President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the Nihonbashi Japanese Restaurant situated within the premises of Colombo Port City. The first of its kind, Nihonbashi was originally established in 1995 at Galle Face terrace by renowned chef Darshana Munidasa, and has since been a prominent destination for both local and international patrons seeking authentic Japanese cuisine over the past 29 years. During the opening ceremony, the President took a tour of the restaurant, engaging in friendly conver

The 352-room hotel, withITC Hotels world-acclaimed cuisines will be a jewel in Colombos skyline. ITC Limiteds wholly owned subsidiary WelcomHotels Lanka (Private) Limited has launched ITC Ratnadipa, a jewel in Colombos skyline that promises to enrich the tourism and hospitality landscape of Sri Lanka. This flagship hospitality icon of ITC Hotels was inaugurated today by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presence of Honble

As the world commemorated Earth Day on the 22 nd April, a beacon of hope shines brightly amidst the challenges of waste mismanagement, especially in Sri Lanka. At the forefront of this hope stands the ASPIRE Programme, a collaborative initiative led by World Vision Lanka and funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation. ASPIRE, Accelerating and Strengthening the Plastic Informal Recycling Eco-system, embodies a holistic strategy aimed at addressing waste mismanagement. It goes beyond mere plastic collecti

Prime Lands Residencies PLC, Sri Lankas leading real estate developer, achieved a significant milestone with the ground-breaking ceremony of The Colombo Border, a landmark project poised to redefine urban living. With Phase I of the project nearly sold out, the company is now launching Phase II, coinciding with the commencement of construction. Piling work has been undertaken by San Piling, a reputed name in the construction industry, signifying the projects steady progress towards completion. S

Reaffirming its commitment to providing premier experiences on luxury products and services, SLT-MOBITEL together with LOVI Sarongs, hosted an exclusive business networking fellowship for its loyalty customers, fostering business prospects for members and partners of the loyalty community. LOVI Sarongs, being a most sought-after merchant partner for luxury wear on SARONGS, the event which took place at the LOVI outlet in the Galle Face Hotel, exemplified the untiring dedication of SLT-MOBITEL in

Haycarb PLC, a global leader in activated carbon manufacturing and a member of Sri Lankas most diversified conglomerate, the Hayleys Group,clinchedthe Gold Award in theValueCreation category at the 9th Asia Integrated Reporting Awards (AIRA) 2023. Organised by CSRWorks International, a regional leader in sustainability advisory, training and thought leadership, the AIRA is dedicated to honouring reports that embody transparency, integrated thinking and value creation. Haycarbs Annual Report, tit

Close to 950 people received free medical consultations and diagnostics services recently, as Ceylinco Life kicked off its Waidya Hamuwa (Meet the doctor) community programme for the 18 th year with four medical camps. The first four medical camps of 2024 took place in the Badulla, Ratnapura, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, providing residents an opportunity to undergo essential medical tests and to discuss their health issues with doctors dispatched to these areas by Ceylinco Life. Among

The Japanese Government has provided a grant of US$3 million through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to strengthen inland fisheries and improve rural livelihoods in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries. The US$ 3 million initiative will bolster food and nutritional security and fortify resilience by establishing four community operated mini hatcheries in Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura and Monaragala districts, upgrade four NAQDA Aquaculture Developm

Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.(VBLL), a leading carbonated beverage manufacturer and the official bottling and distribution franchise of PepsiCo beverages in Sri Lanka, is leading the charge towards a cleaner and greener future with an innovative initiative. This program encourages the general public to collect waste PET plastic bottles in an environmentally responsible manner. Mrs. Eresha Kumburulanda, Head-Legal, Compliance & Sustainability (AAL) at Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, stated, A

Kurunegala has become the latest location to receive the CEAT premium retail experience with the opening of a new-concept Shop-in-Shop (SIS) outlet in this busy north-western metropolis by CEAT Kelani Holdings, Sri Lankas leading pneumatic tyre manufacturer. The seventh CEAT SIS outlet to be opened in Sri Lanka, the new outlet is located at Rohana Enterprises Kurunegala (Pvt) Ltd., at No 288C, Negombo Road, Kurunegala. Part of a three-year distribution channel expansion strategy by Sri Lankas mo

