Hameedia wins bronze for CSR at the prestigious JASTECA Awards 2014

In recognition of its ongoing contributions to the local community and society at large, Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist, recently won a coveted bronze Ian Dias Abeysignhe Memorial Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the Japan Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association (JASTECA) Awards 2014.

Cairn expresses desire to exit Lankan gas fields

Cairn Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Cairn India, has expressed its desire to withdraw from all hydrocarbon exploration and development work in the Mannar basin and the government is now looking for new partners from the local private sector to fill the void, a top official said.

Proposal to raise T-bill threshold in Parliament today

The proposal to increase the Treasury bill (T-bill) threshold is to be presented to Parliament today, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday. 

Sri Lanka’s borrowing soars ahead of parliamentary poll

?REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s government borrowing has risen sharply since January, Central Bank data showed yesterday, due to populist policies adopted by the new government as it seeks to consolidate its grip on power at a parliamentary election.

Chinese, Western European tourists boost March arrivals

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in the month of March has shown a significant increase as the number reached 157,051, up 18 percent year-on-year (YoY), with higher arrivals from China and Western European counties. 

Shares snap 3-day rally; volumes thin due to holidays

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended slightly weaker yesterday, snapping a three-day winning streak, in dull trade as many investors and brokers have still not returned from their holidays, dealers said.

Rupee forwards close higher on strong remittances

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended firmer yesterday as inflows from strong remittances and exporter dollar sales outpaced thin importer demand for the greenback, dealers said.

Munchee awarded Youth FMCG Brand of the Year at SLIM-Nielsen People’s Awards 2015

?Munchee, the flagship brand of Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL), was once again honoured as the Youth FCMG Brand of the Year at SLIM Nielsen People’s Awards 2015 held recently in Colombo.

Multilac best dealers tour Switzerland

?Multilac, the innovator and the largest paint exporter in the country yet again entertained its dealers who recorded the highest numbers of Multilac product sales.

Creative Solutions holds successful Hackathon

?Creative Solutions in collaboration with Cambio Software Engineering recently completed a successful 24-hour Hackathon titled ‘Innovate 2k15’. It was enthusiastically participated by eight teams from both Creative Solutions and Cambio Software Engineering.

Sadaharitha honours sales heroes

?The annual awards ceremony of Sadaharitha Plantations Ltd was held at Eagle’s Lake with its Chairman Sathis Nawaratne as the chief guest. The marketing staff along with the...

Mahela ‘at the crease’ with Standard Chartered

?Standard Chartered Chief Executive Officer Jim McCabe hosted Mahela Jayawardene, legend and Lankan national treasure, to a candid conversation at the bank’s premises last week. In the session entitled ‘Jim at the Crease’ in celebration of Mahela’s career and...

GSK wins 2015 PPA Quiz

?GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) won the 23rd Pharma Promoters Association (PPA) Quiz this year, taking the ‘Champions Trophy’ at this keenly contested event.

Elephant House launches Black Forest Sausage

?Elephant House sausages once again has revolutionized the aspects of taste with the launch of its newest product, the Elephant House Black Forest Sausage. 

A new single network for Wi-Fi spots

Under the programme of providing the free Wi-Fi facility covering all 26 districts in the country, the Foreign Affairs, Telecommunications and IT Ministry will introduce a new single network to access the Wi-Fi service without barriers...

Asian Alliance Insurance confirms growth strategy; moves to new, larger office

?For better accessibility to customers and in-line with its growth strategy, Asian Alliance Insurance PLC, part of the Softlogic group, announced the relocation of its life corporate office to its own premises at R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3. 

Pan Asia Bank offers high rates, valuable gifts for deposits this Avurudu

?Sinhala & Tamil New Year is an event that brings Sri Lankans from all walks of life together where they look forward to the auspicious times to spruce up their homes and give gifts to their loved ones. 

Fitch publishes Amana Bank’s rating of ‘BB(lka)’; Outlook Stable

?Fitch Ratings Lanka has published Sri Lanka-based Amana Bank PLC’s (Amana) National Long-Term Rating at ‘BB(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook. Amana’s rating reflects its small and developing domestic franchise, and limited track record.

NSB gears to serve Eastern Province better with new branches

?National Savings Bank (NSB) recently opened two new branches in the Eastern province. NSB Thambiluvil and NSB Periyakallar branches would offer the clients the Bank’s full range of products and services.

Passive investor to partner in crime: How China lost the plot in Sri Lanka

The sprightly 30-something engineer at Hambantota port reels off the benefits of this port-industrial complex on the southeastern tip of Sri Lanka about 240km from the capital Colombo.

Developing soft infrastructure Govt.’s priority : Minister

?Highways and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne says that the new government’s emphasis is on soft infrastructure in preference to hard infrastructure. 

Mobitel partners Microsoft and Softlogic for Lumia smartphones promotions

?The National Mobile Service Provider Mobitel has partnered with Microsoft and Softlogic in a special initiative to provide its customers the opportunity to use a new and affordable Lumia smartphone with Skype call features and ...

Etisalat Lanka re-launches e-learning platform ‘Web Patashala’

?Etisalat Lanka, a forerunner in enabling e-learning to the Sri Lankan student population, re-launched its self-learning platform ‘Web Patashala’ to provide an easier and more convenient self-learning tool for key subjects of the Grade 5 scholarship....

Information Technology Federation launches new initiatives for 2015

?The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) has already developed an innovative program to cater to the evolving industry changes and also meet the challenges ahead. 

amanté launches fun and flirty Sunburst Collection

Breaking out the bright summer shades in line with international fashion trends, amanté launched its sensational Sunburst collection recently, embracing the shades, contrast details and extravagant prints in vogue this season.

Sampath Bank begins foray into Myanmar

?Sri Lanka’s third largest private sector commercial bank last week said it had already applied for a representative office in the South East Asian democracy, Myanmar, becoming the second such Sri Lankan bank to do so. 

New Chairman assures action

The new board of directors of the national carrier is currently studying the Weliamuna Report which late last week leveled allegations against the previous board for gross mismanagement, and recommended that criminal charges be brought up against the then Chairman and CEO.

Murali to set up US$ 63 mn beverage can manufacturing plant

?Ex-cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan will be setting up the country’s first aluminium beverage can manufacturing facility in the near future, with an investment of US$ 63 million.

March tourist arrivals up 18%

?March tourist arrivals rose 18 percent year-on-year (yoy) to 157, 051 amid higher number of tourists from Western Europe, China and India, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Rohantha Athukorale said.

Maldives turns record monthly tourist arrivals in February

?Reversing the months long declining trend in the tourist arrivals, Maldives saw 120,468 arrivals in February 2015, its highest ever monthly tourism arrivals recording 8.8 percent year-on-year (yoy) growth led by the strong Chinese arrivals, the Ministry of Tourism data released showed.