37th National Conference, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) themed ‘Unleashed Thinking’ is scheduled for October. 

To the despondent stock market investor

To lose faith in the market after having faced mounting losses on a regular basis is understandable and is Infacta commondilemma faced by many investors. But don’t blame the market entirely for bad experiences you’ve had with your investments.It could be a result of your own misconceptions.

Google cloud unit close to winning PayPal business

REUTERS:  Alphabet Inc’s Google is close to winning PayPal Holdings Inc as a client for its cloud business, potentially beating out Amazon.com Inc and Microsoft Corp, CNBC reported.

Special exhibition to showcase best of Sri Lankan products at WEDF

Close to 40 of the most elite brands in Sri Lanka will be displaying the best of local products at a special exhibition that will coincide with the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 2016.  With the global summit scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka on the 12th and 13th of October this year, Sri Lankan enterprises such as Brandix  Apparel Ltd, MAS Holdings, Akbar Brothers, Ceylon Tea Services, Camso Loadstar, Virtusa, 99X  Technolo

IBM extends power of cognitive solutions on cloud to Lankan market

IBM recently announced that IBM’s integrated portfolio of cognitive solutions on cloud is now available to the large and small enterprises, developers and entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

FITIS and CSSL to hold National CIO Forum 2016

The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) and Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) are organising the third National CIO Forum on August 31, 2016 at Hilton Colombo Residences with the participation of 350 CIOs in Sri Lanka.

Running out of retirement income a common financial fear – NDB Wealth

“Running out of money in retirement, too much debt and managing money day-to-day are the main financial worries for most people. Nine out of 10 people have real concerns about how long their money will last once they give up work. A further eight out of 10 fear they will never have enough savings to give up work when they reach the age of retirement,” says Christina Wesley, Financial Advisor with NDB Wealth.

New travel companion to access a world of privileges  

HSBC has re-launched its specialist Visa Signature travel credit card, focusing on the most discerning travel needs of its cardholders with exclusive local and global travel privileges to suit their lifestyle.    

TADHack 2016 to unveil more creative apps

The Sri Lankan leg of the TADHack telecom application development hackathon is to be held on September 10 and 26 with the aim of promoting the winners to market their solutions internationally. Organised by hSenid Mobile Solutions, this year’s TADHack will be held at the Dialog Axiata head office in Colombo as well  as in Jaffna. 

World Bank hails SL for speedy achievements in development goals

The World Bank states that Sri Lanka has been rapidly achieving its development goals, which were set at the time the loans were granted. 

CodeGen Int’l to introduce Cloud Smart School software at EDEX Expo 2016

An innovative school management software solution developed by Ombo Technologies, a fully-owned subsidiary of CodeGen International (Pvt.) Ltd, enters the educational landscape at EDEX Expo 2016. 

Norwegian Embassy and Pathfinder Foundation sign agreement

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo and the Pathfinder Foundation (PF) signed an agreement for providing a grant to the ‘Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives’ (CILI) functioning under Pathfinder Foundation.  

Ceylinco Life’s 6-month income up 14% to Rs 11 bn

Ceylinco Life has reported that total income grew 14 per cent to Rs 11.028 billion in the six months ending 30th June 2016, with robust growth in both gross written premium and income from investments enabling the life insurance leader to consolidate its position at the helm of the sector. Gross premium income at the end of the first half of the year totalled Rs 7.173 billion, reflecting a growth of 12 per cent over the corresponding six months o

Substantive and sensible inputs to influence trade policy

To position Sri Lanka as a globally competitive economy, the country is going to have to systematically re-calibrate its trade and investment policies with a focus on greater liberalization. Of course, it will not be easy; for some sectors and businesses it will be challenging, and for others it will be a new opportunity. Which is why the private sector has an important role to play in this process.

CLC Education Loans joins hands with EDEX Mid–Year Expo

This year’s EDEX Mid-Year Expo is to be held on the 3rd & 4th of September at Sri Lankan Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC). 

China ready to pump in over US $ 5bn in FDIs: envoy

China’s top diplomat in the country yesterday said that the world’s second largest economy is prepared to commit over US $ 5 billion in foreign direct investments (FDIs) over the medium to long term for special economic zones, if the Sri Lankan government is prepared to authorize them.

Intel unveils Project Alloy

During his opening keynote at the 2016 Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco on Tuesday, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich unveiled Project Alloy, an all-in-one virtual reality solution made from the ground up. A clear example of the future of merged reality today, the Alloy platform completely redefines what is possible in an all-in-one VR platform.

GE acquires ShipXpress to expand digital rail offerings

GE Transportation, the world’s leading producer of rail and transportation-related products and offerings, announced its acquisition of ShipXpress, a top provider of cloud-based software solutions that enable transportation, industrial and commodities businesses to efficiently operate with supply chain partners.

Fior Drissage Jewellers poised to enter major international markets

Fior - Drissage Jewellers Ltd (FDJL) is one of the leading fine Jewellery manufacturers, marketers and exporters of diamonds & Gem studded Gold jewellery is the exclusive marketer of “Clear Set” Diamond Jewellery, popularly known as Floating Diamond Jewellery in Sri Lanka.  

Seylan increases benefits for ‘Sure’ account holders up to Rs.200, 000

In a revolutionary industry breakthrough, Seylan Bank has relaunched its popular customer loyalty scheme ‘Seylan Sure’, to deliver the highest possible benefits to its customers. Seylan bank pioneered in introducing this loyalty scheme for savings and current account holders, which has now evolved to be the benchmark of the industry. 

CIC introduces Smart Farming to Sri Lanka

CIC Holdings PLC (CIC), a leading blue chip company in Sri Lanka, recently announced their latest innovation, the use of agriculture drones for Precision Agriculture Practices

Fairway National Literary Awards 2016 - Shortlists announced!

The eagerly awaited Fairway National Literary Awards 2016 Shortlists were announced at a ceremony held at the Hilton Colombo Residences (JAIC Hilton

Elevated performance and desirability for the 2017 Range Rover

Land Rover has reinforced Range Rover’s status as the world’s finest SUV with the introduction of advanced autonomous driving technologies

COCA-COLA Is Thr First Fortune 500 Company To Replenisg All The Water It Uses Globally

The Coca-Cola Company and its global bottling partners (the Coca-Cola system) today announced they have met their goal to replenish, or in other words balance

Cargills Bank June quarter losses narrow to Rs.38 mn as margins improve

Cargills Bank Limited narrowed its losses to Rs.38 million during the quarter ended in June 30, 2016 (2Q16) from Rs.89.5 million loss during the corresponding quarter last year as the margins improved 

Fitch affirms Lion Brewery’s ‘AA-(lka)’ rating; says well-placed to recover from floods

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC’s (Lion) National Long-Term Rating of ‘AA-(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook and said the firm is well-placed to recover from the recent floods and 

State Bank of India Chairman and top officials in town

The Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) Arundhati Bhattacharya— incidentally, the first woman