NTB completes HSBC Sri Lanka retail business acquisition
Nations Trust Bank PLC has completed the transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail banking business, bringing around 200,000 customer accounts under its portfolio effective May 1. The acquisition includes savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, credit and debit cards, retail…
Sri Lanka tests online ticket booking platform for intercity bus travel
Sri Lanka has launched a pilot programme to enable online seat reservations for long-distance bus travel, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced today. Speaking at a media briefing, the Minister said buses remain the most widely used mode of…
Below 118? What are Vijay’s options to become CM
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is likely to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the single largest force in the ongoing vote count. TVK is currently leading in over 110…
Over a year without CEO: SriLankan Airlines faces leadership crisis
SriLankan Airlines is continuing to operate without permanent leadership in its top two positions, raising concerns over governance and strategic direction at a time of heightened global uncertainty driven by the Middle East crisis. The state-owned carrier has been without…
No increase: 20.5% VAT to replace VAT + SSCL for financial sector
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera has sought to clarify confusion over a 20.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate set to apply to banks and financial institutions from July 1, stressing that the move is not a…
Sajith congratulates Indian PM Modi and BJP on West Bengal victory
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has extended congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on their electoral victory in West Bengal. In a post on ‘X’, Premadasa described the outcome as a reflection of the…
CBSL rates: Rupee changes slightly against USD
The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against the US Dollar today (04), compared to last Thursday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 315.87 to Rs. 315.70,…
Kerala elections : Congress-led UDF consolidates big lead
The Congress has thanked the people of Kerala for what it termed a “thumping victory”. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the emerging verdict was a clear rejection of the CPI(M)-led LDF government’s “anti-people policies”. The IUML, which is putting up…
Sri Lanka’s economy “Never Recovered” after 2019 crisis – Economist Steve Hanke
Sri Lanka’s economy has not recovered since the 2019 currency crisis and subsequent International Monetary Fund (IMF) intervention, according to Steve H. Hanke, economics professor at Johns Hopkins University. In a post on ‘X’, Hanke noted that until the crisis…
Sri Lanka, Maldives sign seven MoUs during President Muizzu’s state visit
Sri Lanka and the Maldives today signed seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering key sectors, including tourism, education, higher education, health, sports, youth development, archives, and defence, following the official state ceremony welcoming Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The agreements were…