Amana Bank’s Siddeeque appointed as AAFI President

Amana Bank announced the appointment of its Vice President Retail Banking and Marketing Siddeeque Akbar as President of the Association of Alternative Financial Institutions (AAFI), testifying Siddeeque’s leadership and expertise within th

Siddeeque Akbar

Joined Amana Bank in its formative stages to set up marketing function as Senior Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications, eventually was elevated to Vice President Retail Banking and Marketing. Prior to joining Am

President to inaugurate SL Climate Summit 2024

Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2024, organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will be inaugurated by President Ranil Wickre

Month begins with losses

The ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as Hatton National Bank, Bukit Darah and Sampath Bank

Bullish sentiment extends to 5th day

The yield curved nudged further down as the secondary market continued to see buying interest for the 5th consecutive session amidst positive investor sentiment while volumes were on moderate levels. On the short end of the curve, 01.02.2026 closed transactions at 10.40 percent. Further, 15.05.2026, 01

Oil prices rebound after closing at seven-week low

REUTERS - Oil prices rose yesterday, rebounding from three days of losses that took prices to their lowest since mid-March. Brent crude fu

Union Bank records Rs. 135 mn PBT in first quarter of 2024

Union Bank said it encountered mixed challenges in its financial performance during the first quarter of 2024, which however reflected strong credit growth and brand investment. The bank’s result

Planters’ Association slams daily wage increase announcement

The Planters’ Association (PA) of Ceylon representing Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) is moving ahead to object to the Rs.1700 daily wage increase proposed for plantation workers, while asserting that a final decision is yet to be reached on the matter.

Loops Integrated-Veracity partner for performance marketing

In a groundbreaking move, Loops Integrated, a leading advertising agency in Sri Lanka, partnered with Veracity Group to pioneer a new era in performance marketing. Veracity Group

Just In Time Technologies-SLASSCOM hold cybersecurity workshops

Just In Time Technologies (JITT), a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions and SLASSCOM Academy, Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM industry enabler for the country’s technology landscape, have successfully concluded the inaugural workshop on ‘Digital Fortress Building and Operating Effective Cybersecurity Operations Centres (SOCS)’. This milestone event marks the commencement of a collaborative journey following the signing of a memorandum of understan

Great Place to Work SL fosters learning, networking

Great Place to Work Sri Lanka recently convened an insightful event titled ‘Navigating Workplace Trends in the Manufacturing and Production Industry’, aimed at fostering learning and networking opportunities within the business community. The event also served

Dr. Ruchitha appointed as CIM, UK Vice Chair

Dr. Ruchitha Perera, FCIM, Chartered Marketer (UK), has been appointed as a Vice Chair to the board of directors of the esteemed Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK. This significant

Deepal to speak on ‘Beat Your Success Blockers’ during Int’l Coaching Week

Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, the well-known Sri Lankan business professional, accredited master coach and mentor, will be among the 20 internation speakers, who will deliver a series of master classes during the International Coaching We

People’s Bank presents 2023 annual report to president

People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse presented the People’s Bank’s annual report for the year 2023 to President Ranil Wickremasinghe at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1, recently. Also present at the event were People’s Bank Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka and Head of Finance Azzam A. Ahamat.

Worldwide smartphone shipments expand 10% YoY, Samsung regains global spot

The worldwide smartphone market has experienced a 10 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth, reaching 296.2 million shipments in the first quarter (1Q24), according to the consultancy firm Canalys.

Minimum Room Rate could be scrapped in two months: SLTDA

The government may consider scrapping the reintroduced Minimum Room Rate (MRR) for Colombo city hotels in two months, after evaluating whether it has fulfilled its purpose.

March exports reflect continued heft despite strengthening rupee

The growth in exports in March outstripped the increase in the expenditure for merchandise imports for the same month, as the exports of textiles and garments showed strength once again, after losing a bit of steam in the recent months.

