FTA talks steaming ahead: Malik

Sri Lanka has completed five rounds of negotiations with both India and Singapore on the respective trade pacts, as part of the country’s efforts to become a hub in the Indian Ocean, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said.

Ceylon Biscuit sheds direct holding in Lanka Soy in group restructuring exercise

In what appears to be part of a group restructuring exercise, Ceylon Biscuits Limited, widely known as CBL, sold its direct holding in Convenience Foods Lanka PLC, one of its subsidiaries, and listed it under the CBL group’s investment holding company. 

Colombo Fort Land plans aggressive cost cuts to make profits

The Colombo Fort Land & Building Company PLC (CFLB), which controls a diversified range of business interests, said that it would be cutting costs and in extreme cases divesting subsidiaries, in order to overcome the deteriorating climatic conditions and increased tax burdens.

Shares hit 4-1/2-month closing low

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares closed at their lowest in more than four months yesterday, with foreign investors selling risky assets in lacklustre trade, while the daily turnover got a boost from block trades. The Colombo stock index resumed trade after a holiday, ended down 0.38 percent at 6,361.03, its lowest close since April 17.

Lankan brush maker in own-brand push to Southeast Asia

At a time when even the century-old indigenous industries are failing to build the local brands competing with global giants, a Sri Lankan brushwear maker is slowly making inroads into the global market with its own branded products.    

Sierra Cables in Rs.120mn storage expansion drive

Sierra Cables PLC, which is currently in an expansion mode, will be investing Rs.120 million on new storage facilities to meet the expected local and export demand, according to the firm’s latest annual report.

Veteran perspectives on replanting, glyphosate and 150 years of Ceylon Tea

It has been over 150 years since Sri Lanka witnessed the establishment of its very first tea plantations and while the crop and the island have since become synonymous with one another, today Sri Lanka’s tea industry faces challenges on an unprecedented scale. 

Huawei partners JIT and donates school supplies to Deniyaya children

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) company joined hands once again with the Just In Time Group (JIT), a Sri Lankan owned ICT Systems Integration Company to initiate a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity in Deniyaya. 

Promoting greater trade and investment among SAARC nations!

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Suraj Vadiya presents a memento to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the inauguration of the SAARC Investment Forum held to promote greater trade and investment cooperation among SAARC countries, in Colombo yesterday. 

Virtusa named ‘Most Innovative Technology Company of the Year’

Virtusa Corporation, a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company that accelerates business outcomes for its clients, announced that it has been awarded three Stevie Award 

ComBank introduces promo for credit cardholders

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon will wipe out up to Rs 3 million in credit cards spends over the next three months in an exciting new promotion that invites cardholders to ‘spend more and win more.’ Additionally, three credit card holders will each win a Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone every month in September, October and November under this promotion.

NTB empowers Colombo University undergrads

Nations Trust Bank together with the University of Colombo Alumni Association has commenced a three-year engagement to conduct Personal Effectiveness Workshops for undergraduates of the University of Colombo.

Amadeus Lanka plans to achieve 65% market share by 2024

Amadeus Lanka, a pioneer in implementing systems and software solutions for simplified travel management recently celebrated 20 years of operations in Sri Lanka with an event where fraternities from the travel and tourism industry were also present. 

Sri Lankan insurance fraternity celebrates National Insurance Day

The 1st of September saw the entire insurance industry of Sri Lanka celebrate a day dedicated solely to their profession. 

Ceylinco General Insurance 2Q PAT up 286%

Ceylinco General Insurance Ltd., announced excellent results for the period ended June 2017, indicative of yet another outstanding year of growth.

Office 2017 exhibition to begin on September 29

An exclusive exhibition on complete workplace solutions, ‘Office 2017’ has been scheduled to commence on the 29th, 30th September to 1stOctober at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in Colombo.

PwC Sri Lanka launches Oracle Cloud app to revolutionize and transform businesses

In an effort aimed at helping business enterprises in the country keep up with changing times and embrace digital solutions, PwC Sri Lanka recently launched the Oracle Cloud Application Practice, an initiative aimed at driving businesses to capitalize on new opportunities by using technological solutions such as Oracle Cloud. 

