The Agricultural Modernization Program will be implemented in 100 Divisional Secretariat Divisions this year. The government is prepared to provide financial support and training Says the President during an observation tour of Sri Lankas first AI technology greenhouse. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the government plans to transform Sri Lankan agriculture using modern technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The government is committed to support the private sector e

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels organised an event showcasing Sri Lankas recent economic recovery and the emerging economic opportunities, to over 55 participants representing the European Commission, Belgium Government and a cross section of the private sector in Belgium, at the Sri Lanka Residence on 15 May 2024. The networkingsession of the event provided the participants with the opportunity to interact with the Embassy officials and to discuss much focused future engagements in trade,

Sri Lanka made a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai highlighting the island nations diverse attractions and offerings. The Sri Lanka pavilion at ATM 2024 was organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). Arabian Travel Market was one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism sector, held from 06 to 09 May 2024. Over 41,000 attendees visited the annual trade show, whic

Ninewells Hospital the leader in neonatal, pediatric and family healthcare excellence recently donated the new Ambulatory Care Building of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) with medical equipment and benches for patients. This kind act of goodwill and generosity by Ninewells Hospital, under its corporate social responsibility initiatives, underscores its commitment to compassionate healthcare for all. The medical equipment and benches will help to provide healthcare services, and comfo

NDB Bank reaffirms its commitment to sustainability by actively participating as a cosponsor in the inaugural Sri Lanka Climate Summit organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Climate Action for our Nation and the Planet. The summit, held from 7th to 9th May, aimed to catalyse climate action at the boardroom level and engage stakeholders in driving policies that facilitate climate action nationally and corporately. As a leading financial institution, NDB recognises the urgent need to addre

First SAF uplift for Emirates in the UK under London Heathrow SAF Incentive Scheme Purchase agreement with Shell Aviation largest ever for airline Emirates has taken delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Shell Aviation at London Heathrow Airport. Over 3,000 metric tonnes of neat SAF, blended with conventional jet fuel, will be supplied into the fuelling infrastructure network of the airport* until the end of summer 2024. This is the first time the airline will be using SAF to power so

On a momentous occasion, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM) and the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) unveiled the National Human Resource Management (HRM) Standards on April 30th, 2024, at the prestigious Blu Orbit by Citrus. This event, graced by esteemed Chief Guest Hon. Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, and Guest of Honor Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe, Chairman of SLSI, alongside CIPM President Mr. Ken Vijayakumar, marked a si

Oceanpick, a trailblazer in Aquaculture, Sri Lankas first and South Asias largest oceanic fin fish farm, has achieved yet another milestone. It is now the only farm in the Indian subcontinent to earn the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Tropical Marine fin-fish certification for offshore farming, and one of the five Barramundi farms globally. ASC is widely known to be the most exceptional global standard for seafood production. Oceanpick was previously the first South Asian farm to earn Bes

In a shock-prone world, economies must be more resilientindividually and collectively, advised the IMF in a press briefing held Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Washington, DC. According to IMF research, cooperation is critical, but greater protectionism could lead to fragmentation and even split nations into rival blocs just as fresh shocks expose the global economys fragility. Our studies indicate that global losses from fragmentation vary widely. They can range from 0.2% of global GDP all the way u

The recent event organized by the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), themed Mobility and Economic Growth, brought together key stakeholders and thought leaders to delve into crucial discussions shaping Sri Lankas economic landscape. The event, highlighted by a keynote speech from Mr. Katsuki Kotaro, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan, and a dynamic panel discussion, provided invaluable insights and strategies for sustainable growth and enhanced mobility. Mr. Kotaro

Homelux, the renowned brand in redefining kitchens and living spaces, marked a delightful celebration of Mothers Day with a captivating culinary event. The event took place at the prestigious Havelock City Mall and unfolded in partnership with Lebanon Chef, creating an interactive cooking session that showcased the international brands of Homelux, namely Korkamz from Turkey and Ibili from Spain. The highlight of this remarkable occasion was the introduction of new flavors to Sri Lankans, coupled

