IFIP President to open Sri Lanka’s biggest ICT Conference

Mike Hinchey, President of IFIP, the global federation of ICT professional associations, will formally open the combined NITC/SEARCC Conference in Sri Lanka which happens throughout a period of one week, which is from 11th September to 15th September 2017.

SLASSCOM and PwC launch annual Compensation and Benefits study for 2017

SLASSCOM launched the Compensation and Benefits study for the IT and BPM industry for the seventh successive year. The study was initiated recently at a workshop with representation from many member companies, on the approach, data collection tool and the survey methodology. This year’s study will be conducted by 

‘Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2017’ to be inaugurated this evening

‘Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2017,’ organized by the Sri Lanka Retailers Association, an affiliated trade body of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will be inaugurated this evening (12th September) at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Chairperson, Central Pattanan, Thailand, who is also the former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Former Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development will deliver the

Pyxle Limited partners with Tavistock Group to launch Pyxle International

Pyxle Limited (Pyxle), a leading local software development company, announced its partnership with the Tavistock Group (Tavistock), a multi-billion dollar private investment organization with over 200 companies in 15 countries.

CCI President relinquishes helm after 16 fruitful years

Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCI) held its 14th AGM at the Galle Face Hotel recently followed by a felicitation ceremony for outgoing Founder President of CCI Deshabandu Dr. Surath Wickramasinghe.

Sri Lanka voted finalist for UK Travel Awards

Sri Lanka was voted as a finalist by UK travel trade for Culture and Heritage Holiday Destination Category of the Travel Bulletin Star Awards.

SLITHM leads effort to upgrade tourism services

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) is to conduct a series of tourism related training programmes for industry stakeholders.

Seylan Bank opens latest branch at Kandana

Seylan Bank expands its branch network further by opening its newest branch at No.82, Negombo Road, Kandana. 

EDB renews partnership with PUM Netherlands to assist export-oriented SMEs

The EDB entered into a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with the PUM Netherlands senior experts with a view to supporting particularly export-oriented Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by obtaining services of PUM experts from mainly Europe in the areas of technology transfer, process improvement, product development, capacity building and training needs. 

Cartier hosts first exceptional watches event in SL

On September 7, Cartier hosted an extraordinary evening in collaboration with the Maison’s partner, Chatham Luxury. An exclusive watches selection was presented for the first time in Sri Lanka to showcase stunning works of know-how, innovation and complications.

People’s Bank opens extension counter at Kurunegala Court Complex

An extension counter of People’s Bank was inaugurated at the premises of Kurunegala Court Complex by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Creativity unleashed as HP debuts new premium laptops in Colombo

HP Inc. recently announced a new lineup of Envy and Pavilion laptops with sophisticated designs, and features to inspire today’s students and tomorrow’s reinventors

Australian Migration Centre partners with CSSL for NITC 2017

The Australian Migration Centre has partnered with Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) as one of its Annual Partners, where the two parties will work collaboratively. Australian Migration Centre will also feature at CSSL’s National IT Conference. 

DFCC Bank opens full service branch in Morawaka

DFCC Bank opened the doors of its newest fully-fledged branch in Morawaka to enhance access for customers in the area. 

Hemas Pharmaceuticals establishes regional footprint with presence in Myanmar

Leading pharmaceutical importer and distributor in Sri Lanka, Hemas Pharmaceuticals has ventured into regional shores for the first time with its entry into Myanmar to commence distribution operations as Hemas Mandalar Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  

Janashakthi Insurance partners CIMA Business Leaders Summit 2017

Leading insurance provider Janashakthi Insurance PLC announced its partnership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Sri Lanka on the CIMA Business Leaders Summit for the third consecutive year.

Amãna Takaful Life ‘Annual Awards’ celebrates achievers for 2016

Amãna Takaful Life, which has continually grown and expanded to make a significant mark in the insurance industry in Sri Lanka, hosted its awards ceremony for the year 2017 on a high note, at Galadari Hotel Ballroom recently.

ACCA holds workshop for blue-chips on role of technology in sustainability

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Sri Lanka, the global body of professional   accountants and champions in sustainability reporting, organised a workshop recently to highlight the importance of sustainability for Sri Lankan businesses and the role of technology as a key enabler. 

Effective listening can make you a better leader

You’re most likely aware that you unconsciously ignore background noise at work, such as the soft drone of air conditioning fans. Your mind appears to tune out such noises so that you can get on with the work in hand. Although this skill is essential for good concentration, you need to develop your listening skills when talking directly with people.

‘Seneha Siyapatha 2017’ commences construction in Ehaliyagoda, Rathnapura

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed ‘Seneha Siyapatha Gammanaya’ at Ehaliyagoda, Rathnapura, initiated by Dialog Axiata PLC, was held under the auspices of Anura Priyadarshana Yapa MP, Minister of Disaster Management.

EU, UNDP & FAO unite to improve Palmyrah production and veterinary training

The Palmyrah Fibre Production Centre, and Palmyrah Pulp and Root Processing Centre in Tharavankoddai, Mannar district, were inaugurated by the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Libuse Soukupova recently.

CMA holds CPD seminar on NOCLAR

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA) conducted a CPD seminar on ‘Setting the tone in a changing landscape’ recently, at the CMA auditorium.

Americares donates multipurpose first-aid boxes

At the request of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health, the relief and development organization Americares donated multipurpose first-aid boxes to be used by field staff in the Kaluthara District. Several samples of the boxes were handed to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Health in Colombo.

Govt. imposes capital gains tax barring listed shares

The government has surreptitiously re-introduced the capital gains tax (CGT) under the new Inland Revenue Act, which was passed in Parliament last week, but it will not apply on the gains made from share sales of listed companies.

August tourist arrivals up 2.5%, Chinese market slows

Slower than  usual tourist arrivals from East Asia led by the key Chinese market weighed in on the total arrivals in August to Sri Lanka, but visitors from South Asia made up for the shortage with higher number of Indians visiting its neighbouring island.

Recurrent price hikes push Ceylon Tea to niche category

Ceylon Tea has shifted to the niche category, which is less that 20 percent of the global tea trade, due to recurrent price hikes at the Colombo tea auctions owing to short supply, the head of a listed tea exporting company in the country said.

Mano Sekeram resigns from BOC board after short stint

IT industry professional Mano Sekeram has resigned from the board of directors of state-owned Bank of Ceylon (BOC) with effect from September 5th, 2017, citing personal reasons.

Malaysia’s Axiata to buy Pakistan telecom towers firm for US $940mn

REUTERS: Malaysian telecommunications firm Axiata Group’s infrastructure unit is buying telecom towers in Pakistan for US $940 million in partnership with a local conglomerate, in what will be one of the biggest deals in the South Asian nation.

CIC’s Rs.2 billion agri-investment to boost Lankan economy

Sri Lanka’s long-standing leader in agriculture – the CIC group – has elevated the country’s agriculture sector via futuristic investments amounting to over Rs.2 billion, which are now infusing state-of-the-art technology into the industry, thereby making an enduring impact on the livelihoods  of farmers.

People’s Bank digitalization drive strengthens digital footprint

Since its inception 56 years ago, People’s Bank has supported customers across the country with practical and convenient financial products and services that meet their unique needs and uplift their lives.