Sri Lankan electronic retailer sells Rs.1bn worth of smartphones in December

Huawei, a leading smartphone brand in Sri Lanka, yesterday announced that Singer Sri Lanka, the exclusive national distributor for Huawei smartphones, has successfully surpassed Rs.1 billion Huawei smartphone sales generated solely in the month of December 2016. 

Shares end flat as policy uncertainty continues to weigh

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares were little changed yesterday after hitting a nine-month low last week as uncertainty over the government’s monetary and budget policies continued to weigh on the market.

Rupee steady; downward pressure prevails

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee ended steady yesterday, but dealers expect it to fall further on growing demand for dollars from foreign banks that facilitate sales of government securities by foreign investors.

Alleviation Digital grabs FCCISL Gold

Known for their pioneering services in the field of commercial advertising, Alleviation Digital (Pvt) Ltd was honoured with the Gold award for Uva Province and the gold award under National Level Small Category at the Entrepreneur of the Year organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Sri Lanka. 

Access Engineering signs MOU for technical education and training

Shortage of skilled workforce is critical to many economies so as to Sri Lanka, which is one of the recognized shortfalls, that hinders economic recovery.  

Qatar Airways unveils biggest Travel Festival ever for 2017

Qatar Airways’ popular Travel Festival is back and has been significantly enhanced for 2017, inviting world travellers to take advantage of a number of exceptional deals across the airline’s global network. 

Qatar Airways CEO says swapping Airbus A320neo order for A321neos

REUTERS: Qatar Airways is to swap its order for up to 80 Airbus A320neos for the larger, longer-range A321 version, the airline’s Chief Executive said on Thursday.

LOLC champions sustainability through renewable energy and reforestation

The LOLC Group has embarked on several renewable energy initiatives within the organization as well as on a national scale, with a mission to commit towards a sustainable future, by meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future generations to meet their own. 

Abans donates essential school items for staff’s children

For the 6th consecutive year, the Abans Welfare Society conducted one of their biggest CSR projects at their Kadolkale Warehouse in Seeduwa, where over 1000 children of the Abans Group staff were presented with all their requirements for the new school year.

NTB encourages blood donations in partnership with NBTS

Nations Trust Bank partnered with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to launch a national awareness campaign in promoting blood donations at hospital based blood bank centers. 

SriLankan’s codeshare partnerships contribute to record tourist arrivals in 2016

The smooth functioning of SriLankan Airlines’ codeshare partnerships in the Western and Central European regions contributed in a significant manner to the growth of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2016, which expanded by 14 percent and crossed the two million milestone.

BOC calls applications for Ran Kekulu scholarships

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) is set to offer 2000 ‘Ran Kekulu’ scholarships each worth Rs.15,000 for 2016 Grade 5 scholarship achievers. 

Jean Ilg visits Baurs

Since 1978 Jean Ilg has been regularly visiting Baurs. As a member of the Baur Foundation, he has shown his dedication to the development of Baurs for many years and frequently visited Sri Lanka.  Though his son has taken over most of his functions now, Jean Ilg still follows with keen interest the development of Baurs. The Board of Directors and members of the staff were present to welcome him.

Ocean Lanka marks 20 years of operations

Ocean Lanka which commenced its operations in 1996, celebrated 20 years of service in the clothing industry on the 27th of December 2016. The celebration was held at the Hilton Colombo, where several employees who completed 20 years of service were also felicitated.

Boeing’s 2016 orders lowest since 2010, deliveries hit target

REUTERS: Boeing Co fell 80 planes short of its goal for new orders in 2016, but likely clinched the title of world’s biggest planemaker for another year.

Give2Lanka raises funds for bicycles for kids of Jaffna widows

Give2Lanka (Gte) Ltd hosted a successful full house fundraiser on October 29, 2016 at Majestic City, where proceeds from the movie tickets sold to the general public were  directed towards HUDEC’s initiatives to support the vulnerable in the Jaffna district. 

KIU offers free acupuncture treatment

KIU University (located in Battaramulla) has since of late began offering Chinese acupuncture treatment for free for patients who so wish to avail themselves of it.

L.G Farm wins FCCISL awards 

L.G Farm (Pvt) Ltd, a broiler production, processing and marketing company based in Minneriya, secured the merit award for the large category at national level at the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 contest, organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Sri Lanka. 

Snowstorm hits traffic in Istanbul; straits closed, flights cancelled

REUTERS: A snowstorm forced the closure of Turkey’s key shipping straits and sweeping flight cancellations on Saturday, while hazardous roads left many drivers stranded overnight in Istanbul, a city of 15 million people.

The All-New Jaguar F-Pace

The all-new Jaguar F-PACE was revealed to the world with a spectacular gravity-defying performance on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show

A weekend of Sri Lankan art - ‘Art at the Fest’

Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide,will present the eighth edition of Leo Art

Foreign reserves improve to US $ 6 bn by end 2016

Sri Lanka has been able to end 2016 with gross official reserves just above US $ 6 billion after reserves hit their lowest levels in 5 years in June, the latest Central Bank data showed. 

CB to probe Ravi K’s 5,000 rupee note distribution claim

The Central Bank will soon initiate a full-scale investigation into the recent allegation made by Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake, that the Central Bank distributed Rs.13.0 billion worth of 5,000 rupee notes two days prior to the presidential election in 2015.

Talks underway for SL’s first Four Seasons hotel

A meeting was held last Friday at the Ministry of Special Assignments under the chairmanship of Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama to discuss a project proposal for the establishment of a six-star hotel of the reputed international hotel chain, Four Seasons. 

Laugfs group maritime subsidiary first to register ship at H’tota port

Diversified conglomerate Laugfs Holdings is set to mark another monumental milestone by being the first to register a vessel at the Hambantota Port, a company statement said.  The announcement was made together with the purchase of another LPG vessel under Laugfs Maritime, in its plans to rapidly expand its vessel fleet. 

BOI chief tells Lankan entrepreneurs to be sharp to find foreign partners

Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Upul Jayasuriya has requested Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to be sharp and find the right foreign partners to go to the next level, as there are numerous possibilities in the offing.

FinMin to bring online booking sites under common tech platform

The Finance Ministry is currently developing the platform that online booking websites would have to become subservient to, the country’s tourism officials said last week, although refusing to provide information on how far discussions with the market players have advanced.

Sri Lanka launches China-led investment zone amid protests

REUTERS: Sri Lankan police used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing demonstrators protesting against a planned investment zone supported by China. Hospital authorities said at least 21 people were injured in the protests. According to police, 52 demonstrators were arrested.

President declares open Movenpick Hotel Colombo

Movenpick Hotel Colombo, the capital city’s first new international five-star property in 25 years, was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday amid many distinguished guests attending the event. 

Writers, poets and fashion designers to promote talent in Galle mid January

The young talent of Sri Lanka have for the first time a platform to promote their work to an international audience and its shaping up to the coolest event in Sri Lanka.