SLIM workshop with Ron Kaufman, an unprecedented success

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing in Sri Lanka, notched yet another highly successful delivery of its mandate of creating opportunities to receive global knowledge and competencies to the Sri Lankan business fraternity, with the international workshop with none other than the world’s No 1 service guru, Ron Kaufmann.

To stand out from crowd as a smart leader, you need to develop ‘executive presence’

When you lose a contract, tender or a big sale, you may blame the weak team members or insufficient support from the technical division or working environment. Whatever the excuse, it typically is secondary to the real issue. From my long experience working with companies and personnel, more projects or orders fail from a lack of leadership than anything else.

Fitch upgrades Sri Lanka Insurance Corp’s national ratings

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited’s (SLIC) national insurer financial strength (IFS) rating and national long-term rating to ‘AA+(lka)’ from ‘AA(lka)’ and assigned a  ‘Stable’ outlook. 

HDFC Bank placed on ‘Rating Watch Negative’

Fitch Ratings has placed Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank of Sri Lanka’s (HDFC Bank) national long-term rating of ‘BBB(lka)’on ‘Rating Watch Negative’ (RWN).

CSE-CSBA present investment research to local institutional investors

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Colombo Stock Brokers’ Association (CSBA) recently launched a series of events presenting investment research on companies featured on the S&P SL 20 Index, to an exclusive audience of local  institutional investors. 

ComBank-Visa launch DragonPass Airport Companion Programme

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the first bank in Sri Lanka to partner with Visa to offer its premium credit card holders exclusive travel-related benefits at more than 900 airports around the world.

MBSL increases efficiency by relocating Matara branch

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL), which opened in Matara on April 4, 2006, upgraded and relocated the branch to a spacious new premise in Nupe Matara last Saturday. 

Ceylinco VIP On The Spot announces Rs.1mn medical cover

From this week (15th) onwards Ceylinco VIP On The Spot policy holders could enjoy the benefit of Rs.1 million cover on medical, which is introduced as a new innovation to the existing motor insurance policy.

Over 450 people win foreign tours through AIA Insurance’s Real Rewards

AIA Real Rewards, one of the most extensive customer rewards programmes in Sri Lanka’s insurance industry has just completed two years. Over 450 people have stamped an exotic tourist destination on their passports and enjoyed a vacation, in the past 2 years, thanks to AIA. 

Ceylinco Life’s top policyholders get close-up viewing of Kandy Perahera

A chance to view the Kandy Esala Perahera from one of the best vantage points in the city was accorded to policyholders of Ceylinco Life who belong to the company’s Premium Club and members of their families.

JB Vantage bags Gold for best unit trust again

JB Vantage Money Market Fund, part of the JB Financial portfolio, won Gold for Best unit trust for the second consecutive year at the recently held CFA  Capital Markets Awards 2017. 

NDB Securities ranked among top 3 research teams for second year

NDB Securities (NDBS) was recognized for the second consecutive year at the recently held CFA Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards 2017, taking home the Bronze award for Best Stockbroking Research Team. 

NTB credit cards holders get chance to witness Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Experience the sheer thrill of speed this November by simply using a Nations Trust Bank American Express or Nations Trust Bank MasterCard Credit Card to pump fuel for Rs. 2,500 or more at any fuel station island-wide. 

South Asian Technologies partners with Carbon Black

South Asian Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd (SAT), a leading distributor of ICT products, announced its appointment as a National Value-Added Distributor for Carbon Black, the leader in next-generation endpoint security.

Virtusa announces 1Q18 consolidated financial results

Virtusa Corporation, a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company that accelerates business outcomes for its clients, reported consolidated financial results for the first quarter fiscal 2018, ended June 30, 2017.

Hitachi named Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Solid-State Arrays

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd, announced it has been positioned in the Leaders Quadrant of the July 2017 Magic Quadrant for Solid-State Arrays by Gartner, Inc., a leading global research firm.

Gartner names Sophos Visionary for Enterprise Network Firewalls

A global leader in network and end-point security, Sopos, has been named as a Visionary by Gartner, Inc.’s July 10, 2017, ‘Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Network Firewalls’.

Sri Lanka mulls to limit credit flow to real estate sector

A regulatory credit crunch may likely be implemented for the construction and real estate sectors to protect the financial system, the Sri Lankan government had said in a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

AIA Sri Lanka unit June profit up on higher premiums

AIA Insurance Lanka PLC reported enhanced top and bottom line performances during its second quarter (2Q17) and its first half of 2017 (1H17) showing signs that the local unit of the world’s second biggest life insurer by market value is on course to gain more market share in an overcrowded Sri Lankan insurance market.   

Plantations Minister tells stakeholders to unite or perish

Sri Lanka’s plantations ministry recently called for industry stakeholders to be more collaborative in its efforts to ensure the retention of a competitive position in the global market, and warned failing to do so would result in the county further losing its position.

FM gears up to present ‘performance-based budget’ this November

The country’s Finance Ministry under the new Minister Managala Samaraweera is gearing up to present a performance-based budget this November for the year 2018, where the focus would be placed on results and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Tough consumer environment takes toll on Nestle’s June performance

Nestle Lanka PLC reported relatively subdued financial performance during first half of 2017 (1H17) as the weak consumer spending hit the local unit of the Switzerland-based world’s biggest food and beverage company.

Lanka IOC 1Q in red over higher global oil prices

The Sri Lankan unit of Indian Oil Corporation, Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) turned a net loss of Rs. 135.2 million in the April - June quarter (1Q17) from a net profit of almost Rs.2.0 billion reported during the same period last year, the interim financial accounts showed. 

Central Bank says flood-hit borrowers not receiving announced concessions

Flood-affected borrowers are not aware of credit concessions they are entitled to, and have not received these benefits, the Central Bank said. 

SL Customs opens office in Northern Province

Sri Lanka Customs Department recently opened a Sub Preventive Office in Kankasanturai after a lapse of 34 years under the patronage of Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray.

Sri Lanka’s first Virtual Mirror at Aviraté flagship store

In a rush and don’t have time to try everything on? Dinner to go to after work but nothing to wear and pressed for time? Not sure which color looks best on you but don’t want to go through the hassle of trying them all out?

Watawala sponsors Colombo International Tea Convention

Watawala Tea Ceylon Limited and Watawala Plantations PLC, subsidiaries of the diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC, came onboard as Gold Sponsor for the 1st time in the upcoming Colombo International Tea Convention 2017. 

Swisstek celebrates 50 vibrant years in business

Swisstek (Ceylon) PLC marked its 50-year business journey with a golden jubilee celebration.  A five-time recipient of the prestigious Presidential Export Award for Excellence in the wood sector, the industry pioneer’s journey has been a trailblazing one interspersed with significant milestones. 

IIHS offers Australian Biomedical Science Degree

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) is now Sri Lanka’s pioneer International University Learning Centre, where local and regional students gain an opportunity to access the global workforce.

Mega Life Sciences introduces Vitavite antioxidant serum to Sri Lanka

Introducing internationally acclaimed benefits of antioxidant serum to the Sri Lankan market, the human wellness company, Mega Life Sciences offers Vitavite, a triple-action intensive brightening serum.