IMF cuts world growth forecast, warns of emerging market risks

?AFP: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned of substantial risks in the major emerging market economies as it lowered its outlook for global economic growth 

EPF among top shareholders of a company with just one director

?Sri Lanka’s private sector pension fund, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), managed by the state, has invested in a company which has just one director in its director board and has negative net worth.  

Precious agarwood!

?Sadaharitha Plantations, a leading commercial forestry company in the country, has come up with an innovative solution to produce agarwood, a highly valued raw material used in the production of perfumes.

ULCCs boost Port of Colombo volume

Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT) has set another milestone by closing 2015 with an impressive 1.561 million teus, with the ULCC (Ultra Large Container Carrier) and VLCC (Very large Container Carrier) ...

Hutch launches train ticket purchases via mobile

?Hutch, one of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing 3G networks, has partnered with Mobitel and Sri Lanka Railway to introduce the latest addition to its range of VAS services for its valued customer base, by enabling train ticket purchases straight from a Hutch mobile.

IPM partners Esoft Metro Campus for greater IT proficiency

?IPM Sri Lanka – the nation’s leader in human resources management – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with Esoft Metro Campus - the leading IT training institute - to encourage greater IT proficiency amongst the HR community. 

Access Engineering receives highest CIDA recognition

Access Engineering PLC, one of the foremost engineering enterprises in Sri Lanka, was recently accredited with the highest national construction grading for three key engineering disciplines by the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA)

Imal – First Lankan to be on Asia Pacific Effie jury

?The Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations has proudly announced the appointment of Imal Fonseka, renowned marketer and CEO of Ceylon Biscuits, to the jury of the Asia Pacific Effie Awards, making him the first Sri Lankan to be nominated for this prestigious position.  

4rever wins Gold at Business Excellence Awards 2015

The holy grail in the overall business excellence landscape which encompasses excellence in a wide area such as Excellence in leadership, capacity building...

40 govt. administrators attend PIM’s Thailand programme

?The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) organised yet another international management programme for 40 administrators recently.  

Spice Council Founder Chairman to attend International Spice Conference in India

?Sarada de Silva will attend the International Spice Conference (ISC) in Goa, India and the Business Sessions of the all India Spice Exporters Forum (AISEF) that begins today. 

German’s Häfele launches Design Centre in Colombo

The international leader in German hardware technologies, Häfele launches its largest state-of-the-art Design Centre in the country at the heart of Colombo,  opening  the first-of-its-kind showroom in Sri Lanka with globally acclaimed innovative solutions...

Tea talks

?High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd) Syed Shakeel Hussain met Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake at the Ministry recently. They discussed about tea export development and related strategies.

Manjula de Silva appointed CIMA Sri Lanka board Chairman

?Manjula de Silva (FCMA CGMA) was inducted as the Chairman of the CIMA Board for 2016 at the induction ceremony of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) held in Colombo on 19th January. 

Korean construction giant Kunyoung enters Sri Lanka

?With a promise to be a significant contributor towards Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development, leading Korean construction and real estate company Kunyoung Engineering & Construction entered Sri Lanka’s engineering and construction space, launching Kunyoung Ceylon (Pvt.) Ltd. 

Post sanction Iran-Sri Lanka trade readies for major upsurge

?In the wake of last weekend’s lifting of economic sanctions on Iran, the first ever official delegation to Sri Lanka from the post-sanctions Iran will land in Colombo as early as February 23rd, to start crucial joint trade talks.

East aims high with int’l investment forum

Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province is targeting to bring in US $ 1 billion investments and one million in tourists to the region by 2020, a top Local Government official said. 

Higher disposable income, festive demand drive Keells Food 3Q profits

?The market leader in processed foods, Keells Food Products PLC (KFP) saw its net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (3Q16) rising 7 percent to Rs.98 million over the corresponding period last year, the interim results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange showed. 

Shares fall for 3rd straight session on rising yields

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares fell for a third straight session yesterday to their lowest close in nearly 19 months due to rising yields and as investors sold their holdings to settle margin trading, brokers said.

New common floor-rates for calls & SMSs from February

?Sri Lanka’s telecom regulator, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) has issued instructions to telcos to scrap the existing two rate structure for on-net and off-net voice calls and replace it with a new common floor rate with effect from February 01, 2016.  

Traditional skills in lapidary arts

?A traditional Sri Lankan lapidary engaged in his craft in the Galle Fort during the Galle Literary Festival 2016 held last week

DSI opens Reebok FitHub Concept Stores at Maitland Crescent & Crescat Boulevard

?Early December 2015 saw the opening of two brand new Reebok FitHub Concept Stores by DSI. The first, was at 41/2, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 07 on the 3rd of December, while the second took place at Crescat Boulevard - No. 95, L30, Colombo 03, on the 12th of December. 

Indonesia Biz Council shows how to enter new overseas markets

The Sri Lanka Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with the Indonesian Embassy in Sri Lanka organised an interactive luncheon session under the...

Bio Extracts wins two Presidential Export Awards

?Bio Extracts Private Limited won two awards at the recently held Presidential Export awards under the Ayurveda and Health/ Personal Care Products Sector.

Kotmale launches ‘Drinking Yoghurt’ to local market

?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. 

World’s largest AC manufacturer Midea ties up with Telesonic

?Midea, whose globally-acclaimed air conditioner technology powers iconic landmarks like Singapore’s Changi Airport, Brazil’s world cup stadiums and China’s Olympic stadiums now presents its commercial and residential air conditioner range to Sri Lanka.  

Colombo Agile Conference 2016 to kick off in February

? Sri Lanka’s largest gathering of ‘Agilists’, the Colombo Agile Conference, is back for the third year featuring a great line-up of globally renowned speakers and will take place on February 26, 2016. 

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank holds inaugural Board of Governors meeting

The Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held the inaugural meeting recently in Beijing under the aegis of Chinese President Xi Jinping.  

Ceylon Chamber’s YBSL trains budding entrepreneurs

The Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka recently trained over 230 budding entrepreneurs on the finer skills of entrepreneurship....

Opportunity for social entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

?SocialStarters (UK) is offering a unique training and development programme to a select group of social entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka starting in February 2016.