All new generation of iPhones coming soon to Sri Lanka

The hype is real and it is about to take your breath away. Following months of speculation surrounding Apple’s newest iPhone the rumors were finally put to rest on the 12th of September at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. 

Oracle unveils new programmes that transform how customers buy and consume Cloud

At a live event recently, Oracle Executive Chairman of the Board and CTO Larry Ellison announced new programmes that lower costs by delivering increased automation and flexibility,and enable customers to get more value from their existing Oracle  software investments.

People’s Bank awarded ‘Bank of the Year’ at European Global Banking and Finance Awards

World-renowned The European Global Banking and Finance Awards 2016 has conferred the coveted title ‘Bank of the Year - Sri Lanka’ to People’s Bank. 

Orient Finance-AMW sign strategic partnership for Renault KWID

Orient Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s unique financial services provider, has entered into partnership with a leading automotive company in the country, Associated Motorways (Pvt.) Ltd (AMW), to offer a special trade-in facility for Orient Finance customers. 

ComBank launches unique fundraising affinity card for Maris Stella College

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched a co-branded credit card with Maris Stella College, Negombo, in a collaboration that will help raise funds for the 95-year old school.

CIOB with HNB launches green credit card

The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), the pioneer which actively promotes green constructions in Sri Lanka, together with Hatton National Bank (HNB) recently launched a green credit card for people engaged in the construction industry as well as for professionals, at the HNB auditorium. 

Cargills Bank opens branch in Wattala

Cargills Bank opened its new branch in Wattala recently. It is located at No: 315, Negombo Road, Wattala giving an opportunity to customers of Wattala to experience superior banking service and convenience.

ICRA Lanka assigns Alliance Finance [SL]BBB-/stable outlook

ICRA Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of ICRA Limited, a group company of Moody’s Investors Service, has assigned the issuer rating of [SL]BBB- with a stable outlook to Alliance Finance Company PLC (AFCP).

Ten Lankan youth to attend Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity

Eight outstanding young professionals from Sri Lanka’s advertising industry and two students have been selected to represent the country at the annual Young Spikes 2017 & Cheil Young Creative Academy at Spikes Asia 2017 from 27th to 30th September at the Suntec City. 

Holmes, Pollard & Stott wins at Sumathi Awards

At the 22nd Sumathi Awards 2017, held on 20th September at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Holmes Pollard & Stott won the 2nd Runner up award for their Mahajana Sampatha TV commercial.

Young Spikes hat trick for Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka

The country’s leading and most diverse communication firm, Phoenix Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka won all three categories at the local Young Spikes Asia competition, which is aimed at creatives who are aged 30 or under and working in the advertising or communication industries. 

Jury panel completes evaluation of Effie entries

The round one and two judging of entries for Effie Awards 2016 has been completed by members of the jury panel led by Imal Fonseka.  

Aitken Spence to sell Hotel Hilltop, Kandy for Rs.740mn

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC last week announced its decision to dispose 100 percent stake in M.P.S. Hotels Private Limited, the owners and the managers of the Hotel Hilltop Kandy for a consideration of Rs.740 million. 

State Minister says Sri Lanka is a tax haven

In a sharp censure to those who charge that the present government has slapped the citizenry with the highest possible taxes while taking away the concessions, the country’s State Minister of Finance said Sri Lanka is a tax haven in comparison to most other economies in the region and beyond as the new tax rates remain way below that of those countries. 

Ceylon Chamber invites Lankan firms to join project to tap Norwegian ICT market

 The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce invites Sri Lankan ICT firms to join the Chamber’s ICT Gateway Project, an initiative by the country’s premier chamber to help local firms benefit from the thriving ICT industry in Norway.

Small cars, two & three-wheelers continue to drive August vehicle registrations

The agonizing daily commute in public transport has continued to drive the Sri Lankan public towards acquiring some form of personal vehicle no matter how much such purchases have become difficult with the current economic conditions in the country.  

Siyapatha Finance ups return rate on debentures following tax exemption removal

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC said it would offer an additional 50 basis points return on top of the 12 percent it earlier promised for its subordinated debenture, which will open for subscription today.

Glyphosate ban set to brew up trouble for Lankan tea exports

With the ban of the weed killer glyphosate without scientific evidence, some planters have started using alternative chemicals, running the risk of Ceylon Tea exports becoming banned in overseas markets, according to Ceylon Tea Board Chairman Rohan Pethiyagoda.

Nestlé ranked Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected F&B Company’ again

Nestlé has been ranked Sri Lanka’s Most Respected Food and Beverage Company in LMD’s Most Respected Entities Publication for 2017. 

Green Herbal Products wins MASSCO Business Award

In recognition of the service towards the upliftment of herbal products in Sri Lanka, Green Herbal Products was awarded a special MASSCO award 2017 held at Hotel Ramada Colombo recently.

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka to hold 51st AGM this week

The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) which celebrates its 62 years anniversary this year will hold its 51st Annual General Meeting and the anniversary celebrations at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo on September 29.  

Alpha Industries extend support as Gold Sponsor for ‘Office 2017’

Alpha Industries, a leading security solution (physical storage) provider and furniture manufactures in Sri Lanka recently joined hands with ‘Office 2017’, an exclusive exhibition showcasing workplace solutions, as the Gold sponsors for the mega event. 

Litro Gas Lanka partners Chefs Guild to power culinary expo

Litro Gas Lanka, the largest importer and supplier of LP Gas in Sri Lanka partnered the Chefs Guild of Lanka for the 10th consecutive year to sponsor the 17th edition of the country’s biggest culinary food exhibition and trade show, ‘Culinary Art Food Expo 2017’ (CAFÉ2017). 

Sanjeev and Kumar back with ‘The Smart Professional’

Sanjeev Jayaratnam and Kumar de Silva are back once again with their signature motivational, skills development, and corporate etiquette workshops – The Smart Professional

Urban Trendz: Quality and affordability in one-stop-shop

Positively noted as a happening shoppers’ paradise, Urban Trendz is a multi-brand retail store having such a super assortment of exclusive fashion brands as United Colors of Benetton, AND, Global Desi, Allen Solly, Van Heusen, V.Dot, John Miller,

Ankara welcomes SLAITO tour groups

Ankara, the authentic Turkish restaurant in Colombo recently celebrated its sixth month in operation.  Since its inception earlier this year in February, Ankara has become a favourite dine-in restaurant for the city dwellers as well as many tourists from around the world. The restaurant known for its 

Cathy Rich marks 25 years of food processing technology leadership in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s pioneer in food processing technology Cathy Rich marked the completion of 25 years in Sri Lanka. 

Doubling down on GVC-linked FDI

  ]Asia and the Pacific has long been the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), propelled by increasing trade and investment openness in the region. From 2001 to 2016, Asia’s share of global FDI increased from 12 percent to 28 percent.

Mission accomplished? OPEC banishes contango

“There is no doubt that the oil market is moving in the right direction,” the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries noted with satisfaction in its most recent bulletin published  on Wednesday.

Twenty years on: Asian crisis and regional financial arrangements

Proposals for an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) dominated corridor conversations at the 1997 International Monetary Fund (IMF)–World Bank annual meetings in Hong Kong. The Asian financial crisis had erupted a few months earlier and was engulfing the region.