SriLankan scoops best aviation sustainability program award at SMBR Global Aviation Awards

SriLankan Airlines won the prestigious Best Aviation Sustainability Program Award, beating 118 other submissions at the recently concluded Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (SMBR) Global Aviation Awards for its groundbreaking signature upcycle project, ‘Mathaka.’

CSE trading hours extended by further 30 mins

Trading hours of the Colombo Stock Exchange have been extended by a further half an hour with effect from November 1.

Cargills FoodCity opens 500th outlet

The 500th retail outlet of Cargills FoodCity was opened this morning in Akuregoda. The Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe was the chief guest at the event.

SriLankan Airlines’ ‘Say Bonjour to Paris’ Campaign Wins PATA Gold Award

National carrier SriLankan Airlines bagged a Gold Award in the category of ‘Marketing-Carrier’ at the 27th Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2022.

Coca-Cola back to returnable glass bottle

Carbonated soft drink manufacturer, the Coca-Cola Company today unveiled in Sri Lanka its new packaging, the ‘Big Buddy Bottle’, that will keep both, the pocket and the planet happy.

Korea provides US$ 6mn grant to improve employability of local talent pool

Sri Lanka’s talent pool will receive support towards an upliftment with the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) providing a grant to improve the employability of the local workforce.

SL secures bid to host ’Miss Tourism World 2022’ grand finale

’Miss Tourism World 2022’ will host its grand finale in Sri Lanka this December from 8th to 21st with 80 winners from 80 countries.

Sri Lanka is and will remain a middle-income country

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Sri Lanka is and will remain a middle-income country even after a decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

SL expects up to US$ 2bn worth multilateral funds from ADB and WB

Sri Lanka is expecting to raise up to US$ 2.0 billion worth of bilateral loans collectively from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and other multilateral lenders as bridge financing after country secured programme support from the Fund, according to President and the Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Cabinet nod given to voluntarily downgrade SL’s income status

Cabinet nod has been given to demote Sri Lanka to a lower income status, a step that is taken with the aim of having more access to financial assistance, loans and concessions.

Readers’ Choice Awards ranks SL in top 20 list of countries to travel in 2022

Destination Sri Lanka has made it to the top 20 list of the Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 by Conde Nast Traveler.

Govt. launches USD prepaid Tourist Fuel Pass

The government yesterday launched a fuel pass for tourists, enabling international visitors to procure fuel with minimal hindrance.

Monetary Board maintains SDFR and SLFR at current levels

The Monetary Board announced today that a decision has been taken to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent.

CSE halts trading minutes after market opening

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) halted trading today as the S&P SL20 index dropped over 5 percent from the previous close.

Higher import costs for food, fertiliser to add $9 bn to BoP pressures

A new paper by IMF staff estimates the impact of higher import costs for food and fertilizer for those highly exposed to food insecurity will add US$ 9 billion to balance of payments pressures of crisis hit countries in 2022 and 2023. This will erode international reserves, and their ability to pay for food and fertilizer imports.

Trading at CSE halted

Trading at the Colombo bourse has been halted for the rest of the day.

SL hosts series of events for WTD 2022

Sri Lanka celebrated today the international World Tourism Day 2022 by hosting a series of events to highlight the contribution of the industry to the national economy.

Framework to handle hazardous waste underway by MoE, UNDP

Sri Lanka is in the midst of developing a project to improve the handling of hazardous, an effort that is rolled out with support from the United Nations.

Trincomalee Port to kicks off export operations after 30-year silence

The Port of Trincomalee is gearing up to facilitate its first-ever shipment after decades of silence.

Tourism sector stakeholders bring SL under spotlight at IFTM Top Resa, Paris

Tourism sector stakeholders yesterday brought destination Sri Lanka under the international spotlight by featuring the island nation at the popular IFTM Top Resa trade show in Paris for travel and tourism.

Over 39% of Lankans not consuming adequate diet

Food security assessment carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) revealed that approximately 8.7 million people (39.1 percent) are not consuming an adequate diet.

SLTDA sets record straight on Lotus Tower tickets

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) set the record straight on the issuing of tickets for the Colombo Lotus Tower, after a post on social media went viral last evening stating Chinese nationals and politicians will be allowed to enter the facility for free.

Lankan-manufactured Thinx tops NYTs’ Best Period Underwear list

Sri Lankan manufactured period panty, the Thinx High Waist has topped the New York Times’ Best Period Underwear list for being “flattering, forgiving, and nearly foolproof”.

Canada relaxes travel advisory on Sri Lanka

Canada this week became the latest country to relax its travel advisory against visiting Sri Lanka.

SL secures IMF staff-level pact for US $ 2.9bn EFF facility

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) just announced a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lanka authorities for a new 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with a requested access of about SDR 2.2 billion (equivalent to US$2.9 billion).

Tax collection a key focus in interim budget

President Ranil Wickremesinghe presenting an interim budget today for the remainder of 2022 highlighted the efforts the government will take to firm up the tax administration which in turn will help increase the much-needed tax revenue.

Sweden and Denmark eases travel advisory to SL

Sweden and Denmark have joined the growing list of countries to ease travel advisory to Sri Lanka, which further imporves the chances of the hard-hit tourism sector witnessing signs of revival earlier than expected.

Turkiye extends medical donation amounting to US 1 mn

The government of Turkiye has extended a medical donation amounting to US $ 1 million to Sri Lanka, to help the country tackle the shortage of emergency medicines and medical supplies.

Colombo Lotus Tower calls for proposal to set up ventures

The Colombo Lotus Tower has called for Expression of Interest (EOI) from interested investors to set up ventures.

CBSL maintains policy rates at current levels

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced today its decision to maintain policy rates at their current levels.