BOC offers Swashakthi loans to empower Lankan entrepreneurs

In response to the government initiative to generate 10 million employment opportunities, Bank of Ceylon officially disbursed ‘Swashakthi’ loans through its branch network recently. 

HNB Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola a resounding success

The Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola, the annual SME-focused trade fair organized by Sri Lanka’s premier private sector bank, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), was concluded with resounding success as over 100 micro entrepreneurs from across the island converged on the BMICH in Colombo.  

Mastercard unveils credit card with fingerprint sensor

BBC: A payment card featuring a fingerprint sensor has been unveiled by credit card provider Mastercard.

Microsoft rallies finance leaders to embrace future

Microsoft held a symposium for C-level finance executives at Cinnamon Grand Colombo recently.  The event which featured keynote speakers and a live demo revealed how Microsoft Power BI, an interactive data visualiser that utilizes predictiv

Union Bank amongst Sri Lanka’s leading brands in 2017

Union Bank further increased its position in the rankings of the 100 Leading Brands in Sri Lanka in 2017 compiled by Brand Finance, having being ranked six notches above its position of the previous year with A - brand rating. 

Pump fuel and win ‘One Big Trip’ with Nations Trust Bank American Express

Nations Trust Bank American Express card members can now pump fuel for Rs. 2,500 or more at any fuel station island-wide and stand a chance to win ‘One Big Trip’ all around Sri Lanka with all expenses paid.

Government expects to bag US$ 4bn from 2.5mn tourists this year

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities are hoping to attract 2.5 million tourists and generate US$ 4 billion in foreign exchange for the country this year, backed by a short-term Rs.500 million digital media campaign, which is currently being planned.

All set for PATA Annual Summit 2017 next month in Negombo

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be holding the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Sri Lanka next month, under the theme ‘Disruption, Innovation, Transformation: The Future of Tourism’.

Ninety five percent engineers in India unfit for software development jobs

PTI: Talent shortage is acute in the IT and data science ecosystem in India with a survey claiming that 95 per cent of engineers in the country are not fit to take up software development jobs.

MBSL debenture first tranche snapped up on opening day

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL), a unit of State banking giant Bank of Ceylon yesterday said its first tranche issued to raise Rs.1.0 billion in debentures was oversubscribed on the opening day as the company received applications in excess of 10 million debentures issued by 12.30 p.m. 

Piramal Glass margins, profits to remain flat, but stock has upside: research

The recent capacity enhancement and the commissioning of the dual furnace firing at Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC appears to be having a limited positive impact on the company’s immediate financial performance as profits and margins are projected to remain flat though the medium-term outlook is expected to remain positive, an equity research on the company’s  stock said. 

South Korean giant SK Group to invest US$ 30-40mn in Micro Holdings

Amid the dearth of foreign investments to Sri Lanka, SK Group, a Fortune 500 company and South Korea’s 3rd largest diversified conglomerate yesterday announced that it will be making a US$30-40 million equity investment in local car manufacturing and assembly pioneer Micro Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. “It is an honour to partner with Micro. We are hoping to help Micro expand its production facilities, its industry related clusters and new proj

Appé Lanka to host ‘Music for Unity’

Appé Lanka will be hosting a concert themed ‘Music for Unity’as part of a long-term fundraising effort to support its projects in the north of Sri Lanka. A variety of musicians and school bands have 

Huawei launches flagship HUAWEI P10 in Sri Lanka

Huawei, the leading smartphone brand in Sri Lanka together with National Distributor Singer Sri Lanka PLC, launched the much-anticipated Huawei P10 flagship smartphone together with the Huawei P10

Fairway Colombo Wins ‘2016 Guest Review Award’

The latest entrant in Colombo’s hospitality sector, the Fairway Colombo recently received the ‘2016 Guest Review Award’ by Booking.com. 

Hameedia introduces PRO shoe care to the Sri Lankan market

Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist recently introduced the PRO premium shoe care range throughout its retail network in Sri Lanka. Developed by leading manufacturer and exporter M.V. 

Oceanfront Condos at Nilaveli: A Slice of Paradise to Call ‘Home’

Languidly lying just about 14km north of city of Trincomalee, Nilaveli is home to a long stretch of beach with pearly white coral sand and shallow waters that allow one to wade out to sea for hundreds 

Kelani Cables provides know-how to Batticaloa technicians

Kelani Cables PLC provided knowledge in electrical wire manufacturing to a team of electrical technicians representing the Batticaloa district recently. 

Rethinking South Asian identity

South Asia comprises only 3.5 percent of the world’s surface area but houses 24.8 percent of the global population spread over eight countries. It has people from hundreds of ethno-linguistic groups and at least seven major religious identities.

SDB Bank-NEDA MoU to support MSMEs

Sanasa Development Bank PLC (SDB Bank), a pioneering financial institution founded on supporting the grassroots levels of Sri Lanka, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) to further extend its support to the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka. 

Altair goes for Italian marble flooring, exceeding customer expectations

Colombo’s architectural marvel Altair has announced that its 400 apartments will have floors finished in Italian Botticino marble, following a decision by the developer to upgrade from marble sourced from Central Asia or the Middle East, as originally proposed.

Maheesha Ratnayaka appointed OZO Colombo Hotel Manager

Onyx Hospitality Group has appointed Maheesha Ratnayake as the Hotel Manager at OZO Colombo. Maheesha brings to OZO Colombo more than 16 years of hospitality experience in the USA, Caribbean and Middle East. One of his key objectives will be to continue to grow the hotel’s position within the local, regional and international markets.

Lankem gains full ownership of packaging subsidiary for Rs.320mn

The diversified manufacturing and trading conglomerate, Lankem Ceylon PLC (Lankem), last week gained the full ownership in its subsidiary JF Packaging (Pvt.) Limited for Rs.320 million, a disclosure to the trading floor of the Colombo bourse said.

Qatar Airways wins top accolades at ‘OnBoard Hospitality Awards’ and ‘Pax International’

Qatar Airways has had an award-winning start to April, taking home the top accolades for its new Economy Class amenity kits at both the ‘OnBoard Hospitality Awards’ and ‘Pax International’ last week.

SLI launches islandwide campaign

A message on the importance of insurance and protection was delivered to Sri Lankans across the island by the officers of Sri Lanka Insurance (SLI) early this month. 

Global economic recovery and implications for Sri Lankan exports

After years of tepid growth and a rather slow 2016, the global economy is on course for its best performance in several years, according to the latest data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is despite the trade tensions and looming geopolitical threats, said the IMF ahead of its Spring Meetings taking place in Washington D.C. 

LMD – Brands Annual lists MyDeal.lk amongst top 10 e-Commerce brands

LMD – Brands Annual 2017 edition has listed leading e-Commerce company, MyDeal.lk amongst Sri Lanka’s 10 top e-Commerce brands. 

Anantara Tangalle Resort recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Hot List’

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort has been recognised in Condé Nast Traveler US’s prestigious 2017 ‘Hot List’ as one of the best new hotels in the world, as well as one of the hottest new openings in  Sri Lanka. 

Kelani Saviya to extend for five more years

Kelani Cables PLC’s unique joint CSR programme ‘Kelani Saviya’ which served the youth of the country by producing professional electricians continuously for the past 10 years will be extended further for a period of five years by the Kelani Cables management and the Peradeniya University administration. 

CAB to hold Interbank Quiz Competition on April 29

The 25th Annual Interbank Quiz Competition organized by the Clearing Association of Bankers (CAB) is to be held on April 29 (4:00 p.m. onwards) at the Galadari Hotel.