Ceylon Index Fund emerges top performing fund in 1H 2017

The Ceylon Index Fund (CIF) that invests in blue chip, liquid companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has emerged as the top performing Unit Trust out of all 78 mutual funds in Sri Lanka during the first half of 2017. The fund reported a performance of 15.57%* during the first six months of 2017. The ASPI gained 8.33%** during the same 6 month period. CIF is classified as an open-ended Equity Index Fund by the Unit Trust Association

Pathfinder-SIIS roundtable discussion explores new areas of cooperation

While discussing ways and means of achieving sustainable development invigorated by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China participated by 65 countries, the Pathfinder Foundation (PF) and Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) during a roundtable discussion focused on exploring new areas of cooperation with China and managing international and regional forces to promote the country’s economic interests. 

Crysbro Praja Aruna provides shelter and renovation assistance to employees

Crysbro Group well-known for quality, freshness and innovation in breeding and processing of chicken in Sri Lanka successfully held once again its annual Praja Aruna CSR programme for the period 2016-17 CSR recently.

Seylan Pahasara 131st library opens

Seylan Pahasara 131st library was successfully equipped and handed over to the students of Pannala National School in Kurunegala District. Over 3000 students and teachers at the school will benefit out of this facility which include access to internet, e-learning together with other upgraded infrastructure.

Ceylinco Life launches ‘Conduct Risk’ training to promote TCF principles

Ceylinco Life has engaged two international consultancy firms to conduct special training programmes on Treating Customers Fairly (TCF), also termed ‘Conduct Risk’ in the financial services industry. 

AIA’s wealth planners in Miami for President Club

Seven of AIA’s top performing Wealth Planners and Wealth Planners’ Managers travelled to Miami, USA together with the Best Distribution Head for the President Club (2016).  The President Club is the most prestigious event organized by AIA Group for AIA’s top achievers, worldwide and this year’s event was held at the Ritz Carlton.  Sri Lanka’s winners were selected based on the highest levels of performance

Fuelling business with biomass energy

Mahir Brothers in Katugastota, in the Matale District, is one of Sri Lanka’s leading exporters of spices, namely nutmeg, pepper, cloves and cocoa. For the past three generations, Mahir Brothers has tried to maintain the consistency of its produce, sometimes travelling far distances in order to dry its spices when the rains inundated the Matale District.

Sustainability key driver of corporate success : Eardley Perera

Sustainability is a key driver of corporate success and no longer a buzz word, says Eardley Perera, Chairman of the Panel of Evaluators of the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2017. “Sustainability is no longer a buzz word. Today, it is a key driver for corporate success, corporate and product brand equity. 

Hayleys Puritas Sathdiyawara continues rejuvenation of rural communities

Leading the charge in the fight against chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology(CKDu), the Hayleys Group has been actively combating the spreading of the disease through the installation of reverse osmosis plants all across Sri Lanka’s dry-zone under its flagship CSR programme, Puritas Sathdiyawara.

HNB collaborates with EDB to launch new SME export credit facility

Sri Lanka’s most innovative bank, HNB PLC working in close collaboration with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) announced the launch of HNB SME Export Credit, a pioneering new facility specially designed to meet the requirements and aspirations of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.

DMS Software Technologies to modernize local supply chain landscape

DMS Software Technologies and Oracle with the intention of meeting today’s market needs, recently hosted experts from the supply chain and logistics sector at the Movenpick Hotel on the event themed ‘Modern Logistics Management’. 

National Insurance Day 2017 - A Historic Moment Never to Be Forgotten

The 1st of September 2017 saw the entire Insurance industry of Sri Lanka celebrate a day dedicated solely to their profession. The launch of Sri Lanka’s first National Insurance Day took place at the 

Mastercard Makes Luxury Travel Experiences Simpler with LoungeKey Airport Access Program

Mastercard announced the extension of the globally acclaimed LoungeKey airport access program to all World and PlatinumMastercard cardholders in Sri Lanka.