Hameedia Celebrates Sri Lanka’s 69th Independence Day in style

This year marks the 69th Independence Day of Sri Lanka and Hameedia with its heritage of over 68 years in the industry have special plans to celebrate the Independence Day in style.

The Earl’s Court Group launches the ultimate multi-cuisine restaurant – The Black Pepper

Orange and black was the name of the game as the Earl’s Court Group took their first leap into the restaurant industry, and what a leap it was. Officially launched on the 26th of January 2017

Asia, a future market for TUI brand

TUI subsidiary Robinson will open two new clubs in Asia in 2017. In autumn, the premium operator will commence its first operations in Thailand with Robinson Club Khao Lak. A second Club in the Maldives will likewise strengthen the portfolio when Robinson Club Noonu – currently under construction – opens on the island of Orivaru, also this autumn.

TRAc takes hospitality industry to new heights

The TRAc NVQ programme graduated its second batch of students, providing the participants with a suite of certificates essential to be marketable and better their skills and knowledge in the hospitality industry.

Etihad wins Islamic Deal of the Year Award for historic Sukuk

Etihad Airways has been awarded the Islamic Deal of the Year by Global Transport Finance for its debut Sukuk.

China’s Ruili Airlines applies for international permit

Ruili Airlines (DR, Kunming Changshui) has applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to extend its operations into the international market, China Aviation Daily reported. 

Cry, the Beloved Country

I plagiarized the name of this article from the heart-wrenching book by Alan Paton, which carried the same title. 

Fruits of growth: Economic reforms and lower inequality

Growth is essential for improving the lives of people in low-income countries and it should benefit all parts of society.

Royal Institute of Colombo wins Sri Lanka CFA Institute Research Challenge

CFA Sri Lanka announced that Royal Institute of Colombo has won the local competition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge and now advances to the Asia Pacific Regional where it will compete against universities from Asia Pacific.  

HNB relocates upgraded customer centre in Kollupitiya

Continuing its rapid growth momentum in the new year, HNB, Sri Lanka’s premier private sector commercial bank, announced the opening of its newly relocated Customer Centre at Galle Road, Colombo 03.

Lanka Hospitals facilitates access to quality pvt. healthcare with NITF

Lanka Hospitals and the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) for the 7th consecutive year, entered into an affiliation offering government employees access to high quality private healthcare services at affordable costs. 

CA students become S. Asian region champions at IFRS quiz competition

Two students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) emerged as champions of the South Asian region at the inaugural IFRS Quiz Contest organized by the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA).

Pan Asia Bank offers gifts for preschool, Grade 1 children

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC’s, Daskam, a value-added children’s savings account, is the ideal gift for children joining preschool or Grade One this year.

Target 2020: Enable 20% of retail payments via JustPay

In a bold effort to ensure Sri Lanka’s payments industry landscape continues to revolutionize and stay abreast with the latest global trends, LankaClear unveiled another groundbreaking initiative with an ambitious objective to drive 20 percent of retail payments via smart mobile devices by the year 2020.

Cinnamon Red recognises star performers

Celebrating the talent that is driving forward the success of Cinnamon Red, the lean luxury property held its 3Q Associate Meeting last week, acknowledging the hard-working individuals and discussing the hotel’s plan for the year. 

Capital Alliance introduces CAL Talent Circle programme

Sri Lanka’s leading investment banking firm and the preferred partner in capital markets, Capital Alliance Limited (CAL), has launched a new management trainee and internship programme called ‘CAL Talent Circle’ to attract and nurture talent in the financial services industry.

BMICH rewards 25 years’ service tenure

The BMICH commenced the first working day of 2017 with a multi-ethnic, multi-religious inauguration to herald the New Year on an inspiring note designed to take the award-winning success of the previous year to greater heights.  

Japanese Ambassador welcomes Sri Lankan JDS scholarship fellows 

The Japanese government has extended the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) programme since 2010 to train and develop the skills of young executive officers in the public sector, hoping them to become future national leaders and contribute to the national development of Sri Lanka, especially in formulating and implementing the national development plans.

MBSL collective agreement to overcome challenges ahead

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) signed a collective agreement for further three years at the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon recently. 

Union Assurance launches CEO’s Club to recognize bancassurance assistants

Union Assurance (UA) launched a special programme themed CEO’s Club – ‘Welcome to the Pinnacle of Success’ recently, to recognize and appreciate the bancassurance assistants who have excelled in their performance during the year 2016. 

Trademark registration bottlenecks block local brands going global: think tank

Delays in local trademark registration process could undermine the massive benefits deriving from Sri Lanka’s decision to comply with the Madrid Protocol, according to the Colombo-based think tank,  Verité Research.

Consumer prices accelerate 5.5% in January

Sri Lanka’s consumer prices measured by Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) rose to a six-month high of 5.5 percent in January from a year earlier, accelerating from the previous month’s 4.5 percent under a revised base-year and market basket, data from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) showed yesterday.  

Amateurish policy making destroying agriculture sector: experts

Politicians are continuing to create unsound policies advocated by laymen to the field of agriculture in order to victimize the poverty-stricken farming population, which would result in an imminent derailment of the economy, scholars warned this week.

Dipped Products 3Q turns Rs.107mn net profit; but plantations weigh

Dipped Products PLC (DPL), the non-medical glove manufacturing unit of the Hayleys group, made a net profit of Rs.1.78 a share or Rs.106. 7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 (3Q17) amid strong top line growth while keeping the costs under watch, the interim results filed with the stock exchange showed. 

CEB and LECO directed to pay interest on customer security deposits

The electricity sector regulator, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has issued guidelines to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Lanka Electricity Company private limited (LECO) to pay an interest on security deposit of electricity consumers

PABC gets CB extension to beef up capital buffers

The Central Bank this week approved Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC’s request to further extend the deadline for meeting the interim capital adequacy requirements for the banking sector.

Tuk-tuk safaris!

Sri Lanka has come up with various interesting ways to make its tourism product exciting to the increasing number of tourists visiting the island nation.

SupunAthukorala’s maiden anthology of poems ‘PremayataIdakEtha’ is launched

‘PremayataIdakEtha’ by contemporary poet SupunAthukorala was recently launched to the public at the National Library and Documentation Services Board auditorium in Colombo 07.

Mobitel Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza awards 12th lucky winner with Luxury Montero

Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza 2016 Introduced by the National Mobile Service Provider, SLT Mobitel, has become one of the most popular competitions in the country

Win a Nissan Leaf with HNB New World Rewards

Banking customers around the globe seem to be making the transition from traditional banking methods to E-banking. The costs and the difficulties associated with traditional banking