Tax expert says amendment to new tax law likely before implementation next year

  The newly introduced Inland Revenue Act (IRA), which is dubbed as a carbon copy of the tax code introduced in Ghana by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is largely expected to see its first amendment before its implementation on April 1, 2018, said an expert in tax policy and planning.  

MSL Sri Lanka’s Group Director Caryll Van Dort invited to serve on the jury at Spikes Asia

MSL Group Sri Lanka’s Caryll Van Dort who leads the agency’s PR arm at Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, has been invited to serve as a member of the Public Relations jury at the prestigious Spikes Asia Festival

Leading Global Relocations Player Santa Fe collaborates with EFL Relocations

Pioneering freight and logistics provider EFL ( Expo lanka Freight) has officially partnered with global family moving giant Santa Fe Relocation Services.

SLIM partners with HayleysAdvantis

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) signed an MOU with HayleysAdvantis Limited appointing the latteras the exclusive logistics partner of SLIM flagship events; 

The Presidential Export Awards recognizes Virtusa’s strong contributions to the Sri Lankan economy

Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ GS: VRTU), a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company that accelerates business outcomes for its clients,was recently recognized as the ‘The Highest 

Northumbria University launches pioneering biotechnology degree in Sri Lanka

As Sri Lanka looks toward emerging sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle has become the island’s first UK University to launch a biotechnology degree.

Korea to provide US$2.5mn for enhancement of Ocean University, Sri Lanka

Ocean University of Sri Lanka, the first ever state university for maritime and ocean sciences is going to be upgraded under the financial and technical assistance by the Republic of Korea. A grant of US$2.5 million will be made by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to formulate the master plan for upgrading Ocean University and build the capacities of the academics of the university.

Central Bank Governor offers key insights at DFCC Bank’s high level strategy workshop

DFCC Bank organized a strategizing session on September 9th at the Pegasus Reef Hotel, Wattala, where a cross-section of the Bank’s senior staff engaged in interactive and participatory discussions 

CA Sri Lanka, IRCSL and Deakin University to help corporates kick start integrated reporting

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has joined hands with the Integrated Reporting Council of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) and Deakin University, Australia to help corporates kick start their integrated reporting journey, by organising a one day workshop, featuring two international experts on the subject.

Emerging market regulators committed to strengthening sustainable finance and cyber resilience

Leading emerging market regulators met last week in Colombo, at the IOSCO Growth and Emerging Markets (GEM) Committee annual meeting and conference hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.

When you win both hearts and minds of all your team members, you’ve got a winning outfit

Your aim as a leader in engaging your team members to ‘go the extra mile’ is to work together with a common commitment to achieve optimum outcomes for everyone involved. By doing so, you achieve common objectives that directly benefit your organisation, you and your team members. 

Womenomics: An integral part of Sri Lanka’s economic success

The current female labour force participation rate is 36 percent, according to the 2016 fourth quarter of Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey published by the Census and Statistics Department in Sri Lanka. At present, there are 5,313,997 women who are not in the labour force. The reasons for their lack of motivation to join the labour force have been identified by many studies and policy papers (Gunatilaka 2013, Gunewardena 2015, ILO 2016, Gunatilaka e

Presidential Export Awards recognize Virtusa’s contributions to Sri Lankan economy

Virtusa Corporation, a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company that accelerates business outcomes for its clients, was recently recognized as the ‘The Highest Foreign Exchange Earner’ and ‘Highest Value Added Exporter’ for 2016 in the Computer and Related Services category of the 21st Presidential Export Awards.

Zone24x7 named best value added exporter in hi-tech and innovative products sector

Zone24x7 Pvt Ltd, part of a global end-to-end technology innovations company established in 2003 with its headquarter based in Silicon Valley, California, was again for the third consecutive year awarded the highest value added exporter in the hi-tech and innovative products category at the recently held Presidential Export Awards.

