HNB assists HelpAge to perform free cataract surgeries

Continuing in its efforts to restore the vision of needy citizens in the country, Sri Lanka’s premier private sector commercial bank, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) recently made a financial donation to HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) to conduct free cataract surgeries for underprivileged senior citizens.

UTE-IESL call applications for Raspberry Pi Challenge 2017

In an attempt to promote innovation through the latest technology, United Tractor & Equipment (Pvt.) Limited (UTE) and Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), the nation’s apex body for professional engineers, invite applications for the Raspberry Pi Challenge 2017 competition, which is held for the first time. 

Priyantha Fernando appointed Union Bank Deputy Chairman

The Board of Directors of Union Bank of Colombo PLC announced the appointment of banker Priyantha Fernando as Deputy Chairman of the Bank.

HNB launches Cinnamon Gardens Customer Centre

HNB, recently acknowledged as the ‘Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka’ for the ninth year by the ‘Asian Banker’, officially opened its newest customer centre – HNB Cinnamon Gardens Customer Centre at Barnes Place, Colombo 7. 

CLC’s Islamic finance wins Gold at 6th SLIBFI Awards Night

The Islamic Business Division (IBD) of Commercial Leasing & Finance PLC (CLC), the newest addition to the Islamic banking and finance industry has won the Gold Award for the ‘Emerging Islamic Finance Entity of the Year 2016’. 

Mangala assumes duties as new FinMin without much fanfare

Newly appointed Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera assumed duties yesterday at the Finance Ministry sans an official ceremony, something rare in Sri Lankan politics

Kaushal Rajapaksa: A visionary leader in recycling sector

His vision is to establish a Global Recycling Village in Sri Lanka utilizing state-of-the-art technology from around the world. The idea might seem far-fetched to many but for Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa it is a very vivid dream that has slowly but surely become clearer and  more attainable.

Denmark’s Universal Robots to expand to more sectors in Sri Lanka

Taking the local manufacturing and production to the next level, Denmark’s Universal Robots, which entered the country in 2016, expressed its plans to further expand to different sectors in Sri Lanka. They said that they are expecting to sell over 100 cobots (robots) in Sri Lanka in the next three years.

Can-Sur-Vive Trust-Jetwing to conduct next CSR programme on June 4

The Can-Sur-Vive Trust of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Jetwing group will conduct ‘Can-Sur-Vive’ (Apekshawaka Udawak) corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme for the sixth occasion on June 4, 2017 at 8:00 a.m., at Lanka Hospitals, 10th floor auditorium.

Seylan Pahasara opens 126th library

The 126th library of Seylan Pahesara was successfully developed and handed over to the students of J/Imaiyaanan G T M Vidyalam in the Jaffna District. 

Style and Sensibility: Mackly Sleepwear introduces first ladies’ sleepwear collection

Premium sleepwear label Mackly will launch its first collection of ladies’ sleepwear together with its latest children’s collection with a runway event at Park Street Mews on 18 June. Mackly’slineup of 

Milo wins ‘Most Outstanding Junior Sports Promoter of the Year’

Nestlé Lanka’s popular beverage and mega nutritious energy brand Milo, that has been associated with school sports at grassroot level for three decades and been an inspiration to kids, has won the 

Cabinet approval for hybrid energy park in Punarin

The government plans to build a hybrid energy park consisting of 240 megawatt (MW) of wind power and 800 MW of solar power plants in Punarin.

People’s Merchant Finance sells prime property to parent for Rs.1bn

People’s Merchant Finance PLC (PMF), a unit of state-owned People’s Bank, has sold a 108 perch property it owned in Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2, to its parent for a consideration of Rs.1.04 billion with the approval of the Central Bank. 

Lankan bureaucrats, economists undergo training to better negotiate FTAs

Sri Lankan bureaucrats and economists are currently undergoing training on how to better negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) and set up effective trade policies at the Miloda Academy of Financial Studies, under an International Trade Centre (ITC) event backed by the European Union (EU).

Shares rise as foreign investors buy blue chips

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares edged up from a one-week low yesterday as foreign investors bought shares in blue chips such as John Keells Holdings PLC, with turnover hitting a five-week high.

India, Japan JV to set up LNG import terminal in Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: India and Japan will join hands to set up a US $ 250 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Sri Lanka, the first collaboration between the two to counter China’s growing influence in the island nation.     

New ports minister to appoint maritime professional to SLPA

Sri Lanka’s new Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said he would appoint a qualified person with updated knowledge on the maritime sector as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman.

Nuwara Eliya now home to Pizza Hut’s 50th outlet

Pizza Hut is the only international restaurant chain to open 50 outlets in Sri Lanka. 

Sunhill Group opens 7th hotel in Mount Lavinia

Sunhill Group recently opened the 7th addition to the Sunhill chain of hotels in Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia. 

Thimal Perera to join DFCC as Deputy Chief Executive-Designate

Career banker Thimal Perera will be joining DFCC Bank PLC next month as the Deputy Chief Executive-Designate, a disclosure by the bank to the Colombo Stock Exchange stated.

Can venture capital fill SME finance gap in Sri Lanka?

Most development experts agree that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be effective at reducing inequality and promoting economic growth.

Bileeta hosts customers to ERP forum on ROI benefits

Bileeta, a company with an award-winning Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, hosted customers to a B2C event focusing on the company’s product portfolio and unique offering. 

Govt. to introduce new laws to curtail profit-motivated imports

The government will soon bring in new laws to control profit-motivated imports in a bid to encourage exports, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Colombo Port City and Megapolis discuss LRT plans

A group of senior officials from the Colombo Port City Development project met the transport master plan team of the Western Region Megapolis Project to discuss the ongoing study on light rail transit (LRT) lines and its connectivity to the Port City.

Invincible savings on insurance for HSBC cardholders through InsureMe.lk

Sri Lanka’s first insurance Comparison web platform www.insureme.lk has partnered with HSBC Sri Lanka to offer affordable motor insurance covers to the bank’s credit card customers.

Advocata Institute launches essay competition on economics

The Advocata Institute, a think tank based in Colombo, has launched an essay competition on the topic of ‘What economic freedom means to me’.

Huawei launches GR5 2017 Premium in Sri Lanka

Huawei, the leading smartphone brand in Sri Lanka recently introduced the Huawei GR5 2017 Premium edition to the Sri Lankan public. 

Apartment development sector reacts to CB Governor’s recent comments on industry

Responding swiftly and strongly to the statement made by Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy, with regard to the apartment development industry, the stalwarts of the industry have stated that it was irresponsible and damaging.

Branding Colombo to be Asia’s next Singapore

The city of Colombo was well admired by the father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew in 1950s, for having the best infrastructure, stone-faced buildings and greener environment and with the visionary leadership and sheer commitment he transformed Singapore, from third world to the first world.