Expanding Sri Lanka’s trade with India: Winning with competition or cowering under protection?

?In preferential trade agreements, we often see the potential losers being the most vociferous and more organised, while the gainers are quieter and more fragmented.

HNB Sathkara to pay homage to pensioners

?Hatton National Bank (HNB) in partnership with the Pensions Department introduced ‘Sathkara’, a unique product with a host of exclusive benefits and privileges for pensioners.

AIA delivers strong 1Q 2015 results

?AIA Group Limited announced an excellent start to 2015 with 20 percent growth in value of new business (VONB) for the first quarter ended February 28, 2015.  

Amãna-Dialog tie up for bill payments

?Amãna Bank, Sri Lanka’s premier non-interest based banking solution provider, has tied up with leading telecommunications service provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, for the bank’s customers to pay their bills at any of the bank’s 24 branches located islandwide. 

Sampath expands ATM network to Imbulgoda

?The newest ATM of Sampath Bank was ceremonially opened at No.132/3A, Kanda Kapapu Handiya, PahalaImbulgoda, Imbulgoda by Sampath Bank AGM New IT Business Development Rajendra Ranasinghe together with Sampath Bank Kadawatha Branch Manager M.T.V.P. Dimuthu.

MBSL starts Sinhala and Tamil New Year with appreciation to customers

?Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) opened its doors for business for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 15 with the ‘Nakathata Ganu Denu’ with its customers.

CSE takes over SAFE Chairmanship

?The Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the South Asian Federation of Exchanges (SAFE) at the Annual General Meeting of SAFE concluded on April 26, 2015. Accordingly...

CSR Sri Lanka to teach how public/ private partnerships could shape national prosperity

?For the first time in Sri Lanka, the private sector and public sector will form collaborative partnerships that will spearhead economic, social and environmental prosperity.  The brainchild of CSR Sri Lanka, this initiative is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

ComBank completes repairs to Sri Pada steps

?The Commercial Bank has completed the repairs to two sections of the steps to the summit of Sri Pada under a project undertaken by the Bank’s CSR Trust for the benefit of pilgrims.

CDB donates IT lab to Kadayamotte Sinhala Vidyalaya

?Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) recently presented Kadayamotte Sinhala Vidyalaya- Madurankuliya with a much-needed new IT lab as part of their flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, “Pariganaka Piyasa”.

Softlogic Finance launches ‘Clean Zone’

?Responding to a national need for proper garbage disposal, the lack of which has been linked with many critical issues including high dengue prevalence, Softlogic Finance PLC has embarked on a major effort which would eventually improve the cleanliness...

‘Around the Pearl’ journey ends successfully in Colombo

The 22 cyclists who participated in the ‘Around the Pearl’ (ATP) initiative were recently received by family, friends and supporters at the MJF Centre in Katubedda, Moratuwa, where they celebrated the successful completion of their journey around Sri Lanka. 

Lanka IOC donates ambulance to Lihiniyagama Divisional Hospital

?Lanka IOC, under its CSR arm ‘WE  CARE”  recently donated an ambulance to the Lihiniyagama Hospital, in the Dehiathakandiya Division of the Ampara District. 

Chevron contributes to improve medical services at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital

?Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC recently donated essential training medical equipment to the Karapitiya Teaching hospital which is the second largest teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. 

Smiths Detection airport screening technology safeguards society and protects life

?Countries around the world are witnessing exponential economic growth and infrastructure development. Simultaneously passenger traffic at airports is growing at a rapid pace.

Altair steals limelight at Dubai International Property Show

?Altair, Colombo’s distinctive twin-tower residential high-rise development was among the most attention-grabbing exhibits at the 2015 International Property Show in Dubai, at which 94 of the world’s leading property developers from 30 countries showcased their projects.

SEC Chief calls for common regulatory platform

Sri Lanka’s capital market regulator yesterday highlighted the need for a joint regulatory mechanism within the South Asian region to promote more investments to the region and to create regulatory consistency. 

Finance Minister gives thumbs up for economy

The current situation of the country is extremely friendly towards foreign investment, according to the Finance Minister, who said that this year’s economic growth would hover around 7 percent, cementing the outlooks given by multilateral organisations.

PCH Holdings to enter new businesses

PCH Holdings PLC, a unit of Adam Investments, yesterday communicated to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) its director board decision to incorporate a fully-owned microfinance subsidiary. 

Ranil De Silva appointed as Singer Sri Lanka Director

?Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC recently announced the appointment of D.T. Ranil De Silva to the company’s board of directors as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from April 1, 2015. 

Ceylon Chamber raises funds to help earthquake- affected Nepalis

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is seeking the support of the local business community and the public to help the Nepali people affected by the massive earthquake, which has taken the lives of well over 3,000 people.

Foreigners sell US $ 28mn worth govt securities in week after rate cut

?REUTERS: Foreign investors sold a net US $ 28.2 million worth of Sri Lanka government securities in the week ended April 22, following a 50 basis point cut in the Central Bank’s policy rate.

Maldives keen on more Lankan investments

?The Maldives has invited Sri Lankan and other regional investors to take part in the financing of its tourism industry. “We have potential future developments for over 60 islands with about a US $ 2 billion financing requirement and an...

Attracting investments under good governance

?Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake (centre), Policy Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva (second from right) and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Tilak Karunaratne...

Importance of achieving a balanced life

?From birth to death, people have to play different roles which can be mainly divided up into two categories such as roles in family and roles at workplace.  In the struggle to find success, people have to find the balance between these two roles. 

Felix Fernandopulle appointed Richard Peiris Finance Chairman

?J. Felix Fernandopulle has been appointed Chairman of Richard Peiris Finance Ltd with effect from  February 26th .Fernandopulle is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka...

Going beyond Indo – Sri Lanka FTA: An opportunity not a threat

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has the concept of Nation 1st; Private Sector 2nd; and Companies 3rd at the heart of all its policies, advocacy and activities. 

ComBank extends lending, multirole support to Northern revival

?The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has lent nearly Rs 250 million to small businesses and farmers in Sri Lanka’s northern region in the past four months, as part of a multifaceted on-going engagement to play a catalytic role in the economic and social resurgence of the area.

Union Assurance rewards top performers with foreign tours

?Union Assurance routinely rewards the strongest performers with tours overseas, giving them a lifetime experience. Eighty two top performers of 2014 were divided in to three teams based on their achievements...

SLI holds Mid Year Life Insurance Congress

?Sri Lanka Insurance held its Mid Year Life Insurance congress this month to facilitate its top performing Life Insurance sales personnel at the Citrus, Waskaduwa.