Vallibel Finances new corporate office in Colombo 3 stands tall as a symbol of innovation and efficiency, thanks to the expertise of Hayleys Fentons, Sri Lankas premier MEP contractor. Spanning 16 floors on a 42-perch plot, this cutting-edge building boasts state-of-the-art MEP installations for a new 110,000-square-foot corporate space. This project by Hayleys Fentons was successfully completed by providing specialised installations, such as a modern Fire Protection and Detection System, and in

The Association of Human Resource Professionals (AHRP), in partnership with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), recently concluded its 6TH Human Resource Think Tank (HRTT) for the fifth consecutive year. The event provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss and discover new capabilities that will transform the future of Sri Lankas HR industry amidst ongoing economic, social and political challenges. This also stood as a testament to AHRPs objective to uplift the skills and s

SLT-MOBITEL has reported a flat growth in Q1 2024 ending March 31, 2024, amidst a challenging business environment. However, the companys proactive cost management initiatives have resulted in significant operational cost savings, enabling it to maintain profitability. For the quarter, the SLT Group has recorded consolidated revenue of LKR 26.93 billion, reflecting a marginal 1.4% year-on-year increase. However, compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year, i.e., Q4 2023, there was a mode

Good Life X (GLX) announced the launch of The Creative Catalyst Fellowship (CCF) at Trace Expert City today. The program, funded by the U.S. Governments development arm the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks innovative solutions to social issues, harnessing the power of creatives to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and advocate for positive change. Asta Zinbo, Director of the Office of Governance and Vulnerable Populations at USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives, deli

Sysco LABS, the Global in-house Centre (GIC) for Sysco, the world leader in foodservice; celebrated a decade of Syscos successful presence in Sri Lanka. The mark the occasion, the company hosted a special event which brought together esteemed guests including the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Her Excellency, Julie Chung, dignitaries from the American Embassy, Leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce, Syscos Global Technology Leadership Team, Sysco LABS Leadership Team, and representatives fr

Strong net profit growth in the final quarter of 2023-24 has enabled Teejay Lanka PLC to end the financial year on an optimistic note despite the impacts of the appreciation of the Rupee, which contributed to its 12-month results falling below those of the preceding year. Sri Lankas first multinational textile manufacturer has reported net profit of Rs 549.1 million for the three months ending 31 st March 2024, up 260% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year and a 15% improvement ove

With the promise of providing Seamless Synergy in the logistics industry, innovative freight forwarding company CL Synergy Limited (CLS), recently launched a brand new subsidiary,Logistics365 (Pvt) Ltd. The launch of the new venture took place at CL Synergys office premises amidst a gathering of staff and well wishers on 24th April 2024. CL Synergy is known for forming new companies in partnership with industry specialists throughout, and this brand-new subsidiary is no different. Mr. Anuradha S

Nations Trust Bank announced its acclaimed We Transfer More Than Just Money initiative for the year 2024. Building on the success of last years program, this years initiative aims to exceed previous achievements by enhancing the remittance experience for customers while fostering stronger connections with loved ones abroad. The Bank will inaugurate the initiative by awarding smartphones to lucky winners every week for 12 consecutive weeks, enabling them to stay in touch with loved ones abroad .

SriLankan Cargo, the cargo arm of SriLankan Airlines, has partnered with CargoAi, a leader in digital freight solutions, to simplify and enhance its airfreight booking and payment processes, and bring more transparency and velocity for users than ever. The integration of SriLankan Cargos airfreight services into CargoAis ecosystem gives users access to online booking and instant cross-border payment capabilities, while allowing SriLankan Cargo to increase its reach and support forwarders that we

In a testament to their enduring partnership, Signature, Sri Lankas most admired menswear brand, has once again teamed up with Sri Lanka Cricket as the Official Formal Clothing Partner for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024. Building on their past collaborations, this renewed alliance signifies the mutual trust and shared commitment to excellence between both entities. The company previously served as the clothing sponsors for the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the T20 World Cup in 2014, both victor

99x, a leading global product engineering company, unveils its latest innovation, Flowyzer, a developer-friendly environment to provide insights on the software product engineering process. Flowyzer empowers software developers and product companies with unparalleled transparency, enabling them to quantify and enhance their engineering flow for tangible business results. Flowyzer is designed to deliver insights across multiple dimensions such as speed, productivity, quality, security, and team s

