Coal subsidised with 10bn euros a year in EU: study

?AFP - EU states are subsidising climate-harming coal to the tune of 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) a year, according to a German study due to be released next week.

GM to sell Chinese-made cars in the US: report

?AFP - General Motors plans to sell Chinese-made cars in the United States beginning early next year, a first for a major automaker, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Fitch affirms Standard Chartered Sri Lanka Branch at ‘AAA(lka)’

Fitch Ratings Lanka has affirmed Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka Branch’s (SCBSL) National Long-Term Rating at ‘AAA(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable.

Sampath Group’s 9-month PBT up 42% to Rs.7.4 bn

?Sampath Group recorded an outstanding financial performance with a pre-tax profit of Rs 7.5 billion, for the 9 months ended 30th September 2015, achieving a growth of 42 percent over the previous year’s corresponding period’s pre-tax profit of Rs 5.3 billion.

Improved net fee income, net gains from trading boost NDB Group 9-month profits

?National Development Bank PLC and its Group companies ended the first nine months of 2015 with resilience and strength, continuing the growth momentum it has demonstrated in the recent past. 

Cheap oil set to lose effect on growth in demand: IEA

AFP - Growth in global demand for crude is set to slow next year as the allure of cheap oil fades, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday.

SLT Group 3Q15 revenue up 6% with healthy EBITDA margins

Sri Lanka Telecom, the national telecom services provider released its company and group financial performance, for the 3rd quarter 2015. 

GIZ and CCC link up SMEs of North and South

?GIZ SME Development Programme, together with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) successfully conducted the ‘SME-ProLink: Unity Through Business’, an initiative, which helped create links with the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the North and Southern region. 

Swadeshi Khomba illuminates Sabaragamuwa Saman Devalaya

?The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the market leader in Sri Lanka for herbal personal care products, sponsored the ‘Aloka Poojawa’ of the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya for the 14th consecutive year.

Singer employees crowned ‘Singer Got Talent Season 02’

?Singer employees stepped from their workplaces to showcase their star power during the recently concluded ‘Singer Got Talent Season 02’ competition. 

Indian businessmen donate water purification plant, books to Lankan rural schools

?A group of Indian businessmen arrived in Sri Lanka recently and ceremonially handed over a water purification plant donated by them to Sri Rahula Maha Vidyalaya, Maradankadawala. 

Oviklo installs drinking water system in NC Province school

?Oviklo International was instrumental in installing a water access system in a rural school, struggling to provide access to clean water to its staff and students.

IPM’s Chris Obeyesekere wins APFHRM HR Professional of the Year 2015 Award

IPM Sri Lanka - the nation’s leader in human resource management - announced that its Past President, Fellow and Council Member..

UltraTech Cement reinforces leadership position

?UltraTech Cement Ltd, part of US $ 41 billion Aditya Birla Group and a major player in the global cement industry, for the third year running has topped India’s Nielsen Corporate Image Monitor 2014 – 2015, continuing to occupy the uppermost position. 

Quebee Den expands ‘Bellybees’ range

Quebee Den (Pvt.) Ltd, a consumer goods company that emphasizes on safe and healthy convenient products for a household,  announced that it is expanding its Bellybees Infant product range to include infant safe juices...

Siripala wins two awards at European Award Night 2015

?Two distinguish awards have been awarded to S.D. Siripala at the Prime Business Destinations Forum (European Award Night) held at Intercontinental Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France.

Accenture sponsors 36th National Conference of Chartered Accountants

?Accenture Lanka (Pvt) Ltd came onboard as a Silver sponsor for the 36th National Conference of Chartered Accountants held recently at the BMICH, on the theme ‘Collaborate to Compete’.

Mobitel Cash Bonanza 2015 offers over 1,743 lakhs to 393,531 customers end-3Q

?The national mobile service provider Mobitel, which aims to select a winner every minute of each day through its special Cash Bonanza draw, has rewarded 43,248 customers for the month of September through the distribution of cash prizes worth over a staggering 220 lakhs.

Bren Security’s Hard Talk a success once again

?Bren Security (Pvt.) Ltd, the Sri Lankan partner of the worldwide Securitas AB group, held its annual ‘Hard Talk’ event at 8 Degrees On The Lake, Cinnamon Lakeside recently. 

Oviklo awarded corporate membership with CILT

Oviklo International was recently awarded the corporate membership to the Sri Lanka chapter of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Ceylon Chamber issues desk calendar with a focus on biodiversity

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the country’s premier business chamber, has issued a calendar for the year 2016, with a focus on Sri Lanka’s valuable biodiversity heritage.

Fairway National Literary Award 2016 announces shortlist on the 27th November 2015

The shortlisted entries of the Fairway National Literary Award 2016 will be announced on the 27th of November at the Hilton Residencies, 

Lanka Hospitals raises public awareness on World Diabetes Day

Lanka Hospitals is marking World Diabetes Dayby helping Sri Lankans with the knowledge to prevent, detect the condition early and effectively manage Diabetes to minimize negative effects and achieve a better quality of life.

HNB 9 months profit up by 20% to Rs. 6.8 bn

?Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) continued its strong performance in 2015 with 9 months profit after tax increasing by 20.1 percent YOY over the corresponding period of 2014 to reach Rs. 6.8 billion.

Sri Lanka to usher in capital-oriented budget – Finance Minister

?Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said that the Yahapalana Government’s new budget on November 20 will be capital-oriented while aiming at higher revenue than recurrent expenditure.

Shares hit over 1-week low; budget uncertainty lingers

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares fell for a third straight session yesterday to their lowest in more than a week despite foreign buying, while speculation and uncertainty over the upcoming budget dented investor sentiment.

SEC top official sent on compulsory leave

?Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Deputy Director General Dhammika Perera has been placed on compulsory leave with effect from Wednesday, Mirror Business learns.

Nation Lanka Equities barred from canvassing for new clients

?The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has barred Nation Lanka Equities (Pvt) Ltd from canvassing for new clients due to continuous non-compliance with the SEC Act and stockbroker rules of the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Swiss envoy calls on Dy Minister

?Ambassador of Switzerland Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn called on Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva at the Ministry this week to discuss matters of mutual cooperation

ComBank’s 9-month pre-tax profit tops Rs 12 bn

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has reported Profit Before Tax of Rs 12.190 billion for the nine months ending 30th September 2015, achieving a creditable 8.72 percent growth despite narrowing margins and substantially lower...