Royal Marketing takes lead in manufacturing high-quality product range

As a rapidly developing country, Sri Lanka is home to many innovative companies that provide exceptional services to the country.  Established in 1993 as a small-scale local industry with a few employees, Royal Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd has come a long way within a short time and has been manufacturing a vast range of products which were previously imported.

Laugfs consolidates B’deshi LPG biz with Rs.1.4bn investment

Sri Lanka’s private sector power and energy player, Laugfs Gas PLC last week consolidated its presence in its Bangladesh’s downstream liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business by acquiring the balance stake in its 69 percent-owned energy subsidiary, Laugfs Gas (Bangladesh) Limited for a consideration of Rs.1.39 billion.   

ThyssenKrupp Elevator to supply elevators and escalators for Astoria

ThyssenKrupp Elevator (Germany) brings 140 years of experience in vertical and horizontal transportation technology to Astoria the luxury condominium development at Colombo - 03.      AVIC International, the developer, has awarded the elevator and escalator contract to Scan Engineering, the Exclusive Distributor for Sri Lanka and Maldives, who will execute the Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Maintenance of the comp

The perfect brand marriage between ‘Peugeot’ and ‘Tennis’

I took some time-off to pour thoughts-out on how best can brand association could reflect through the historical tie-up between the emotional brand ‘Peugeot’ and the professional sport ‘Tennis’ being my personal favorites. 

Ma’s celebrates 30 years

The artisans of spices, Ma’s Food Processing (Pvt) Ltd recently celebrated its 30th anniversary at the company’s main production facility in Dambulla. 

Can we produce better estimates of urbanization in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has a visibly high rate of urbanization and ambitious plans for further urbanization through the envisioned Western Region Megapolis Project. Nonetheless, the latest official statistics indicate that only 18.2 percent of the population lives in urban areas. This does not reflect the true level of urbanization in Sri Lanka. The World Bank notes that ‘while urbanization data in Sri Lanka are much debated, there is a consensus that t

Watchdog website hits Colombo streets

A public awareness campaign was conducted by the anti-graft website ipaidabribe at the Colombo’s Fort railway station on Monday with the support of many youth volunteers.  The watchdog website, which operates in 15 countries, was launched in Sri Lanka last December on United Nations Anti-Corruption Day. 

Sri Lankan biz delegation to visit Pakistan

A nine-member Sri Lankan business delegation will visit Pakistan from today to April 9 in a bid to explore trade and investment opportunities.  The delegation, led by the Sri Lanka – Pakistan Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will also take part in the textile sector-specific exhibition ‘TeXpo 2016’, which will be held at the Karachi Expo Centre.

EBC Radio, first Sri Lankan radio team to ADFEST

EBC Radio has once more blazed a new and innovative path, elevating the standard for the future of local radio, by sending a delegation to this year’s ADFEST, a regional advertising festival held recently in Thailand.

Dankotuwa Porcelain to amalgamate with Taprobane Capital

Porcelain tableware maker Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC (DPL) said it was amalgamating with its fully-owned subsidiary Taprobane Capital (Pvt.) Ltd. Taprobane Capital is the investment holding company of Royal Fernwood Limited, which DPL acquired in December 2013. 

Vito Mercedes-Benz now in Sri Lanka from DIMO

Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) will be introducing the second instalment of commercial vans, the ‘Vito’ under Mercedes-Benz. The new introduction will encompass a versatile edge consisting of a larger payload and a set of unique features.

Trade in services: Unearthing the devil in the details

Sri Lanka is negotiating an Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) with India. It envisages liberalising trade in services. The lack of information on what is being negotiated has fuelled speculation on the outcomes. A previous Verité Insight titled ‘Trade in Services: Sri Lanka needs to pull up its socks’ pointed out, with reference to the current trade agreements (TAs) of Sri Lanka, that the devil is really i

Orange-CINEC collaborate to open research centre

CINEC Campus at Malabe celebrated the official opening of the Orange-CINEC collaborative research centre graced by Capt. Ajith Peiris, President of CINEC and Kushan Kodituwakku, Managing Director of OREL Corporation recently. 

