Sri Lanka’s bonds hammered as U.S. dubs China ’’predator’’

Sri Lanka’s government bonds fell heavily on Wednesday as the United States ratcheted up pressure on the country’s government over its ties with China.

HNB secures US$ 60mn loan from France’s PROPARCO

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) today announced a landmark agreement with PROPARCO, the private sector funding arm of the French development bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), to secure US$ 60 million in funding.

Mount Lavinia Hotel says soft refurbishment underway before it reopens to public

Colonial heritage property Mount Lavinia Hotel is currently carrying out a series of soft refurbishments, an opportune time to uplift the premises before it opens doors to the public and tourists in the coming months, the hotel’s top management said.

CSE says operated stock market successfully despite quarantine curfew

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and market intermediaries operated normally but completely based on remote functionality today with its offices and those of several market intermediary firms being located in areas subject to quarantine curfew.

Hemas Thalawathugoda clarifies on COVID-19 positive patient

A patient who had visited the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda has tested positive for COVID-19 after being transferred to Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH).

SL Tourism offers ‘Go on a Couch Safari’ experience

Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday announced the launch of a unique concept branded ‘Go on a Couch Safari’, an initiative taken to promote the island amidst the global travel restrictions.

Export companies in Gampaha district can operate during curfew: EDB

Export companies in the Gampaha district can continue to operate during the curfew period strictly following the COVID-19 health guidelines and all preventive measures for the pandemic, with consent from the relevant health authorities.

Central Bank keeps policy rates unchanged

The Central Bank has kept key policy rates unchanged at the latest monetary policy review citing overall decline in market lending rates, pick up in private credit and benign inflation.

BOI says factory operations in Gampaha district will continue unhindered despite curfew

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka said operations of the BOI industries located within the Gampaha district will be carried out without any interruption during the curfew imposed period.

Twenty three COVID-19 positive patients at Colombo Dockyard so far

A total of 23 employees attached to the Colombo Dockyard PLC have tested positive for COVID-19 as of today, the company announced.

UK Prime Minister appoints new Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE as the new Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka on 5th October 2020.

Close associates of COVID-19 patient from Hirdaramani Kahathuduwa facility tests negative

PCR tests of over 250 close associates of the COVID-19 positive employee at Hirdaramani Kahathuduwa facility have come out negative, the management of the apparel manufacturer said.

Hambantota Chamber partners with HIPG to teach Chinese to local community

The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) has joined hands with the Colombo University China Language Center and the Hambantota International Port to provide Chinese language lessons to Hambantota district residents.

HNB says head office cleared by health authorities

HNB in a statement to media a few minutes ago confirmed that further to one staff member having tested positive for the coronavirus on October 15, all staff working in the relevant area of level 19, HNB Towers and close associates who underwent PCR testing were all diagnosed as negative.

Free daily trade alerts for stock market investors via SMS

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) now sends a customized daily trade alert to investors at the end of each trade day notifying them of all transactions that are carried out through their Securities accounts in the CDS.

Several MAS employees in high risk areas tested positive for COVID-19

Apparel manufacturing major MAS Holdings said a few of its employees living in the high risk areas have been found COVID-19 positive and hence the company is carrying out PCR tests at all its manufacturing facilities across the island.

LOLC enters Zambia to commence finance operations

The LOLC Group commenced its operations in Zambia recently with the official launch of its inaugural branch located in Lusaka.

COVID-19 positive case at Hirdaramani Kahathuduwa facility

Following a routine PCR testing at Hirdaramani Industry, an employee associate attached to the Kahathaduwa facility has tested positive for COVID-19.

Over 15,000 PCR tests carried out at BOI factories

Following the Minuangoda factory outbreak that continues to increase the number of Covid-19 positive cases, over 15000 PCR tests have been carried within factories under the Board of Investment (BOI) in the last few days.

SriLankan Catering to introduce frozen meal range for supermarkets

Catering arm of the national carrier, SriLankan Catering will soon be launching range of heat-and-eat frozen meals for both local and overseas supermarkets under the brand name ‘Cuisine Gastronome’ in a bid to create other revenue generation avenues amid the significant drop in air travel across the world.

CB’s NBFI Supervision Dept. to be overhauled

The Non-Bank Financial Institutions Supervision Department of the Central Bank is to go through a complete overhaul with a new institutional structure to regulate finance companies.

Govt. to set up Expressway Investment Company

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to set up an Expressway Investment Company, a fully state-owned entity under the Treasury to own and self-finance the ongoing and future expressway projects with revenues generated from toll collections and possible revenue streams by leasing valuable land parcels surrounding the highways.

FAAMA calls on public to be “respectful” during ongoing pandemic

As Brandix continues to come under harsh criticism for having COVID-19 positive cases among its staffers, leading to a spike in the number of infected persons in the country, the Fabric and Apparel Accessory Manufactures’ Association (FAAMA) urges the public to be “respectful” during the ongoing crisis.

Merchandise export earnings top US $ 1bn in September

Sri Lanka’s merchandize export earnings have surpassed the US $ 1 billion mark in September after July during this year, the Export Development Board (EDB) said.

American duo win Nobel Economics Prize for work on auctions

US economists Paul Milgrom and Robert Wilson won the Nobel Economics Prize today for work on commercial auctions, including for goods and services difficult to sell in traditional ways such as radio frequencies, the Nobel Committee said.

Covid-19 positive case at SriLankan Cargo division

SriLankan Airlines confirmed the media reports stating that an employee of the airline at SriLankan Cargo operations division at the Bandaranaike International Airport tested positive for the COVID-19 virus this morning.

Shevan Goonetilleke appointed MillenniumIT ESP Director/CEO

As part of its ongoing initiatives to strengthen the structure to deliver the next phase of strategy, leading conglomerate Ambeon Group today announced the appointment of Shevan Goonetilleke as Director/Chief Executive Officer of their technology subsidiary – MillenniumIT ESP.

Dhammika Perera launches free online learning platform for kids

To support education excellence among children, business magnate and philanthropist Dhammika Perera and his wife Priscilla Perera have launched another initiative.

Sri Lanka economy to contract by 6.7% this year: World Bank

DIMO Lanka head office closed

DIMO Lanka said it closed its head office located at Jethawana Rd, Colombo 14 today as a precautionary measure to contain the possibility of spreading COVID-19 among staffers.