Targeting exports and investment, the Government will introduce several laws including possible new legislation to improve the ease of doing business, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Tea exports crossed the $ 1 billion mark by end August, up by 20% from a year earlier, Asia Siyaka Commodities Plc revealed.

Sri Lanka’s trade regime is to be reviewed to boost trade and private sector development, and reduce costs and bolster competitiveness. A key element in this work would be an evaluation of para-tariffs and other non tariff barriers that have led to a high level of effective protection and hampered exports.

Hayleys PLC's acquisition of a controlling stake in Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC (Singer, A-(lka)/Stable) is neutral for Singer's rating. This move helps Hayleys' balance sheet to be stretched significantly following the completion of the Singer acquisition despite Hayleys' stronger business risk profile, Fitch Ratings agency said.

Fitch Ratings, a credit ratings agency, has revised Sampath Bank PLC's sector outlook to negative from stable, a statement said adding that it has assigned Sampath Banks proposed Basel III compliant subordinated debentures an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)(EXP)'.

Growth in Sri Lanka's larger generating market, India was muted, with around 400,000 arrivals and the country is expecting one million tourists by 2020, This was stated by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Prema Cooray when he addressed a group of travel trade representatives from India in Colombo recently. They participated in a two day conference orgainised by NKAR Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd.

The US has stressed that there shall be no major change in its trade policy towards Sri Lanka following the arrival of its new administration and hinted at stronger economic relations in the future based on the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) inked in Washington in 2002.

Dreaming of waking up to skin that feels smoother, healthier and fresher? Then The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask is for you. The revolutionary product-the first and best of its kind-was launched at The Body Shop outlets in Sri Lanka this month.

Berendina Group recently distributed 2,000 dry ration packs to 2,000 families affected by drought in the Anuradhapura region. The donation was sponsored by Berendina Microfinance Institute (Gte) Ltd. (BMI), Sri Lanka’s leading microfinance institution in the Non-Governmental Sector with a view to mitigate the negative economic impact of the drought on destitute families. The ceremonial event to handover the relief was held at the Yowun Nikethanaya in Anuradhapura recently.