Asia’s regional life insurer maps out where Sri Lanka is heading

AIA Sri Lanka CEO Shah Rouf speaking at the Fintelekt-LIMRA Insurance Summit 2016 last week provided a thoughtful perspective on the region’s market journey and how AIA’s unparalleled experience across Asia provides an insight to what the Sri Lankan industry and most importantly policyholders can expect.

John Keells empowers rural women towards economic, social independence

The International Women’s Day commemorated globally on March 8 is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Worldwide, women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement.  

Making a better place for her: Gender equality for sustainable development in Sri Lanka

Recognizing women’s struggles, achievements, and contributions in many spheres, the International Women’s Day (IWD) is globally celebrated on March 8 each year. The IWD first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the 20th century in North America and across Europe. 

SLRA-CAA to promote Consumer Rights Day, National Consumer Rewards Week

A team of officials from the Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) recently met with the Chairman and top officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) in order to promote the ‘World Consumer Rights Day’ to be held in Sri Lanka on March 15, 2016 and the following ‘National Consumer Rewards Week’ during the week of March 14 to 20, 2016. Both events have been initiated and organised by the CAA.

NDB releases 2015 Annual Report themed ‘Yours’

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) released its Annual Report for the financial year 2015 themed “Yours”, to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently. 

Serendib Flour Mills reiterates its commitment to quality

An interview with Hemani Gunathilaka – Head of Quality Assurance, Serendib Flour Mills Serendib Flour Mills (SFML) has always had an unwavering commitment to producing the finest quality

Her health is her right“Crystalline” from ATL

Continuing on its quest to offer tailored products for specific customer groups, ATL ( Amãna Takaful ), the only fully-fledged Takaful operator in the country,

Celebrating Sri Lanka’s rising women entrepreneurs

The stories of Ereshika Pushpakumari Samarasinghe and Desha Shakthi Nirmala Nilani Nawaraathna, participants of Coca-Cola’s 5 by 20 programme in Sri Lanka

Kotmale introduces Mango, Woodapple drinking yoghurt

Kotmale, Sri Lanka’s leading fresh milk brand, has launched yet another stunning addition to its collection of superior dairy goodness with Kotmale drinking yoghurt now available with natural Mango and Woodapple. 

Seyacolor launches Canon DreamLabo professional HD photo album printer

Sri Lanka’s first HD quality, 7 colour professional digital photo album printer, Canon Dream Labo 5000 was launched recently by renowned printing lab Seyacolor together with Canon and Metropolitan. The Canon 

Fashion Bug holds ‘Love Rush’ this Valentines

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing chains with over 16 outlets islandwide, held an exciting, fun, free shopping experience for couples on the Valentines, together with EFM. The compet i t ion saw 

Earth Hour shines a light on climate action

Following a landmark year for climate change WWF’s (World Wide Fund for Nature) Earth Hour is calling on people around the world to escalate the charge and be part of the global momentum. Earth Hour 2016 will be celebrated on Saturday,

KFC Sri Lanka wins YUM Outstanding Performer 2015 in Indian Subcontinent region

YUM! Brands, the global res taurant company, recently recognized KFC Sri Lanka as the Outstanding Performer for 2015 within the Indian Subcontinent region. KFC Sri Lanka received this award for its 

CIOB key conference on Western Region Megapolis Development Plan on March 10

A key conference on the Western Region Megapolis Development Plan organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) will be held on March 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Galadari Hotel Colombo. The keynote 

Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council to celebrate 50th anniversary this year

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), the first national shippers’ council to be set up in Asia in 1966, will celebrate the significant milestone of 50 years since its formation, on March 23, 2016. The SLSC

Trinco Port records Rs.9mn increased income by developing weight operation system

The Port of Trincomalee has recorded Rs.9 million of increased income during the last two months by re-establishing the weigh bridge system at port. The total income received by the port was reported as at Rs.71 

Sri Lanka makes high-speed boats for Indian Navy

Solar Marine Lanka Company of Wattala received an order for 80 high-speed boats - each valued at more than Rs.250 million - for the Indian Navy. The order has already been delivered to the Indian government

Ranatunga takes helm of CIMC 2016

T h e C o l o m b o International Maritime Conference (CIMC), which was held for the very first time in 2015, under the guidance of Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, was considered as one of the top maritime conferences held in the Indian subcontinent. Ranatunga initiated the idea in 2015 and got the Cabinet approval

GAC Sri Lanka celebrates 25 years with optimistic eye on future

GAC Sri Lanka, part of the global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC Group, is celebrating 25 years of operations in the country. Made up of five companies - GAC Shipping Ltd, GAC

Pilot shortage hits US regional airlines

AFP - Mid-sized and regional airlines in the US are suffering from a pilot shortage that could threaten the health of the broader US aviation industry. The labor shortfall has led to canceled flights at carriers like Mesa Airlines and Silver Airways. That has hit smaller airports, such as in Redding, California,

Low oil prices put strains on Gulf currency pegs

AFP - Weak oil prices pose a threat to Gulf Arab states’ currency pegs against the dollar, but the energy-rich region is unlikely to abandon the policy yet, analysts say. Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and

China’s economy isn’t headed for a hard landing and isn’t dragging on the global economy, China’s to

AFP - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said yesterday he would push ahead with a controversial labour reform bill, but promised “improvements” to the proposed text after meetings with union and business leaders

China’s economy will ‘absolutely not’ experience hard landing: state planner

China’s economy isn’t headed for a hard landing and isn’t dragging on the global economy, China’s top economic planner said yesterday, but uncertainty and instability in the global economy do pose a risk to the country’s

Four more foreign banks get Myanmar licence

AFP - Four more foreign banks have been given preliminary approval to operate in Myanmar, state media reported yesterday, the latest government attempt to attract overseas investment to the emergent nation. 

Virtusa completes acquisition of majority interest in Polaris

Virtusa Corporation announced that its India subsidiary, Virtusa Consulting Services Private Limited (Virtusa India), acquired all of the outstanding shares of Polaris Consulting & Services, Ltd. held by Arun Jain

Janashakthi Insurance Chairman W. T. Ellawala to retire after 22-year stint

Janashakthi Insurance PLC’s incumbent Non- Executive Chairman and Director, W. T. Ellawala is to announce his retirement at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on the March 31, 2016.

Excise Dept. revenue up over 100% in 2015: Ravi K

The revenue collected by the country’s Excise Department rose over 100 percent to Rs.105 billion in 20015 compared to the Rs.42 billion collected in 2014, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. With this

Fitch assigns first-time ‘A(lka)’ to Richard Pieris & Company

Fitch Ratings has assigned conglomerate Richard Pieris & Company PLC (RICH), a national long-term ‘A(lka)’ rating.

Softlogic opens Fossil flagship store in Colombo

Fossil, the iconic mid-century designer brand was launched in Colombo recently with the opening of its flagship store at Arcade Independence Square Colombo. The highlight of the launch was an exclusive in-store event 

Minister Amunugama to grace investment conference

Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama will be the Chief Guest at the Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conference