Top Hyatt Hotels officials in town

?Top officials from Hyatt Hotels were in Sri Lanka at the invitation of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. The officials were updated about the current status of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Colpetty. 

Growth may dip below 6% this year with new GDP base: Central Bank

The rebased gross domestic product (GDP) of the country may not exceed the 6 percent growth seen in the first quarter of 2015 for the rest of the year, according to a high-ranking official of the Central Bank...

Chinese influx

Two Chinese tourists in Negombo are seen enjoying a king coconut to quench their thirst.

Policy stability key to attract investors: British Envoy

The results of the upcoming election would not pose a threat to the natural growth of the Sri Lankan economy;...

eZ Cash launches inter-operable mobile payment system for inward remittances

Mobile money service eZ Cash launched the world’s first inter-operable mobile payment system to facilitate foreign remittances to reach customers directly on their mobile phone.

President, PM visit Central Bank

?The Communications Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday released pictures of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visiting the Central Bank premises on July 9.

Rebasing of GDP figures, a political gimmick: Cabraal

A newly established social platform, the ‘Vidvath Jana Pawura’;...

Time for an e-waste policy

The picture aptly demonstrates the need for an e-waste policy in Sri Lanka. Electronic waste is a relatively new addition to the types of hazardous wastes that threaten human health and environment.

Hambantota Port phase II commissions with water filling

?The filling of water into Phase II of the Hambantota Port was initiated on Saturday by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga at a simple ceremony which lacked the pomp and majesty of similar occasions in the past.

Tough times

An Indian vegetable vendor floats sacks of produce along a..

Plantation crisis

?The ‘go slow’ campaign started by workers of the 23 Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) continued for the fourth consecutive day yesterday.

Dialog Axiata to invest US $ 120mn this year

Dialog Axiata PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunication service providers, will be making investments of over US $ 120 million in 2015, despite the political uncertainty that has dogged the country throughout the year.

President opens Dialog’s new corporate HQ

?Sri Lanka’s premier telecom service provider, Dialog Axiata’s new Corporate Headquarters in Colombo 2, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, amongst a distinguished gathering. 

All eyes on ECB after Greek ‘No’ vote

?AFP: All eyes were on the European Central Bank (ECB) yesterday following the resounding ‘No’ in the Greek referendum, with the ECB seen as the only institution capable of calming market panic and preventing the Greek economy from collapsing.

Greek referendum

?A young girl holds a ballot during the Greek referendum in Athens. Greek voters headed to the polls yesterday to vote in a historic, tightly fought referendum on whether to accept worsening austerity in exchange for more bailout funds, in a gamble that could see it crash out of the euro   

June inflation slows to 0.1% over lower energy prices

Sri Lanka’s headline inflation for the 12-months to June slowed ...

Greece in shock as banks shut after creditor talks break down

?AFP: Greeks woke up to shuttered banks, closed cash machines and a climate of rumours and conspiracy theories yesterday as a breakdown in talks between Athens and its creditors plunged the country deep into crisis.

Call for long-term fix for tea industry

A tea industry stakeholder called on the government to implement a sensible,...

Pvt. sector can do much more for reconciliation: Northern Governor

The private sector can take great steps towards reconciliation and empowerment in the past conflict stricken areas, according to Northern Province Governor H M G S Palihakkara, who spoke at the 176tth Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

Employment for graduates at state banks, Customs Dept.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented over 1,200 letters of appointment to openings at the three state banks and Sri Lanka Customs to young graduates, under his promise to create one million jobs within five years.

New recruitments to state banks

The Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) yesterday staged a protest opposite People’s Bank head office against the proposed recruitment of employees by the new government to the 3 state banks namely, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and National Savings Banks.

Up in arms over Port City

A body consisting of general public, clergy and environmental activists called the People’s Campaign against Port City carried out a campaign in Negombo to educate fisher folk in the area about the possible negative impact the Port City project could have on their livelihoods. 

Private sector voices problems at second  Doing Business Forum

The second Doing Business Forum was held yesterday, during which, in addition to finding solutions for problems faced by the private sector, the Finance Minister reiterated the need for state institutions to have a public relations section to make the government more business-friendly.

Next 5 years’ economic policy in the making: Harsha

After months of hiatus, a new economic policy is currently being developed..

Consolidation bounces back

Even before the dust gets settled on the regulator-forced banking sector consolidation

Economy grows 6.4% in 1Q 2015

Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2015...

Tourism expert urges need for proper marketing strategy

Sri Lanka tourism needs to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to attract the ideal tourists, and establish a think-tank for the sector, according to a leading tourism consultant in the country.  

Gas to the masses

?At the end of 2013, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption by household and commercial segments accounted for 86 percent of the total LPG consumption in Sri Lanka.

More British firms eying Sri Lanka

An increasing number of British companies are looking to operate in Sri Lanka following the change of regime, according the new British envoy in Colombo. 

ComBank begins Myanmar operations with Yangon office opening

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon opened its representative office in Yangon this week (June 8th), formally launching its operations in Myanmar, initially to offer advisory services to Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi businesses wishing to enter that country,...