Brewing resilience amidst challenges: Update on SL’s tea export performance

Ceylon Tea has come a long way since the first tea field was planted in Sri Lanka in 1867. This week’s TIPS column looks at the export performance of this mature export product during 2016, during the first four months of 2017 and the outlook for the near term. 

Emirates advises customers to arrive early to airport during busy summer season

Emirates expects higher than usual passenger traffic on its flights this upcoming weekend, starting from yesterday as travellers journey out for their summer holidays and Eid breaks. 

Mascons donates roofing sheets to Kalutara Thebuwana School

Mascons (Pvt.) Ltd, producers of Elephant Masconite chrysotile roofing sheets, recently donated a stock of roofing sheets for the laboratory of Thebuwana Kanishta Vidyalaya in Kalutara. 

John Keells group provides immediate relief to flood victims

In response to the severe flooding brought on by monsoonal rains in southwestern parts of Sri Lanka, John Keells Foundation (JKF), the corporate social responsibility entity of the John Keells group, provided funding and coordination support. 

Bridging skill gap: A challenge in Sri Lanka’s quest for economic growth

According to the government’s economic policy statement issued in October 2016, Sri Lanka envisions achieving sustainable development by linking the country to global supply chains and increasing trade.

NDB launches ‘Savings Planner’

National Development Bank PLC (NDB), as a bank that strives to instil and inspire the nation to save, launched its latest product to the market – ‘NDB Savings Planner’. 

Sri Lanka shines at World Tea Expo

Sri Lanka’s celebrated Ceylon Tea roared at this year’s World Tea Expo, drawing attention to the official country of origin and showing by example its pedigree of social, economic and environmental responsibility.

Aavishkaar makes second investment in Sri Lanka; backs Grasshoppers

India-based impact investment firm Aavishkaar has made its second bet in Sri Lanka by investing in logistics solutions provider Grasshoppers (Pvt.) Ltd. 

RDB relocates Anuradhapura city branch

Regional Development Bank (RDB), the largest development bank in the island, relocated its Anuradhapura city branch to a more spaciously and a conveniently accessible location at No.133, Main Street, Anuradhapura, in a bid to provide a better and modern service experience to the customers in the area.

Qatar Airways wins Airline of the Year at 2017 Skytrax Awards

Qatar Airways has again been named as the Airline of the Year by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held this week at the Paris Air Show, the fourth time that Qatar Airways has been given this global recognition as the world’s best airline.

Mastercard Expands Labs in Asia Pacific, Continues to Blaze a Path in Developing Innovative Payment

More than five years since first launching in Singapore, Mastercard Labs has reaffirmed its commitment to being pioneers of a World Beyond Cash by opening a new Innovation Showcase, 

Keto On Your Feet: The Sandwich Factory and Fit.lk presents a 40 Day Transformation Challenge

Two seemingly unlikely allies have joined forces for a 40-day body transformation challenge. The Sandwich Factory is partnering with personal trainers Fit.lk for the Go Keto Bootcamp - a one and a 

Capital Alliance (CAL) concludes inaugural intercompany Six-a-Side Cricket tournament – ‘CAL PL 2017

The intercompany soft ball six-a-side Cricket tournament for the staff of CAL (Capital Alliance) was held recently at the Buddhadasa grounds in Colombo to promote a spirit of camaraderie

Qatar Airways Wins Airline Of The Year At The 2017 Skytrax Awards

The award-winning airline collects host of awards, including Best First Class Airline Lounge, Best Airline in the Middle East and World’s Best Business Class

The modern day woman’s favourite footwear – Jessica – opens exclusive store

The trendy, savvy and hip local women’s footwear brand ‘Jessica’, opened its exclusive store at No. 160 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 04 on 9th June, 2017. 

HNB revamps Pathum Vimana rewards

Expanding on the its pioneering efforts to incentivize the savings habit, Sri Lanka’s most innovative bank, HNB PLC, called upon all of its customers to utilize its unprecedented new level of service offering to engage with the bank and ensure that they claim all the valuable rewards available to them with HNB Pathum Vimana Rewards  

NDB approves home loans in three days

‘A new home of your own’ as exciting it may be, at times could be an overwhelming affair. It might be building a new house, purchasing land, renovation, adding an extension to your existing home, buying a home or apartment.

NDB Wealth marks 25 years as industry leader

Expert financial planner NDB Wealth recently marked 25 years in operation with a simple, yet tasteful, celebration for staff. 

Softlogic Finance relocates Bambalapitiya branch

Building on its strong growth momentum gathered by the company in 2016, Softlogic Finance PLC opened its newly relocated Bambalapitiya branch on June 1st situated at No. 292/B-C, Galle Road, Colombo 04.         

Over 50 ComBank branches to be kept open on June 26

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced it will keep more than 50 branches open for business on 26thJune, a Public and Bank holiday to mark Id-Ul-Fitr – Ramazan Festival Day.

Serious Fraud Office charges Barclays, ex-CEO over Qatar funding

AFP: Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said yesterday it had charged Barclays, a former chief executive of the banking giant and three other ex-managers, with “conspiracy to commit fraud” linked to emergency fundraising from Qatar during the financial crisis.

Future of Sri Lankan exports

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake speaking at the FT forum – ‘Grow with Giants’ – said Sri Lanka’s exports have dwindled due a lack of competitiveness over the years, from US $ 17 billion to US $ 11 billion and that there is an urgent need for export diversification. Already for the first five months we have seen a negative growth of 2.5 percent. 

Responding to income inequality in Asia

The news on inequality is both good and bad. While the global income disparity has narrowed significantly over recent decades thanks to robust economic growth in many low- and middle-income economies, gaps within countries have widened significantly.

China’s Belt and Road reaches Nepal

On May 12, Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to cooperate on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The timing of the agreement, signed just two days before the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, is not surprising.

EZY Distribution launches new HP ink tank printers

EZY Distribution together with HP Inc. has unveiled the new HP DeskJet GT 5820/10 All-in-One series in Sri Lanka, targeting high-volume home users looking for a wireless ink tank printer that never stops. 

Dell EMC delivers wave of innovation with IT and digital transformation

Dell EMC announced a wave of innovations yesterday, serving a specific and meaningful role towards helping enterprises realize their goals for digital transformation. 

SLT launches free ‘pre-paid’ public Wi-Fi promo

Following the successful conclusion of free ‘post-paid’ public Wi-Fi promotions in February and March, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has launched an islandwide promotion providing free Internet access for all ‘pre-paid’ SLT Wi-Fi scratch card users via public Wi-Fi hotspots. 

Samsung Electronics plans Galaxy Note 8 launch event for August

REUTERS: Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd plans to hold a launch event in New York City for its next Galaxy Note smartphone in the second half of August, a person familiar with the matter told  Reuters yesterday.

Fitch says rising interest rates to hurt Lankan corporates

Lankan corporates are likely to experience some headwinds in the next 12 months as a result of rising interest rates in the economy, the Sri Lankan unit of global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings said yesterday.

SL partners with Japan’s JCB for national banking cards

Japanese banking giant JCB International Co. Ltd. will be issuing Sri Lanka’s national banking cards in partnership with LankaClear (Pvt) Ltd’s LankaPay brand next year, it was revealed yesterday.