Business
Mahindra unveils the new Bolero City Pik-Up in Sri Lanka

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), together with Ideal Motors, a fully owned subsidiary of the Ideal Group, recently unveiled the new Bolero City Pik-Up in Sri Lanka in the presence of Minister of Industries, Wimal Weerawansa. Wimal Weerawansa took a tour of the Mahindra Ideal Lanka Automotive Assembly Plant and saw the assembly process of the new Bolero City Pik-Up. The plant was inaugurated in August 2019 under a joint venture between M&M Ltd. and Ideal Group. M&M is the leader in the small commercial vehicle space and this new addition to its existing pickup portfolio further strengthens the company’s leadership position in Sri Lanka.
Addressing the occasion, Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa said,”Vehicle production is not an unachievable feat for Sri Lanka. We are steadily moving in the direction of becoming a nation that produces its own vehicles. The collaboration between Ideal Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) India will put more local value additions into their vehicle production in Sri Lanka by next year. I believe that we will soon be able to see more ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ vehicles on our roads. As a government, we are committed to further facilitating resource supplies encouraging other global vehicle manufacturers to set up their vehicle production plants in the country. The Bolero City Pik-up unveiled today by Ideal Motors and M&M consists of more than 30% locally-sourced components, thereby enabling local vehicle component manufacturers to increase their revenue and expand their businesses. Further, the technology transfer from M&M to young Sri Lankan technicians in this project is an added boon to the country creating wider economic benefits to many stakeholders of the local vehicle assembly industry for its sustainable development,”
Addressing the gathering at the factory, Nalin Welgama, Chairman, Ideal Motors said “Ideal Motors and M&M have been working together for a decade to deliver value to our customers. We are working with local vendors to maximize local value add on the Bolero City Pik-up and deliver first ever ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ Pickup which is better suited to the market requirement. With our island wide network of Mahindra sales showrooms and authorized service dealerships, we are confident to lead this category”
New Bolero City Pik-Up is perfectly suited to various applications with its easy manoeuvrability, big cargo box and reliable, high-power engine. It boasts a strong suspension, with the rear suspension strengthened to take different type of load in city driving conditions. The cabin ergonomics have been further enhanced with a wider co-driver seat, giving the best driving experience during inter & intra-city business trips. All these make the New Bolero City Pik-Up an ideal pick up for urban goods transportation across the island. With a warranty of 12 months/ 50,000 km and minimal maintenance costs, customers are guaranteed to earn more profit and have complete peace of mind.
With the gradual opening of the market amid COVID19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, the demand for commercial vehicles is anticipated to see a significant spike in the future. Mahindra Ideal Lanka (MILPL) is now boosting its production capacity to meet the market demand for its pickups. This is the 2nd product launch in a row by Mahindra after the highly popular KUV100 was launched in July 2020.
Business
CSE expected to maintain growth momentum in the wake of brighter IMF bailout hopes

