Pan Asia Bank joins CB’s initiative to drive digital payments

Pan Asia Bank announced that it has been an active participant in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s “Digital Payments Promotion Campaign” under the theme of “Shaping the Future through Digital Transactions” held at the Magam Ruhunupura Administrative Complex in Hambantota on the 9th and 10th of January .

CEAT begins year with 10th premium ‘SIS’ outlet

A drive by CEAT Kelani Holdings to roll out premium retail outlets in key locations has gained momentum with Sri Lanka’s leading tyre manufacturer opening three new-concept Shop-in-Shop (SIS) outlets in December and January.

15th Jaffna International Trade Fair concludes on a high note

The three-day Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF 2025), the largest consumer exhibition and trade fair in the fast-growing northern region of Sri Lanka, was successfully concluded on Sunday.

8th Great HR Quiz set to take place tomorrow

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka announced the 8th Great HR Quiz, set to take place on 29 January at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura, from 2:30 p.m. onwards.

Leema clinches South Asian Business Excellence Award

Leema Creations (Pvt) Ltd. has won the South Asian Business Excellence Award for brand excellence in interior architecture for the 6th consecutive year.

CH17 introduces Privilege BLACK for Ceylon Chamber members

Further strengthening the partnership with CH17 Loyalty, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on January 21 extended the term of agreement until 2027 which extends unparallel services, privileges and benefits to Chamber Members and its affiliate bodies.

Raja Jewellers and Pintanna Oud partner to blend with innovation

Raja Jewellers, has partnered to unveil the mystique of its latest jewellery line with Pintanna Oud Oil (Private) Limited.

Flora Tissues named ‘Best Hygienic Disposables Brand of the Year’

Pee Bee Management Services (Pvt) Limited, the market leader in soft disposable tissue products marketed under the brand ‘Flora Tissues’, was named the “Best Hygienic Disposables Brand of the Year 2024” at the People’s Pinnacle Sri Lanka Awards.

Baurs partners with Hayleys Solar towards sustainable energy for Colombo HQ Office

In a bold step towards sustainability, A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. is joining forces with Hayleys Solar to adopt a solar PV system on the rooftop of its Colombo 01 corporate office.

Raffles Consolidated continues to uplift quality standards in catering industry

As Raffles Consolidated, one of Sri Lanka’s hospitality, management and tourism industry companies, celebrates its milestone 25th anniversary it has emphasized that one of the key reasons for its success and growth – continued focus on quality.

Stealth reduction of cigarette tax rates

The tax-in-price for cigarettes in Sri Lanka has reduced dramatically since 2020, falling below both the international benchmark of 75 percent and past norms in Sri Lanka.

Banking rally sets stage for ASPI’s ambitious 25,000 point target: Analysts

As the All Share Price Index (ASPI) charts its trajectory toward an ambitious 25,000-point milestone, the banking sector has emerged as the primary catalyst, analysts said.

January tourist arrivals surpass 170,000 in three weeks

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have crossed the 170,000 mark within the first three weeks of January, provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.

UK Indo-Pacific Minister’s visit to strengthen economic ties with SL

The economic ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom will come under renewed focus with UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West visiting the island nation.

L B Finance December quarter shows growing lending book ahead of re-opening vehicle imports

Just days before the banks are set to open their books for the December 2024 quarter, L B Finance PLC reported their financials for the quarter,

IADRC urges greater use of commercial mediation to boost Sri Lanka’s FDIs

The International ADR Center (IADRC) recently called for greater use of commercial mediation to resolve business disputes in Sri Lanka, citing its potential to attract more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.

Fitch Ratings upgrades People’s Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘AA-(lka)’

People’s Bank’s rating was recently upgraded by Fitch Ratings, with the bank’s National Long-Term Rating rising from “A(lka)” to “AA-(lka).”

Fitch upgrades 10 Sri Lankan NBFIs’ ratings

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of 10 Sri Lankan non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and affirmed the ratings of eight.

BOC Seychelles celebrates 11 years of service and growth

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Seychelles is celebrating its 11th anniversary, marking over a decade of service since its establishment on January 20, 2014.

SL and Malta celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations

As Sri Lanka and Malta commemorate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this January, both nations reflect on a shared history of cooperation and look forward to a future filled with mutual growth and strengthened partnerships.

Leema Creations celebrates 25 years of excellence in interior design

Leema Creations, Sri Lanka’s most celebrated interior design solutions expert, marks its 25th anniversary this year, celebrating a quarter-century of excellence in the field of interior design and manufacturing of bespoke furniture.

MullenLowe appoints Nishant Mehta as VP and Chief Strategy Officer

The MullenLowe Group (MLG) Sri Lanka announced the senior appointment of Nishant Mehta as VP and Chief Strategy Officer, from January 1, 2025.

Asiri Academy of Health Sciences and Sunway University Malaysia sign historic MoU

The Asiri Academy of Health Sciences (AAHS), a gateway to educational excellence in healthcare and Sunway University, one of Malaysia’s leading universities,

CMA and IFAC Presidents meet

CMA President Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala and Vice President Hennayake Bandara met with International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) President Jean Bouquot.

Colombo West International Terminal on schedule to commence operations next month

The Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) is scheduled to commence operations next month, with a 1.6 million 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) capacity, while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)-managed East Container Terminal (ECT) is likely to go into full operation later this year.

HWIC Asia Fund converts debentures in JKH, raising stake to 24.31%

HWIC Asia Fund, the largest shareholder of John Keels Holdings (JKH), has exercised its option to convert 98,125,000 debentures, with a face value of Rs.12.76 billion. On August 12, 2022, JHK issued 208,125,000 LKR-denominated unlisted debentures, with a convertible option, with a face value of Rs.27.06 billion to HWIC.

Port City comes alive with Chinese Cultural Night

The Culture and Tourism Ministry of the People’s Republic of China, along with the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, this week hosted Chinese Cultural Night. The event, which took place at the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone, was organised by CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt.) Ltd, in collaboration with the Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Zhengzhou and China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka.

BOC’s National Rating upgraded 2 notches by Fitch

Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) National Long-Term Rating has been upgraded to ‘AA-(lka)’, from ‘A(lka)’, by Fitch Ratings (Fitch) in its latest rating review. According to the latest announcement made by Fitch upgrading BOC’s national ratings, the National Rating upgrade is driven by the upgrade of the sovereign’s Long-Term Local Currency Issuer Default Rating and recalibration of the national rating scale.

Zoho expresses readiness to support SL’s digital transformation strategy for 2030

Zoho Corporations, a global company specialising in business technology solutions, recently expressed its readiness to support Sri Lanka’s ambitious ‘Digital Sri Lanka’ transformation strategy for 2030.

Sri Lanka’s reforms signal opportunity for US investors: Julie Chung

The new government’s dedication towards a corruption-free public procurement has sent strong positive signals to foreign investors, said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung. She was optimistic that Sri Lanka would be able to attract a fair chunk of US investors, who are looking to relocate their operations from other foreign locations, as many investors are looking at South Asia. The possible tariffs on countries such China and Mexico have in