Personal loans now more accessible with NTB

Ever set out to do something great only to be constrained by a lack of access to funds? You need never be in that position again because personal loans are now more accessible than ever before with Nations Trust Bank (NTB). 

Managing waste water in Sri Lanka: An uncomfortable reality

This year’s theme of the World Water Day focuses on waste water. This article highlights the urgent need for effective management of waste water, given the severity of the problem and the catastrophic outcomes it could result in if not handled wisely.  

Is G20 backing down on its fight against protectionism?

Some worrying headlines have come out of the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Germany over the weekend. The headlines warn that the G20 has been ‘steamrolled’ by the new Trump administration into scrapping its decade-long tradition of stating its opposition to protectionism in its communiqués.  

Saving water is saving money says NDB

Recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the World Water Day is held annually on March 22 each year. The objective is to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year a specific aspect of freshwater is highlighted. In 2015, the theme was ‘Water and Sustainable Development’, in 2016, it was &lsqu

Boost for local tech firms expected from SL-Singapore FTA

The Sri Lanka-Singapore free trade agreement (FTA) talks have included a novel approach to digital services in the negotiations agenda, which is likely to afford new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s digital entrepreneurs, an Information Communications Technology Agency (ICTA) official said recently.

Ravi K to leave for London to receive top award

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke will leave for London today to receive the ‘Finance Minister of the Year for Asia Pacific - 2017’ award bestowed on him by the ‘The Banker’ magazine, a Finance Ministry statement said.

H’tota port bunkering expansion must to remain competitive: expert

The idling Hambantota bunkering facility requires further expansion in order to become competitive with regional bunkering facilities, a shipping industry stakeholder told a maritime forum held in Colombo, recently.  

NDB withdraws from int’l rating arrangement with S&P

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has affirmed National Development Bank PLC’s (NDB) long-term and short-term issuer credit rating at ‘B’ with a stable outlook in its report dated March 20, 2017.  The affirmation is given on the ratings issued by S&P in December 2016. 

Rupee ends steady; rates decision awaited

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed steady yesterday as dollar demand from importers offset selling of the greenback by exporters late in the day, even as dealers said rising imports and selling of rupee bonds by foreign investors weighed on the currency.

CB calls EOIs for new electronic bond trading platform

The Central Bank this week called for expressions of interests (EOIs) for the establishment of a new electronic trading platform and a bond clearinghouse for government securities.

February consumer prices soar 8.2% prompting Monetary Board to act fast

The food and non-food prices measured by the national consumer price index surged 8.2 percent during the 12 months to February 2017, jumping from 6.5 percent from a year ago, the data released by the statistics office showed. 

UTE marks 70th anniversary

Recognised for delivering the highest quality engineering solutions and unmatched service support, United Tractor & Equipment (Pvt.) Limited (UTE) proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Founded by W.D. Fernando in 1947 as a family-owned company, UTE began serving the nation as the sole Caterpillar dealer for heavy construction machinery. This vital partnership continues seven decades later thus making it one of the oldest Caterpil

Browns Agriculture plays significant role in govt. initiative

The Disaster Management Ministry and Presidential Secretariat handed over 200 Browns TAFE 45 DI tractors together with bowsers to the Government Agents and District Secretarial Offices in the drought-affected areas.

Customers prefer Keells Super’s ‘Super Fresh Chicken’

Popular supermarket chain, Keells Super recently launched their latest produce in the meats range by introducing ‘Super Fresh Chicken’ across all its 60 plus outlets. The move is in line with its quest to ensure that the customers get the best in freshness and nutrition.

Rs.1 lakh turns into Rs.1mn for DLB lottery winners

For decades the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) has been dedicated to uplifting the lives in Sri Lanka and has contributed to the development in the country through its marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavours. Recently it made a record-breaking change and relaunched the popular product Lakshapathi by rebranding it as Dasalakshapathi. The objective of revitalizing the brand is to offer the loyal consumers greater opportuni

EFL celebrates 35th anniversary as global logistics provider

Leading logistical services provider Expolanka Freight (Pvt.) Ltd celebrates its 35th anniversary today.

