Amãna Bank enables First Drive Through ATM in Eastern Province

Amãna Bank, Sri Lanka’s premier non-interest based licensed commercial Bank, facilitated the realization of a significant milestone for Eastern Province by establishing the first Drive Through ATM in the Province.

Loops Solutions, Most awarded digital marketing agency in Sri Lanka

As technology takes the world on by storm, digital marketing continues to grow along side. Loops Solutions (Pvt) Ltd is the pioneer of social media marketing in Sri Lanka which works with multinational and local giants

Sri Lanka takes part in SATTE

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) participated in South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2016 held in New Delhi

Another economist warns against use of previous regime’s statistics

Information brought to light by another leading economist recently highlighted the danger of the new regime running into hot waters by accepting the statistics and continuing the policies of the past regime.

AIA’s Lankan life insurance unit December net up 26%

The local unit of the third most valuable Asia-based insurer – AIA Insurance Lanka PLC Group (AIA) – posted a net profit of Rs.174.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015...

Chandra expresses concerns over “no questions asked” policy

Civil society activist Chandra Jayaratne in an open letter has raised concerns on the government’s “no questions asked” criteria for foreign deposits. 

Yet to decide on minimum room rates: Minister

Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said no consensus had been reached as yet with regard to the minimum room rates imposed on hotels in Colombo. 

No issue in funding tourism promotional activities: official

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Ministry expressed confidence in the promotional programmes carried out as planned with no hiccups as steady funding lines for activities have been secured.

Higher taxes on beer promote hard liquor; deprive govt. of revenue: beer maker

The policymakers at the country’s Finance Ministry are pushing the public towards consuming hard liquor, some of which may be illegally manufactured...

DFCC Bank’s Rs.7bn senior debt rated final ‘AA-(lka)’

Fitch Ratings has today assigned DFCC Bank PLC’s (DFCC; AA-(lka)/Stable) proposed senior unsecured debentures of up to Rs.7 billion a final national long-term rating of ‘AA-(lka)’.

Union Bank launches early Avurudu gift offer

Union Bank launched ‘Kalin Avurudu Ganudenu’, an early Avurudu promotion, offering exciting gifts for savings and one-year fixed deposits.   

Seylan kick starts 2016 with rewards for credit card clientele

Seylan credit cards kick started the new year by offering extraordinary rewards to its cardholders selected through a consumer promotion and their frequent usage of Seylan credit card. ‘The bank with a heart’ took the initiative in offering its cardholders a seamless shopping tour to Colombo’s leading outlets while providing 50 percent cash back on their total spend on the tour.   

Scarcity of multi-tenanted ‘Grade A’ office buildings in Colombo

In office real estate, vacancy levels in prime commercial areas play a vital role in deciding who shall have the better bargaining power while executing the transactions.   

SLID to discuss ‘Women on Boards’

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), the prime forum serving the corporate needs of the current and future directors, presents a panel discussion on ‘Women on Boards’ on February 18, where the current issues that women face coming up the corporate ladder will be discussed.   

Fitch rates Singer Finance’s proposed senior debt ‘BBB(lka)(EXP)’

Fitch Ratings has assigned Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC’s (SFL; BBB(lka)/Stable) proposed senior secured redeemable debentures of up to Rs.1.5 billion a ‘BBB(lka)(EXP)’ national long-term expected rating. 

Good governance activist raises concerns over “no questions asked” deposits

An open letter to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank; to be duly noted by the President, the Prime Minister, the government, commercial & financial services sectors and professional practitioners.  

Policy reforms for a productive agriculture sector in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector employs and sustains a majority of the population, and impinges on critical areas of poverty, food security and related social issues.   

ComBank’s ‘Anagi’, ‘Udara’ customers to receive discounts at Asiri Hospitals

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (ComBank) has enhanced the value of its savings products for women and senior citizens through a partnership with Asiri Group of Hospitals to offer customers in these categories an exclusive discount on selected diagnostic services.  

NTB Amex announces ‘29 destinations in 29 days’ promo winners

Seyed Dahilan, Thair Zeenam, Mohommed Kalleel, Dhanapala Senarathna, Abdul Rizmy and Sameera Gamage were announced as the first six winners of travel packages courtesy of Nations Trust Bank (NTB) American Express (Amex).  They won travel packages to Dubai, Singapore, Penang, Langkawi, Phuket and Kerala by participating in the promotion which rewards 29 winners, travel to 29 destinations during the month of February, with a companion. To be p

Good government requires leaders to put public good above personal interests

The late Lee Kuan Yew told a group of civil servants in 1965 “Don’t change “No” to “Yes”. Don’t be a fool.  If there is a good reason why it is “No” it must remain No”, but tell the public politely.  In 2011, I listened To Lee Kuan Yew officially launch his book titled ‘Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going’ at the St. Regis Singapore. He spoke passionat

CIMA organises C-suite breakfast meeting with int’l speaker

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has organised a highly engaging forum to explore what business leaders and senior management need to do differently to achieve and maximise organisational success.   

Emirates increases service to Los Angeles

Emirates has announced that it plans to launch a second daily service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday, July 1, 2016. The second Los Angeles flight will be operated

Qatar Airways ranked among world’s most powerful brands

Qatar Airways has been ranked as one of the world’s most valuable brands for the first time, becoming the only Qatari company to be represented in the 2016 top 500 global brand ranking. Brand Finance, a world-leading independent

This wedding season, Hameedia puts the groom in the limelight

Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist, Hameedia is all set to launch its latest wedding range for men who will be tying the knot this season. The collection showcases three special wedding packages that will immaculately outfit the groom,

Give local architects a fair share in country’s development endeavours: SLIA

??By Lahiru Pothmulla The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), the apex body representing the architects of the island, expressed optimism that the government would give local architects a fair share by using them

The Ship for World Youth Leaders

The ceremony to welcome world youth leaders participating in “The Ship for World Youth Leaders” took place at the  

SriLankan and Dialog join hands to offer customers FlySmiLes benefits

The winners of the recently concluded joint competition for SriLankan Airlines FlySmiLes and Dialog Star Points members, was announced at a function at the Dialog Iconic Store premises. The competition was organised to encourage

SEC orders audit of Blue Diamonds books over fraud allegations

The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed Ernst & Young to conduct an audit of the books of Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide PLC to look into allegations of accounting frauds and misuse of funds. 

Poor show by Hand protection & plantations weighs on Hayleys 3Q

Diversified conglomerate, Hayleys PLC contracted its December quarter net profits (3Q16) by 27 percent to Rs.534.1 million over the corresponding quarter last year, 

Top 5 strategic finance issues for 2016

As companies in every industry strive to become end-to-end digital enterprises, Oracle CEO Safra Catz who earlier in her career led that very transformation at Oracle offers this advice: “The attitude you need to have is not ‘