SMEs under spotlight

ComBank SME Trade Fair 2025, a premier event showcasing Sri Lanka’s finest small and medium enterprises (SMEs), kicked off yesterday, at the BMICH, Colombo.

Saudi Arabia may cut May oil prices for Asia to 3-month low

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia may lower its crude prices for Asian buyers in May to a three-month low, tracking the steep declines in benchmark prices this month, traders said.

DFCC Bank ranked as 4th among SL’s top employers for CIMA members in 2025

DFCC Bank has been ranked as fourth among the top 20 employers in Sri Lanka for CIMA members in 2025, a recognition awarded by AICPA & CIMA at a recent ceremony in Colombo.

Pathfinder Foundation-Ananta Aspen Centre hold India-SL Strategic Dialogue

The India-Sri Lanka Strategic Dialogue, hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation in association with the Ananta Aspen Centre of India, took place in Colombo recently.

ASPI losses 4.0% during the month

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah with the turnover crossing Rs. 1.6 Bn.

Secondary market yields trending upward

The selling trend in the secondary market continued during the day, resulting yields to increase slightly by about 5-10bps across the yield curve.

DoubleTree by Hilton to host ‘Rajawarna Soorya Mangalya’

DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is set to host the “Rajawarna Soorya Mangalya 2025”, an immersive, six-day cultural celebration of Sri Lanka’s cherished Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

‘Salam Ramadan’ initiative a success

Aroma of scrumptious food, chatter and laughter filled the air at the brightly lit Green Path Colombo 7 last weekend with the taking place of Salam Ramadan.

Excel World launches Ramadan Iftar Buffet

Excel World Entertainment Park in Colombo recently celebrated the launch of its first-ever Ramadan Kareem Iftar Buffet, offering a distinctive and memorable way to experience the holy month.

TALIEE revolutionising Entrepreneurial and Leadership Education in Sri Lanka

The Academy of Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Excellence (TALIEE) is transforming entrepreneurship and leadership education by introducing entrepreneurship programmes in Sinhala and Tamil for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Eiger hosts Gelato Masterclass in Sri Lanka

Eiger Holdings marked a historic moment for Sri Lanka’s culinary landscape by hosting the first-ever Gelato Masterclass on March 12th at Monarch Imperial.

Seylan Bank becomes ‘Kedella Expo’ Title Partner for 13th year

Seylan Bank continues its collaboration with Kedella Construction Expo in 2025 for the 13th consecutive year as the event’s Official Banking Partner.

Schokman & Samerawickreme’s art auction on April 6

Auction house Schokman & Samerawickreme is set to host its highly anticipated Art Auction on April 6 at its flagship showroom and sales centre in Colombo 05.

British Council’s new directions tackle English assessment challenges in South Asia

‘New Directions South Asia 2025’, British Council’s flagship conference on language testing and assessment, made its South Asia debut on 21 February bringing together participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Chitrasena Vajira Dance Foundation collaborates with CDB to create cultural ambassadors

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has partnered with the Chitrasena Vajira Dance Foundation (CVDF), strengthening an 80-year legacy of preserving Sri Lanka’s traditional dance.

KVPL leads collaborative approach to safeguard ‘We Oya’ watershed

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) recently announced a significant expansion of its Kelani Valley Protectors Initiative (KVPI),

Emerald unveils flagship store in Colombo 03

Emerald, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear brand, announced the grand opening of its flagship store at No. 345, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03—marking a significant milestone in the brand’s journey.

GAIA Greenenergy Holdings donates Solar PV Installation Demonstration Board

GAIA Greenenergy Holdings, under the direction of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), recently donated a demonstration board for solar PV installations to the College of Technology, Kurunegala.

Mount Lotus Hospital marks ‘Glaucoma Week’

Mount Lotus Hospital marked Glaucoma Week from 9th to 15th March globally with a series of awareness campaign with the theme ‘Live without drops’ in protection of the people.

Sri Lanka makes big pitch to attract capital market investments

Sri Lanka yesterday made a compelling case for investments into its capital markets, urging investors to be part of the island nation’s growth story. Having emerged from crisis, the country is now positioning

Government open to all options for SriLankan, including privatisation

The government is currently exploring all potential avenues to determine the most effective strategy for restructuring the debt-laden national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, suggesting that options like privatisation or

No need to raise funds from global debt markets even in 2028: CB Governor

While Sri Lanka is likely to regain access to global capital markets in two years, Central Bank (CB) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe believes the government should refrain from raising funds from

Rs. 3 mn penalties imposed on two financial institutions for FTRA violations

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka has collected a total of Rs. 3 million in penalties from November to December 2024 from two financial institutions for non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act (FTRA).

SMEs urged to apply for CBSL relief measures before 31 March deadline

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) this week urged borrowers to avail themselves of relief measures introduced to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) before the March 31, 2025 deadline.

SC grants leave to proceed with FR challenging Lyca Group

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights Petition filed challenging Lyca Group indirectly/circuitously acquiring 11+ media, and broadcasting licenses.

Selling stance pushes the yield curve up

In the secondary market yesterday, participants maintained their selling stance from the past few days, pushing the yield curve higher than the previous week. This resulted in moderate trading volumes and activity.

Indices gain with crossings driving turnover

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.1 Bn.

John Keells CG Auto begins 1st BYD deliveries in Sri Lanka

BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), has commenced its first customer vehicle deliveries in Sri Lanka, following the lifting of import restrictions.

Hemas Manufacturing secures SL Customs’ trade compliance certification

Marking a milestone in operational excellence and global trade compliance, Hemas Manufacturing (Pvt.) Ltd has been awarded the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Tier 1 certification by Sri Lanka Customs,

Janashakthi Life records over Rs.5bn in profits

anashakthi Life has recorded a Rs.5.7 billion profit before tax (PBT) for the period under review.