El Toro, a leading brand committed to sustainability, is proud to announce its groundbreaking Good News Calendar initiative, launched in January. In an effort to turn bad news into something good and beneficial for both the community and the environment, newspapers that, as of recently, carried bad news due to the nations economic collapse, were upcycled into environmentally friendly calendars. The rise of paper costs due to the economic collapse resulted in a shortage of calendars, a challenge

NDB Bank is thrilled to announce the winners of its highly successful campaign, Salli Ratin, Thagi Apen, Remittance Avurudu Wasiya, aimed at incentivizing the use of Western Union for foreign remittances. After an exciting promotion period from 5th March to 10th April, the lucky winners have been chosen through a lottery draw. Claiming the coveted 1st place prize is Thanuja Senavirathna from Nawalapitiya, followed closely by Wimalawathi from Kandy in 2nd place, and JM Nandawathie from Kuliyapiti

SriLankan Airlines has transformed Aircraft Maintenance with the recent integration of AMOS, a next-generation ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution for Aircraft Engineering and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) management by Swiss-AS. By automating the monitoring and coordination of aircraft maintenance with AMOS, SriLankan Airlines aims to boost engineering productivity, reduce costs and maintain quality and consistency in MRO operations. SriLankan Engineering is excited to collabo

In a bold move that is sure to excite spice enthusiasts across Sri Lanka, Prima KottuMee has announced the launch of its newest variant, Korean Ramen fiery chicken flavour. This marks the first time the renowned instant noodle brand has ventured into the realm of Korean cuisine, promising an intense and fiery experience for its noodle fans in Sri Lanka and overseas. Known for its diverse range of flavours catering to Sri Lankan taste buds, Prima KottuMees latest offering builds upon the success

In partnership with key vehicle dealerships in the Kohuwela area, DFCC Leasing launched its Mega Leasing promotion on the 22nd of March 2024, across multiple prominent locations. The promotion provides very competitive rates of LKR 1,699 for every LKR 100,000 leased, which is the lowest rental in the market. DFCC Leasing partnered with AA Automart, Nalin Auto Enterprises, Premier Auto Mart, and Ranasinghe Enterprises to conduct this promotion. The excitement and offers resulted in active interes

Hayleys Fentons Limited secured the coveted Company with Great Managers Award 2023 as 9 senior management individuals received honours at the CLA Great Manager Awards for 2023, organised by the Colombo Leadership Academy for Leadership Excellence at the Balmoral Banquet Hall, Kingsbury Hotel Colombo. Key officials from Hayleys Fentons, Roshani Dharmarathne, Director Business Development, Krishantha Peiris, Senior Deputy General Manager, Nanduni Dahanayaka, Assistant General Manager Marketing a

Fitch Ratings The direction of monetary policy moves is diverging among the major economies, after a period of unusually synchronised interest rate rises in 2022 and 2023, as highlighted in Fitch Ratings latest 20/20 Vision chart pack. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) became the first major developed-market central bank to embark on an interest rate-cutting cycle. Meanwhile, two emerging-market central banks Banxico and Central Bank of Brazil both cut rates in 1Q24, as inflationary pressures con

Ceylon Chamber Presents Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2024 The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the inaugural Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2024, themed Code Red: Climate Risks and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Businesses, from May 7-9 at the Shangri La Hotel, Colombo. As scientists warn of the potentially devastating consequences of accelerating climate change, the Summit will serve as a platform for a national dialogue on the impending risks of climate change, and the opportunities presented t

As the vibrant hues of #Avurudu adorn the skies of Sri Lanka, TikTok came alive with colourful content as its users recently came together to celebrate the spirit of the #SinhalaTamilNewYear . Through innovative content creation and community engagement, individuals like Tiasha Fernando and Stories of Lash exemplify how TikTok serves as a platform for fostering unity, diversity, and cultural celebration. Tiasha Fernando , a fashion content creator on TikTok, embodied the essence of Avurudu throu

