Pathfinder Foundation convenes conference on Bay of Bengal

The Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives of the Pathfinder Foundation, in partnership with Carnegie India, convened two-day track 1.5 conferences called ‘Trincomalee Consultations’ recently. 

China’s big banks say bad loan fears eased in 2016

AFP: Bad-loan concerns at China’s big banks eased in 2016 despite flat earnings growth, the companies said this week, but analysts warn asset-quality problems in the world’s second-largest economy could worsen next year.

Trump to name and shame trade ‘cheats’

AFP: President Donald Trump ordered staff yesterday to pinpoint countries and goods responsible for America’s nearly US$50 billion trade deficit,

Asian markets lower as quarter draws to close

AFP: Asian markets sank yesterday as the quarter drew to a close, with dealers ignoring better-than-expected US economic growth data, while South Africa’s rand plunged after President Jacob Zuma sacked his respected finance minister.

EIB’s permanent office marks new era of stronger activity across India and South Asia

The European Investment Bank’s first permanent office in India was formally opened earlier this week by Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister of the Republic of India, Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, Andrew McDowell, European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for South Asia and Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India.

Shares hit near 3-wk closing high; post 1st weekly gain in 6

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares closed at their highest in nearly three weeks yesterday, rising for a fourth straight session on purchases by foreign investors and on quarter-end window dressing, stockbrokers said.

Sri Lankan delegation’s Reunion Island visit to begin today

On invitation from the French Agency for Development (AFD), an official delegation headed by M.I.M. Rafeek, Secretary to the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs will visit the Reunion Island from 1st to 7th of April. 

Rupee rises on inward remittances, exporter dollar sales

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended stronger yesterday, helped by inward remittances and selling of the greenback by exporters ahead of the festival season, but the gains were capped by dollar demand from a foreign bank in late trade, dealers said.

Kelani Cables hosts Kelani Challenge Trophy 2017 for second consecutive year

Kelani Cables PLC led the Kelani Challenge Trophy 2017 annual cricket tourney at the Bloomfield Cricket Club grounds in Colombo.

Jade Restaurants introduce unbeatable seasonal offers

The best of the delicious Chinese cuisine could now be savoured at Jade Restaurants in Nugegoda and Maharagama where dine in customers can enjoy a 30 percent discount on Commercial Bank credit cards until April 10 on all food and beverages in the menu.

CIMA prepares you for the boardroom, says Unilever National Finance Director

Unilever Sri Lanka National Finance Director Priyadharshana Ekanayake (ACMA, CGMA) has worked for Unilever in Sri Lanka, Singapore and India.  During his 25 years at Unilever, his professional experience spans all finance functions - in regional, global and local roles.

Floating umbrellas of Portugal at The Factory Outlet

Ever wanted to go to Portugal? Come over to The Factory Outlet in Havelock and witness a glimpse of the Portugal culture. 

CIM Sri Lanka networking event hits high note with eminent musicians

CIM Sri Lanka hosted its first networking event for 2017, titled ‘Evolution of Music in Sri Lanka’ recently at the CIM Office, in Colombo.

SLTC welcomes new students at inauguration ceremony

The Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) held an inauguration ceremony earlier this week to welcome the new students.

Exchanging scrapped notes

An Indian woman reads a notice board as she stands in a queue outside the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to exchange old 500 and 1000 currency notes in Mumbai on yesterday. 

Is Asia’s growth independent of the West?

Asia’s integration has been reshaping the global economic landscape. The emerging economies in the East and Southeast Asia (grouped together as emerging East Asia) now account for about 25 percent of total global trade and 21 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP), compared with about 10 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, in 1985. Is this formidable growth of integrated Asia now independent of growth rates in major developed eco

Dealing with sovereign debt—The IMF perspective

Debt is central to the functioning of a modern economy. Firms can use it to finance investments in future productivity. Households can use it to finance lumpy purchases, such as big consumer 

Grant Group joins Dentsu Aegis Network for next phase of growth

Dentsu Aegis Network yesterday announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Grant Group, the largest independent creative agency and the pioneer of advertising in Sri Lanka. 

‘Women Icons’ Singapore honour for Indrani Fernando

The inaugural edition of the Women Icons Summit & Awards, a premier platform that celebrates and honours the accomplishments and contributions of women who have excelled in different spheres of life, was held amidst great fanfare at the Raffles Town Club recently.

TBWA\Sri Lanka – only Lankan agency to clinch metal at Adfest 2017

Competing against 3,011 entries across 18 award categories at Adfest 2017, TBWA\Sri Lanka brought glory to the country by being the only Sri Lankan agency to clinch a metal at the recently concluded awards presentation.

Hemas hosts Women’s Educational and Economic Empowerment Forum

Hemas Holdings PLC hosted a forum on Women’s Educational Empowerment and Economic Opportunity yesterday with a keynote delivered by Krishanti Vignarajah, the Sri Lankan-American Senior Advisor to the Asian University for Women (AUW), Bangladesh – a regional university supporting women’s empowerment – and former Policy Director to the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama. 

Why next generation of young women must look for better role models than Kylie Jenner

Keeping up with the Kardashians unleashed upon the world not just the success and impact of reality TV - it also brought several spin-offs,

Macbertan rewards long service employees at 20th year celebrations

Macbertan (Private) Limited marked its 20th milestone in company history by recognizing long service employees at an awards ceremony held recently at hotel Palm Village. It was a function filled with glamour, where long Service Employees were rewarded for their contribution to the company.  Long standing customers of Macbertan, some of whom had been doing Business with the company from the inception were also recognized. 

Dinapala Group holds annual dealers’ convention

Dinapala Group of Companies, a leading name in the field of business in this country is a commercial organization established in 1956 in Kandy. 

Cinnamon Grand felicitates associates at service awards 2016

Cinnamon Grand held its annual service awards to acknowledge and reward the long-term commitment of hotel’s associates at the Oak Room recently. 

PickMe creates right work culture for young and dynamic

PickMe, Sri Lanka’s home grown technology based taxi hailing service is well into its second successful year of operations.  

Government to build national consensus for PPPs: minister

The government is hoping to build a national consensus for the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in revamping state-owned enterprises (SOEs), Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim said this week.

Top economist advocates homegrown monetary and fiscal policy for Sri Lanka

An outspoken economist yesterday advised Sri Lanka’s Central Bankers and politicians to adopt a more or less a homegrown monetary and fiscal policy instead of following mythical monetarism and free markets.

Shashi Tharoor to speak at PM’s biography launch

Compelling and eloquent speaker and award-winning author Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a former Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations (UN) will be in Colombo next week for the launch of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s biography authored by Dinesh Weerakkody  The book will be launched at the BMICH. 

CEB refuses to pay interest on customer security deposits

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is currently refusing to pay interest on Rs. 10 billion in customer security deposits that have been made when opening new connections, until the state-owned entity returns to a financially viable status or better terms are negotiated, Mirror Business learns. Multiple sources have revealed to Mirror Business that CEB has refused to pay interest due to its current loss making status.