Sri Lanka Tourism attends EWPC 2024 to gain global wedding experiences

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau jointly collaborated with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau recently, participating in the Exotic Wedding Planners Conference (EWPC) 2024, alongside key industry participants. This marked the first-ever presence of Sri Lanka at this renowned event, showcasing the country’s potential as a premier destination for weddings and events. The EWPC series is renowned for promoting networking, education, and business

Plans underway to make Mirissa Blue Flag Coastal Zone

The government this week announced its efforts to make Mirissa, a small town located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a marine wildlife sanctuary conforming to international standards. On Monday, Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister to implement a set of recommendations made through relevant ministries and institutions in this regard. Following a meeting held in May 2023, Cabinet

Japan to promote food tourism in rural regions

The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) is stepping up efforts to expand gastronomy tourism in a bid to combat overtourism, cater to the high-end market and boost inbound tourism consumption in rural areas. JTA will provide financial subsidies in fiscal 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025) for the development and promotion of programmes focusing on regional culinary cultures. The Japanese government considers food and drinks an industry with high potential for

Southern MICE Expo launched to elevate region’s appeal

The Southern MICE Expo 2024 is scheduled to take place form the May 27th to 31st. Southern MICE Expo 2024 is organized by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) with acknowledgement from the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, positioning Sri Lanka’s southern region as the primer destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions and Events (MICE). The event purposes to elevate the region’s appeal as the hub for business tourism. Souther

Is Overtourism becoming the New Normal?

n Inflation or no inflation, concerns about the economy or no concerns, overtourism is becoming the new normal Travel has become such a fundamental part of the basic human needs. After you take care of your physiological needs: food, shelter, clothing, sleep, etc., next comes health, family and…travel. This is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 101. Overtourism is a more serious problem than what many tourism professionals think. Revenge travel in the

MRR likely to reduce Colombo’s competitiveness in MICE tourism – FCR

The introduction of Minimum Room Rate (MRR) for star hotels in Colombo is likely to hurt Colombo’s competitiveness in MICE tourism while impacting smaller star hotels, a tourism industry update by First Capital Research (FCR) highlighted. “The implementation of the MRR is likely to disproportionately affect specific segments of the tourism industry, particularly the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) sector, which is one of

Softlogic Life honours top Sales performers

Softlogic Life celebrated achievements of their top Sales performers at their annual Sales Convention, held at the Colombo Shangri-La Hotel recently. With the participation of over 650 sales agents, the evemt was organized under the theme ‘A New Era of Greatness’. The Annual Sales Convention recognized and honoured close to 150 such of the top most trailblazers, who have not only excelled in their roles but also demonstrated a commitment to servi

CEAT opens 7th premium SIS outlet in Kurunegala

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. The new outlet is located at Rohana Enterprises Kurunegala (Pvt) Ltd., in Negombo Road, Kurunegala. These premium retail outlets are also designed to bring special focus on providing all tyre-related services for passenger cars and SUVs, for which CEAT Kelani produces a range of high-performance radi

Rotary International conference highlights need to improve quality of lives

Rotary International District 3220 Conference 2024 brought together over 400 Rotarians from Sri Lanka and overseas, together with several distinguished invitees and speakers. The opening ceremony of the conference was held at the BMICH on April 26, in the presence of the chief guest, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and keynote speaker Government of Tamil Nadu Information Technology and Digital Services Minister Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan. Guest o

EDB invites local tech startups for ‘Expand North Star-GITEX 2024’

The Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday called for applications from local tech start-ups wishing to participate in the Expand North Star of GITEX Global 2024. Applications are to be submitted via EDB’s online portal before May 9. Local start-ups providing technology products, technology services and knowledge-based assistance in Artificial Intelligence, Telecom, Cybersecurity, Future Mobility, Coding, Developing, Metaverse, YouthX and Susta

HNB appoints Sanjay Wijemanne as new Chief Operating Officer

Hatton National Bank PLC has appointed Sanjay Wijemanne as the bank’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO) with effect from 26th April 2024, subject to relevant regulatory clearances.  Wijemanne has previously served as HNB’s Deputy General Manager - Retail Banking Group. “Sanjay’s appointment as COO underscores our commitment to business excellence and our dedication to adapting proactively to the evolving needs of our customers and the wider econ

JKH warns public about WhatsApp groups impersonating the entity

John Keells Holdings PLC yesterday issued a cautionary notice to the public regarding WhatsApp groups falsely claiming affiliation with the company and some of its subsidiaries. The groups, reportedly numbering up to 30, are attempting to deceive individuals by asserting a connection with the organization. “John Keells Holdings PLC denies any association or affiliations with these groups and the activities stated in the messages. “Unauthorised us

Japan bestows ‘The Order of the Rising Sun’ on two Sri Lankan biz personalities

Two business personalities of Sri Lanka have been named as recipients of “The Order of the Rising Sun” honour by the Government of Japan. Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake, the recipient of the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette is the Former President of the Lanka Japan Friendship Society and the Former President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka. He has contributed to promoting friendly relations an