Oppo A57 amongst world’s highest selling smartphones

Oppo, the leading global technology brand has created a benchmark in their smartphones sales globally and the Oppo R11 and Oppo A57 have become respectively the third and fourth highest selling smartphones globally, said a survey conducted in July, 2017 by Counterpoint Research group. Among these two highest ranked smartphones, the Oppo A57 is available in  Sri Lanka. 

All new generation of iPhones coming soon to Sri Lanka

The hype is real and it is about to take your breath away. Following months of speculation surrounding Apple’s newest iPhone the rumors were finally put to rest on the 12th of September at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. 

Oracle unveils new programmes that transform how customers buy and consume Cloud

At a live event recently, Oracle Executive Chairman of the Board and CTO Larry Ellison announced new programmes that lower costs by delivering increased automation and flexibility,and enable customers to get more value from their existing Oracle  software investments.

People’s Bank awarded ‘Bank of the Year’ at European Global Banking and Finance Awards

World-renowned The European Global Banking and Finance Awards 2016 has conferred the coveted title ‘Bank of the Year - Sri Lanka’ to People’s Bank. 

Orient Finance-AMW sign strategic partnership for Renault KWID

Orient Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s unique financial services provider, has entered into partnership with a leading automotive company in the country, Associated Motorways (Pvt.) Ltd (AMW), to offer a special trade-in facility for Orient Finance customers. 

ComBank launches unique fundraising affinity card for Maris Stella College

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched a co-branded credit card with Maris Stella College, Negombo, in a collaboration that will help raise funds for the 95-year old school.

CIOB with HNB launches green credit card

The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), the pioneer which actively promotes green constructions in Sri Lanka, together with Hatton National Bank (HNB) recently launched a green credit card for people engaged in the construction industry as well as for professionals, at the HNB auditorium. 

Cargills Bank opens branch in Wattala

Cargills Bank opened its new branch in Wattala recently. It is located at No: 315, Negombo Road, Wattala giving an opportunity to customers of Wattala to experience superior banking service and convenience.

ICRA Lanka assigns Alliance Finance [SL]BBB-/stable outlook

ICRA Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of ICRA Limited, a group company of Moody’s Investors Service, has assigned the issuer rating of [SL]BBB- with a stable outlook to Alliance Finance Company PLC (AFCP).

Ten Lankan youth to attend Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity

Eight outstanding young professionals from Sri Lanka’s advertising industry and two students have been selected to represent the country at the annual Young Spikes 2017 & Cheil Young Creative Academy at Spikes Asia 2017 from 27th to 30th September at the Suntec City. 

Holmes, Pollard & Stott wins at Sumathi Awards

At the 22nd Sumathi Awards 2017, held on 20th September at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Holmes Pollard & Stott won the 2nd Runner up award for their Mahajana Sampatha TV commercial.

Young Spikes hat trick for Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka

The country’s leading and most diverse communication firm, Phoenix Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka won all three categories at the local Young Spikes Asia competition, which is aimed at creatives who are aged 30 or under and working in the advertising or communication industries. 

Jury panel completes evaluation of Effie entries

The round one and two judging of entries for Effie Awards 2016 has been completed by members of the jury panel led by Imal Fonseka.  

Aitken Spence to sell Hotel Hilltop, Kandy for Rs.740mn

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC last week announced its decision to dispose 100 percent stake in M.P.S. Hotels Private Limited, the owners and the managers of the Hotel Hilltop Kandy for a consideration of Rs.740 million. 

State Minister says Sri Lanka is a tax haven

In a sharp censure to those who charge that the present government has slapped the citizenry with the highest possible taxes while taking away the concessions, the country’s State Minister of Finance said Sri Lanka is a tax haven in comparison to most other economies in the region and beyond as the new tax rates remain way below that of those countries. 

Ceylon Chamber invites Lankan firms to join project to tap Norwegian ICT market

 The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce invites Sri Lankan ICT firms to join the Chamber’s ICT Gateway Project, an initiative by the country’s premier chamber to help local firms benefit from the thriving ICT industry in Norway.