Business
‘CSE will stabilize if IMF comes to SL’s rescue’

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE will become stable if the IMF comes to Sri Lanka’s rescue, which is now not conducive to stock market activities, due to uncertainty in external environmental factors, CSE’s Head of Marketing Niroshan Wijesundera said.
“Over the last one and a half weeks a lot of changes took place, such as, the change of Finance Minister, moving up of interest rates, while political uncertainty crested some instability in the market. If the IMF comes to our rescue, the stock market will start moving up, Wijesundera told The Island Financial Review.
Owing to a series of negative developments, the CSE benchmark All -Share Price Index is down by 34 per cent to 8,135 points from 12,226 points as at end 2021. The more active S&P SL20 is lower by 38 per cent to 2,623 points from 4,233 points. Market capitalization has plummeted to Rs. 3.5 trillion from Rs. 5.5 trillion.
Wijesundera added: ‘Brokers and investors are also hoping that the SEC will be successful in lobbying for a debt moratorium from the Central Bank. But high interest rates really impact the market and on top of that political stability is the need of the hour to attract CSE investors.’
The plunge caused initially by the economic crisis and worsened by current political instability has been shocking for investors. Friday’s Central Bank move to hike policy rates by 7% announced after the market was closed, was a further jolt for listed equity investors, market observers said.
Even before the CBSL move, capital market stakeholders decided to keep the Colombo bourse closed yesterday and today. If it were to open today, most analysts fear the market will dip further on account of the CBSL move which, however, would help improve macroeconomic stability in the medium term.
The stock broking community and investors last week made representations to the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the CSE to consider and lobby for relief from rules governing “forced selling”, a mechanism to minimize risk on the part of banks and finance companies who are margin providers.
Business
Wing Commander (Retd.) D. Pradeep S. Kannangara elected president, Industrial Security Foundation

The Industrial Security Foundation (ISF) which acts as the sole organization in Sri Lanka to represent the Private Security industry having incorporated by an Act passed in the Parliament, Act No. 51 of 1999, elected Wing Commander (Retd.) Pradeep Kannangara as its President for the years 2022/2023 at its 30th annual General Meeting which was held at the PIM Auditorium in Borella. Wing Commander Pradeep Kannangara was appointed President while 14 other members were appointed to the Executive Committee, strengthening the ISF in order to drive and uplift the standards of the private security industry in Sri Lanka.
He has served on the ExCo consecutively since 2012 under four different presidents where he held the positions of Senior Vice President during the last three consecutive years. He has also been a committed member of the ISF and was awarded prestigious coveted FISF title due to his many valuable contributions to the organization and the Private Security Industry in Sri Lanka in 2012.
Wing Commander Kannangara’s journey into private security began after a successful career in the Sri Lanka Air Force for over 24 years where he served in many capacities finally being the Officer Commanding of the Special Air Borne Force. A recipient of the Ranasura Padakkama (RSP) Gallantry award for his bravery, sacrifices and service to the nation by the President of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 1990. He holds a Master’s in business management from the Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia too and serves as a Board Director in AB Securitas (Private) Limited in Sri Lanka and AB Securitas Bangladesh Limited.
Business
Kitchen & Bedroom reaffirms its partnership with Häfele Sri Lanka

Kitchen & Bedroom, a name synonymous in the interior designing and furniture sector in the country recently celebrated its long-standing partnership with Häfele Sri Lanka during the latter’s 12th year anniversary celebratory event, reaffirming its ambitious plans to further strengthen and explore the numerous opportunities available here.
Häfele Sri Lanka, part of Häfele India which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hafele Global network, is a technology partner for various projects and initiatives of Kitchen & Bedroom. Both the companies operate in the interior design space, sharing their cumulative knowledge and expertise to provide extensive and personalized solutions catering to domestic requirements.
‘We take great pride in our association with Häfele Sri Lanka having exchanged and collaborated on many projects both commercial and household. We share similar values such as providing high quality, sustainable, functional and customized solutions to our customers, and most importantly to guide them through every aspect and step of the project and how best we could bring out their desired design,’ said Dr. Sacquaff, Kitchen & Bedroom Group CEO.
Business
DSI strengthens its islandwide presence with three new showrooms

Amid the prevailing economic hardships faced by Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s premier footwear brand DSI recently expanded its islandwide presence in the country with the opening of three new showrooms in Kahawatta, Akuressa, and Chavakachcheri, with the aim of offering greater access to its diversified product range to a wider customer base.
Gracing the special occasion, the showrooms were declared open by D. Samson & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd. Managing Director Thusitha Rajapaksa, in the presence of Director Asanka Rajapaksa, General Manager Pradeep Samarathunga, National Sales Manager – Retail Sales Naleen Weerawardana, invitees, and well-wishers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thusitha Rajapaksa stated: “We are excited about expanding DSI wings to three new locations. Despite the ongoing economic conditions of the country, we took a call to take a proactive measure to expand our islandwide presence. While it has been a challenge, the commitment and hard work of our team has made it possible to serve our loyal customers better, and we are confident that we will be able to continue these efforts in the future as well.”
DSI is renowned for its well-trained staff who offer exceptional customer service. The three new DSI showrooms prioritize providing a unique service and customer support to make purchasing further convenient for the customer.
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