Softlogic Finance relocates Bambalapitiya branch

Building on its strong growth momentum gathered by the company in 2016, Softlogic Finance PLC opened its newly relocated Bambalapitiya branch on June 1st situated at No. 292/B-C, Galle Road, Colombo 04.         

Over 50 ComBank branches to be kept open on June 26

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced it will keep more than 50 branches open for business on 26thJune, a Public and Bank holiday to mark Id-Ul-Fitr – Ramazan Festival Day.

Serious Fraud Office charges Barclays, ex-CEO over Qatar funding

AFP: Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said yesterday it had charged Barclays, a former chief executive of the banking giant and three other ex-managers, with “conspiracy to commit fraud” linked to emergency fundraising from Qatar during the financial crisis.

Future of Sri Lankan exports

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake speaking at the FT forum – ‘Grow with Giants’ – said Sri Lanka’s exports have dwindled due a lack of competitiveness over the years, from US $ 17 billion to US $ 11 billion and that there is an urgent need for export diversification. Already for the first five months we have seen a negative growth of 2.5 percent. 

Responding to income inequality in Asia

The news on inequality is both good and bad. While the global income disparity has narrowed significantly over recent decades thanks to robust economic growth in many low- and middle-income economies, gaps within countries have widened significantly.

China’s Belt and Road reaches Nepal

On May 12, Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to cooperate on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The timing of the agreement, signed just two days before the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, is not surprising.

EZY Distribution launches new HP ink tank printers

EZY Distribution together with HP Inc. has unveiled the new HP DeskJet GT 5820/10 All-in-One series in Sri Lanka, targeting high-volume home users looking for a wireless ink tank printer that never stops. 

Dell EMC delivers wave of innovation with IT and digital transformation

Dell EMC announced a wave of innovations yesterday, serving a specific and meaningful role towards helping enterprises realize their goals for digital transformation. 

SLT launches free ‘pre-paid’ public Wi-Fi promo

Following the successful conclusion of free ‘post-paid’ public Wi-Fi promotions in February and March, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has launched an islandwide promotion providing free Internet access for all ‘pre-paid’ SLT Wi-Fi scratch card users via public Wi-Fi hotspots. 

Samsung Electronics plans Galaxy Note 8 launch event for August

REUTERS: Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd plans to hold a launch event in New York City for its next Galaxy Note smartphone in the second half of August, a person familiar with the matter told  Reuters yesterday.

Fitch says rising interest rates to hurt Lankan corporates

Lankan corporates are likely to experience some headwinds in the next 12 months as a result of rising interest rates in the economy, the Sri Lankan unit of global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings said yesterday.

SL partners with Japan’s JCB for national banking cards

Japanese banking giant JCB International Co. Ltd. will be issuing Sri Lanka’s national banking cards in partnership with LankaClear (Pvt) Ltd’s LankaPay brand next year, it was revealed yesterday.

JKH subsidiary further trims holding in Union Assurance

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) subsidiary, Whittall Boustead Limited has further trimmed its stake in Union Assurance PLC to allow the insurer to work towards complying with the continuous minimum public holding rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Anilana says in talks with Sampath Bank over loan defaults

Hospitality firm, Anilana Hotels and Resorts PLC (Anilana), said yesterday it was negotiating with Sampath Bank PLC to settle its loans in default, after the bank gave notice that Anilana’s mortgaged lands would be auctioned off.

Rupee ends weaker on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker yesterday as dollar demand from importers weighed on the spot currency, which traded for a second straight session after six weeks. The spot rupee started trading on Monday for the first time since May 5 when the Central Bank fixed the spot reference rate at 152.50. The spot rupee ended at 153.30/40 per dollar, weaker from Monday’s close of 153.18/23.

Lanka Marine Services launches digital bunkering

Lanka Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd, the bunkering unit of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), has launched several digital bunkering initiatives aimed at improving the customer experience during transactions, Ship & Bunker, a leading marine fuels industry news website said. 

Sri Lanka has lowest occurrences of teen smoking: study

Sri Lanka has the lowest prevalence of teen smoking (1.7 percent) in the world, a recent study by the US Centers for Disease Colombo and Prevention (CDC), revealed. The highest prevalence (35 percent) was in Timor-Leste.

HNB Ath Pavura—SL’s first reality to show to promote entrepreneurship and impact investment

HNB Ath Pavura is a new weekly show on Independent Television Network (ITN), Sri Lanka’s leading television channel that will promote social entrepreneurship and impact investment through an exciting reality TV show format, first time in Sri Lanka.

Lankatiles launches app packed with unique features

Lankatiles, the pioneers in wall and floor tile manufacturing in Sri Lanka, recently launched a tile app under its brand name ‘Lankatiles’– one of the first comprehensive apps by a Sri Lankan tile manufacturer. 

Stax gears up to assist local corporates on overseas market entry solutions

Stax Inc., a global strategy consulting firm, will host a week-long roadshow for corporates looking to explore emerging markets in areas like East Africa and the Mekong Valley. 

Lakshman Consolidated Company partners with Ashok Leyland India

Lakshman Consolidated Company (Pvt.) (Ltd) recently partnered with India’s Ashok Leyland as an authorised Ashok Leyland spare parts seller, opening up a world of opportunities for Sri Lanka’s Ashok Leyland bus, lorry and tipper truck owners.

Kenstar introduces exciting new bicycle range to Lankan market

Kenstar, with a history of over five decades in cycling, brings to the islanders a new range of bikes with a choice for children, ladies and without doubt, a total mountain bike range for all ride types.

Papyrus Papers celebrates 15 years of growth and leadership

Papyrus Papers, a name synonymous in Sri Lanka with fine paper, celebrates a 15-year journey of organic growth via logical diversification this month.

Sri Lankan hosts amazing ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ mountain biking race 2017

Sri Lankan Airlines successfully conducted ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ the premier mountain biking event that attracts local and international cycling pros and enthusiasts recently. Conducted for the fourth 

SWIM WEEK, Green Conscious Earth Sensitive

Swim Week Colombo's new position is to create an eco-system of practices that not only enhances the environment but empowers individuals to adopt practices and methods that unburden the 

Knorr Masterclass with George Calombaris Thrills Colombo’s Foodies

The excitement at “Cinnamon Life Presents George Calombaris, a Masterclass with Knorr”was at its zenith as lucky foodies thronged to see the celebrity chef and taste his mouth-watering food. While 

Jaguar Land Roverand Gorillazseek New Engineering Talentvia Alternate Reality

Jaguar Land Rover and Gorillaz are working together to recruit the next generation of world-class electronics and software engineering talent witha code-breaking challenge found in the virtual band’s

The Factory Outlet Rising above the shores of Galle

The Factory Outlet, known to be one of Sri-Lanka’s exclusive fashion retail provider opened its wings to penetrate a fashion concerned, design oriented audience living along the coast of Sri-Lanka. TFO 

Leo Burnett celebrates 18 years in Sri Lanka

Leo Burnett Sri Lanka,the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide recently celebrated its 18thanniversary. Leo Burnett Sri Lanka has grown exponentially into one of the most 

Suncity Property Developers: A Trendsetter in the Construction Sector

A prominent presence in the construction industry for over two decades, Suncity Property Developers has entrenched its impressive credentials by successfully completing many luxury apartment