PARIS (AFP) - Air France-KLM said yesterday its losses deepened in the first quarter of the year under the pressure of higher fuel costs and competition, although the group managed to boost passenger numbers.

SYDNEY (AFP) - Global ride-sharing firm Uber yesterday faced another legal bump on the road to its blockbuster initial public offering, with taxi drivers launching a class action lawsuit in Australia.

Seylan Bank PLC reported higher earnings supported by modest growth in new loans during the quarter ended in March 31, 2019 (1Q19) - a period characterized by an extremely sluggish economic activity.

Sri Lanka’s hoteliers and tour operators during a meeting with leading airlines have reached an agreement to offer special promotional packages to attract tourists to the country, Sri Lanka Tourism Chief, Kishu Gomes said. The Board Of Airline Rep

Sri Lanka’s Tourism chief Kishu Gomes urges the government to appoint a single national-level committee consisting of responsible officials and experts to expedite the revival of the tourism industry. He said t

An investigation conducted by an Israeli blockchain intelligence startup Whitestream has found that on the day prior to the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, there were exceptionally large transfers in the bitcoin wallets that ISIS uses to raise c

REUTERS - The Sri Lankan rupee fell for the sixth consecutive session yesterday on dollar demand from banks amid security alerts on possible further attacks after the Easter Sunday bombings. Stocks closed lower for the first time in six sessions.

The Central Bank yesterday said it has initiated legal action against the directors of troubled ETI Finance Limited (ETIF) to seize their personal assets and transfer those proceeds to the ETIF, whil

On Easter Sunday, my wife and I attended the Easter Sunday Mass at 6:30 a.m. at All Saints Church, Colombo 8, then visited Cinnamon Grand, returned home by around 9:15 a.m. only to hear the reports of explosions in three churches in Negombo, Battical

The central banks and governments around the world—be they from the developed world or developing world— aspire to do one thing in common, i.e. to practise prudent monetary policy free from political interference, which in return ensures a stable

Laugfs Terminals Ltd officially inaugurated the operations of its state-of-the-art LPG transhipment terminal at the Hambantota International Port, the largest of its kind in South Asia, with the first of its LPG cargo brought in by the Sri Lankan-fla

Sri Lanka plans to obtain a US $ 100 million interest-free loan facility from China Development Bank (CDB) to expand the proposed Port Access Elevated Highway to Marine Drive through Colombo Port City.

Panasian Power PLC seems to be trying to exploit the prolonged power crisis in the country, as the renewable energy producer is bolstering its capital to get its ongoing and new solar projects online, as early as possible.

(Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said a foreign mastermind may have planned the Easter Sunday bombings, claimed by Islamic State, telling the militant group to “leave my country alone”.

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee led by Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga to recommend measures to support the tourism industry in the aftermath of the Easter

(Colombo) REUTERS: The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka said yesterday that some of the Islamist militants involved in the Easter Sunday bombings on the island were likely to be still at large and could be planning fresh attacks.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Chairman/Chief Executive Prem Watsa has conveyed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of Sri Lanka on the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

(Hong Kong) AFP: Standard Chartered announced a share buyback of up to US $1 billion yesterday as the bank reported a jump in first quarter pre-tax profits.

The government yesterday lifted the ban on social media platforms intended to stop the spread of rumours following the Easter Sunday bombings.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will lead the Sri Lankan delegation to the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to be held in Nadi, Fiji from May 2 to 5.

(Colombo) REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed weaker for the fifth consecutive session yesterday, as security alerts on possible further attacks after the Easter Sunday bombings weighed on investor sentiment, while stocks extended gains into the fif

(Paris) REUTERS: France is in a hurry to rebuild world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral and Romain Legoube, an 18-year-old apprentice carpenter, hopes to be among those chosen for the prestigious task of restoring its centuries-old roof. “It would be an

(Dubai) REUTERS: Tourist arrivals in Colombo will fall by 50 percent over the next two months following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people, Sri Lanka’s Tourism Bureau Chairman Kishu Gomes said yesterday. Tourist arrivals i

President Maithripala Sirisena assured immediate financial relief to Sri Lanka’s hotel sector amid booking cancellations and slowdown in forward bookings in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bom

The Finance Ministry plans to come up with a “permanent and acceptable” solution to settle the interest subsidy arrears to banks with regards to senior citizen savings, within two weeks, a top official said. Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R

Sri Lanka’s banks have reduced the deposit interest rates after the Central Bank asked the licensed banks and non-banking financial institutions to lower the interest rates on deposits and lending products, to increase credit into the economy to re

Ceylinco General Insurance in collaboration with Chubb Insurance of USA have paid an advance of US $ 1 million to Shangri-La Hotel Colombo to commence repairs on April 25, just four days after the devastating bomb on Easter Sunday.

The Central Bank has requested all licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) to reduce lending rates to increase credit flows to the real economy in an attempt to prop up the sluggish growth, which is

(Berlin) AFP: European travel group TUI said Friday they are cancelling all trips to Sri Lanka following the deadly Easter bombings and offering to repatriate customers already there. The tour company said those planning to visit Sri Lanka in the com

As Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is heading for a major slowdown following the Easter Sunday bombings, tourism industry stakeholders are expected to hold an urgent meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena this morning to discuss priority acti