Singer launches much-awaited Avurudu offers

Singer Sri Lanka, the country’s leading retailer in consumer durables, launched its special Avurudu offers for the upcoming Avurudu season. 

National Chamber’s ‘Meet the Minister’ to feature John Seneviratne

The National Chamber of Commerce will host the  Minister of  Labour and Trade Unions, , on   ‘Meet the Minister’ programme for an interactive session with the business community, on April 6, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Chamber Auditorium,  Colombo 10.

Economic Assn. to hold seminar on power sector challenges

Sri Lanka Economic Association in collaboration with Department of Economics, University of Colombo, is organizing a seminar titled ‘Emerging Challenges in the Power Sector in Sri Lanka.’ The event will be held on March 23 at the Department of Economics Auditorium, University of Colombo.

DFCC Bank Engages With The Nation For Earth Hour Through Social Media

DFCC Bank will celebrate Earth Hour on 25th March by switching off power between 8.30pm and 9.30pm across all its branches. In order to promote greater awareness about Earth Hour,

Private sector calls for more transparency in H’tota port deal

The private sector last week expressed concerns over the government’s ‘iron curtain’ with regard to the Hambantota port sale agreement and called for more transparency and the involvement of local businesses in the venture.

Singer Sri Lanka mulls setting up new production facilities at BoI zones

Consumer durables giant Singer Sri Lanka PLC is currently negotiating the construction of new production facilities at the Board of Investment (BoI) industrial zones as part of the group’s long-term strategic plans, a leading official said.

Shares edge down on rate hike concerns ahead of review

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares edged down yesterday, hovering near a one-year closing low hit last week, as expectations of a rate hike continued to weigh on sentiment. The Colombo stock index fell 0.1 percent to finish at 6,041.17, near its lowest close since March 16, 2016 hit on Thursday. The bourse fell 0.6 percent last week, posting its fourth straight weekly decline.

Etisalat named most valuable telecoms brand portfolio for 2017

Etisalat is recognised as the most valuable of any telecoms brand portfolio in the Middle East by leading London-based brand valuation and strategy consultancy ‘Brand Finance’. 

HP reinvents future together with Sri Lankan partners in Korea

The HP Partner First Forum was held in Seoul, Korea in February 2017 under the theme ‘Reinventing the Future Together’. 

Cambodia, Sri Lanka and China debt trap

The influx of Chinese economic assistance into Sri Lanka and Cambodia has raised questions regarding the intentions behind these massive loans. While China may still be considered a developing economy, its current strategy of providing soft power loans and aid to its regional neighbours is reminiscent of the tributary system that the country employed back in its empire days.

D Tech and LK Simulation enter into reality services agreement

D Tech (Pvt.) Ltd and LK Simulation (Private) Limited (LKSIM) announced their partnership to strengthen their capabilities to deliver enhanced value to customers. 

CSE says first leg of capital market promotion in Australia a success

The ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ investor forum hosted in Sydney yesterday by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) drew over 150 participants including institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, Sri Lankans living in Sydney and other individuals with a business interest in Sri Lanka. 

CCC’s innovation strategy event to discuss digital investment related decision making

Partner at McKinsey and Company (London) Ganaka Herath, Deputy Chairman of John Keells Holdings Ajit Gunawardena, Senior Director of Sampath Bank Sanjiva Senanayake, and CEO of Fair First Insurance Sanjeev Jha will discuss how corporates can get smarter on making decisions on digital investments at the upcoming ‘Future of Business’ innovation strategy and learning event of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Mitra Innovation helps Irish company to launch DigiHealth

Mitra Innovation is a UK and Sri Lanka based company (with an additional office in Australia) specialising in SaaS technology platform incubation, digital transformation and Cloud-to-Cloud integration.