MA’s Kitchen relaunches Curry Paste and Seasoning range

Continuing its proud tradition of supplying Sri Lankans with high-quality, easy and convenient food products, MA’s Tropical Food Processing (Pvt.) Ltd recently announced the relaunch of its MA’s Kitchen signature Curry Paste range.

People’s Leasing expands branch network in Sabaragamuwa Province

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC opened its newest branch in Pelmadulla (118/1, Ratnapura Road, Pelmadulla) recently. The new branch was declared open by D. P. Kumarage, CEO/General Manager, PLC.

Fortinet details updates to its cyber security operating system

Fortinet, the global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, announced updates to their FortiOS cybersecurity operating system.

Vera crowned Ms. Tourism Sri Lanka 2016

The Ms. Tourism Sri Lanka International 2016 beauty pageant concluded last Sunday on a high note with Vera Branda Dukstra from the Netherlands winning the crown.

wOw.lk partners with EPSI Technology to resell array of IT products online

wOw.lk, Sri Lanka’s largest online shopping mall, recently partnered with EPSI Technology (Pvt) Ltd. to resell an array of IT products online.

Transforming ‘manpower employment’ to decent work of greater quality

 “I can’t build a house. I can’t afford to go for a family wedding. We are cornered by society.” -- Manpower worker attached to a state bank

CTC to get new boss from this March

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC), the local unit of British American Tobacco (BAT), has announced the appointment of Michael Koest as the new Managing Director/CEO with the resignation of Felicio Ferraz after a three-year stint in the post.

Unilever Sri Lanka to showcase local talent at Future Leaders’ League in London

Aqeela Najeeb of the University of Colombo, Nevanka Jayatilleke of the Royal Institute of Colombo and Merl Chandana of the University of Moratuwa, earned the honour of representing Sri Lanka at Unilever’s Global Future Leaders’ League in London in March 2016.

Colombo-Myanmar trans-shipment operators to benefit from 10% discount

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is to offer a 10 percent discount to shipping companies that carry out trans-shipment cargo operations in the Colombo Port headed for Myanmar, a Ports and Shipping Ministry statement said. 

Cherubium introduces ‘Marina Spread Batta’

As a wholly Sri Lankan company which has over the past 35 years cherished our indigenous culture and national identity, Cherubium Lanka introduced ‘Marina  Spread Batta’, its newest product to the local market recently.

SLIM- Nielsen Peoples’ Awards marks 10th year

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and the new Project Committee for 2016 are making all preparations for its hallmark award show - the ‘SLIM-Nielsen Peoples’ Awards which will be held for the 10th consecutive year on the 26th of March at Waters Edge

Lanka IOC December quarter net up 45% over lower crude prices

The local unit of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Lanka IOC PLC, saw its December quarter (3Q16) net profit rising 44.6 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.882.4 million.

Fitch recognized as Best Corporates, FI, PF Rating Agency

Fitch Ratings has been named as the winner in three categories in the inaugural Triple A Rating Agency of the Year awards by The Asset, a publication covering Asia’s financial industry since 1999. These include awards for “

Shippers’ Council says ‘no’ to additional fee under new IMO rules

The local shipping community has welcomed the International Maritime Association’s (IMO) new container weight rule but stressed it 

HNB Al Najah opens first Islamic Banking Unit in Pettah

Hatton National Bank (HNB) Islamic Banking has opened its second Unit at Pettah, as a key step in a rapid expansion drive of its Islamic banking operations.

New regulation won’t upset existing system: official

While Sri Lanka is gearing up to accommodate the new container weight rule under SOLAS, a top government authority assured it

Seylan Bank wins ‘Social Media Brand of the year’ Award

The most socially engaging bank in Sri Lanka, Seylan Bank, won 3 major international awards for its performance on the Social Media platform at the ‘Indo Lanka Customer Engagement Award’ organized by the ACEF Team.

Continuing with our disjointed TVET sector will not solve our skills problem

Education, skills development and technical training providers are central to create productive employment opportunities for our young people. They prepare mostly young people for work in the 

Ideas for the western region Megapolis Master Plan

At present, the public is minimally informed as to what the megapolis development is all about and has many questions regarding the concept of megapolis.

NDB receives overwhelming response for Jaffna recruitment drive

NDB recently expanded its reach to the people in the North by opening branches in Tirunelveli, Manipai and Chavakachcheri. This strengthens NDB’s presence in the Jaffna peninsula to a total of 6 branches.

First Young Global Leaders event in Sri Lanka

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Young Global Leaders event of the World Economic Forum was held from February 16-18, 2016.

Maruti Suzuki says suspended production in North India amid protests

REUTERS: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India’s biggest carmaker by sales, said it had suspended operations at its Northern autoplants after protests disrupted the supply of some components. In a statement posted on its website, Maruti Suzuki said it had stopped manufacturing at the Manesar and Gurgaon plants on Saturday. The factories produce a combined 5,000 vehicles daily.

Belgian investors meet Int’l Trade State Minister

Top Belgian investors have expressed interest in the investment-friendly climate now existing in Sri Lanka Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Development Pieter De Crem has conveyed investor interest, when he met International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe at the Ministry office in Colombo.

EY global head ignites entrepreneurship among Lankan family biz leaders

E&Y Sri Lanka was proud to host Peter Englisch, the Head of the EY Family Business Centre of Excellence, from January 17 to 22, 2016, in Sri Lanka. 

SL tightens monetary policy to cool down overheating economy

The Central Bank tightened Sri Lanka’s monetary policy by raising its key policy rates by 50 basis points last Friday in a bid to cool down an overheating economy as the excessive credit growth was seen fuelling demand-driven inflationary pressures.

Sri Lanka among most protected countries in the world: WB

By Chandeepa Wettasinghe World Bank recently classified Sri Lanka as one of the most protected economies in the world, indicating how far Sri Lanka would have to travel to reach its ambitions of becoming regional hubs across  various industries.

CTC 4Q net slips 8% to Rs.1.8bn over lower top line and higher expenses

The local unit of British American Tobacco PLC, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC), which has a monopoly in cigarette products in Sri Lanka saw its December quarter (4Q15) net profit slipping 7.7 percent year-on-year (yoy) to Rs. 1.8 billion amid a slowdown in revenue and higher operating costs, the interim financials showed. 

Inspecting Mattala Air Port

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe on Saturday visited the Southern district of Hambantota on an inspection tour to observe the progress of some of the development projects. Picture shows the PM arriving at the Mattala Air Port, flanked by Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa and Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana 

Royal Ceramics 3Q net up 32% over higher top line

Porcelain and ceramic manufacturer, Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC group (RCL) increased its net profits by 32 percent to Rs. 903. 4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (3Q16) as a result of higher top line, the interim results showed. 

We should learn lessons from Turkey’s economic success: Minister

Sri Lanka can learn lessons from Turkey when improving and stabilizing its economy, as Turkey has proven that it can stand unaffected by global economic crises, Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim said.