Rupee hits record low on importer dollar demand

(Colombo) REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee hit an all-time low of 161.10 per dollar yesterday, dragged down by importer dollar demand and less inflows of the greenback, dealers said.

EDB relaunches ‘1000 start-up’ project to support IT/BPM industry to reach US $ 5bn export target

The Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday announced  the relaunch of the ‘1000 start-up’ initiative, an effort taken towards diversifying Sri Lanka’s export basket and market.

Shares end lower as tax proposals hit sentiment

(Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended weaker yesterday to post their tenth session of declines in 11, as worries over new tax proposals weighed on investor sentiment.

You need to know what customers really want to create ideal customer experience

If you have followed carefully throughout the previous instalments, by now, you would be able to create a good CRM strategy. 

Explore all options! Single Window operational models for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is committed to establishing a National Single Window (NSW) for international trade as a policy priority, with the support of the private sector. A NSW allows exporters and importers to submit documents at a single location or entry point, to fulfil all trade-related regulatory requirements, thereby facilitating cross-border trade.

Rising cost of foreign borrowing places Sri Lanka at odds: Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) continued to flag Sri Lanka’s weakened foreign debt affordability and increased roll-over risks as the emerging and frontier markets remain highly vulnerable  to the tightening financing conditions globally. 

Power developer highlights need for long-term tariffs to draw investments

A leading mini-hydro power developer in the country says the government should implement a proper long-term tariff mechanism to boost investments into the country’s energy sector. 

All set for CIMA Business Leaders’ Summit 2018

On August 28th and 29th, over 500 delegates encompassing Chief Executives, CFOs, Directors and senior managers in the country will be in attendance for the CIMA Business Leaders’ Summit held under the theme ‘From Insight to Impact – Unlocking opportunities’.

Losses at The Finance widen in 1Q

The Finance Company PLC’s (TFC) losses expanded during the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (1Q19) as the beleaguered finance company saw further erosion in its customer deposits while customer advances declined. 

China eyes major role in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector

Chinese firms are in negotiation with Sri Lanka’s Plantation Industries Ministry to set up joint ventures with local firms to infuse substantial capital into rubber, tea and coconut plantations and production value chains to boost production and to produce higher-value added products.

Driverless car

People looking at a driverless rental car by Pand Auto, during the Smart China Expo at Chongqing International Expo Center in southwest China's Chongqing this week (AFP)

Rupee at record low on importer dollar demand

COLOMBO (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee hit an all-time low of 160.96 per dollar yesterday, dragged down by importer dollar demand and less dollar inflows, dealers said.

United States-Mexico trade talks progressing but no breakthrough with China

 WASHINGTON (AFP) - US officials holding a two-front batt

CPC gives highest revenue to Treasury: Arjuna

Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is the only institution which gives the highest revenue to the Treasury. 

Chinese casino tycoon 'missing' as stocks plunge

HONG KONG (AFP) - Shares in an Asian casino operator plunged in Hong Kong yesterday as it said its tycoon head had gone missing, the latest setback for the firm after a project in Manila had 

Food delivery app Uber Eats readying for Colombo launch

Uber Eats, the food delivery app by ride-hailing company Uber, is all set to launch its services in Colombo next month. Similar to the Uber rides app, Uber Eats is a food delivery app that helps bring food to consumers in a convenient and reliable manner from all the best and latest restaurants. 

Asian markets mixed after trade talks

Asian markets were mixed yesterday as China-US trade talks wrapped up with little progress being made, while the dollar held up ahead of a key speech by the head of the Federal Reserve.

Germany books record budget surplus in first half

FRANKFURT (AFP) - European powerhouse economy Germany notched up a record government budget surplus in the first half of 2018 as well as rebounding to stronger growth in the second quarter, official data showed yesterday.  Federal, state and municipal coffers added together were 48.1 billion euros (US$

A Sri Lankan man carries clothes racks for sale in Colombo

A  Sri  Lankan man carries clothes racks for sale in Colombo. Sri Lanka’s countrywide consumer prices in July rose to 3.4 percent on year-on-year basis from 2.5 percent in June.  The increase was driven by low base in the previous year and acceleration of prices in non-food items.  (AFP Photo)

India to part-finance refrigerated storage facility in Dambulla

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to set up a temperature-controlled storage facility with an investment of Rs.475 million in Dambulla, a key farming region in the country’s North Central Province. 

Govt. increases concessions given to plantation sector

The government has decided to increase concessions and thereby improve the productivity of the plantation sector, which still remains a major foreign exchange earner that e

Rupee hits record low on importer dollar demand

(Colombo) REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee hit a fresh low of 160.82 per dollar yesterday as importer dollar demand and foreign outflows from government securities weighed on the currency, dealers said.

Moody’s sees room for Central Bank to cut rates as inflation eases

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s)  said the Central Bank has room to be more accommodative in their monetary policy, as the planned changes to the Monetary Law Act (MLA) are expected to enhance monetary policy effectiveness, helping to tame inflation while preventing fiscal dominance. 

WB launches world-first blockchain bond

(Sydney) REUTERS: The World Bank has priced the world’s first public bond created and managed using only blockchain in an A$100 million (US$73.16 million) deal 

SriLankan Airlines in new hunt for buyer

(Colombo) AFP: Sri Lanka’s national carrier will launch a new search for an equity partner after the IMF warned the loss-making airline was dragging the country’s economy down, officials said Wednesday.

Tata Motors expects SL’s car market and penetration to double by 2022

Tata Motors, a member of India’s Tata Group, expects Sri Lanka’s motorcar market to more than double by 2022 while the motor car penetration is also predicted to be doubled in the period.

Ceylinco Life doubles 1H18 pre and post-tax profits

Ceylinco Life has more than doubled the pre and post-tax profits at the end of the second quarter of 2018, sustaining its growth momentum with consistent operational performance.

UberTUK rides now in Colombo

Uber, the world’s largest on-demand ride-sharing company recently announced the launch of its UberTUK service in Colombo. 

Japan offers to boost Sri Lanka security as China makes inroads

(Colombo) AFP: Japan has pledged to help strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime security, authorities said Tuesday, in a new sign of efforts to counter China’s strategic grip on the Indian Ocean island. President Maithripala Sirisena thanked Japan’s Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera for donating two coast guard patrol craft costing over US $ 11 million in total, his office said in a statement after talks in Colombo.

Rupee depreciation, pharma price ceilings could hurt Hemas FY19 profits: Fitch

The depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee and regulated pricing on pharmaceutical drugs could threaten the diversified conglomerate Hemas Holdings PLC’s (AA-(lka)/Stable) profitability in FY19, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings said in a brief note.Sri Lanka has already slapped price ceilings on nearly 50 pharmaceutical drugs. The country’s health minister recently indicated that price controls would be introduced on several more drug