SL’s working-age population growth highest in Asia: ADB

Sri Lanka’s working age p o p u l a t i o n g r o w t h i s forecasted to be the highest in the larger Developing

Prepaid metering for electricity on cards

??By Shabiya Ali Ahlam Amidst the highly criticised power crisis, the nation’s energy regulator is noted to be actively exploring the option of introducing prepaid metering in an attempt to allow affordable electricity

Five-day rupee forwards edge up on dollar selling by state bank

REUTERS: Sri Lankan five-day rupee forwards edged up yesterday as dollar selling by a state bank helped offset

Major economic transformation in next one and half years: FinMin

The country’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently said Sri Lanka was gearing up for a significant economic 

Colombo Dockyard transferred to Default Board

The country’s largest shipbuilding and repair company, Colombo Dockyards PLC, was transferred to the Colombo 

Panama Papers: Family of China’s President Xi implicated

AFP: The families of some of China’s top communist brass -- including President Xi Jinping -- used offshore tax havens to conceal their fortunes, a treasure trove of leaked documents has revealed. At least 

Indonesia grants Sri Lankans visa-free entry to enhance commercial activities

Indonesia says it is now offering visa-free entry to Sri Lankans in a bid to help enhance commercial activities 

Tourism Minister visits Lotus Tower construction site

Tourism and Lands Minister John Amaratunga accompanied by some of the ministry officials visited the Lotus 

Fiscal policy realignment key for high and sustainable growth: ADB

Growth was marginally lower in 2015 while the current account deficit improved slightly and inflation moderated. Meanwhile, the budget deficit widened and foreign exchange reserves dropped sharply.  The government will have to work to realign fiscal policy toward putting the country on a high and sustainable growth track. 

MasterCard’s latest services deliver greater peace of mind across Asia Pacific

MasterCard announced the launch of two new services that raise the bar on consumer experience and everyday peace of mind for cardholders across Asia Pacific: MasterCard IQ series, pioneering solutions designed to reduce the rising number of card transactions being falsely declined and Automatic Billing Updater service (ABU), which securely communicates account changes from banks and merchants to ensure a seamless experience for cardholders’

John Keells Foundation felicitates partners and contributors

Henry Ford once said “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress; working together is success.”  This was highlighted at a celebration of John Keells Group’s CSR partners held on 28th March at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.

Amãna Bank holds inaugural Awards Day at Nelum Pokuna

Amãna Bank, Sri Lanka’s premier non-interest based Islamic financial services provider, recently concluded its inaugural Staff Awards Ceremony at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. 

Microimage takes traditional HR into digital era at HCM 2016

“Disrupt or be disrupted” was the key message delivered by Harsha Purasinghe at an exclusive Microimage HCM event, held last week. 

AMW-AFG team up with VTA to provide world class opportunities for rural youth

With the objective of creating global opportunities for our rural youth, Associated Motorways (Pvt) Ltd (AMW), the number one automotive company in Sri Lanka with its parent company Al-Futtaim Automotive Group (AFG), UAEand the Vocational Training Authority (VTA)joined hands to set up a state of the artmotorcycle and three-wheeler training centre at the Vocational Training Centre premises in Panapitiya ,Kalutara. 

Travel the world with Amex’s 12-month 0% interest plan

Just in time for the holiday season, Nations Trust Bank American Express cards once again declared its extended settlement plan programme. Cardmembers can convert any travel-related transaction into a 12-month interest-free payment plan with their choice of travel agent, tour operator or even online. This offers cardmember travellers an opportunity to splurge more on on-trip activities and to see the world on their terms, while creating memorable

CASA’s Young Shipping Professionals holds ‘Members Night’ 2016

The Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents (CASA) is the industry body representing the shipping agency companies in Sri Lanka and has been the voice of the shipping industry since its inception in 1966. CASA has a total membership of 134 shipping agency companies. CASA contributes regularly towards the formulation of a national maritime policy in Sri Lanka and draws on the experience and expertise of its members who are shipping professionals

More passenger vessels call at Port of Colombo

The number of passenger vessels calling at the Port of Colombo has increased. According to the recent reports, during the month of March 2016, 11 super luxury passenger vessels have called at the passenger terminal and other terminals of the Port of Colombo. Among them were MV Cosalam Inosa, MV Costa Neoriviera, MV Island Sky, MV Rotterdam, MV Pacific Princess, MV Aida Bella Amesterdam, MV Europa – 2, MV Aurora and MV Mein Chiff.