Industrial Association of Sri Lanka holds 26th AGM

The Industrial Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) held its 26th Annual General Meeting recently.

NTFC, ITC and World Bank partner to initiate TFA

The National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Bank will convene a two-day workshop from 11 -12 October at the Galle Face Hotel.

EY named digital strategy and agency services leader by IDC MarketScape

EY has been recognized as a leader for digital strategy and agency services consulting in the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions by the IDC MarketScape: Digital Strategy and Agency Services 2017 Vendor Assessment results.

Sri Lanka speeds up SME support work

No sooner the first-ever national small and medium enterprise (SME) policy of the country has been unveiled, Sri Lanka is moving to implement it without delay, the country’s Industry and Commerce Ministry said.

JICA, ADB and World Bank conducts joint study on water and sanitation services in Sri Lanka

JICA, ADB and World Bank have conducted a Joint case study for their programmes and projects assistance during last 10 year period.

Fortunaglobal unveils LISA virtual assistance chatbot

With its ‘brand affluence’ product range having already become the benchmark for omni-channel banking in Sri Lanka’s financial technology (Fintech) sector, Colombo-based Fortunaglobal has set its sights on innovating for the global marketplace, with its new LISA virtual assistance chatbot currently about to graduate its development phase, with an eye toward going-to-market in a matter of weeks.

NCE presents budget proposal for 2018 to Finance Ministry

NCE which is the only private sector Chamber which exclusively serves Sri Lankan exporters, and represents them with relevant state authorities has formulated and presented budget proposals related to export sector well in advanced to enable the Ministry of Finance to consider and include them in the national budget.

Coca-Cola collects over 35,000 bottles during National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Wee

The National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Week was recently commemorated and the opening ceremony was launched at Crow Island Beach Park, Mattakkuliya.

Fashion Bug Sisu Dirimaga shows way forward for schoolchildren

Fashion Bug, one of the country’s leading clothing retailers conducted its latest ‘Sisu Dirimaga’ CSR programme in Kandy recently, offering mentorship and career path guidance sessions to help the school children make positive life choices.

My Friend Foundation launches ‘English for All’ programme

My Friend Foundation, an organization focused on improving the lives of children in underprivileged schools, launched an innovative programme named ‘English for All’ on September 25th. 

Ceylinco Life helps Grade 5 Scholarship exams students

Nearly 2,300 students who sat the Year 5 scholarship examination this year received valuable prepping courtesy of Ceylinco Life which conducted a series of 10 seminars for them.

Seylan Bank conducts scholarship sminars in North and East

Seylan Bank hosted a series of Grade 5 scholarship seminars in the North and East, to enrich the quality of academic skills of studentswho are sitting for Grade 5 scholarship exam this year. 

HTC opens first official store in Sri Lanka

HTC Corporation, a leading innovator in mobile and virtual reality technology, opened its first retail store in Colombo recently. 

Kaspersky Lab together with Avian Technologies presents Kaspersky Internet Security 2018

The make-up of the modern home is changing, bringing with it a new era of household, which on average, cares for 2.4 people , 0.3 pets  and now also 6.3  connected devices per home. 

Etisalat launches cliQ app on iOS

Due to high demand, Etisalat Sri Lanka has now launched its increasingly popular cliQ app for iOS users.

Morison PLC unveiled to mark new era

J.L. Morison Son and Jones (Ceylon) PLC (JLM), the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Sri Lanka and a subsidiary of Hemas Holdings PLC, launched its new identity, ‘Morison PLC’ with the unveiling of its new logo, signifying a rejuvenated course of direction for the company.

SAJICA conducts Acu Healers World Conference

A two day workshop was conducted by SAJICA (Sir Anton Jayasuriya Center for Acupuncture), at ‘Acu Healers World Conference’ at Calicut, Kerala, India.

Sethsuwa Pranajeewa to hit European market

Due to the huge demand from many countries around the world for Sethsuwa Pranajeewa, it has been decided to increase the distribution network targeting the European market, the Sethsuwa Ayurweda Hospital Managing Director said.

Patients experience superior survival in bypass surgery with total arterial revascularisation

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) operations are one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide and progressive advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care has led to an increasing number of patients undergoing bypass surgery during the past decade.

Philippines’ Duterte orders special bank for overseas Filipinos

REUTERS: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a bank catering to Filipinos overseas, the presidential office said yesterday, fulfilling a campaign promise to a sector which catapulted him to power.

Prof. Rohan Jayasekara appointed Medical Director of Ceylinco Healthcare Services

Ceylinco Healthcare Services Ltd. (CHSL) has announced the appointment of Vidya Jyothi Emeritus Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo, as its Medical Director.

Tighter global conditions may hamper SL’s possible plan to roll over bonds: World Bank

Sri Lanka’s possible plans to roll over its Eurobonds that are maturing every year from 2019 onwards could face considerable challenges as tighter than expected global financial conditions would likely increase the cost of debt, the World Bank said yesterday.  

South Asia’s largest sexual medicine conference in Colombo

The Third Biennial Meeting of the South Asian Society for Sexual Medicine (SASSM) will be held from the 19th to the 21st of November 2017 in Colombo. The theme scheduled for the conference will be ‘New Frontiers in Sexual medicine: Mind, Body and Science’.

Tourism momentum slows; September arrivals drop 2.3%

The tourism industry’s momentum continued to slowdown this September without effective destination promotions, as the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) statistics indicated that 145,077 tourists visited Sri Lanka during the month, a 2.3 percent fall compared to the same period last year. 

Union Bank continues its assistance to local exporters

The 25th annual National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) Awards, which fetes outstanding exporters was held recently at the Hilton Colombo. Union Bank supported the initiative by NCE which recognizes exporters who make significant contributions to the economy while rewarding them on their achievements in local and international markets.

How blockchain can revolutionise access to finance

If you have not yet heard of blockchain, you will soon. Blockchain is expected to further speed the pace of change in a financial sector already probing new frontiers. This emerging digital technology promises to also further expand financial inclusion to some of the remotest corners of the planet.

Shares end lower on profit-taking; investors pick diversified stocks

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended lower yesterday, slipping from a nine-week closing high hit in the previous session, as investors booked profits in banking and diversified stocks, but continued foreign buying helped boost sentiment, brokers said. The Colombo 

Atlas Axillia wins four golds at NCQP Awards 2017

Atlas Axillia (Pvt.) Ltd swept the boards at the recent National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) Awards 2017, winning four prestigious gold awards at the illustrious event.

Rupee ends slightly weaker on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed marginally weaker yesterday as importer dollar demand surpassed inward remittances and selling of the US currency by exporters and a bank, dealers said.

Poverty and access to education: An old problem affecting younger generation of Sri Lanka

The importance of providing access to quality education to all, in order to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce poverty, is well-documented. The UNICEF’s Child Poverty in Post-2015 Agenda argues that extreme child poverty can lead to an intergenerational poverty cycle. It further highlights the need to break this intergenerational poverty cycle by eradicating child poverty for the sustainable eradication of extreme poverty.