ICCSL reiterates commitment to back PPPs and FTAs

The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL), which has been advocating market and economic reforms since its inception, reiterated its commitment to focus on consulting closely with the government and various other stakeholders in implementing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) this week.

Don’t politicise monetary policy: Bundesbank chief

AFP - The European Central Bank must stick to its price stability mandate and not be swayed by politics, Germany’s top central banker said yesterday, warning against extending loose monetary policy for too long.

Quebee Den’s Rohanthi tops JCI’s Outstanding Sri Lankans ranking

Rising star Quebee Den has once again been awarded one of Sri Lanka’s highest accolades with its Founder/CEO Rohanthi Wijewickrama adjudged the winner at the Junior Chamber International’s (JCI) Top 10 Outstanding Persons of Sri Lanka, for her Economic and  Entrepreneurial accomplishments. 

NSBM University gets CIOB Green Mark certification

As the premier professional body which promotes green constructions, the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), presented the coveted CIOB Green Mark award certification and plaque to NSBM University, the first-ever green university in the whole of South Asia. 

Rupee falls as CB reference rate hike weighs; stocks down

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee fell for a third session yesterday as banks bought the dollar after the Central Bank raised spot reference rate further and the U.S. Federal Reserve signalled more tightening next year, dealers said.

Cinnamon Covershot Challenge features best of Sri Lanka’s east coast

The recently concluded Cinnamon Covershot Challenge powered by IFC turned out to be immensely successful. The second edition of this highly anticipated event especially among professional and passionate photographers focused its attention on Sri Lanka’s east coast, which is growing rapidly adding to the country’s diverse and impressive portfolio of tourist destinations.

Osethma Ayurveda introduces ‘Slimming’ for a charming figure

Osethma Ayurveda Hospital, the renowned and famed name in the Ayurveda medical field in Sri Lanka, has introduced the herbal medicine Osethma Slimming to treat patients suffering  from obesity.

US files WTO complaint against China over grain import restrictions

AFP - The US government this week announced it was taking aim against illegal Chinese restrictions on imports of American grain, as well as price supports China provides for domestic farmers.

‘Towards a greener tomorrow’ – A Phoenix Industries sustainability initiative

As the world strives towards achieving sustainable environmental processes and practices, it becomes a shared responsibility of every individual to both actively participate in such initiatives and make their contribution. This is no more an option, but an imperative.

Ambiga Jewellers celebrates 40th anniversary

Ambiga Jewellers (Pvt.) Ltd, the illustrious jewellers of the nation with an immaculate reputation in the jewellery field in Sri Lanka, celebrated its 40th anniversary in a grand note recently.

Dollar holds gains on Fed, Tokyo rises a ninth day

AFP - The dollar held its gains against most other currencies in Asia yesterday following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate call, while the unit’s surge against the yen provided fresh impetus to Japanese stocks.

UBL programme holds national event

The University Business Linkage (UBL) programme held its fourth national event at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies in Colombo 7 recently.

Second Singapore banker jailed in Malaysian 1MDB scandal

AFP - A Singaporean private banker was sentenced to two weeks jail yesterday for fraud relating to Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, becoming the second person convicted in the international multi-billion dollar affair.

Sri Lanka and Tajikistan sign MoU to boost bilateral trade

With a view to further promote bilateral trade and commercial activities, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Lakshi Salon and Academy receives Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry awards

Lakshi Salon and Academy, established in 2008 in Ratnapura, won prestigious awards at the recently concluded award ceremony organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry held at Stein Studios in Ratmalana.

S&P Global Ratings indicates mixed finish for APAC region in 2016

The 2016 macro story is finishing on a mixed note with China expected to hit its growth target and activity in Japan picking up, S&P Global Ratings said in a report published yesterday, titled ‘Asia-Pacific Economic Snapshots--December 2016’.

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi donates socks and shoes to school children

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)’s banking entity, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd (BTMU) Colombo representative office recently presented brand-new school shoes and socks worth Rs.200,000 to children who were affected by the floods in May this year.

Huawei selected as official supplier for 2018 Olympic Winter Games

In February 2018, over 50,000 people will come together in PyeongChang, South Korea, for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

Data doesn’t lie: It’s time to make data-driven decisions rather than going with the gut

How much of our HR related decisions are based on emotions rather than facts? From face to face interviews, to feedback sessions to simple day to day interactions, we are biologically programmed to recognize a gut feeling rather than focus on data driven outcomes.

HNB empowers local artisans, designers to shine at SLDF 2016

Clearing a path for entrepreneurship among Sri Lanka’s design and traditional crafts industry, the country’s most innovative bank, HNB joined Sri Lanka Design Festival 2016 as official banking partner and title sponsor for the festival’s dedicated Island Craft exhibition.   

HNB donates two more libraries to rural schools as part of ‘Nena Pubuduwa’

Recognizing the powerful ability of books and libraries to enrich and empower the lives of school children, HNB continued its groundbreaking work expanding the ‘Nena Pubuduwa’ programme with the donation of two new libraries to rural schools in Sri Lanka. 

Fonterra-NADeP empower rural smallholder dairy farmer families

Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, the company behind Anchor, has partnered with the National Agribusiness Development Programme (NADeP) to help Sri Lankan smallholder dairy farmer families to improve farm productivity and profitability through a Rs.28.5 million project.

PBSS wins Gold and Silver at FCCISL Entrepreneur Awards 2016

Perfect Business Solution Services (Pvt.) Ltd (PBSS), a leading business software solutions provider with presence primarily in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Middle East, recently clinched the Gold award for Western Province and National Silver award at Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2016, both under the Medium category.

AB Securitas achieves Global Performance Excellence Award 2016

AB Securitas (Pvt.) Ltd, the leading loss prevention and secure transport service provider in Sri Lanka, was honoured with the world class Global Performances Excellence Award (GPEA) under Service Sector (Large Scale), organised by Asia Pacific Quality Organisation (APQO). 

Hirdaramani inaugurates new centre of operations for shared services teams

Hirdaramani is proud to announce the opening of The Hub, a new purpose-built centre of operations to house the core group shared services functions namely finance shared services & commercial under the H Connect brand and IT under the H One brand. 

Dollar surges, Asia markets dive on Fed rates signal

The dollar surged against its peers yesterdau and most Asian markets tumbled after the Federal Reserve indicated it will likely embark on a steeper path of interest rate hikes over the next year.

Durdans Audiology Centre gives best multi-faceted hearing care in Sri Lanka

The Audiology Centre of Durdans Hospital – one of the leading private healthcare providers in Sri Lanka – is the only state-of-the-art facility in Colombo providing excellent auditory and speech screening services to patients.

CEAT conducts 150th Road Safety Programme at St. Paul’s Milagiriya

The milestone 150th Road Safety Programme conducted in schools across Sri Lanka by the country’s top tyre brand CEAT took place at St. Pauls Girl School, Milagiriya recently.

Nawaloka Hospital Negombo completes second year

Nawaloka Hospital Negombo recently celebrated two years of providing easily accessible, world-class healthcare to the people of the region.

Goodbye ‘high-pressure’ economy, Fed hopes Trumped

Goodbye “high-pressure” economy; an interesting idea but one Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will probably never get to try in the Donald Trump era.