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE will be able to maintain its growth momentum with IMF bailout prospects brightening this week. Consequently, foreign inflows to the CSE will improve in the future, Head-Market Development, CSE, Niroshan Wijesundara said.
“To date the CSE has been able to register a 14 per cent growth and with the IMF bailout approval we could expect more foreign inflows into the market, Wijesundera told the Island Financial Review.
Amidst these developments the market ended on a positive note at the end of yesterday. Initially there were mild profit- takings but this did not negatively impact the overall performance of the market.
Accordingly, shares edged up in mid-day trade yesterday while investors adopted a wait- and -see approach as the country looked forward to IMF approval on the Extended Fund Facility towards the end of this week.
“Investors are on a wait- and- see approach as the IMF is likely to approve the US$ 2.9 billion dollar loan, market analysts said.
“Selling pressures have eased and now buying sentiments are improving, analysts said.
The ASPI went up by 29.54 points, while the most liquid S&P SL20 index rose by 15.7 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.8 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in Hemas Holdings, which crossed three million shares to the tune of Rs 199 million, its shares were quoted at Rs 65, Hayleys 738,000 shares crossed for Rs 59.8 million, its shares traded at Rs 31 and JKH 290,000 shares crossed for Rs 42 million, and its shares fetched Rs 141.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Browns Investments Rs 209 million (30.8 million shares traded), JKH Rs 84.6 million (584,000 shares traded), Access Engineering Rs 79.5 million (4.9 million shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 75.4 million (10.9 million shares traded), Union Bank Rs 62.9 million (6.7 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 60 million (420,000 shares traded) and SLT Rs 57.5 million (687,000 shares traded). During the day 98.7 million share volumes changed hands in 20000 transactions.
Top gainers during mid- hours were Commercial Bank, Browns Investment and Access Engineering. Access Engineering is an unusual top contributor and this is because interest had been generated in it after assurances had been given on the IMF deal and there is an assumption that multilateral projects are likely to begin with the IMF restructuring process coming to a close, market analysts said.
Sri Lanka’s growth will be contained at a negative 3 per cent in 2023 after a 12.4 per cent shrinkage in the fourth quarter of 2022 and is expected to turn positive from next year, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Siyambalapitiya told reporters on March 18 that Sri Lanka can expect a “positive economy” in 2024.
Yesterday the rupee opened stronger and was quoted at around Rs 330/338 to the US dollar, stronger from Friday’s close of Rs 337/345 to the US dollar, dealers said.
Business
“Surfing Through the Crisis”

EY Sri Lanka, is scheduled to host a discussion ‘Debt Restructuring Implications to the Financial Services Sector’, on March 22, from 08:45 am to 12:30 pm at The Kingsbury Colombo. The session branching under the theme, ‘Surfing through the Crisis’, is designed specifically for CEOs, CFOs, and CRO of the financial sector, as well as the chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Board Integrated Risk Management Committee. The event hopes to create value for Sri Lanka’s financial sector amidst the prevailing economic challenges. As the largest service providers to the financial sector in terms of audits, tax, consultancy, and strategy & transaction, EY Sri Lanka feels compelled to assist the financial sector as they navigate the challenges of the economic crisis.
Despite the expected positive outcomes of debt restructuring, the process itself can be painful for the country, financial institutions, debtors and creditors. To the financial services sector specifically it could bring several challenges to capital management, financial reporting, Credit Risk and Liquidity Risk management strategies.
This session will explore these implications, under two technical segments, from Risk Management and Accounting lenses, and the mechanisms required for an effective transition. From a Risk Management perspective there will be several simulations on how it affects the financial institution’s capital and profitability whilst the accounting perspective will include discussions relating to how the debt restructuring process shall be accounted for in line with SLFRS 9 Financial Instruments.
The event will be conducted by Manil Jayesinghe, Country Managing Partner of EY Sri Lanka and Maldives, and Rajith Perera, Partner Financial Accounting Advisory Services EY Sri Lanka. To register for the session, or for further inquiries please contact Nurani Rajapaksha (Nurani.Rajapaksha@lk.ey.com)
Business
Participants of Raid Amazones 2023 arrive from Paris on SriLankan Airlines

The participants of the adventure trail ‘Raid Amazones 2023’ arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on SriLankan Airlines’ flight UL 564 from Paris. SriLankan Airlines is the Presenting Partner of Raid Amazones and extended a warm welcome with a traditional flare to the arriving group.
The group boarded the Udarata Menike train from the Gampaha Railway Station shortly thereafter for a scenic journey to Kandy, where the trail will unfold from 22 – 28 March.
Raid Amazones is the world’s only itinerant women’s adventure race. Nearly 250 female athletes will be participating in the 21st edition of the trail in Kandy.
-
Sports6 days ago
Dickwella – a monster the selectors created
-
Features4 days ago
Earth’s Greatest Rivalry
-
Breaking News5 days ago
Credit Suisse slump renews fears of global banking crisis
-
Midweek Review6 days ago
All praise for Lanka’s saviours!
-
News2 days ago
Sri Lankan recognized as a Fellow by Society of Architectural Historians
-
Features6 days ago
A middle path for Sri Lankan agriculture: Sustainable intensification – PART I
-
News5 days ago
Underworld figures flown to Colombo from Madagascar
-
Editorial4 days ago
Smash glass ceiling