CBSL issues Rs. 500 coin to mark CMC’s 150th anniversary

?The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a special silver uncirculated commemorative coin with a face value of Rs.500 to mark the 150th anniversary of Colombo Municipal Council in recognition of its service to the country.

Private sector requested to light up for Xmas

?Tourism and Christian Affairs Ministry requests all companies to light up their buildings during this week to create a Sri Lankan sense of celebration and spread the spirit of the season.

StanChart cuts forecasts on Sri Lanka over revised data, slower growth

?Standard Chartered (StanChart) has made a significant downward shift on its growth estimates for Sri Lanka, based on the revisions to GDP calculation and tepid growth.

CSE nod for Sanasa Bank debt listing

?Colombo Stock Exchange has given its consent in principle to list debt instruments of Sanasa Development Bank PLC amounting to Rs.4 billion.

Top bankers in ME on biz mission

?In an effort to encourage investors in the Middle East to set up businesses in Sri Lanka, top heads of the country’s banking sector had been on a short visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiya (KSA), Mirror Business learns. 

Korean investors tell SL to improve investment climate

As Sri Lanka is currently exploring the possibility of entering into a preferential trade agreement with Korea, Korean investors and officials are of the opinion that the current operating climate in Sri Lanka is not conducive enough for them to enter the country. 

Elon Musk’s SpaceX succeeds in historic rocket launch, landing

?AFP: SpaceX successfully landed its powerful Falcon 9 rocket in an upright position on Monday, a historic first in the company’s bid to make rockets as reusable as airplanes.

Non-profits, social innovation and competitive advantage

Around 10 years ago, I interviewed the founder of an Australian non-profit organisation that was established to provide housing to the intellectually disabled children.

Promotion of international MICE tourism

For over three decades Sri Lanka was not able to carry out a consistent plan of action for promotion of meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) tourism due to the unsatisfactory security situation in the country. 

South Asia could be linchpin for regional integration

?As the world deals with the “new normal” of a slowing China, regional financial and economic integration is more important than ever, and South Asia is strategically poised to play an influential part.

Fostering an innovative entrepreneurial Sri Lanka

?Sri Lanka was featured in the recently released annual Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) by the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute (GEDI). The country appeared in the index for the second consecutive year, however, dropped 16 places from its debut rank of 71st to place 97th in the world.

Etihad expands codeshare agreement with Russia’s S7 Airlines

?Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is expanding its codeshare partnership with S7 Airlines to cover eight additional destinations from the Russian carrier’s Moscow hub.

Qatar Airways reveals football-fuelled video as FC Barcelona players put safety first

Qatar Airways has unveiled a fun and football-fuelled safety video to engage and entertain passengers as they travel with the airline. A break from industry norms, this fresh and unique take on the traditional safety video aims to engage customers whilst communicating essential information.

Mihin Lanka flies Karthik for ‘Love Life’ concert in Colombo

?Mihin Lanka was proud to be the official travel partner of the ‘Love Life’ musical concert organised by the MTV/MBC of the Capital Maharaja Organisation and Chevron Lubricants. 

Thai tourism industry addresses travellers’ concerns over aviation safety standards

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Korbkarn Wattanavrangkul yesterday chaired a press conference alongside Thai tourism industry executives, voicing confidence that Thai airlines have proven safety records in flight operations...

Emirates boosts services to Egypt with three additional weekly flights

?Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced three new weekly flights between Dubai and Cairo, commencing on January 1, 2016. The new service will supplement the current twice daily Boeing 777-300ER flights, taking the total number of flights serving Cairo to 17 each week.

Another global first from SriLankan Airlines

?SriLankan Airlines became the first airline to offer BBC News, AFP Sports and AccuWeather with live updates while in flight on the latest Thales Avant System, giving passengers real-time information on news, sports and weather around the world.

HNB wins Gold at Annual Report Awards Competition

?Hatton National Bank won the Gold Award for Corporate Governance Disclosure and a Bronze Award for Banking Institutions at the 51st Annual Report Awards competition organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). 

Ceylinco Life begins work on Green branch in Horana

?Life insurance leader Ceylinco Life has commenced construction of a new branch building in Horana, adopting the new eco-friendly model developed by the company for branches being constructed on company-owned land.

Seylan geared to serve customers through aggressive growth plans and innovative products in 2016

?Seylan Bank, ‘the bank with a heart’, identified as one of the six systemically important banks in Sri Lanka by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka believes their best brand ambassadors are their customers. Perceived as a friendly and caring bank, Seylan saw further expansion as a whole in 2015. 

LB Finance joins hands with Money Gram

LB Finance PLC, the trail-blazer in Sri Lanka’s non-banking financial services industry has joined hands with MoneyGram through its super-agent in Sri Lanka Hatton National Bank. 

Asian Alliance Insurance opens Kuliyapitiya and Pettah branches

?Asian Alliance Insurance has further strengthened its General Insurance branch network by opening branches in Kuliyapitiya and Pettah, thereby providing enhanced access to its customers in these areas.  

Cargills Square Mall and Cargills Bank open in Jaffna

?Cargills Square - Jaffna the first luxury family entertainment mall in Northern Sri Lanka and Cargills Bank - Jaffna, Regional Headquarters - North were declared open by President, Maithripala Sirisena recently. 

Great season for NDB Good Life credit cardholders

?This festive season, NDB Good Life Credit Crdholders will have the opportunity to enjoy great savings while shopping, dining and holidaying at selected partner outlets.  

Access Engineering progresses in canal bank protection works of St Sebastian South canal

Access Engineering PLC, the leading engineering enterprise in Sri Lanka is making a swift progress in the canal bank revetment works in St. Sebastian South Canal, under the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project.

No Fat No Sugar Star Gold Pasta enters local market

In order to meet the demand for health conscious products among Sri Lankan consumers, R.G. Brothers & Co. has introduced a No Fat No Sugar Star Gold Pasta to the market. 

Noritake ends 2015 on winning note

?Noritake Lanka Porcelain Pvt Ltd (NLPL) ends 2015 on a winning note with several awards to its credit. 

Cotton Collection opens plus size store in Flower Road

?Cotton Collection, Sri Lanka’s premier fashion chain, recently opened a new plus size store focusing on plus-sized clothing to fill an important void in the local fashion and retail industry. 

One thousand Milo cycles paint the streets green at Cycle Parade

Milo, the nourishing energy beverage brand in Sri Lanka, painted the streets of Colombo in its vibrant shades of green with a mega Milo Cycle Parade, bringing the ‘Mom, Me and My Milo’ campaign to a grand finalé. 

Top economist says causes for SL’s dismal exports performance “domestic”

Sri Lanka’s export performance continues to remain grim largely due to internal issues and not because of problems with preferential trade agreements the country has entered in to, a top economist in the country said.