CCC to host ‘International Investor Forum’ in Colombo in March

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the country’s premier business Chamber is planning to hold an International Investor Forum during March 2016, in order to help the country attract much needed Foreign Direct Investments to drive growth.

US$ 20 mn WFP grant to tackle food security issues

Sri Lanka will be receiving a US$ 20 million grant from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address the country’s food security issues.

Reconciliation is the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s future economic success: UK minister

?Following is the speech made by the UK Foreign Office Minister for Asia Hugo Swire at the event organised by the Council of British Businesses in Colombo  last week. 

Will the world economy tank in 2016?

?In the first two weeks of the year, unlike in the past few years, we saw foreign-exchange volatility jump to the most in a month as Chinese stock markets plunged and tensions escalated in the Middle East.

Prima Kottumee launches crowd sourced e-calendar 2016

Prima Kottumee took their annual Model Hunt event to a new level this year with the entire search being conducted through social media for the brand’s crowd sourced, e-calendar

DSI introduces ANTA in Sri Lanka

?China’s leading sportswear brand is now in Sri Lanka courtesy of DSI. ANTA Sports Products Limited is a professional sportswear company headquartered in China since 1994 and is involved in the innovation

DSI introduces Inc.5 to Sri Lanka

?DSI starts the New Year with a bang by introducing yet another new brand to the footwear market of Sri Lanka. 

Fashion Bug sponsors Dammika Kithulgoda scholarship foundation

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing chain with over 16 outlets island-widesponsored an event organized by the ‘Parliament 

Wings of Oman receives ‘Best In-flight Magazine’ award at World Marketing Congress

Wings of Oman magazine, the in-flight magazine of the Sultanate of Oman’s national carrier, Oman Air, was recently awarded the ‘Best In-House Magazine – In-Flight’ at the

BOC marks President’s first year anniversary

?Bank of Ceylon conducted a tree planting campaign with the patronage of BOC Chairman, President’s Counsel Ronald C Perera and General Manager D. M. Gunasekara to commemorate President Maithripala Sirisena’s 1st year in office. 

Neminda Karunaratne appointed Singer (Sri Lanka) HR Director

?Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC has announced the appointment of Neminda Karunaratne as Director, Human Resources, effective January 1, 2016 following the retirement of Chitral Perera. 

World’s largest container carrier Maersk mulls Lankan entry

The world’s largest container carrier Maersk Line is looking to invest in a container facility in Sri Lanka, Danish Ambassador for Sri Lanka Taksøe-Jensen said during a meeting with Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. 

Customs aims to reach Rs.1tn revenue with ‘Single Window’ system

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday said it aimed to reach an ambitious revenue target of Rs.1 trillion for this year having launched the Single Window system earlier this month.

Fitch rates ComBank’s subordinated debentures final ‘AA-(lka)’

?Fitch Ratings Lanka has assigned Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s (AA(lka)/Stable) proposed Basel II-compliant subordinated debentures of up to Rs.7 billion a final national long-term rating of ‘AA-(lka)’.

Shares recover from 18-month low on bargain hunting

?REUTERS: Sri Lankan share index recovered yesterday after hitting over 18-month lows in the previous session, as investors picked up battered banking and telecommunications shares, brokers said.

Govt. backtracks on VAT, NBT revisions in Budget 2016

The amendments proposed to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) proposed in Budget 2016 would not be implemented until the relevant legislative enactments are passed by Parliament, Finance Ministry yesterday said in a statement.  

Govt.’s thrust on upscale Western tourists may be misplaced: JLL

The Sri Lankan government’s decision to place the utmost importance on upscale Western tourists seems to be misplaced, a Fortune 500 company said.

SLID, EU, IFC help Mannar, Vavuniya small businesses

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) recently rolled out a programme to promote improved corporate and ethical business practices for small businesses in the Mannar and Vavuniya Districts.

Indian Foreign Secretary meets Malik

Indian Foreign Secretary Subramaniam Jaishankar was on a visit to Sri Lanka. The main purpose of his visit was to pave the way for the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting, which would be held in Colombo next month. Jaishankar met Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik 

‘K’ Line’s newest car carrier makes maiden visit to H’tota Port

‘K’ Line’s newest car carrier M/V Hyperion Highway called at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMRP) in Hambantota on January 12, 2016. The vessel discharged 523 motor vehicles imported from Japan.

Sri Lanka Tourism begins 2016 with promo in South Korea

Together with Korean Broadcasting Systems (KBS) & Sri Lanka mission for Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has taken the initiatives of promoting Destination Sri Lanka in Republic of Korea by inviting a media team of their one of the top rated travel programs called ‘Everywhere 

Litro Gas sponsors Miss Tourism Sri Lanka Int’l 2016

Litro Gas, the largest importer and market leader of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Sri Lanka, stepped up as a sponsor for the upcoming Miss Tourism Sri Lanka International, a first ever pageant contest show which will witness  20 glamorous ambassadors from many nations.

Three Asia Leisure resorts in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards

Starting of the New Year for Asia Leisure is news that three of their resorts, namely Shinagawa Beach, Balapitiya; The River House, Balapitiya and Tamarind Hill, Galle have made their way into TripAdvisor Travellers’

Odel donates kids’ play area to Lady Ridgeway Hospital

The Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital has become a brighter and happier place for its little patients and young visitors thanks to the generosity of Odel. Sri Lanka’s favourite department store has

SLT to empower highest GCE A/L achievers

Sri Lanka Telecom is to hold the ‘Sisu Abhiman Awards’ at the Presidential Secretariat.  The primary goal of the event is to empower learning by use of ultra-high speed broadband connection package. 

HNB Grameen takes lead in child protection issues

Two inaugural conferences of a series of awareness raising conferences organized by HNB Grameen Finance Ltd under the theme “For a protected generation of children” with a view to enlightening the entire society on child abuses encountered by

Laugfs concludes 2015 with CSR drive

Laugfs Holdings recently took up two more noble community support projects, organizing a blood donation camp and providing school supplies for children.  The CSR projects were driven by the Group IT team of Laugfs Holdings and was

Barista Lavazza helps school children during season

Barista Lavazza, Sri Lanka’s popular coffee house chain celebrated the season by making a difference in a child’s life.  With the beginning of the school year at hand the team recently provided school essentials to the children of Niyadhagala Vidyalaya, a remote school in the

Access Engineering secures another work package in ITC Colombo One Project

Access Engineering PLC has secured another work package in ITC Colombo One Project from ITC Limited; one of the largest diversified conglomerates in India, and the company is developing an iconic luxury hotel and residence project in Colombo named, ITC  Colombo One.  

Arpico commences taxi service for shoppers

The Arpico retail chain has broken new ground in value addition with the deployment of its own dedicated taxi service exclusively for shoppers.  The service, a first for a supermarket chain in Sri Lanka,