Business
Decline in three-month TB rate and State Minister’s comments bring CSE to life
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The stock market got off to a negative start yesterday but later recovered during the last hour due to a decline in Treasury Bills at the auction and the State Minister of Finance’s revelation of some positive trends in the external debt restructuring exercise, market analysts said.
At the Treasury Bill auction, a sharp decline of nine percent was noted especially in the three-month Treasury Bill rate. Further, rays of hopes were created when State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe said, without giving a date, that Sri Lanka is expecting a second round of talks with private investors ‘very soon’ to restructure sovereign bonds.
Sri Lanka is planning to complete debt restructuring by June 2024 and to go to the IMF board for the next round.
Both indices showed mixed reactions. The All Share Price Index went down by 18.17 points while S and P SL20 rose by7.77 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.3 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in JKH, which crossed 900,000 shares to the tune of Rs 186 million; its shares traded at Rs 207, Lanka IOC 837,000 shares crossed for Rs 108 million; its shares traded at Rs 130 and Hemas Holdings 250,000 shares crossed for Rs 22 million; its shares traded at Rs 88.
In the retail market top six companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Browns Rs 93 million (15 million shares traded), JKH Rs 85 million (410,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 62.8 million (681,000 shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 60 million 50 million (382,000 shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 48 million (7.7 million shares traded) and ACL Cables Rs 40.8 million (480,000 shares traded).During the day 54.57 million share volumes changed hands in 10826 transactions.
The rupee opened broadly stable at Rs 299.65/85 to the US dollar on Friday, from Rs 299.60/75 the previous day, dealers said. Bond yields were up. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted down at 10.10/25 percent from 10.15/35 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted down at 10.35/50 percent from 10.45/55 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 was quoted down at 10.70/80 percent from 10.80/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 10.65/70 percent.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
