Emirates offers extra baggage allowance for travellers to Australia

Travellers from Colombo to Melbourne are eligible for an extra baggage allowance of 10kgs on outbound travel till end November 2017 courtesy of Emirates, a global connector of people, places and aspirations.

Vista Rooms partners with handy to empower hotels with free smartphones

Vista Rooms, South Asia’s largest chain of affordable stays, has partnered with handy to provide its network of hotels with free smartphones, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited international calls and data and access to local guides whereas hoteliers have an opportunity to up, sell their services.  The partnership will give Vista’s partner hotels a competitive advantage and provide their customers with greater convenience and com

SIA finalises US$13.8b order for Boeing aircraft

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has formally signed a firm order with Boeing for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s, for additional growth and fleet modernisation through the next decade.

Banks’ minimum capital bar raised; punitive action on non-compliance

The licensed banks operating in Sri Lanka yesterday received the widely expected directive from the Central Bank asking them to double their minimum capital or find merger partners as the regulator wants to see only a handful of larger banks in three years from now who can fund big-ticket deals.  

CPC to announce tenders worth US $ 150mn by next week: officials

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will be awarding tenders on several expansion projects totalling nearly US$ 150 million by next week, according to a top official.

SLAITO backs move to limit vehicles entering Yala

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) has extended its support to the initiative taken by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to limit the number of vehicles entering the Yala National Park. 

JKH city hotel and property unit’s September net down 25%

Asian Hotels and Properties PLC (AHPL), the Colombo-centric hotel operating and property development arm of the country’s largest conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), saw its September quarter profit (2Q18) falling 25 percent year-on-year (YOY) to Rs. 410.7 million.

Shares hit near 3-month closing high; banks lead

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares touched a near three-month closing high yesterday as investors picked up bank and diversified shares, brokers said.

Tea sector helps Horana Plantations to return to profit

Sri Lanka’s Horana Plantations PLC, a unit of businessman Dhammika Perera’s Vallibel group, recorded a net profit of Rs.7 million for the September quarter (2Q18) against a net loss of Rs.84 million recorded for the same period last year.

Zeppelin turns tables to bring back vinyls and record players from near extinction

Zeppelin has, throughout its 35-yearhistory, brought in outstanding and innovative products. Now, to help Sri Lankans ride the wave of vinyl’s revival they have introduced this cool belt-driven three speed 

Sri Lanka and Russia negotiate to end Ceylon Tea impasse

Sri Lankan tea exports to Russia are likely to see some respite with the Sri Lankan and Russian officials agreeing to work out a plan to break the impasses that have been dogging trade between the two nations of late.

Harsha slams CEB

The top management of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be dealt with appropriately for not facing the public and explaining why it is not responsibly discharging its duties to ensure energy security in Sri Lanka in an efficient manner, a visibly-irate National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva told a forum in Colombo, yesterday.

Bubbluscious; not just another cup of Bubble Tea, it’s a Bubble experience

Birthed with the vision & extensive industry experience of a passionateTea Taster, Bubbluscious opened its doors to bubble lovers little less than a year ago. Presenting not only a unique rang

SLAITO backs Government’s responsible initiative to regulate number of vehicles entering Yala

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) has extended its support to the initiative taken by the Department of Wildlife to limit the number of vehicles entering Yala

Chinthaka Lokuhetti assumes duties as Int’l Trade Ministry Secretary

Sri Lanka Administration Secretary Special Grade Officer Chinthaka S. Lokuhetti assumed duty yesterday as the new International Trade Ministry Secretary.

BOI briefs German university delegation

A delegation from the Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences visited the Board of Investment (BOI) to study Sri Lanka’s investment climate and opportunities for investment in the country.

South Asia Textiles to implement MTI-enabled strategic plan

South Asia Textiles Limited, a leading Sri Lankan textile manufacturer specialized in producing exceptional quality weft knitted fabric, is to implement the five-year strategic plan developed with MTI Consulting.

Mastercard and Bank of Maldives Introduce Passport Card

His Excellency the Hon President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen introduced the Mastercard Passport Card to the cabinet ministers at his office recently. Top cabinet ministers and department 

Challenges and opportunities for ocean resource management

The world oceans play an important role in the sustenance of the planet earth and human kind.   Humans have been using the oceans for various purposes; as a source of food, to travel and explore and to trade and acquire wealth.  

BMICH commemorates founders with eye and blood donation campaigns

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation (BMICH) recently organised a series of blood and eye donation campaigns, as well as religious observances, in commemoration of its founders. Those who signed up to donate to Sri Lanka’s eye bank were also given free spectacles.

Education to Empowerment supports rural Kandiyapita students

Education to Empowerment (E2E) is a non-profit organisation using technology to bridge the urban-rural digital divide by giving primary students in rural Kandiyapita a modern education.

Shangri-La and Foundation of Goodness partner and launch Ironkids Aquathlon

Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo collaborated with the Foundation of Goodness for the inaugural of Ironkids Aquathlon, held recently with more than a hundred children from seven to 13 years old participating. The first of its kind in Sri Lanka, the event came alive with the spirit of sportsmanship where persistence, courage and respect shone bright in the rural town of Seenigama.

Glitz celebrates Children’s Day at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital

The renowned fashion retail chain, Glitz celebrated this year’s World Children’s Day with a special agenda of events at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, making it an event to remember for the childrenat the hospital.

My Friend Foundation organizes motivational Children’s Day event

Aligned with its commitment to uplift the lives of children from economically underprivileged schools, My Friend Foundation organized an exclusive event to mark Children’s Day on 4th October 2017.

Arden Institute concludes second graduation ceremony on high note

Arden Institute, Sri Lanka’s premier personal and professional development training institute, is the academic partner of American Hotel Lodging & Educational Institute (AHLEI) in Sri Lanka.    Arden in collaboration with AHLEI, successfully concluded their second course in Guest Service Gold & Trip Advisor Reputation Management Training for the hotel and hospitality industry.   

230i attracts massive crowds to Big Bad Wolf book sale

230i one Sri Lanka’s most innovative digital media agencies, recently partnered with the Big Bad Wolf book sale to create awareness, stimulate conversation and engage audiences. 

Publicis Groupe expands presence to Sri Lanka launching Saatchi & Saatchi

Publicis Groupe, the world’s third largest communications company recently extended its presence to Sri Lanka by launching Saatchi & Saatchi, a full service, integrated communications company that operates on the philosophy that ‘Nothing is Impossible’. 

Nawaloka Construction completes concrete pouring project at ITC One Colombo 1

A forerunner in Sri Lanka’s construction industry, Nawaloka Construction Company (Private) Limited, recently completed the massive concrete pouring project at ITC One Colombo 1.

Pricing formula for fuel by March next year; electricity by September

The government is committed to introduce a cost-reflective pricing formula for fuel and electricity by next year, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said.

Top minister proposes to look at alternative finance to boost growth

As Sri Lanka is looking at new avenues to fast-track growth, a top cabinet minister recently suggested industries to look in the direction of alternative finance, an option that is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world.