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lankas #1 connectivity provider, announced the launch of their latest Unlimited Blaster monthly plan, priced at Rs. 1299 and designed to deliver a truly boundless digital experience, reinforcing the Companys commitment to unrivalled value and seamless connectivity for its customers. This latest offering stands out by providing unlimited access to the subscribers favourite social media apps including Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Furthermore, subscribers can enjoy the fr

Sri Lanka, a nation poised at the cusp of digital transformation, has taken a monumental step forward with the introduction of its National Digital Economy Strategy. Crafted through a collaborative effort between government bodies, academia, industry stakeholders, and supported by the World Bank, this strategic blueprint stands as a testament to Sri Lankas commitment to leveraging digital technologies for inclusive growth and societal advancement. At its core, the strategy prioritizes key areas

The recently held Seylan Kedella Construction Expo 2024 came to a resounding conclusion, with several of the latest trends and innovations in Sri Lankas construction and home decor industries on display. With a footfall of over 12,000 attendees, this year marked the 12th consecutive year that Seylan Bank stood as the title partner for the event held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Seylan Bank, renowned for its diverse range of banking products and services, ma

Ninewells Hospital, the premier womens and childrens healthcare facility in Sri Lanka, is delighted to announce its collaboration with the Sri Lanka Army to implement a special health insurance scheme. This partnership, aimed at expressing gratitude to the valiant war heroes who have tirelessly defended our nation, signifies a significant step towards ensuring their well-being. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ninewells Hospital and the Army Suva Sahana Insurance Scheme initiated by

Sri Lankas foremost private healthcare provider, Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, took home a Merit award at the distinguished Best Management Practices Company Awards ceremony held on March 13, 2024, at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. The Best Management Practices Company Awards, organized annually by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (CPM Sri Lanka), celebrate excellence in organizational growth and success within both the public and private sectors. These awards highlight exem

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been named the Best Bank in Sri Lanka for a remarkable 22 nd year in the Worlds Best Banks 2024 list released recently by the US-based Global Finance magazine. Global Finance said its Best Bank Awards recognise financial institutions that offer the broadest range of services, long-term reliability, and technological innovation. The winners of this years awards are those banks that attended carefully to their customers needs in difficult markets and accomplished

The newly launched www.srilankaevisa.lk platform significantly enhances Sri Lankas visa processing system by replacing the previous Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) framework. This robust and state-of-the-art platform efficiently manages non-resident applications for a diverse range of visa categories, including short-term, long-term, transit, and gratis visas, across 15 visa categories, with stay durations of one month to ten years under this unified and integrated eVisa platform. The new

Presidents Media Division announced that Sri Lanka has granted approval for the privately owned Iranian airline Mahan Air flights between the two nations, anticipating increased tourism from Iran to Sri Lanka and bolstered cooperation in aviation. In 2022, Iran ranked 27th among countries with the highest international tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, experiencing notable growth compared to 2021. Mahan Airlines, operating under the name Mahan Air, is a privately owned Iranian airline based in Tehr

State Minister of Finance, Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, said 112 vehicles imported into Sri Lanka through illegal methods have been seized by the Fraud and Corruption Investigation Commission. The Minister mentioned that their value exceeds 700 crore rupees. From 2015 to 2022, these vehicles have been imported into Sri Lanka through various illegal methods. These vehicles are to be confiscated from the people who are currently using them. The Minister further stated that it is the responsibility

The National Economy Strategy for Sri Lanka 2030 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at the Cabinet Meeting held on 25 th March 2024. His Excellency the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Technology, presented the proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval. Coordinated by the Ministry of Technology and supported by the World Bank, the proposals were prepared by a team of experts comprising officers from both public and private sector. FITIS was i

