One Perera exits, another enters!

Former Sampath Bank Managing Director Aravinda Perera has been appointed the Managing Director of Royal Ceramics PLC with effect from yesterday. 

Singer Sri Lanka confident of growth in 2017 despite macroeconomic snags

Consumer durables, particularly the consumer electronics and IT products are set for favourable growth in 2017 despite  the triple threat from higher interest rates, higher taxation and a depreciating rupee, consumer durables giant Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC said  this week.

HNB says comfortable with 17-18% credit growth this year

Hatton National Bank PLC, Sri Lanka’s second largest private sector bank, will be comfortable expanding its loan book this year at similar levels to last year to meet its aggressive Vision 2020 plan, a key official of the bank said yesterday.

Government to introduce SCIs for key SOEs

Department of Public Enterprises of the Finance Ministry said yesterday that the government will be signing Statement of Corporate Intents (SCIs) with selected state owned enterprise (SOEs) today. 

Vidullanka’s US $ 123.5mn Ugandan hydro power plant to be commissioned next week

Vidullanka PLC’s 6.5 megawatt (MW) Muvumbe small hydro power plant located in Uganda will be connected to the African state’s national grid next week, the company said in a filing at the Colombo Stock Exchange.

SL corporate earnings growth slows down in 4Q

Sri Lanka’s listed company earnings growth slowed substantially during the quarter ended in December 31, 2016 (4Q16), in comparison to the previous quarter’s earnings growth, an analysis by an independent research house showed. 

Hameedia in Ethical Fahsion at Colombo Fashion Week

Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist is participating in the 14th edition CFW Showcase, which will be taking place at the Hilton Colombo from 15-18th March 2017. 

World’s Top stunt riders debuting at the AFC Motorbike show 2017

“AFC Motorbike Show 2017 - organized by Alliance Finance Company PLC will thrill the Motorbike enthusiasts on the 8th and 9th April 2017 at Round Circle Road, Nuweraeliya.

Sanasa Insurance wins ACCA Sustainability Reporting Award

Sanasa Insurance Company Ltd (SICL), a leading micro insurance provider with an aim to improve and uplift peoples’ lives all across the country, emerged as the winner in the SME

Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand extend services between Hong Kong and New Zealand

Cathay Pacific will introduce a new seasonal service between Hong Kong and Christchurch from December 2017, directly linking the two cities by air for the first timeand complementing the airline’s existing services to Auckland.

Emirates evaluates innovative winter weather technology

Emirates has started field-testing an innovative decision support technology that allows it to better manage operations, safety and environmental performance in the face of extreme and disruptive winter weather. 

Etihad secures IATA certification for enhanced booking system

Etihad Airways has successfully implemented a new booking standard driven by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that enhances the level of information flow between travel agents and airline reservation systems.

Emirates SkyCargo honoured again at Air Cargo Africa

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, was recently named the ‘Highly Acclaimed Global Cargo Airline of the Year’ at the Air Cargo Africa awards held in Johannesburg. With this honour, Emirates SkyCargo continues its decade of domination having won awards at Air Cargo Africa four times in a row since 2011. 

Sri Lanka Tourism bags ‘Most Popular Destination’ award at GTIF 2017

Sri Lanka Tourism showcased its capability of   bringing up Sri Lanka as one of the most sought after travel destinations, by claiming the ‘Most Popular Destination’ award at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GTIF-2017) which was held from recently at China Import and Export International Exhibition Centre. 

HSBC CFW Knowledge Workshops to Strengthen Sri Lankan Fashion Industry’s Expertise

Enhancing the knowledge base of aspiring designers is one of Colombo Fashion Week’s key initiatives. Skillset upgrades and knowledge sharing are meticulously planned. Following this,

Which country on right track according to citizens?

Is the country you live in on the right track? If your answer is no, then you’re in good company. Nearly two thirds of people around the world believe their country is heading in the wrong direction.

When policy cuts Rs. 50bn in revenue, are we doing it right?

In a time that government must stride to safeguard revenues, the incumbent policies continue to baffle as the country seems headed deeper into the mire. The focus it appears is to distract rather than enact – pragmatic policy – with personal image building still sitting at the centre. 

Sampath Bank ready to face challenges arising from current global uncertainties

This is the eighth of the interview series titled ‘Mirror Business S&P SL20 Insights’ conducted in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) as an investor relations initiative. The column encourages S&P SL20 companies to talk about the developments in their respective industries, 

CMA conducts integrated reporting expert workshop

A half-day workshop on ‘Integrated Reporting – Practical Aspects’ was conducted by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA) recently at  Taj Samudra. 

LOLC Finance unveils another breakthrough product

Renowned for delivering real-world financial solutions, LOLC Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s non-banking financial institution (NBFI) giant, has unveiled a comprehensive payment platform named LOLC Real Time.

DFCC Bank ties up with ThePapare.com for March Madness

In yet another awareness initiative under DFCC Bank’s ‘Know & Grow’ campaign aimed at empowering the people of Sri Lanka, DFCC has tied up with ThePapare.com to publish interesting 

Mark Tucker to retire as AIA Group CEO

AIA Group Limited yesterday said its Group Chief Executive and President Mark Tucker has informed the board of directors of the company of his intention to retire from his executive positions with the company and its subsidiaries and take up the role of non-executive Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings PLC.

HSBC to bring customers closer to age-old Avurudu traditions

Bringing a new world to love the old traditions is no easy journey. This year, HSBC plans to bring customers closer to their traditional roots with an Avurudu campaign that is purely centred on long-lived ‘traditions’ that have passed on through generations. 

HNBA annual report showcases 15 years of success and delighted stakeholders

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) released its integrated annual report for the financial year 2016 which highlighted the growth in life insurance as well as the general insurance business.

Oman Air Promotes Ongoing 2017 Expansion at ITB Berlin and Celebrates its Media Awards

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, successfully participated at ITB Berlin from 8 – 12 March 2017. In addition to celebrating its dynamic programme of fleet and route expansion,

Sampath cardholders get 30% savings on channeling services with Doc990

Sri Lanka’s cutting-edge digital health portal, Doc990, is presenting unbeatable savings to Sampath cardholders. 

Golden Key Hospital acquires latest technology in surgical microscopy

The Golden Key Hospital has enhanced its capabilities in retinal and cataract surgery with the acquisition of sophisticated new equipment from Zeiss, a world leader in optical systems and medical devices.

Asiri Hospitals to launch Cancer Centre with American Oncology Institute

Asiri Hospitals in its continuing endeavour to bring world class healthcare to Sri Lanka has signed a collaboration with the American Oncology Institute, the international arm of US-based Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI) to launch the country’s first comprehensive Cancer Care Centre in the private sector.

We will introduce world’s best health practices to Sri Lanka – Health Minister

At a recently conducted press briefing, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka appreciated the efforts taken by the government in developing the health sector of Sri Lanka. 

Top biz chamber wants private sector input in new tax bill

Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber yesterday stressed the need to consult the country’s private sector before finalising the proposed Inland Revenue Bill, which is expected to come into effect from April 1, 2017.