Category: Banking and Finance
Emirates and SriLankan establish reciprocal interline partnership
Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have signed a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. Tickets are now on sale for travel effective immediately as […]
ADB names ComBank its ‘Leading Partner Bank’ in Sri Lanka for 3rd year
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has once again been declared the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) ‘Leading Partner Bank’ in Sri Lanka for trade and finance transactions, in a significant reaffirmation of the Bank’s contributions in that sphere to the national economy. This is the third consecutive year that Commercial Bank has been honoured with this […]
Sri Lanka Financial Institution Ratings Not Affected by Sovereign Downgrade: Fitch Ratings
Sri Lanka bank ratings are unaffected by the downgrade of Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating to ‘RD’ from ‘C’, says Fitch Ratings. On 14 September 2023, Fitch downgraded the sovereign’s Long-Term Local- Currency Issuer Default Rating following the completion of an exchange of treasury bonds for longer-dated ones, which forms a part of […]
Opinion: From education to employment, Understanding the gender gap in the workforce
Thathsarani Siriwardana The issue of female labor force participation in Sri Lanka has remained a subject of discussion for several decades, yet tangible progress in improving it has been elusive. As the country grapples with its most severe economic crisis since gaining independence,it is important to take a hard look at our labour force to […]
Ceylon Chamber welcomes SVAT repeal deferment
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) expresses its appreciation to the Government and to the President in particular for the decision taken to postpone repeal of the SVAT scheme. The Bill provided to repeal the Simplified Value-Added Tax Scheme (SVAT) effective from January 1, 2024. This raised several concerns among various sectors, including exporters registered […]
Corporate Governance Awareness Session hosted by Compliance Forum of Finance Houses Ass concludes
The ‘Corporate Governance Awareness Session’ organized by the Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka (FHA), the apex body of all registered Finance Ccompanies, was held at the Siyapatha Tower on the 11 th August 2023. Held in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the main objective of this event was to enhance […]
SL CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe among ‘A-’ rated leaders
Sri Lanka’s Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has been rated ‘A-‘ by the Global Finance Magazine. The Global Finances Report Cards 2023 ranked Central Bank Governors from ‘A’ to ‘F’ of 101 countries based on inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability, and interest rate management. The Central Banker Report Cards, published […]
Standard Chartered drives inclusion with enhanced global parental leave benefit
Standardised minimum 20-week parental leave provisions irrespective of gender, relationship status or how a child comes to permanently join an employee’s family. Standard Chartered globally has announced the rollout of enhanced parental leave benefits. From 1 September 2023, the Bank will be standardising the amount of parental leave offered for both mothers and fathers and […]
ComBank launches Sri Lanka’s first Green Home Loans scheme
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced another initiative under its Green lending portfolio to support customers who share the Bank’s commitment towards the environment. Green Home Loans of up to Rs 50 million are now available for the purchase of homes that have been granted Green Building Certificates by the Green Building Council of […]
HNB partners with JICA for sustainable socio-economic development in Sri Lanka
Working towards a shared objective of sustainable socio-economic development in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Through the partnership, JICA – Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) executing agency – will leverage its experience as a long-standing development partner to the island nation, […]
Dipped Products sets standard for sustainable growth: Launches ESG roadmap ‘DPL Pulse’
Export manufacturer of hand protection solutions and member of the Hayleys Group, Dipped Products PLC (DPL), announced the launch of its new ESG roadmap ‘DPL Pulse’. ‘DPL Pulse’ builds on the environmental and social consciousness already rooted within the organisation and aligns with the Hayleys Group’s long-term sustainability aspirations as outlined in the Hayleys Lifecode. […]
Sampath Bank reports profit before tax of Rs 13.2 Bn
Financial Highlights During the first half of 2023, Sampath Bank reported robust financial performance, with a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 13.2 Bn and a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 7.7 Bn, representing growth of 46.6% and 8.1% respectively compared to 1H 2022. Key financial highlights for 1H 2023 compared to the same […]