MTD Walkers launches Fat Lady for Sanken

MTD Walkers PLC subsidiary Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Pvt.) Ltd recently launched the 69.4 tonne, 23-metre Fat Lady self propelled barge, which was ordered by Sanken Overseas Maldives (Pvt.) Ltd.  Pic by Nisal Baduge

Prime Minister to inaugurate Intex South Asia

The third edition of Intex South Asia, the largest and only international textile sourcing show in South Asia will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC) from 15th to 17th November 2017, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasingha to inaugurate the event.

CCC to hold workshop to discuss strengthening preparedness and emergency response in Lanka

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold a consultation workshop with the private sector on 15th November 2017 to discuss strengthening preparedness and emergency response in  Sri Lanka.

Baurs CEO Alternate visits Singapore Sister Company and staff in Thailand

Newly appointed CEO Alternate Rolf Blaser together with the Chairman of A. Baur and Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. Thomas Daetwyler were on a working visit in Thailand and Singapore to assess the possibilities to expand their business in the region representing prime European companies in the growing South East Asian markets.

Sri Lanka and Korea celebrate 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations with ‘Korea Week’

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Sri Lanka, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka is organizing a variety of programmes for ‘Korea Week’ from 13th to 20th November 2017.

Award winning Korean Kitchen Musical: Traditional Korean Rhythms of Samulnori

The first instance of a non-verbal performance which originated in Korea, Nanta is a mix of the traditional Korean rhythms of samulnori and comical scenes set in a Kitchen. 

Talawakelle Estate Senior Cluster Manager awarded brand new Land Cruiser Prado

Maskeliya Plantations PLC., owned by Richard Pieris Group of Companies awarded a brand new Land Cruiser Prado to Talawakelle Estate Senior Cluster Manager Iroshan Weerakoon.

Hayleys Advantis concludes second logisticians’ capacity building programme on high note

Hayleys Advantis Limited recently completed the second programme in their capacity building initiative under the theme ‘Inspiring Logistics in Sri Lanka’.

Luxury Brands dominates alcohol and tobacco category at SLIM NASCO

Luxury Brands secured four awards under the alcohol and tobacco category at this year’s National Sales Congress (NASCO), organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

IAPC&M recognizes Deepal Sooriyaarachchi as ‘Accredited Master Coach and Mentor’

Deepal Sooriyaarachchi has recently been conferred the title of ‘Accredited Master Coach and Mentor’ (AMC/M) by the International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring (IAPC&M). Based in the United Kingdom, IAPC&M provides accreditation for professional coaches, mentors, 

A budget to boldly go where no Sri Lankan has gone before?

The futuristic 2018 budget was inspired by the classic science fiction television show Star Trek, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said at the E&Y post-budget forum. “In fact, the whole thrust of the budget and the ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ concept, in fact I remember, 

Colombo industrial land prices rise most in 3 years

Land prices in Colombo have been hotter than anywhere else in the island and as of late the prices have been growing at an exponential pace due to the pent-up demand for government and private lands created by various projects from commercial to luxury residences. 

Poultry industry finally gets what it longed for

Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera appeared to have heeded the long drawn out call by the poultry farms - high cost of maize - which plagued the industry for years as the government decided to allow importation of maize to bridge the gap in the local market.

Shippers and freight forwarders cry foul over move to liberalize industry

  Two apex lobby groups in the shipping and logistics industry this weekend cried foul over Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s proposal to open up the industry to further foreign ownership in companies.The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and the Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) said that they “strongly object to the 

Expolanka records quarterly loss of Rs.138mn on margin pressure, higher costs

Expolanka Holdings PLC reported a loss of Rs.138.4 million for the three months ended in September (2Q’18) compared to a profit of Rs. 242.8 million recorded in the same period last year due to both external and internal factors weighing on its performance. 

Sri Lanka-Singapore final FTA discussions tomorrow: Malik

Sri Lanka is hoping to have the final discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore today and tomorrow, and the agreement will be ready by January, according to International Trade and Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

Blue Mountain Achilleion continues winning streak at ‘Asia Property Awards’

Blue Mountain Achillieon won the ‘Best Condo Architectural Design’ at a gala event at the ‘Asia Property Awards’ held on 8th November 2017 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre

China to widen foreign access to financial sector

AFP: China yesterday said it will further open the country’s financial markets to foreign firms, a key demand from the United States and other global investors who have long complained about the strict limits on access to the giant economy.

Australian High Commissioner congratulates Australia Awards recipients

Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson hosted a reception in Colombo recently to congratulate 30 Sri Lankans who have been offered Australia Awards scholarships to study at Australian universities in 2018.

Rotary Club of Colombo East, Soundarie and Shangri-La, Colombo partner for charity concert

‘Timeless Classics’, featuring the much-loved Soundarie David and Shey Liyanage, is a concert to raise funds toward two of the Rotary Club of Colombo East’s anchor projects namely, Project BEAP—Accident and Emergency Trauma Unit Centre at the Teaching Hospital in Batticaloa and the 

Americares donates multipurpose first-aid boxes

The relief and development organisation, Americares, donated multipurpose first-aid boxes to be used by the field staff in the Kaluthara District, at the two workshops held in Kaluthara, at the request of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Health Ministry.

BreadTalk Sri Lanka opens 8th new door in Western Province

  Envisioning of offering high-quality lifestyle bakery and confectionaries to the local market, global franchise brand BreadTalk operated locally by Foodbuzz Private Limited, opened its eighth outlet at No: 385/6, Negombo Road, Wattala. 

Fast and furious Nations Sports Day 2017

Nations Trust Bank Sports Day 2017 was held recently under the theme ‘Fast and Furious’ at Havelock Sports Club Grounds.

AmCham/NDB Bowling Tournament to be held this month

The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) organizes its annual Bowling Tournament for the seventhconsecutive year on Saturday, 25th November, 2017 from 12 noon onwards at the Strikes Bowling Centre, Excel World Entertainment Park.

Duo World Inc. partners Maxim Group for strategic advisory services

Duo World Inc.recently announced that it has enlisted Maxim Group LLC, a leading investment banking, securities, and investment management firm, to provide strategic corporate planning and investment banking services to the company.

Globalisation an ‘irreversible historical trend’: China’s Xi

AFP:  Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out his country’s credentials as the new champion of world trade yesterday, calling globalisation an “irreversible historical trend”, in comments that offered a contrast to the “America First” doctrine espoused by Donald Trump moments earlier.

Hirdaramani powers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

As an Official Industry Patron at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW), Hirdaramani’s emerging leadership talks about the future of Sri Lanka apparel while lending its resources and expertise to support emerging designers showcasing at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka.

Miss no opportunity from Budget 2018: CCC Chief

The ‘Designer Budget’ presented by the new Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera is said to have a number of blessings in disguise for which the country’s leading business chamber urged its community to thoroughly analyse the proposal so that no opportunity is missed.

Saudi Aramco signs energy deals worth nearly US$ 4.5 bn

AFP:  Saudi Aramco yesterday signed agreements worth nearly US$4.5 billion with multinational oil and gas contractors, in what the company dubbed as an effort to diversify the economy.

Uber loses employment rights case in Britain: lawyers

AFP:  US ride-hailing app Uber yesterday lost a landmark case in Britain that would give drivers the right to paid holidays and the national minimum wage, lawyers representing the claimants said. The London employment tribunal rejected Uber’s appeal against an October 2016 ruling in a case that is being closely watched for the wider implications for Britain’s booming “gig economy”.