Port City Colombo, a multi-service Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and a regional financial centre and business hub, has made significant progress in capturing key investments, as the project gears up for a tenacious drive to attract prospective land development and business set-up investors from the South Asian, APAC, and Middle Eastern regions before the end of 2024. With a strong emphasis on capturing high-value Foreign Direct Investments, Port City Colombo has on-boarded approximately forty-one

Delivers best life insurance solutions for SDB bank customers with convenience and speed As a significant step towards enhancing cross financial and insurance services, SDB bank is pleased to announce its new bancassurance partnership with LOLC Life Assurance Ltd. This collaboration marks an important milestone in providing SDB bank customers with convenient access to life insurance products, leveraging LOLCs expertise and integrating its offerings into SDB Banks extensive branch network. Throug

Australia and Sri Lankas commitment to countering maritime security threats has been on display with the launch of a new joint maritime security operation in Colombo today. Aptly named Disi Rela, which means keeping a watchful eye over the maritime environment, the new joint activity will see the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) undertake a week-long programme of work, from Dikkowita to Chilaw. Commander Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Bord

Air Seychelles, the Republic of Seychelles national airline and Sri Lankan Airlines, the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, have announced a new code-sharing partnership, expanding the number of destinations accessible to customers from the paradise islands flying between Mahe and Colombo. Over 20 destinations are included in the partnership, which includes much requested ones such as Sydney and Melbourne in Australia as well as other popular stops in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. SriLankan A

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lankas #1 connectivity provider, and Telin, the international arm of Telkom Indonesia, have signed a new Master Service Agreement (MSA) whereby Telin will exclusively provide Managed Services for international A2P SMS traffic and international voice termination traffic to Dialog. This agreement aims to monetize international traffic while extending unparalleled convenience, enhanced security, global coverage and consistent service quality to Dialog customers. The signing s

Reuters AirAsia is among six bidders for Sri Lankas state-run carrier SriLankan Airlines as the island nation looks to reduce losses incurred by government-owned enterprises under a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. AirAsia Consulting has submitted a request for qualification from potential investors for the acquisition of shares in SriLankan Airlines Limited, a statement released by Sri Lankas finance ministry said. The document also named Dharshaan Elite Investment Hol

To mark World Water Day, Amana Bank partnered with the Environment Committee of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo to promote awareness of water conservation and sustainable practices. Aligned with the global theme Water for Peace, the University organized a poster competition for undergraduates and facilitated a platform for emerging researchers and scholars to present their work and participate in insightful academic discussion. Gracing the occasion Professor Lasantha Manawadu, t

Headline inflation as measured by the yearon-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2021=100) decreased to 2.5 per cent in March 2024 from 5.1 per cent in February 2024. This was mainly driven by the monthly decrease in prices of items in the Non-food category. Accordingly, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent level March 2024 whileNon-food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 0.7 per cent in March 2024 from 5.1 per cent in February 2024.

Chongqing Airlines recently announced a new international route from Chongqing to Colombo and Male starting June 24, marking its first use of the fifth freedom of the air. The fifth freedom of the air, also known as third-country transportation rights, allows an airline to transport paying passengers between foreign nations as part of flights originating from its own country. As established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), this right is among the most economically advanta

John Keells Properties partnered with Union Bank to offer flexible mortgage solutions for its Viman Ja-Ela project. John Keells Properties further strengthened its relationship with the Banks customers by hosting an exclusive event for them on 6 th of March, to tour the Viman model apartment at the John Keells Properties head office in Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2. The event provided an opportunity for customers of Union Bank to tour the model apartment and to engage with the experienced sales tea

Reuters Malaysia plans to build Southeast Asias largest integrated circuit design park and will offer incentives including tax breaks, subsidies and visa exemption fees to attract global tech companies and investors, the government said on Monday. Malaysia is aiming to turn Kuala Lumpur into a regional digital hub, with the goal of being among the top 20 countries in the global startup ecosystem index by 2030. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the proposed integrated circuit design park was par