Digital Zyndicate Co., a leading US-based venture capital firm, recently announced Echo3000, a groundbreaking hyper-casual gaming platform poised to revolutionize the digital gaming sphere. Available now at www.echo3000.com , Echo3000 offers an extensive selection of games that seamlessly blend user-friendly access with engaging gameplay, ensuring a top-tier entertainment experience for a diverse audience. Developed by Echo Digital Systems Ventures, the latest venture of Digital Zyndicate focuse

Port City Colombo, a visionary multi-service special economic zone poised to transform Sri Lanka into the next global investment destination, provides the opportunities to a diversity of companies to upscale their businesses within the property development and key thrust sectors, whilst being supported by strong investor mechanisms. With the aim of becoming a world-class hub for corporate relations and the engine of Sri Lankas future economic development, Port City Colombo will empower large-sca

Commercial Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Q&E to enhance the capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Commercial Bank LEAP Global Linker platform. The Commercial Bank LEAP GlobalLinker is a pioneering initiative in Sri Lanka, spearheaded by the bank itself. Its a cutting-edge ecosystem designed to foster networking opportunities both domestically and internationally. Developed with the backing of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this platform i

Two cruise ships docked at Hambantota International Port on 15th May 2024. MV. Silver Cloud owned by Silversea Cruises, the luxury brand of the Royal Caribbean Group arrived from Cochin carrying 232 passengers while TUIs Mein Shiff5 arriving from Langkawi carried 2,434 passengers. A group of passengers from Mein Shiff 5 did their customary e-bike tour to take in the sights of Hambantota. The e bikes were organised in line with HIPs green port drive.

Interview with Prof. Migara Liyanage, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SLIIT SLIIT has achieved a significant milestone for its Mechanical Engineering program by obtaining conditional recognition from the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL). The recognition is a crucial first step towards gaining full accreditation, which is essential for international recognition and employability of the programs graduates. Prof. Migara Liyanage, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SL

PhonePe and LankaPay organise an event which sees the presence of senior dignitaries from the Sri Lankan and Indian Government PhonePe, announced that it has enabled UPI payment acceptance in collaboration with LankaPay across LankaQR merchant points at a grand event held in Colombo. The event was graced by His Excellency Shri Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka , as the Chief Guest, who highlighted the key role played by fintech connectivity in the overall connectivity bet

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today announced a step-change in its strategic direction, as it commits to deepening its position as a world-leading provider of high-value, innovative dairy ingredients. As part of this, the Co-op has announced it is exploring full or partial divestment options for some or all of its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka. Chairman Peter McBride says this is a significant move for the Co-op which

The Chief Executive Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike says that steps have been taken to revise the T+3 method which has been followed so far for settlement of Colombo Stock Exchange transactions from the 10th of June 2024. In a statement, he said that the T+3 system will be shortened with effect from 10th June 2024. T+3 is the settlement of an equity transaction on the third day from the transaction date. According to this new notification, the procedure will be red

Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL) through its wholly owned subsidiary Adani Transmission Step-Two Limited (ATSTL) acquired a 100% stake in Essar Transco Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL), one of the largest private transmission and distribution company in South Asia with a growing smart metering portfolio, has acquired 100% stake in Essar Transco Limited after obtaining requisite regulatory and other approvals. The share acquisition is pursuant to definitive agreements signed in June, 2022.

Amidst a backdrop of celebration, reflection, and recognition, AIESEC in University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) recently held its annual awarding ceremony, Tribute 24, to honour the outstanding leadership and achievements within its membership. This prestigious event was held on the 27 th of April at the Sri Soratha Auditorium, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The most glamorous night on the AIESEC in USJ calendar was graced by Mr. Ken Vijayakumar, the General Manager o

Janashakthi Life, a leading provider of life insurance solutions, recently treated its top performers to an unforgettable tour of Bangkok. More than 75 exceptional achievers were chosen to partake in this exclusive experience, which aimed to recognize and celebrate their outstanding contributions to the company. The Bangkok tour offered Janashakthi Lifes high achievers an enticing package encompassing a three-night, four-day stay in the vibrant city. Participants got the chance to indulge in a v

The Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences of CINEC Campus, Prof. Lalith Edirisinghe has been conferred upon with a Chair Professorship by the Dalian Maritime University (DMU), the largest maritime university in the world. DMU has awarded the Chair Professorship to Prof. Edirisinghe following a comprehensive evaluation across various domains, including teaching, academic administration, scientific research and publications, leadership of major conferences and corporate events, cor

The brand licensing division of Hela Apparel Holdings PLC, Focus Brands, has announced a strategic partnership with Tesco to introduce its Peter Werth and Fenchurch fashion brands to theretailersstores across the UK. The collaboration further enhances the HelaGroupslong-standing relationship with one of theUKslargest retailersand willprovide consumers with the opportunity to purchase two of its owned fashion brands in Tesco for the first time, with an initial rollout across 100 UK stores later t

CFA Society Sri Lanka (CFASSL) is pleased to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the field of Financial Management at the University of Jaffna. In alignment with our dedication to fostering talent and recognizing exceptional academic performance, we are delighted to announce the recipients of our esteemed awards for the examination in 2021, presented at the 38 th Convocation of the University of Jaffna held on 14 th March 2024. Miss Rajendiran Radhadevi was honored with the prestigious CFA S

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, a distinguished leader in healthcare solutions, is proud to introduce its revolutionary Elite Corporate Services, a groundbreaking suite of preventive healthcare offerings tailored to meet the evolving needs of corporate organizations. Designed to empower employees and clients with proactive, personalized healthcare strategies, Elite Corporate Services goes beyond traditional medical assessments, combining state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies and data-driven insights

TikTok is proud to announce significant advancements in AI transparency and media literacy, reinforcing its commitment to safe and responsible content creation. In collaboration with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), TikTok is set to become the first video sharing platform to utilize Content Credentials technology to automatically label AI-generated content (AIGC) when uploaded from various platforms. Understanding the potential challenges posed by AI-generated conten

IFC endorses move to support Nepals startup ecosystem PickMe has crossed digital borders and will take the ride hailing market by storm with the launch of their latest technology partnership, JumJum (Lets Go) in Nepal, a country where 78% of 3.22 million vehicles registered are motorcycles. Named as the Motorcycle city, Kathmandu Valley claims to have over a million motorcycles on their busy roads. PickMes CEO Zulfer Jiffry says it made perfect sense to launch their services for Nepals motorcycl

Financial Performance Sampath Bank posted a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 6.2 billion and a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 3.4 billion for the three months ended 31st March 2024, notwithstanding an exchange loss of Rs 4.3 billion due to the appreciation of the LKR against the USD by Rs 23.70. These figures signify growth rates of 39.1% and 27.8% respectively, in comparison to the financial results reported in the first quarter of 2023. The Sampath Group also reported PBT and PAT figures of Rs 6.9

Net stage III ratio at 4%; one of the best in the industry Over Rs 6.5 Bn in taxes Tier I and total capital ratios improve further to 14.45% and 18.05% respectively Liquidity position remains strong with LAR and LCR well above regulatory minimum Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs 9.8 Bn during the first quarter of 2024 while Profit After Tax (PAT) amounted to Rs 6.2 Bn. At Group level, PBT and PAT were at Rs 11.2 Bn and Rs 7.4 Bn, respectively. The substantia

The British Council in Sri Lanka is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking publication titled Being a Teacher with Disabilities: Perspectives, Practices, and Opportunities. This comprehensive report delves into the challenges, opportunities, policies, and support networks encountered by teachers with disabilities within education systems in Sri Lanka and four other countries where the research was conducted. The report, a result of extensive research and collaboration, sheds light on

A prominent delegation of 30 members of China National Garment Association (CNGA), led by Executive Vice President of XIE QING and Ningbo Garment Association Vice president and Secretary General MAO YIHUA met the Chairman/ CEO, EDB, Executive Director, BOI, and members of JAAF on the 9th of May 2024. The CNGA is a leading industry association with over 1400 major members and covers most of the original apparel brands in China. The primary objective of this high-level delegation was to bolster ex