Japan, US lead economic rule-making under TPP: Japan PM

AFP - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday hailed a huge Pacific Rim free-trade deal, saying it showcased a bid by Japan and the United States to set rules for the global economy.

Migrant crisis poses ‘deep’ financial challenge: EIB chief

AFP - The head of the European Investment Bank warned yesterday about what he termed the “deep” financial challenges posed by Europe’s biggest refugee and migrant crisis since World War II.

Arpico Mattress to offer 40 ‘Weekend Couple’ promo winners luxurious holidays

Forty lucky couples are packing their trendiest suitcases for a luxurious holiday courtesy Arpico Mattress. These couples are the winners of Arpico Mattress ‘Weekend Couple’ contest which ran from June this year.

Canadian High Commission-Prima organise Master Class for Lankan culinary, baking students

The High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Prima group organised a Master Class for Sri Lankan culinary and baking students. Baking under the guidance of Chef Paul Kittisou, 

Laugfs ‘Pehesara’ nurtures talent

Laugfs recently launched the ‘Pehesara’ art competition, for the children of employees from across the Laugfs group. The competition was organised by Laugfs Corporate HR team as a platform to strengthen engagement with staff and their families by showcasing budding talent of youngsters.

Etisalat customers score at LIVE Rugby Screening at CR&FC

In its continued commitment towards strengthening sports in the nation, Etisalat powered the YES 101 LIVE Screening of the Rugby World Cup at the CR&FC Grounds and extended over 1000 exclusive invitations valid for all screenings through the Etisalat Epic Rewards Loyalty Programme.

SAT CIO Forum discusses ‘Preparing you for an IT-quake’

South Asian Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd’s (SAT) annual CIO Forum was concluded recently under the theme ‘Preparing you for an IT-quake’. Held at Centara Ceysands Resorts and Spas, Aluthgama, Bentota, the forum and interactive outing explored a plethora of issues related to IT and security and was an opportunity for a niche group of end-users and partners to interact with each other. 

Etisalat organises Rugby Gaming Challenge

Etisalat Lanka, Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications innovator and mobile solutions provider, together with TNL Radio successfully and actively engaged with rugby enthusiasts and gaming fanatics at the Etisalat Rugby Gaming Challenge recently held at Crescat.

Sri Lanka Cricket appoints wOw.lk as online ticket service provider

wOw.lk, Sri Lanka’s premier e-commerce site, recently entered into an agreement with Sri Lanka Cricket to exclusively manage and operate an online ticketing portal for all international cricket matches hosted in Sri Lanka. 

Tech One COO receives Most Outstanding Contribution Award

Tech One Global Chief Operating Officer Wasantha Kumara Weerakoone has received the Most Outstanding Contribution Award from the National Best Quality ICT Awards (NBQSA) 2015. 

Oracle OpenWorld 2015 delivers ultimate cloud experience

Oracle welcomed thousands of customers, hundreds of partners and millions of virtual attendees from more than 141 countries to this year’s ultimate cloud experience at Oracle OpenWorld 2015. 

Partners drive innovation and customer success with Oracle Cloud Platform

Oracle announced that partners are driving innovation and business growth leveraging the Oracle Cloud Platform, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS), as the foundation for their cloud initiatives.

Video: Alumex opens flagship ‘LUMIN Concepts’ store in Nawala

?Alumex PLC, the manufacturer of high quality, innovative Aluminium profiles for window and door systems, opened its flagship ‘LUMIN Concepts’ display centre at Nawala Road, Nawala. 

Blue Mountain Group launches new corporate communications campaign

The Blue Mountain Group recently launched its new corporate communications campaign, as part of its long-term strategic plan to uplift the company’s corporate brand and entire portfolio.

Pegasus Reef Hotel hosts annual Christmas cake-mixing event

?Pegasus Reef Beach Hotel in Hendala Wattala recently celebrated the start of the Christmas season, by hosting its annual cake-mixing event, which was attended by loyal guests, hotel staff and members of the local community. 

Prime Minister spells out third generation economic reforms

On the 08th of January, the people of Sri Lanka elected Maithripala Sirisena as the President in pursuit of much needed change. This was confirmed at the Parliamentary Election held in August.

Prime Minister’s policy statement renews social market economy hopes

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday spelt out a detailed policy framework—which he termed “3rd Generation Economic Reforms,” following the economic reforms brought in by late Presidents JR Jaywardena in 1970s and Ranasinghe Premedasa in late 1980s

Sri Lanka’s Banking sector 3Q performance hit by gilt edged losses: report

Banking sector performance for the September quarter (3Q15) is expected to be hampered by losses made on their investments in the government securities, as the treasury yields saw edging up, according to a research note by an equity brokerage.  

HNB raises US$ 50mn from Proparco

?Sri Lanka’s second largest private bank, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) recently entered into an agreement with Proparco, the private sector financing arm of Agence Francaise de Development, (AFD)  to borrow US $ 50 million through a five-year senior long term loan. 

Aitken Spence expands Fiji operations

?Blue chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC has acquired 20 percent equity stake in the Fijian government’s Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) which manages all ports in the pacific nation, for FJ$ 34.6 million (approximately Rs.2.3 billion).

Western Megapolis development plan to be launched in February

The Western Megapolis plan is nearing its final consultative stages, and will be announced next February, an academic who is involved with the project said. “We’re still making the plan at the moment.

Automobile industry expects more financial packages to push sales

The local automobile space is currently operating in an uncertain environment, but the industry is optimistic the financial landscape will conceptualize more solutions that would help push sales, online vehicle retailer Carmudi said.

Aitken Spence launches Turyaa by Heritance at World Travel Market

?Leading regional hospitality operator Aitken Spence Hotels announced the launch of its latest brand, Turyaa by Heritance, at the World Travel Market [WTM] in London.

Nestlé Lanka Jan – Sept net profit up 9.8% to Rs.3.5bn; 3Q net profit hits Rs.1bn

?Nestlé Lanka PLC posted revenue of Rs.27.1 billion for the nine months period ending 30 September 2015, recording a growth of 8.6 percent year-on-year (yoy). 

Govt. will curb price distortion in real estate market: UDA DG

The upper classes are causing an unnecessary distortion of real estate prices in Colombo, and the government will intervene to bring the market into equilibrium, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Director General said.

Fortress team wins Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka 2015

One of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated and award-winning resorts on the southern coast, Fortress Resort & Spa, held aloft the hospitality industry’s most prestigious food and beverage laurel by winning the Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka,...

Michelle Boutique Hotel wins Best Luxury Beach Hotel – Country Award

Michelle Boutique Hotel, a subsidiary of Mos Lanka Holdings, is an upmarket boutique hotel, located in a spectacular setting, along the southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka, in Balapitiya. 

OZO Colombo welcomes Julian Simonsz

Internationally awarded singer of Sri Lankan heritage, Melbourne based Julian Simonsz was paid a warm welcome at OZO Colombo by Area General Manager Alexandre Glauser and the team recently.

Citrus Waskaduwa appoints Palaka Perera as new GM

?Citrus Leisure PLC announced the appointment of Palaka Perera as the new General Manager (GM) of Citrus Waskaduwa. 

98 Acres awarded best ‘Luxury Mountain Resort’ at WLHA

98 Acres Resort & Spa, the ultimate luxury getaway, clinched top global honours as the best ‘Luxury Mountain Resort’ in the world at the coveted World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015 (WLHA) held in Hong Kong recently.