By Janindi Perera Amidst the turmoil and multifaceted challenges with which the world grapples, the youth of Sri Lanka gear up to participate in the 17th session of the Sri Lanka Model United Nations Conference, scheduled to be held on the 17 th and 18 th of August at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. At SLMUN, delegates are tasked with assuming the roles of diplomats to represent various nations, navigate complex geopolitical scenarios, and formulate resolutions that refl

A six-a-side soft ball corporate cricket tournament was successfully held at the G H Buddhadasa Ground in Battaramulla recently with the participation of 28 teams representing leading companies in the island. The tournament was organized by the Rainbow Pages Welfare Society. Rainbow Pages is the National Business Directory in Sri Lanka managed by SLT-MOBITEL group. The teams in the semi-finals were Winners Global, Sonasu Connect, GM Garments, and Salota International. Winners Global won the cham

State of the Budget Report estimates 14% shortfall in revenue against budget projection Sri Lanka is projected to fall short of its budget target on revenue to GDP (gross domestic product) for the 33 rd consecutive year in 2024, according to the recently released State of the Budget Report 2024. The State of the Budget Report is compiled annually by Verit Research and published on PublicFinance.lk, Sri Lankas premier platform for economic insights. The report provides a robust analysis and objec

The Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka, Jean-Francois Pactet visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently, for a tour of the port and to explore possible business opportunities for French companies. Tissa Wickremasinghe, COO of HIPG met with the embassy delegates, and at a discussion with the Ambassador, outlined the ports 5 core areas of business. He described the current growth experienced by HIP especially in the RORO/LPG and oil & Gas sectors and the latest introduction of contai

MTI Consulting has launched their Next-Gen Directors Program, with the appointment of Malithi Herath and Christine Fernando as Directors of their Sri Lanka Operations. This initiative is part of our leadership grooming process for both the consulting and the shared services functions, with the appointment of two well deserved, highly competent young consultants, who have been through an extensive on-the-job development in the last 7-8 years, said Hilmy Cader, CEO of MTI Consulting. Both Malithi

Receives 10 out of 10 rating from over 1,000 reviews One of few properties to get Hall of Fame crown & perfect score by Tripadvisor.com Sitting on the pristine beaches of Rathgama in Southern Sri Lanka, minutes away from the historic port city of Galle and the vibrant Unawatuna beach, Aditya Resorts added to its expansive range of accolades with yet another win, gaining a full score of 10 out of 10 on Travellers Review by Booking.com. Raising the bar continually in tourism excellence, this award

Clo Caf, an Australian-inspired haven for coffee enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs, recently opened its flagship location at No. 196, Nawala Road, Nawala. The grand opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Deputy High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka Lalita Kapoor and several other guests. Nestled on the ground floor of the WishQue Head Office, Clo Caf promises to deliver a unique experience that celebrates the art of coffee and culinary excellence. With a tagline of An Austra

In an effort to support young entrepreneurs in agriculture, the Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum (SLAF), a prominent agricultural business association in Sri Lanka, is collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to organize the Agcelerator Bootcamp. The Agcelerator Bootcamp, hosted by SLAF and supported by USAID Catalyze Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity, is a training program aimed at founders of agricultural startups, small and medium-sized a

While SL was still a British colony legendary Sri Lankan Engineer T.S. Jinasena (of Jinasena Engineering est. 1905) assembled the first ever racing car in SL (The Magpie) & became the first Sri Lankan to set a record at the Mahagasthota Hill Climb (1939). With support from his sons Nihal, Rohan, Ranjith & Tissa he later contributed to earn forex to save the crisis hit national economy during the 30 year conflict through never before ventures such as solid tyre production. It later won the recogn

Women empowerment has been central to SDB banks approach to business since its inception, embodying a commitment deeply ingrained in the organizational mindset. The banks successful two-fold approach encompasses empowering women within the organization and supporting women externally. This commitment is evident in the banks promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion, reflected notably in its workforce composition, with 48% being women, including significant representation in top leadership