'Buy a Meal’ launched to support tourism & hospitality industry

Sri Lanka’s struggling tourism industry will receive some support with the launch of the ‘Buy a Meal’ initiative that will take place this month.

CB introduces single point to handle complaints against financial services providers

The Central Bank said it has introduced a single point of contact to handle complaints against financial service providers (FSPs).

EDB’s Boat Show Sri Lanka 2021 to go virtual

Sri Lanka will host its first ever virtual boat show come October with the aim of providing a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and ship building industry to showcase their products and services.

Facebook Marketplace now is SL

Social media networking service, Facebook, announced the launch of Facebook Marketplace in Sri Lanka, a feature that allow app uses to discover, buy and sell items from others in their local communities.

Debt-hobbled Sri Lanka risks running out of options

LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka paid a $1 billion bond last week, but the alarming state of its finances suggests it may have been just another step towards its first sovereign default.

July food price up 0.70%: Advocata’s ‘BCI’

Food prices in the country continued to increase in July, according to Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator (BCI) which expanded by 0.70 percent from the previous month.

SriLankan kicks off ‘Buy One Get One Free’ Offer for Moscow

National carrier, SriLankan Airlines kicked off its special ‘Buy One Get One Free” offer by opening up the promotion to Russian holiday makers visiting the country for the summer vacation.

Western Province to receive face-lift

The Western Province is slated to receive a face-lift with plans afoot to embark on an urban beautification programme that will start from Kelaniya.

Flights carrying vaccinated passengers allowed operating in full capacity

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) yesterday gave clearance for incoming flights to operate in full capacity provided the passengers are fully vaccinated and are arriving via a bio bubble.

EDB and TVEC formulate training plan for electrical and electronics industry

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) announced today the formulation of a Vocational Education Training Plan (VET Plan) for the Electrical and Electronics sector (EEC sector) to pave the way for further development in the country’s electrical and electronics industry.

Devaka Cooray appointed United Motors Chairman

United Motors Lanka PLC (UML) has appointed Independent Non-Executive Director Devaka Cooray as the Chairman of the Company with effect from 27 July.

Tourism sector employees have reached breaking point: THASL

Tourism sector employees have reached their breaking point after grappling with the hardships stemming from the pandemic and the Easter Sunday attack, thus it is imperative for the government to look into their grievances without any further delay, the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said.

Moody’s places SL’s Caa1 rating for downgrade

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has today placed the Government of Sri Lanka’s Caa1 foreign currency long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings under review for downgrade.

ETF announces grant for members’ children

The Employee Trust Fund Board (ETFB) has announced its decision to grant financial assistance for the children of ETF members who have passed the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) 2020 examinations.

No day-7 PCR for fully vaccinated tourists

Sri Lanka is continuing to explore avenues to make the destination increasingly easier for tourists, and the latest is to allow vaccinated travelers who have not travelled from restricted countries, to forgo the second PCR test after arrival.

SriLankan to roll out ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ offer

National carrier SriLankan Airlines is gearing up to launch a fresh promotion this summer where together with the tourism industry it will soon unveil a ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ offer.

Reopening schools cannot wait for all teachers and students to be vaccinated: UNICEF

Schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen, said the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in its latest statement which highlighted that the continuing of the ongoing scenario would lead to detrimental results for young learners across the world.

Oil spillage cleaning up at H’tota port successfully completed

The cleanup operation of the minor oil that took place at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) earlier this week, has reached completion, port officials said today.

SL explores digital tourism to lure travellers

Tourism ministry received the Cabinet nod yesterday to promote Sri Lanka as a favourable destination for digital tourists, an effort that would assist the hard hit industry to steer though the new normal.

Emirates extends suspension of flights from SL to July 21

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates has extended suspension of flights from four countries in South Asia, including Sri Lanka, from 14 Jul to 21 of July.

Oil spill at H’tota Port

An oil spill incident was reported at the Hambantota International Port yesterday evening around 6 PM.

Over 1K tourism sector employees receive Covid-19 jab in H’tota

Vaccination drive for the tourism industry kicked off over the weekend and over 1000 employees attached to the sector in the Hambantota District received their first jab.

Local firms allowed investing in ISBs in secondary market

The Central Bank today said local companies barring companies engaged in the finance business are permitted to purchase International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) issued by the Sri Lankan government in the secondary market.

2% additional interest rate for SDAs

Additional interest up to 2 percent per annum will be extended for two years for Special Deposit Accounts (SDAs), the Central Bank said today.

Govt. sets up new ministry for economic policy

The government issued a special gazette notification earlier today establishing a new ministry.

Tourists no longer require Foreign Min approval to enter SL

Tourists will be able to visit Sri Lanka with relaxed rules and regulations despite the rapid spread of COVID-19 as per the renewed health guidelines issued by the government.

Home appliances to be produced at H’tota industrial park

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) will soon be able to facilitate manufacturing of home appliances within 12 months due to a number of efforts taken to streamline the processes within the facility

UL resumes Colombo - Moscow route after 6-year break

National carrier SriLankan Airlines will resume flights to the Russian capital, Moscow from 30 July where it will operate a weekly scheduled flight between Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME).

Local retailers make latest call for relief

Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) joined the bandwagon in requesting relief from the government so they are able to stay afloat and steer through the ongoing crisis.

CCC applauds govt. efforts to expedite vaccination drive

The government’s efforts in expediting the vaccination drive across the country was well received by the local business community as it is the only viable path to facilitate the reopening of the country, Sri Lanka’s largest oldest business chamber.