Pan Asia Bank recognized for commitment to people development

Pan Asia Bank was awarded with a Silver award for people development at the recently held SLITAD People Development Awards 2015, organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development (SLITAD) for the third consecutive year. 

Presidential Export Awards to be held next week

?The crowning achievement for Sri Lanka’s exporters, the Presidential Export Awards, have been revived and will take place next Wednesday in Colombo-and the panel of judges in the latest PEA was chaired by none other than a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Qatar Airways crowned “Asia Pacific Airline of the Year”

?Qatar Airways was named Asia Pacific Airline of the Year at last night’s 2015 CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence held in Singapore.

Amaliya Foundation launches Early Learning Centre for hearing impaired children

?The Amaliya Early Learning Centre is a new initiative by the Amaliya Foundation aimed at helping hearing impaired infants and young children to listen and acquire speech and language skills while learning readiness skills such as arithmetic, reading and writing.

Etihad Airways named ATW’s ‘Airline of the Year’

?Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, was last night named Airline of the Year 2016 by the prestigious US-based aviation industry publication Air Transport World (ATW).

Kanrich Finance concludes fifth stage of ‘Sasunata Diriyak’

?The fifth stage of the Sasunata Diriyak (Support for religion)the Social Service Movement initiated by Kanrich Finance, was held at the Irabadagma Senanayake Samadhi Viharaya recently. 

Mihin Lanka to create awareness about flights to Chennai

Mihin Lanka recently conducted a town storming campaign to create hype about the airline’s flights to Chennai. 

Amãna Bank donates high-tech bus stand to Kalmunai City

?Amãna Bank recently contributed towards the Kalmunai City beautification project initiated by Hon. Mayor of Kalmunai Mr Nizam Kariapper through the construction of a state of the art Bus Stand in the city’s proposed Unity Square premises. 

Emirates announces fleet retirement schedule for 2016

?Emirates has announced it will take delivery of 36 new aircraft in 2016 and retire 26 aircraft under airline’s fleet plans for the year ahead. 

Sri Lankan and Korean NGO collaborate in combating CKD in Rajarata

?Two voluntary organizations-one based in Sri Lanka and the other in the Republic of Korea-have joined hands in providing help and relief to people of Padavi Sripura in the Trincomalee district which is one of  the areas worst-affected by the deadly  Chronic Kidney Disease. 

Global passenger traffic maintains strong growth trend: IATA

? The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for October showing continued strong demand growth for both domestic and international traffic compared to the year-ago period. 

WB gives trimmed 2016 growth projection for high-income economies

?The developed nations will see downward growth projections for 2016 from the Word Bank (WB) due to unimpressive economic progress in the current year, a top official attached to the lender in Colombo said.

GDP could increase by 20% with greater female labour participation: IMF

Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product (GDP) could further improve with greater contribution by the female workforce towards economic development, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Laugfs Petroleum bags Gold at SLITAD People Development Awards

?Laugfs Petroleum saw its reputation as an industry frontrunner in human resource development significantly reinforced when the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development (SLITAD)...

Suppliers grumble over govt. favouring foreigners for tenders

?The local suppliers are grumbling that the government is providing preferential treatments to foreign suppliers over locals in its tender processes, Mirror Business learns. 

Alcohol beverages sector to start 2016 on high note despite tax hitches

The local alcohol industry will kick off 2016 on a high note as the nation’s expanding disposable income is projected to help maintain the demand despite higher prices, according to the international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings. 

Sunrise Engineering to begin landmark renewable energy project at Welipenna

Bringing to light the significance of embracing sustainable energy and giving the best of products and services to the nation as a result, Sunrise Engineering (Pvt) Ltd a pioneer in the solar power systems  were recently...

Consumer demand may remain tepid next two years: FMCG executive

The consumer demand in Sri Lanka is likely to be disappointing in 2016 and 2017, with the sources which boosted spending drying up, a consumer industry executive said.

GSP Plus requires Sri Lanka’s sustained progress on human rights

?The EU is based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights and it strives to respect the highest standards. The EU not only has a principled incentive to uphold human rights through its policies, but it also has a legal obligation to do so. 

Beatles’ spiritual Indian retreat opened to public

AFP: An abandoned spiritual retreat in northern India where The Beatles famously learned to meditate has been opened to the public, with plans to turn it into a touristy yoga centre.

CEO of Kenya’s biggest firm declares wealth to boost anti-graft fight

REUTERS: The head of Kenya’s largest publicly-traded company has declared personal wealth of US $2.7 million, saying he wants to increase transparency in the public and private sectors as part of efforts to fight graft in the East African nation.

Taiwan, Korea bourses plan to launch chip index next year

REUTERS: The Taiwan and South Korea stock exchanges plan to launch a semiconductor index next year, 

Toyota lowers global sales targets for new model Prius amid low petrol prices

REUTERS: Toyota Motor Corp yesterday lowered its global sales target for the new model of its Prius electric hybrid, as low petrol prices reduce demand for fuel-efficient cars.

East Asia’s aging working populations could shrink 15% by 2040: World Bank

REUTERS: Middle-to-high income economies in East Asia could lose as much as 15 percent of their working-age populations by 2040 due to rapidly greying demographics, weighing on economic growth and adding to government spending, the World Bank said yesterday.

Samsung Electronics to form auto team in search of growth driver

REUTERS: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said yesterday it will create a team to develop automotive-related businesses, as it searches for a new profit driver while struggles at its smartphone division deepen.

Town storming campaign by Mihin Lanka to create awareness about flights to Chennai

?Mihin Lanka recently conducted a town storming campaign to create hype about the airline’s flights to Chennai. The initiative was a team effort and staff from all departments volunteered to spend a Saturday campaigning from Wellawatte to Bambalapitya

SLT and TNL Join Forces for Christmas

Santa Clause won’t be the only one giving us some pleasant surprises. Sri Lanka Telecom is teaming up with TNL for what they promise will be an impressive first for Sri Lanka – at none other than the bustling Majestic City. 

Prima Sunrise Bread to sponsor Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship 2015

This year’s Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship, sponsored by Prima Sunrise Bread for the eighth consecutive year, will be held from 15th to 17th December at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, morning play

HSBC brings the spirit of Christmas to the city (VIDEO)

?Celebrating the start of the holiday season, HSBC unveiled, "Christmas at the Arcade" with the big Christmas tree lighting and a seasonal zone, at the Arcade Independence square on 4 December, 2015.

Politics trumps professionalism!

As the new government is heavily caught up with the tweaking of its financial plan for greater economic prosperity, a top economist in the country pointed out that politics in the most cases trumps professionalism as budgets end...