US panned for ‘politicising’ WTO interim chief process

The WTO’s bid to pick an acting chief before September has been complicated by US ‘politicisation’ of what should have been be a straightforward process, a diplomatic source lamented this week.

SLIM appoints new President and ExCo

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) held its 50th Annual General Meeting on June 26th at Marino Beach Hotel, adhering to the health and safety guidelines given by the government.

Japanese govt. donates canned fish to meet school children’s protein needs

The Japanese government has donated a large shipment of canned fish, weighing 388MT and worth JPY 300 million (Rs. 519 million) to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Sri Lanka, to meet the protein needs of school children covered by the national school meal programme.

Citra Lab facilitates design thinking approaches for PTF

Citra Lab has facilitated design thinking approaches for the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for economic revival and poverty alleviation, to introduce practical tools and approaches to tackle larger development issues which are to be taken on by the Presidential Task Force.

Germany allocates additional grant of 2.05 million Euros

The German government has allocated additional funds amounting to 2.05 million Euros to Sri Lanka to support its efforts in facing the greater challenges posed by the current global pandemic.

CB denies media reports on macroeconomic projection updates

The Central Bank (CB) yesterday said several media reports containing certain macroeconomic projections have been erroneously attributed to them.

Asian markets sink as dour US data reinforces worries over virus

Asian markets struggled and the dollar extended losses yesterday as data showing the US suffered its worst quarter on record highlighted the impact of the virus on the global economy.

Pro-rate wages pact likely to be further extended: EFC

The tripartite agreement applicable to all industries that was extended till September is likely to be further extended as private sector businesses that were dealt a crippling blow by the pandemic have appealed for further assistance in dealing with their workforce.

Curbs on auto imports put thousands of jobs in peril, says CMTA

The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), the only trade association in Sri Lanka that represents automotive manufacturers through their local importers, yesterday urges the government to provide a clear direction on the period of the vehicle import suspension and emphasised the need to regulate automotive imports by illegitimate importers that have been vetted by the government.

Seylan Bank June earnings flat; impairments sharply up

Becoming the first bank to report June quarter (2Q20) interim results, Seylan Bank PLC may have set the tone for the expected performance of the country’s banking sector for the three months, where economic activity lagged due to COVID-19 lockdowns, which lasted for nearly two months.

Pandemic erases John Keells Hotels June top line as resorts remained shut

John Keells Hotels PLC reported its worst performance during the three months to June 30, 2020 (1Q21), as the resort operator in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives reported only a nominal income amid global tourism coming to an abrupt halt, due to the novel coronavirus from mid-March.

New lending rate seen easing, but with a lag

The average new lending rate in the economy is seeing easing with the aggressive monetary policy easing instituted from the onset of the pandemic as interest rates on loans extended to SMEs are seen coming down, though with a lag compared to the rates offered to big businesses.

Huawei overtakes Samsung as top smartphone seller in the world

China’s Huawei has overtaken Samsung to become the number-one smartphone seller worldwide in the second quarter on the back of strong domestic demand, industry tracker Canalys said yesterday.

Nestle sees growth slow amid confinement

Swiss food giant Nestle said yesterday that second quarter growth slowed as lockdowns aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19 shuttered eateries, while confined consumers relied on home reserves.

SLCSMI urges govt. to strengthen short-term SME support measures

Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries (SLCSMI) yesterday urged the government to expand and solidify the short-term measures introduced in support of the country’s SME sector amid COVID-19 crisis, in order to retain the momentum for the sector’s continuous development.

AIA LIVE – An online day of health and wellness! Sunday, 2nd August 2020

Join us for AIA Live – an online day of health and wellness brought to you by AIA’s family of ambassadors, celebrities and influencers from across the world, with guest appearances from AIA Global Ambassador David Beckham, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi and Tarja De Silva!

JKH 1Q succumbs to pandemic-related biz disruptions

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) succumbed to the pandemic-induced business disruptions during the April-June 2020 quarter (1Q21), as the lockdowns, which remained for half of the quarter, erased nearly a third of its revenues, plunging the group deep into red.

Sri Lanka raises further US $ 100mn via development bonds

Sri Lanka raised US $ 100 million via development bonds at an auction held between July 22 and July 27, the second such auction since June 25, when the government raised a similar amount, as the government ramped up borrowings for dollar liquidity.

Gold hits new high; equities struggle on virus fears

Gold chalked up another record peak on Tuesday, while equity markets struggled with mounting coronavirus fears amid a political fight in Washington over another fiscal package to support the battered US economy.

BOI agreement signed for Vallibel Properties’ 16-storey office complex

Vallibel Properties Ltd has signed an agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) for the construction of its 16-storey office complex.

Office furniture importers urge govt. to lift import suspension

Joining the bandwagon on urging the government to do away with the import restriction are the office furniture importers, who stressed the need to lift the suspension with immediate effect, to cushion the sector from further impacts.

Markets mixed ahead of Fed decision as US lawmakers haggle

Equities fluctuated yesterday as investors kept a nervous eye on Washington this week, hoping the Federal Reserve will extend its dovish monetary policy while lawmakers are struggling to hammer out a much-needed new stimulus package.

Lankan banking sector one of three in APAC to keep asset yields positive despite COVID-19 setback: Moody’s

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the profitability of the banks in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Sri Lanka’s banking system has managed to keep its asset yields from falling negative, a position only two other regional economies secured during the crisis, Moody’s latest report on financial institutions revealed.

A lifeline for economy amid crisis: Have banks done enough?

Businesses and individuals continue to struggle due to the impacts brought about by the global health crisis and it was the banking sector that all industries turned to, for help.

COVID-19 will drive banking sector digitisation push: Sampath Bank MD

This is part of the interview series titled ‘Mirror Business S&P SL2 - Insights’ conducted in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The interview features Sampath Bank PLC Managing Director/CEO Nanda Fernando. Following are excerpts from the interview.

Slowdown in worker remittances puts dampener on growth: Moody’s

The slowdown in worker remittances resulted from the pandemic could weigh on economic growth of countries heavily dependent on the foreign income flow as it could cut into the incomes, consumption and thereby the investments of recipient economies raising their credit risk, cautioned Moody’s Investors Service.

Refurbished Excel World to reopen doors next month

Browns & Company PLC, a unit of LOLC Group, plans to re-launch the refurbished Excel World Entertainment Park next month after closing its commercial operations nearly one year ago for upgrading.

Cargills June earnings sharply down as lockdowns hurt retail operations

Cargills Ceylon PLC witnessed the most challenging three months in its recent history as lockdowns prevented in-person visits to their stores while their restaurants remained closed weighing on the group financial performance.

Chevron Lubricants June earnings impacted by lower sales

Sri Lanka’s lubricant market leader, Chevron Lubricants (Lanka) PLC posted a net profit of Rs.427 million for the June quarter, recording 3 percent decline compared to the corresponding period last year, due to lower sales resulting from COVID-19 crisis.

New guidelines issued to passengers travelling to Dubai and beyond

Customers from across Emirates’ network can now travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for business and leisure visitors with new air travel protocols that safeguard the health and safety of visitors and communities.