December and full year trade gaps widen as exports continue to slide

The trade deficit for last December widened 4.4 percent year-on-year (yoy) to US$ 827.3 million, widening the 2015 trade deficit 1.7 percent yoy US$ to 8.43 billion amid downturn in the global economy, Central Bank data showed.

Sickle in place of gun!

Members of Civil Security Department (CSD) of Sri Lanka were seen harvesting their rice crop in former war-torn Kilinochchi district recently. CSD Director General Chandrarathna Pallegama also participated in the event

Wedding and Event Venue ‘Raffles Residence’ Launches This Week

A brand new wedding and event venue will be launching in the heart of Nugegoda this month and everyone is invited to see it for themselves. Brides and grooms can attend the Raffles Residence’ Open Event on Sunday 13th March 2016

Rupee forwards weaker on imports, foreign bond sales

REUTERS - Sri Lankan rupee forwards traded weaker yesterday on dollar demand from importers and as foreign investors 

Coca-Cola refreshes 9th National Scout Jamboree

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited was proud to be the official beverage sponsor of the recently concluded ninth National Scout Jamboree and refresh over 10,000 scouts and leaders from over 30 countries participating in the jamboree.

Siddhalepa sales reps win Gold awards, Bangkok tours

Hettigoda Industries (Pvt.) Ltd, which is the largest Ayurvedic product manufacturer and distributer, held its annual sales conference recently at Eagles’ Lake Side. 

Oil prices rise on talk of Russia meeting

Oil prices rose in Asia yesterday after Nigeria said key crude producers plan to meet in Russia later this month to discuss a proposed output freeze.

Legal process gets priority over foreign deals: Ports Minister

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga at a meeting held at the District Secretariat auditorium in Trincomalee recently pledged that no damage would be made to the national security in developing the country.

Tech rivals join Apple’s legal fight against Federal Bureau of Investigation

AFP: A broad array of technology firms joined Apple’s legal fight on encryption Thursday, warning of a 

Sri Lanka Tourism to achieve 4.5 mn tourists by 2020 in revised target

Following Sri Lanka failing to achieve the 2 million tourist arrival target for 2015, future targets have been amended to realistic levels, the country’s tourism chief said.  

Japan grants Rs. 26 mn for education empowerment

The Government of Japan has decided to provide a total sum of US$180,322 (approximately Rs. 26 million) 

Development Lotteries Board introduces Sanwardana Lakshapathi

The Development Lotteries Board now offers its loyal consumer a new lottery ticket titled ‘Sanwardana Lakshapathi’, giving the chance for 100 winners to win  Rs.100,000 weekly.

Liberty Motors holds dealer convention

The dealer convention of Liberty Motors Ltd was held at The Kingsbury Hotel recently where the dealers who 

Visa restrictions on Lankans travelling to Malaysia to be eased soon: official

Visa restrictions imposed on Sri Lankans travelling to Malaysia will be eased soon, Indian Community Relations 

At 100, BMW sees radical new future in world of driverless cars

REUTERS: After a century building what it calls the “ultimate driving machine”, BMW is preparing for a world in which its customers will be mere passengers, and the cars will do the driving themselves. Days

Football, Yoga and AIA in Jaffna!

Jaffna is famed for its beautiful kovils, swaying palmyrah trees, sun-shot mangoes and mouthwatering crab curry.

Colombo Dockyard says not publishing 4Q results due to order delays

The Colombo Dockyard PLC on Thursday informed shareholders it would not publish its fourth quarter (4Q15) financial statements due to delays in orders.

SLAAPS elects Executive Committee 2016

The Sri Lanka Association of Administrative and Professional Secretaries (SLAAPS) Executive Committee 2016:

Ringing the bell for gender equality

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors together with the Colombo Stock Exchange and the International Finance

Seylan sponsors Wedding Show 2016

Seylan Bank was the official banker at the recently concluded ‘The Wedding Show – 2016’, which was held at the BMICH.

Venture Engine-powered hackathon on March 11

Sri Lanka’s pioneering entrepreneurship programme Venture Engine will be hosting a briefing and hackathon open to all interested parties on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 4:00 p.m., at the Lankan Angel Network Incubation Centre, Colombo 4.

Leo Burnett Sri Lanka’s Trevor Kennedy to serve on ADFEST 2016 jury

Trevor Kennedy, the Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, was recently appointed to the ADFEST 2016 jury and will join an eminent gathering of creative professionals at the upcoming festival, which is set to take place in Pattaya, Thailand this March. 

Fashion Bug holds ‘Love Rush’ this Valentines

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing chains with over 16 outlets island-wide, held an exciting, fun, free shopping experience for couples on valentines,

Holcim Lanka-Maga to work towards sustainability of construction industry

Holcim (Lanka) Ltd, a member of the LafargeHolcim group and a leading company in building materials, together with Maga Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s leading construction and engineering

Seylan Tikiri offers holiday at Dream World

Seylan Bank’s children’s savings account – Seylan Tikiri – yet again ushers joy and amazement into the life of five young, promising Grade 5 scholarship achievers and Tikiri Creative Till Competition winners.

FROM SKYLINES TO TIMELINES, 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 a part of the global momentum. 

Atlas supports teacher training programmes in arts and crafts

As Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturer of stationary and related products, Ceylon Pencil Company understands the importance of empowering preschool teachers with up-to-date know-how on early childhood

HNB invests in solar power to reduce carbon footprint

With the aim of carrying out its operations in an environmentally sustainable manner, Hatton National Bank

Tea sales average low for second consecutive month

The tea industry continues to witness dampened progress with February sales average remaining within bearish territory for the second consecutive month this year.

EWIS to set up US$ 50 mn tech plant in Bangladesh

Local digital device manufacturer EWIS Colombo Limited (EWIS) entered into a joint venture with Bangladesh’s