Browns Battery & Tyres gains recognition at SLIM Awards

Browns Battery & Tyres was yet again recognised recently at the annual SLIM National Sales Awards 2024, a ceremony held to honour high-performers for their achievements.

Uga Halloowella opens in Hatton

Uga, the boutique Sri Lankan hotel group announced the launch of its sixth property, Uga Halloowella.

Amana Bank and Havelock City promote luxury living to customers in Kandy

Amana Bank along with Havelock City hosted customers from the bank’s Kandy Region to an exclusive presentation from Havelock City on their apartments while offering personalised financing solutions to purchase luxury apartments.

IChemC Open Day on Jan. 25

The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is to hold an Open Day on January 25 at 10 a.m. at Adamantane House, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya.

Exporters cheer electricity tariff drop as global economic pressures mount

Sri Lanka’s exporters yesterday said they have been offered a “vital lifeline” with the recently announced electricity tariff reduction.

DFCC enters into agreement to divest 50% stake in Acuity Partners to HNB

DFCC Bank has entered into Share Sale and Purchase Agreement to divest its 50 percent stake in Acuity Partners to Hatton National Bank (HNB) after months of negotiations, as per a stock exchange filing.

DFCC Bank’s green bond listed on Luxembourg Stock Exchange

DFCC Bank reached a key milestone with the dual listing of its historic green bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) and display on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX).

ADB plans direct financing for SL’s private businesses

Sri Lanka’s private sector will receive a fresh push in the near future as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently revealed that it is actively considering providing direct financing to private businesses in the country.

Local economic activities get seasonal bump in December 

Sri Lanka’s economic activities across both manufacturing and services saw continued expansion through December 2024, in fact with more vigor due to heightened economic activities due to the year-end festive season, lower interest rates and of course the peak tourist arrivals season.

Homestay standards set for upgrade with SLTDA-ADB e-learning platform

Sri Lanka will witness an improvement in the management and operational standards of home stays across the island nation with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) having launched an innovative e-learning platform.

President Dissanayake connects with BYD and other global industry leaders in China

The state visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to China deepened the longstanding friendship between the two nations and further strengthened bilateral ties, as both sides explored new avenues for economic collaboration.

Cargills adopts 2 ambulances for 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation

In support of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation’s Adopt an Ambulance programme, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has adopted two ambulances aimed at increasing access to emergency healthcare services across Sri Lanka.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals donates Rs.10mn to Suwa Seriya Adopt an Ambulance initiative

Hemas Pharmaceuticals donated Rs.10 million to the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation’s ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ initiative, funding two ambulances.

Thilan Wijesinghe on board of Blackstone-backed US $ 2bn Ventive Hospitality

Renowned investment banker, entrepreneur, PPP specialist and Chairman and owner of TWC Holdings, Thilan Wijesinghe, has been appointed to the board of directors of Ventive Hospitality Limited,

Niluka Jayasinghe honoured for entrepreneurial excellence

Global Bookkeeping Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Niluka Jayasinghe has been recognised with two distinguished awards at the 2024 Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) Prathibhabisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards.

Hutch and J’pura University kick off exclusive knowledge-sharing series

Hutch collaborated with the Faculty of Computing at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to conduct an exclusive knowledge-sharing session for third-year undergraduate students.

SLES’ ‘Maximising Tourism Potential’ session on January 29

The Sri Lanka Economic Summit (SLES) organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host a session focused on ‘Maximising Tourism Potential’, exploring strategies to position Sri Lanka as a leading global destination, on January 29, at Shangri La Hotel, Colombo.

Vallibel Finance reaches Rs.100bn, marking a major step in its rapid growth and expansion

Vallibel Finance PLC achieved a significant milestone in its remarkable growth story by surpassing the Rs.100 billion mark, a testament to its outstanding performance and rapid expansion.

Newly launched Cinnamon DISCOVERY loyalty to be fully functional by March-end

The Cinnamon DISCOVERY loyalty programme, which is rolled out in collaboration with the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), a global multi-brand loyalty programme, would be fully functional in end-of-March.

Allianz Life CEO honoured with Global CEO Leadership Excellence Award

Allianz Life Insurance Lanka Ltd CEO Jayalal Hewawasam was recently honoured with the prestigious Global CEO Leadership Excellence Award at Sri Lanka’s inaugural Global CEO Awards Night held recently at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo.

CSE-NCDEX to share expertise, explore opportunities in derivatives, commodities trading

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) of India, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate and explore the development of derivatives and commodity products in Sri Lanka.

ComBank tops banking sector for service excellence in LMD survey

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been ranked the best for service excellence among Sri Lanka’s banks in the 2024 edition of the annual Customer Excellence Survey of LMD, the country’s pioneering business magazine.

CEAT unveils new high-performance tractor tyre in time for ‘Maha’ season

A new high-performance tractor tyre has been launched by CEAT Kelani Holdings in time for the harvest phase of the Maha cultivation season, in another demonstration of commitment to the agriculture sector.

Bank of Ceylon relocates BIA counter

Bank of Ceylon relocated its counter at the Arrival Lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to a new location, giving it a more prominent look.

Sri Lanka ranked 9th best destination to travel in 2025 in BBC’s first-ever travel guide

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 10 destinations to travel in 2025 by BBC Travel’s inaugural guide to the world’s top travel spots.

Investor interest spans across short to mid end maturities

The secondary market yield curve saw buying interest, with mixed trading activity.

Central Bank launches digital payment promotion campaign 2025

As modern technology and digital payments play a critical role in driving economic development and uplifting the quality of life of citizens, the Central Bank asserted the need for improved focus on popularising digital payments, particularly with the involvement of government institutions, businesses and financial institutions.

Planters’ Association commends postponement of SVAT abolition, urges further re-evaluation

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) has commended the government of Sri Lanka for its decision to postpone the abolition of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) system to April 1, 2025.

Five-day workweek for export sector extended for six months from January

The five-day workweek for the export sector industries has been extended for the next six months, starting January 1, following the approval of the Labour Advisory Council, subject to the instructions and final approval of the Labour Commissioner General.

26th Presidential Export Awards in February

Sri Lanka’s top-performing exporters will come under fresh spotlight once again with the 26th Presidential Export Awards set to kick off on February 7.