Everybody blamed somebody when nobody did what anybody could have...

President Maithripala Sirisena has once said at a seminar attended by some government servants in Polonnaruwa that he would not allow 

Fairfax Financial to acquire Allied World for US$ 4.9bn

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) and Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (Allied World) announced that they have entered into a merger agreement, pursuant to which Fairfax will acquire all of the outstanding registered ordinary shares of Allied World.

Riu Sri Lanka – New rising star in hospitality industry

The Riu Sri Lanka hotel has been chosen this year as Rising Star 2016 in the recent Expedia Annual Partner Awards. 

Pooja Umashankar supports Habitat’s ‘BuildHerUp’ campaign

‘BuildHerUp’ is a campaign launched by Habitat Sri Lanka parallel to International Women’s Day this year, with the aim of raising funds to provide vulnerable women and girls with access to permanent shelter and adequate sanitation facilities. 

NDB offers biggest bill wipe out and much more this season

This holiday season will ring out good news for NDB Good Life cardholders with great deals while using their NDB Good Life cards this festive time of the year.

AirCoin International and Epic partner to launch travel service and payment platform

The Australian based start-up M/s AirCoin International joint hands with Epic Technology Group of Sri Lanka’s, a premier technology conglomerate synonymous for innovative FinTech Solutions, to develop and launch a ‘one of its kind’ payment platform, which is set to revolutionize the global travel market. 

Emirates SkyCargo expands network to Fort Lauderdale

 Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates has expanded its network of cargo destinations in the United States with the launch of a new daily service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 15 December 2016. Fort Lauderdale is Emirates SkyCargo’s 13th destination in the United States and its second in Florida.

Seylan’s Tikiri promo gives fresh start to new school term

The beginning of a new academic year provides a fresh start for students to reignite their love for learning - and starting the first day of school with new school supplies is a wonderful feeling for children. 

CDB excels at National Business Excellence Awards

At the recently concluded National Business Excellence Awards organised by the National Chamber of Commerce,

SriLankan rewards passenger survey winner

Sri Lanka’s national carrier and oneworld member airline held a draw to select the lucky winner from the passengers who have taken part in the passenger survey conducted by the airline to collect their feedback. 

People’s expectations from government in 2017

In a country where many people feel powerless, many right-thinking people watched with alarm and disappointment in 2014 the steady decline in the moral values of our nation with politics for material benefits overtaking our cherished values. 

DFCC Bank to launch unique savings proposition

DFCC Bank, a keen proponent of savings is launching a unique scheme that encourages customers to make savings a family habit. 

CINEC conducts professional development programme for MAS Group

With a vision to make logistics an integral part of the business model  of the MAS Group of Companies, CINEC launched their first batch of the Introductory training programme in logistics and supply chain management (ILSCM) for them this November at their campus in Malabe. 

Arapaima loyalty members rewarded with whale watching tour

Fashion chain Nolimit concluded its annual grand promotion for the year 2016, with 100 lucky Arapaima loyalty members and their companions being rewarded with a whale watching tour. 

Commercial Bank honours 73 staff for 25 years of service

Seventy three employees who have completed 25 years of service with the Commercial Bank of Ceylon were honoured recently at the 2016 edition of the Long Service Awards of Sri Lanka’s benchmark private sector bank.

Pradeep Siriwardane assumes duties as SLCB General Manager

A multidisciplinary management professional Pradeep Siriwardane has been appointed the General Manager of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) with effect from 1st of December 2016.

Colombo Christmas Street concludes on high note

The first ever Colombo Christmas Street (CCS) on Green Path which was inaugurated by Tourist Minister John Amaratunga on December 22nd concluded on a high note on December 24th. The event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Christian Religious Affairs and Lands and Sri Lanka Retailers Association. Dinesh Weerakkody chaired the committee that organized the festivities. 

CL Synergy Group holds ‘Cleasal Ball 2016’

 The CL Synergy Group of Companies that consist of CL Synergy (Pvt) Ltd, Eagle Logistics Colombo (Pvt) Ltd , ASB Freight (Pvt) Ltd and Salota International (Pvt) Ltd organized their annual dinner dance named ‘Cleasal Ball 2016’ on December 16th at The Kingsbury Hotel.

No conspiracy to layoff H’tota Port employees: Malik

Employees of the Hambantota Port who are now facing the possibility of mass layoffs may be recruited by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority or the new owners of the port, China Merchant Holdings, depending on qualifications, a Sri Lankan minister said this week.

Ravi says digitalization will help mid-income countries improve public service efficiency

The economic digitalization process proposed by Budget 2017 will create a conducive background, giving easy access to markets and technology, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.

Last minute Christmas shopping

A roadside vendor is seen selling Christmas decorations ahead of Christmas Day in Colombo yesterday. Christians account for around six percent of Sri Lanka’s 21 million population  Pic by Damith Wickramasinghe

CSSL elects new council for year 2017

The Annual General Meeting of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) was held recently, and the new executive council for the year 2017 was duly elected. 

Ports Authority to hire female gantry crane operators

ECONOMYNEXT: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority will next year employ its first female gantry crane operators presently undergoing training at its Mahapola Training Institute, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga said.

Asia gold-price slump fails to revive demand in India; China premiums shrink

REUTERS: Gold demand in India remained subdued this week despite a sharp fall in prices to over 10-1/2 month lows as a severe cash crunch and holidays kept buyers away from the market, while premiums in China fell from near 3-year highs touched in the prior week.

Wealth inequality rises in euro zone - ECB survey

REUTERS: The concentration of wealth among euro zone’s richest households has increased since the bloc’s debt crisis, even as wealth levels fell across the board due to lower property prices, a survey released by the European Central Bank showed yesterday. The euro zone’s top 5 percent of households owned 37.8 percent of the net wealth in 2014, up from 37.2 percent in 2010 while the bottom 5 percent owned only debt, the ECB said

Asian stocks fall after Wall Street rally stalls

AFP - Hong Kong and Shanghai led an Asian sell-off yesterday, as markets followed Wall Street lower and oil prices weakened on the last trading day before Christmas.

Blink International offers Casio genuine watches in Sri Lanka

Casio wrist watches are world renowned as iconic timepieces, which offer reliability and style for users worldwide. However, a problem faced by Casio watch lovers in many countries is buying a genuine watch in a market flooded by fakes. Understanding this need of the customer, Blink International (Pvt.) Ltd, the official distributer for Casio watches and related accessories in Sri Lanka, has now presented the widest range of Casio watches availab

HNB holds annual Christmas carols

Hatton National Bank (HNB) staff held their annual Christmas carols at their head office auditorium recently. 

Seylan Bank celebrates ‘Christmas in Harmony’ with carols for 26th consecutive year

Seylan Bank recently held its annual Christmas carols under the theme ‘Celebrating Christmas in Harmony’ to usher in the festive season. 

Unilever-Cargills Food City Shopping Star - Season 4 grand finale on Dec. 27

The Season 4 of the Shopping Star annual shopping promotion, jointly organised by Unilever Sri Lanka and Cargills Food City draws to a successful closure recording a surplus of interest from customers.