(PRESS RELEASE) – Fitch Ratings-Colombo-10 November 2016: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka Branch’s (SCBSL) National Long- Term Rating at ‘AAA(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable. KEY RATING DRIVERS SCBSL’s rating reflects the credit profile and financial strength of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB: A+/Stable). The rating is linked with SCB’s Issuer Default Rating […]

Sri Lanka govt to fund Rs635Mn development of BIA

Nov 10, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers have given the go ahead to construct  a new immigration hall, electronic mall and an expansion of the departure concourse at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a total cost of 635 million rupees. Construction contract for the immigration hall and new mall construction had been awarded […]

Sri Lanka govt approves phase 2 of Central Expressway, only single bidders

Nov 09, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has given the nod to build the second section of Central Expressway which runs from Mirigama to Kurunegala for 39.29 kilometers. The contract in this regard has been divided into four (04) packages and only one set of bidders submitted proposals for each of four civil work contract packages. […]

Interview: Strength of potential partners key to LNG negotiations, says PRDS DG

Nov 08, 2016 (LBO) – The reputation and financial strength of potential partners is key to developing Sri Lanka’s LNG infrastructure, according to the head of the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS). “Introducing a new energy form of LNG and building up end-user dependency on it requires a low-risk approach to supply assurance,” Saliya Wickramasuriya, […]

‘s tourism minister highlights red-tape as major challenge

Nov 09, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ambitious plans to develop its tourism sector are being held up by too much bureaucracy, according to the island’s Minister for Tourism, John Amaratunga. Speaking ahead of the inaugural Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC) in Colombo, he said: “One of the biggest challenges is the bureaucracy. […]

Sri Lanka welcomes first KLM flight after nearly 20 years

Nov 08, 2016 (LBO) – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines resumed flights to Sri Lanka on 01 November with a twice-weekly service between Colombo and Amsterdam operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, a statement said. On board were KLM VIPs and Joanne Doornewaard, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and Maldives. Throughout […]

Nestlé Lanka invests Rs500Mn in Sri Lanka’s dairy industry

Nov 08, 2016 (LBO) – Nestlé Lanka, a unit of the Swiss-based food group, announced the opening of a new UHT milk plant in their factory in Kurunegala. The company has made an investment of 500 million rupees in the island’s dairy industry with the new production facility. Through this new investment on a UHT […]

VC fund BOV Capital invests in OMAK Technologies

Nov 08, 2016 (LBO) – BOV Capital has led a successful investment round for OMAK Technologies, a fast growing regional restaurant management solutions provider with roots in Sri Lanka. BOV Capital is the first Sri Lanka-and Singapore-based venture capital fund focusing on Sri Lankan ventures that export technology-oriented products and services. Having closed the new […]

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 14-pct in October 2016, India, China lead

Nov 07, 2016 (LBO) – Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka were up by 13.7 percent in October 2016 from a year ago with Indian and Chinese markets growing in double digits, data from the state tourism office showed. Arrivals were up 13.7 percent to 150,419 visitors in October 2016 from 2015’s 132,280 visitors. India recorded […]

Gemfields PLC announces preferred suppliers for supply chain

Nov 07, 2016 (LBO) – Ratnapura Lanka Gemstones, a subsidiary of Gemfields plc, has announced the shortlisting of preferred suppliers following the call for expressions of interest from licensed mining companies and registered gem dealers in Sri Lanka. “Through working with these preferred partners, Gemfields intends to establish a supply chain which would help grow […]

Ceylon Chamber concerned over pharma product pricing

Nov 07, 2016 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns about fixed prices on medicinal drugs announced by Government Gazette. “Sri Lanka has a strong and accessible public healthcare system, complemented by a quality private healthcare system that is catering to evolving needs of the Sri Lankan people,” the business chamber said […]

No permission to increase powdered milk: Finance Minister

Nov 04, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake says that the prices of powdered milk will not be increased for whatever reason following the recent imposition of VAT on imported powdered milk. VAT was imposed on imported powdered milk with effect from November 1st under the new VAT Amendment Act. The Finance […]

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