NSB to undertake financial due-diligence of Entrust Securities

?State-owned National Savings Bank (NSB) yesterday said it was in the process of undertaking a financial due-diligence of the scandal-hit primary dealer Entrust Securities PLC.

Access group buys 70% stake in Ninewells Hospital

Construction giant and the diversified conglomerate, Access group has bought 70 percent stake in the specialized mother and baby care hospital, Ninewells Hospital (Private) Limited. 

ComBank offers instant fund transfers to other banks via CEFTS

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (ComBank) has announced that for the first time in Sri Lanka, users of the bank’s Online Banking facility can now make instant, 

BOC commences new year with religious ceremony

?With the patronage of Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Chairman President’s Counsel Ronald C. Perera and General Manager D.M. Gunasekara, BOC organised religious ceremonies to commence its operations in the new year.

LankaPay real-time payment system

Currently the most widely used electronic fund transfer system for payments is Sri Lanka Interbank Payment System (SLIPS) operated by LankaClear. 

People’s Leasing opens 92nd branch in Kalawana

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC) opened its 92nd branch in Kalawana (43, Mathugama Road, Kalawana) recently. The occasion was graced by PLC CEO/General Manager D.P. Kumarage. 

Reducing fertilizer dependency in paddy farming: Should we change our approach?

Sri Lanka’s paddy farming solely depended on organic fertilizer many years ago but the use of chemical fertilizer is now on the rise and has become a much-discussed topic. 

Importance of having meat, especially chicken, in our diet

Throughout the ages of history, humans have evolved as omnivores, to subsist on a varied diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, fish and meat. 

Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics marks another first with new sample collection unit

Celebrating another pioneering venture, Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics (LHD), the nation’s first medical reference laboratory, recently inaugurated its new sample collection unit located within the Lanka Hospital premises.

Rapid infection detection at Credence Genomics

The time has now come to stop taking unnecessary antibiotics. The increase in antibiotic intake can reduce your resistance. When you are struck with a real illness, the medicine you take may not even answer due to the overuse of antibiotics. 

Nawaloka Hospitals Fertility Centre celebrates 10 years of making happy families

?Nawaloka Fertility Centre (NFC) has completed 10 years of dedicated service to childless couples in Sri Lanka, helping them conceive babies. 

Asiri Hospitals relaunches as ‘Asiri Health’

Celebrating over 30 years of excellence in the healthcare sector in Sri Lanka, Asiri Group of Hospitals relaunched itself as ‘Asiri Health’ at a ceremonial event held in all hospitals of the group.  

Sri Lanka-Thailand Business Council holds AGM

?The Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Thailand Business Council (SLTBC) was held at the Siam House, Colombo recently.  

Pakistan single country exhibition begins in Colombo this week

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) along with High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka will host the Pakistan single-country exhibition in Colombo from January 15-17, with an aim to boost bilateral trade between the two countries.

Chile explores potential to make Sri Lanka a hub to enter South Asia

The New Delhi-based Chilean envoy Andres Barbe visited the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday to explore investment potential in Sri Lanka.

Plantation Industries Minister inspects Coconut Cultivation Board

?Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake inspected the Coconut Cultivation Board at Battaramulla, which is under his purview. 

SLIA to hold ‘Architect 2016’ in February

?“Architect 2016 of SLIA” will take place on 16th February  at the BMICH Colombo under the theme “Flows: Touching the Void”. 

Over 300 companies to participate at Jaffna International Trade Expo this month

The Northern region of Sri Lanka will welcome once again for the 7th consecutive year, the Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF 2016). Considered by the people in the North as the largest exhibition and consumer fair, the event takes place from the 29th – 31st of January in Jaffna.

Litro Gas sponsors Miss Tourism Sri Lanka Int’l 2016

Litro Gas, the largest importer and market leader of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Sri Lanka, stepped up as a sponsor for the upcoming Miss Tourism Sri Lanka International

Land Rover partners the Galle Literary Festival 2016

?The Galle Literary Festival (GLF) is one of Colombo’s most-looked-forward to and renowned cultural events, GLF 2016 kicks off this week and features a myriad of writers

How to rethink pricing at container terminals

Companies in many industries have long charged different customers different prices. For example, metro transit operators offer lower off-peak fares to balance loads across the day; cinemas charge more for 3-D movies; airports let you pay for a fast track to jump the line

High-profile EU delegation due next week to discuss GSP Plus

A high-profile mission from the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels comprising of officials from the European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS)

Horizon Campus partners with Access Group to invest in high-tech campus

?In the wake of a series of successes achieved last year, Horizon Campus known for its spacious and modern campus in Malabe, plans to ground break for another state of the art Campus which will be a BOI approved project during the year 2016.

Interest galore for Colombo International Finance Centre

?Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake says over 50 local and foreign financial institutions have expressed their desire to link up with the Colombo International Finance Centre (CIFC)...

Sri Lanka turns to mystery investor in bid to defend rupee

RUETERS: An unidentified investor has promised to park US $ 1 billion in dollar deposits in Sri Lanka to help the island nation defend its currency, the Finance Minister told Reuters, in an unusual move that highlights the country’s precarious finances.

Shippers’ Academy organizes Certified Master class on Customs HS codes

?Wherever a company or an individual wants to work in an international trading environment, HS knowledge is a key tool for operating efficiently and identify products and duty structures.

The fishermen’s problems on the West Coast: Are NGOs missing the woods for the trees?

Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a Climate Scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, in his report published in the ‘Geophysical Review Letters’ website on December 15th 2015

Softlogic group hospital firms settle IFC loan

Three Softlogic group companies yesterday said they settled a US $ 20 million loan that was taken from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2010.

Importance of balanced higher education for future corporate leaders

?Quality in learning is what separates a good candidate from a great leader in the increasingly competitive job market today. 

Major win for Oman Air North India Travel Awards 2015

?Oman Air’s outstanding products and services have been acknowledged at the North India Travel Awards. At a glittering ceremony held recently at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Jaipur, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman was presented with Best International Airline Award 2015.