Role of IP rights in stimulating innovations

April 26 marks the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day. This year, the 16th IP Day focused on the theme of ‘Innovation – improving lives’, which aims to explore how innovation makes lives healthier, safer and more comfortable. 

DFCC Bank takes banking transactions to customers’ doorstep with Mobile Teller

Sustaining its momentum to offer technology-backed convenience to customers, DFCC Bank re-launches “Mobile Teller” a digital banking service owned and operated by DFCC Bank and developed 

Sri Lanka Telecom recognized as the Best Corporate Website and the Most Popular Corporate Website at

Leading ICT Solutions Provider, Sri Lanka Telecom secured two prestigious awards at the 7th annual BestWeb.lk competition for the year 2017.

Mobitel Launches Revolutionary Digital Recharge System in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel sustains its lead at the forefront of the mobile commerce revolution in the country by pioneering the Digital Recharge System for the first time ever 

Startup Weekend is ready to shakeup Negombo - Silicon Beach:Keep your dates free from, May 19 - 21,

From our breakthrough event in Jaffna followed by the roaring success of Colombo and Vanni, now Startup Weekend heads to the sunny shores of Negambo, Startup weekend is sure going places. 

ATL promotes a healthy living through ‘NirogeeDiviyakaAsiriya’

Amãna Takaful PLC ( ATL ) the flag bearer of the Takaful way of insurance in Sri Lanka,came forward to extend much needed advice and direction to their trusted clientele and the general public through 

Brandix ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand for 3rd successive year

Brandix has been ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand for the third consecutive year in the just-released 2017 Brand Finance rankings of the country’s leading brands.

Abans sofa sets: Ergonomic and non-toxic approach to stylish home

Our homes make up an essential component of our daily lives, providing not only shelter, but a living space where we can spend precious time with family and enjoy relaxing periods of solitude. 

HDFC Bank signs MoU with Central Bank

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Bank of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently enabling HDFC Bank to contribute to the government’s objective of generating one million jobs through establishing over 25,000 new businesses, with the utilization of resources in villages. 

Mastercard hosts risk management knowledge-sharing session

Mastercard recently hosted 50 senior electronic payment industry representatives at its risk management workshop in Colombo. 

Union Assurance continues to deliver best for customers

Union Assurance has once again declared actual dividend rates that are significantly higher than the guaranteed minimum rates published at the beginning of the year. This is a clear indication of the effectiveness of the Union Assurance policies as well as evidence of its stability. 

Pan Asia Bank celebrates Sinhala and Tamil New Year honouring Lankan tradition

Pan Asia Bank opened its branch network on April 14 to conduct Avurudu ganu denu and share the joy of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year day with its customers.

Best of three scenarios for world trade

International trade is in trouble after the global financial crisis and, with the new Trump administration, the world faces a protectionist onslaught. As a result, there are three ways that international trade can go from here — one considerably ‘more likely’ than the other two.

Trial and error with digital technology in Sri Lanka

The success of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) relatively new results-based lending instrument hinges on accurate validation of outcome and output indicators. But this process can delay the programme if it is not conducted expediently. 

Sri Lanka seeks to carve out niche in medical tourism

The rising numbers of tourists from abroad and a state-led campaign to expand medical tourism could attract further investment to Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, creating additional opportunities for its hospitality industry in the process. 

PATA Annual Summit in May at Jetwing Blue, Negombo

With the theme of ‘Disruption. Innovation. Transformation: The Future of Tourism’, the PATA Annual Summit will take place from May 18 to 21, 2017, at Jetwing Blue, Negombo. 

Qatar Airways wins multiple awards at Business Traveller Middle East Awards

Qatar Airways has been named the ‘Airline with the Best Business Class’ and ‘Airline with the Best Cabin Crew’ at the prestigious Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2017, based on votes submitted by the readers of the regional edition of the prestigious industry magazine.

Kuwait Airways readies to revamp ticketing and reservations with Amadeus

Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait will be introducing the complete customized programme of data transfers, testing and migration over to the industry-leading Amadeus Altéa Suite Reservations System.

Litro Gas Lanka provides 98 Meethotamulla households with gas burners and cylinders

Stepping up to the occasion during a national crisis in a proactive gesture, Litro Gas Lanka, provided 98 households affected by the Meethotamulla catastrophe with cooking effects consisting of a 12.5kg LPG Cylinder, accessory pack and a double burner cooker.

SriLankan’s ‘Flygreen’ carbon offset programme receives global recognition

SriLankan Airlines, which has been widely recognized for many years as a pioneer of environmental conservation in the global airline industry, has achieved the distinction of becoming one of the only six airlines worldwide to obtain the prestigious Quality Assurance Standard (QAS) accreditation for its voluntary carbon offset programme, ‘Flygreen’.

Mahawilachchiya Agriculture Training Centre to benefit 3000 families

The renovated Agriculture Training Centre and Agriculture Instructor’s Office located in Pemaduwa, Mahawilachchiya in the Anuradhapura district was inaugurated recently by Agriculture Extension and Training Director S.A. Arunappriya. 

Mobitel quenches thirst of long distance travelers during New Year

Providing a vital social service to tired travelers en-route to their home towns located across the country for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Mobitel initiated a project that provided these travelers access to clean drinking water for the 2nd time at key points in their journey.  

Trump policies to deprive Sri Lanka of USAID funding?

The Trump administration is proposing to sever the funding line to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Sri Lanka in 2018 under federal budget cuts aiming to fulfill promises of cutting US donations for humanitarian projects and putting ‘America First’.

Asia Capital, Japan’s Belluna break ground for US $ 51mn hotel in Colombo

Sri Lanka’s Asia Capital PLC and Japan’s Belluna Co. Ltd. yesterday broke the ground for a US $ 51 million 4-star business hotel in Colpetty, Marine Drive. 

Laugfs boss Wegapitiya buys 6% stake in Pan Asia Bank from Nimal Perera

In a rather surprising move, Laugfs Holdings Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya, yesterday bought little over 27 million shares or approximately 6 percent stake in the mid-sized bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC, in a deal worth over Rs.500 million.

Rupee edges down on importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly weaker yesterday on light importer dollar demand, but the currency is expected to trade in a narrow range until the market sees direction from an IMF loan tranche disbursement and sovereign bond sale, dealers said.

Sri Lanka features big in Shangri-La’s Indian Ocean push

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the Hong Kong-based luxury hotel operator, revealed extensive details about its exciting pipeline of new luxury properties across the Indian Ocean and Asia at a press conference held yesterday at the Arabian Travel Market 2017, which is currently underway.

Focus on pepper to reach spice export earnings target: SAPTA

Sri Lanka having identified the spice sector as an avenue to expand its export earnings, the Spice and Allied Products and Traders’ Association (SAPTA) has urged the Primary Industries Ministry to increase focus on pepper, instead of cinnamon in fulfilling that goal.

First Colombo session on historic WTO agreement opens today

Sri Lanka’s first-ever country session for its exporters on the historic World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) will commence in Colombo today.

Ceylon Chamber to publish Northern Province SMEs registry

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in its initiative to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Province is making arrangements to publish a registry of SMEs operating  in the region.