Rupee ends slightly weaker on importer dlr demand

REUTERS:  Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended slightly weaker yesterday on mild dollar demand from importers, but anticipated dollar inflows from sovereign bonds and syndicated loans prevented steeper losses in the local currency,  dealers said.

Men fix bulbs on a street in Colombo ahead of Vesak Day celebrations

Men fix bulbs on a street in Colombo ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, during which Sri Lankan Buddhists commemorate the birth, attaining enlightenment and death of the Buddha (Reuters) 

Airtel Lanka deploys Gemalto’s device management platform

For the many customers who have upgraded their smartphones and experienced interruptions in their internet services, Airtel has provided  a solution. 

Sophos boosts server protection products with next-gen anti-ransomware CryptoGuard technology

The next-generation anti-ransomware CryptoGuard technology is now available with its Sophos server protection products in  Sri Lanka. 

ACL Cables continues ascent amongst Top 50 Most Valuable Brands

Sri Lanka’s premier cable in Sri Lanka, ACL Cables PLC, was ranked 41 amongst the Top 50 Valuable Brands for 2017, a continued ascent from last year’s ranking.    

HNB to empower and enable MSMEs with Webxpay

Sri Lanka’s most digitally innovative bank, HNB PLC announced a breakthrough partnership with e-commerce Software as a Service (SaaS) provider, Webxpay, to launch an integrated e-commerce platform aimed at empowering Micro, Small and Medium businesses in Sri Lanka to adapt to e-commerce.

Chemanex-KAO partner to introduce world-renowned construction chemicals to Sri Lanka

Chemanex PLC, one of the leading producers and importers of industrial chemicals and intermediates in Sri Lanka, recently introduced a new construction chemical product line to the market at a ceremony held at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. 

BOC relaunches Disaster Recovery Centre

The Bank of Ceylon re-launched its Disaster Recovery Centre (DRC) equipped with state-of the-art technology and new facilities recently. 

HSBC partners with GOSL for 11th sovereign bond issuance

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), on behalf of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, successfully launched and raised US$1.5 billion in a 10-year bond. 

Oracle Academy and Education Ministry team up to boost student interest in Computer Science

Building on Oracle’s commitment to expanding its support of education globally, Oracle Academy and the Ministry of Education Sri Lanka, have signed an agreement to integrate Oracle Academy’s programmes into 200 institutes island-wide under the ministry’s purview supporting over 10,000 students on the pathway to future  IT careers.

Are infrastructure bonds next big thing in project financing?

Asia’s high economic growth rates and huge infrastructure demand, which the recent ADB report Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs estimated at US $ 26 trillion until 2030, offers immense potential for increased private sector participation in infrastructure projects.

Mobitel makes impression at APAC Customer Engagement Awards in India

Mobitel, made a dynamic impression at the 6th APAC Customer Engagement Awards held on the 29th April 2017 in Mumbai, India, by winning 2 Silver Awards. 

Invest SL Forums spark renewed interest among Australian investors

Foreign inflows originating from Australia have recorded a marked improvement during the month of April, recording a surge since the recently conducted Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forums in Australia. 

Travis Perkins selects Mitra Innovation as partner to implement Cloud integration capability

Mitra Innovation – a UK, Sri Lankan and Australian based company specialising in SaaS technology platform incubation, digital transformation and Cloud-to-Cloud integration has begun work with a new UK client in the building supplies and DIY industry: Travis Perkins. 

Oman Air launches CSR guide

Under the theme of ‘building a brighter future, together’, Oman Air has launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focusing on supporting a range of sectors including SMEs, environmental protection, tourism and education.

President inaugurates Tokyo Cement’s 2nd biomass power plant in Trincomalee

President Maithripala Sirisena ceremoniously inaugurated Tokyo Cement’s second biomass power plant in Trincomalee recently, as part of a series of events held in commemoration of late Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam, Founder Chairman of the company.

People’s Leasing 4Q hurt by sharp drop in leases, compressed margins and higher VAT

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC), a licensed finance company with an asset base of Rs.150 billion, saw its performance for the March quarter being impacted by narrowing margins, slower growth in loans and leases and higher provisions for possible bad loans. 

Huawei showcases latest ICT innovations at Hannover MESSE

At Hannover MESSE 2017 which kicked off this week, Huawei is showcasing its full suite of capabilities based on open platforms to drive digital transformation and unlock new opportunities for  industrial enterprises. 

Top awards for Hayleys’ KVPL at Beijing Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea Competition

The Hayleys group company, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), took top awards at the recently concluded Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea of the Year Competition taking place in Bejing, China. 

mCash partners with Cooplife Insurance for insurance premium payments

Mobitel has partnered with Cooplife Insurance Limited to increase its institute partner network for insurance premium payments via mCash. 

Kodomo brings cheer to Little Hearts

‘Kodomo’ Kiddies Tooth paste marketed by UTN Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd, contributes for the project of  Little Hearts, initiated  with the support of Sri Lanka College of  Pediatricians to gather funds to expedite the construction of  Lady Ridgeway Hospital’s Cardiac and Critical Care Complex which will allow the hospital to provide timely treatment to all of our children in need. 

RPC’s responsible plantation management brings positive impacts

Since privatization, the Regional Plantation Company’s (RPC) agenda has revolved around the promotion of eco-system integrity, supplemented through high-conservation measures, and complemented by multi-faceted initiatives aimed at improving stakeholder involvement, through direct methods such as awareness campaigns and forest rehabilitation. 

Central Industries provides total water solution system to Kuruwamulla Maha Vidyalaya

Central Industries PLC, the manufacturer and marketer of National PVC and Krypton electrical switches donated a complete water system to Kuruwamulla Maha Vidyalaya, Wathurugama recenlty. 

IMF Spring Meetings 2017: Keeping growth on track

The world’s economic leaders and stakeholders came together at the 2017 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings amid a more positive outlook on the global growth, 

‘FastTrack15’ internship programme returns for 7th consecutive year

Introduced in 2011, the country’s premier annual internship programme ‘Fast Track15’ (FT15) organised by Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and John Keells Holdings PLC will commence in June 2017.

Litro Gas Lanka concludes Meethotamulla CSR efforts

Maintaining the momentum of the initial assistance given to victims of the Meethotamulla disaster, Litro Gas Lanka, provided 65 more household affected by the disaster with cooking effects each consisting of a 12.5kg LPG cylinder, accessory pack and a double burner cooker at a ceremony held on May 2nd. 

Tuk Tuk releases latest updated app

One of Sri Lanka’s leading transportation apps that has the highest number of Tuk Tuks registered numbering to over 6,000 recently updated their apps in both Google Play Store and Apple App Store recently. 

Brandix named country’s largest corporate blood donor for 7th year

Employees of the Brandix Group donated 4,090 units of blood in 2016-17, reaffirming the group’s status as the largest corporate blood donor in Sri Lanka for the seventh successive year.

The Finance reopens Maharagama branch

The Finance Co PLC reopened its Maharagama branch recently.

Bradby Fiesta back again on June 3

The stage is set for the fourth consecutive Bradby Fiesta to add colour, glamour and festivities to the school rugby’s most anticipated game, where the ‘lions’ from Kandy clash with the ‘elephants’ from Colombo.