(Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended firmer for a third straight session yesterday, hitting their highest close in two weeks, while the rupee edged down on importer dollar demand, market sources said. The benchmark stock index ended up

Sri Lanka’s bank depositors will receive lower interest rates from this month as the Central Bank has pressed banks to cut rates for the second time since April, as the reference rates upon which banks price their deposits have fallen consistently.

Fitch Ratings has assigned HNB Finance Limited’s Rs.2 billion subordinated debentures an expected long-term rating of ‘A-(lka) (EXP)’, one notch below the company’s national long-term rating, to reflect the subordination to the senior unsecur

The Central Bank has issued a new directive to all licensed banks asking them to facilitate easy loans and leases for mini-taxis under the government’s concessionary loan programme Enterprise Sri Lanka (ESL).

(Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended steady yesterday, hitting their highest close in more than a week, while the rupee edged up on dollar sales as month-end inward remittances surpassed greenback demand from importer, market sources said.

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam As Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture, the newly appointed Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said that the expectation of the private sector from the government is the implementation of progressive policies and erad

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama attended the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) programme, which provides a unique and safe setting for political and econom

The overall loss of SriLankan Airlines (SLA) has risen to Rs.12.96 billion in the first four months of 2019 with the total debt of the airline topping US $ 750 million, the Finance Ministry data showed.

Sri Lanka’s budget deficit during the first four months of the year has widened by Rs.112.8 billion year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.363.4 billion, driven by a significant decline in revenue from import-based taxes and excise duties, the Finance Ministry d

Sebastian Ebel, a member of the Executive Board of TUI AG, responsible for destination experiences, hotels and resorts, cruises and group purchasing, met with Tourism Minister John Amaratunga recently, to pledge support to get the industry back on tr

Sri Lanka will continue to work with Chinese firms to develop the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, according to Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sports Minister Harin Fernando.

The government is likely to reach a final decision today on measures to bring down the costly airfare structure at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), at a high level meeting between Prime Minister

(Zurich) REUTERS: Central banks grappling with fast-changing financial technology and companies like Facebook moving into finance will aim to work together more closely through an innovation hub approved yesterday by the Bank for International Settle

Sampath Bank PLC last Friday said it found buyers for the unsubscribed rights. “We wish to inform you that the board of directors was successful in allotting all of the shares that remained unsubscribed at the close of the rights issue of the compa

Sri Lanka’s insurance industry is set to grow modestly in the near term amid slower motor insurance premium growth due to higher taxes on vehicle imports, intense price competition in the general insurance market and sl

Sri Lanka’s inflation decelerated during the 12 months to June 2019, mostly due to the base effects but the prices continued to rise during the month as food and non-food prices rose from a month earlier.

OSAKA (REUTERS) - U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday said he hoped for productive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a trade war that is casting a shadow on global growth, but said he had no

BRUSSELS (AFP) - Negotiations between Europe and South America to finalise a blockbuster trade deal continued yesterday, after French President Emmanuel Macron sent a warning shot to Brazil over environmental issues. Ministers from the South A

A group of 30 travel Agents from China paid a courtesy visit to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) recently, to enhance tourist arrivals from China, and also to give their support to promote the destination as a number one travel destination

ABUJA (AFP) - A special government panel has recommended that President Muhammadu Buhari sign Nigeria up for a landmark African free trade agreement, ahead of a key meeting of African leaders.

LONDON (AFP) - OPEC is on red alert over escalating US-Iran tensions that have fuelled strong oil-price gains but the cartel and other crude-producing nations are unlikely to end output cuts at a meeting Tuesday, traders say.

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets fell yesterday as investors kept a nervous watch on developments in the G20 summit, with trade top of the agenda and a key focus on the much-anticipated meeting betwe

Fitch Ratings expect banking sector loan growth to slowdown in 2019 on muted private sector credit demand despite a recent a policy rate cut by the Central Bank to create credit demand and thus boost economic growth. “Our expectation is for loan gr

The proposed Data Protection Bill would present new opportunities for Sri Lanka in cross border e-commerce activities, fostering passage to innovate while enhancing consumer confidence, according to experts.

Expolanka Holdings PLC (Expolanka) rang the opening bell to commence trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), yesterday. The market opening ceremony was organized to celebrate Expolanka Holdings making an entry to the S&P SL 20 as part of the 20

(Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended nearly flat yesterday pulled down by weakness in blue chips such as conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC in dull trade, while the rupee fell on importers’ dollar demand, m

Japan’s SARA Inc., the operators of the world’s largest high tech greenhouse, has selected Sri Lanka’s Riococo Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. as the exclusive supplier of growing media for their semi-closed green house functioning under a new climate control

Post-war Sri Lanka has seen a dramatic revival to its infrastructure growth. Over the past decade, high-rises, new cities and modern road networks have become an increasingly common sight, not just in the commercial capital of Colombo but throughout

The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) plans to develop a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy for Sri Lanka, in six months, partnering with the public and private sector stakeholders.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide a US $ 6 million grant to assist the vulnerable communities in five districts in Sri Lanka.