US $ 75mn SLDB issue oversubscribed by 15%

UK appoints climate change champion to support nations including SL

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday appointed former Secretary of State for International Development, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, as the UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency.

BIA phase II development to kick off this month with Japanese funding

The second phase development of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake will kick off from 18 November with a funding of Rs.107 billion from Japan, making it the largest development project since 2014.

Dampened export performance for October

Sri Lanka’s export performance for the month of October witnessed a dip, primarily due to the adverse impacts of the second wave of the pandemic, both locally and globally.

South Asia Textiles appoints Ajith De Silva as new chief

Diversified conglomerate Ambeon Group announced the appointment of apparel industry veteran Ajith de Silva as the new chief of South Asia Textiles Limited.

PickMe to deploy 1, 500 drivers in WP for essential deliveries

Thousand five hundred drivers and riders form the cream of PickMe’s network will be deployed to handle the initial round of essentials delivery to selected isolated locations in the Western Province.

CB extends grace period of 4% working capital loans by 3 months

The Central Bank today said the six-month grace period extended for 4 percent working capital loan scheme would be extended to nine months given that most borrowers have experienced difficulties in revamping their businesses as expected due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CCC’s Sri Lanka Economic Summit to go virtual

Sri Lanka Economic Summit (SLES) 2020, organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), will be hosted as a virtual event for the first time, due to the ongoing global health crisis.

Damro further expands showroom network in India amid slowdown in biz in SL

Damro, South Asia’s largest furniture manufacturer, has planned to set up 25 mega showrooms within next six months, further strengthening its showroom network in India.

EDB ups online promotions efforts

Export promotions are set to continue despite the ongoing pandemic as the Export Development Board (EDB) has embarked on a number of initiatives to shift the effort online.

Bodyline plant closed following detection of 35 COVID-19 cases

Apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings announced that its Bodyline plant in Horana is closed, following the identification of a COVID-19 outbreak in the facility.

EDB paves way for export industries in Western province to continue operations

The Export Development Board (EDB) said efforts are being taken to ensure that the operations of export industries located in the Western province continue without interruption.

Cabraal issues statement to allay undue fears on SL’s ability to pay debt

In a special statement State Minister of Money & Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal reiterated Sri Lanka’s ability to service its debt obligations.

BOI issues curfew passes to enterprises to continue operations

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka will facilitate the BOI enterprises within and outside BOI zones to operate without interruption in the quarantine curfew-imposed areas.

Stock market to resume and operate as normal

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) said all stock market operations would continue tomorrow and onwards despite the extension of the police curfew.

EDB says export industries will continue operations during curfew

The Export Development Board (EDB) said it was taking necessary measures to ensure that the operations of export industries remain uninterrupted during the curfew period in the country.

Colombo Port operations continue without any hindrance: SLPA

In a special message, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman General Daya Ratnayake said a Colombo Port Operations are continuing without any hindrance.

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.