PM’s one million jobs project: Real challenge is shortage of labour

Based on industry surveys at least a minimum 400,000 jobs are available in the hotel, tourism and industrial sectors per annum in the next three years. According to a survey conducted by Prof. Athula Ranasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, there were unfilled vacancies in the apparel sector - 58 percent, 20 percent in food and 33 percent in other manufacturing sectors. 

East Asia’s agreement to keep world economy open

What the Trump administration will ultimately do to the shape of the global trade regime is difficult to foretell but there’s no question that it will change it forever, even if there is strong global push-back against Trump’s threat to unravel trade agreements and carry a protectionist stick.

EFL Express opens second center in Galle 

EFL Express opened its second service centre in Galle this month. The domestic logistics provider has been based in Colombo since it was founded a year ago, and with this expansion hopes to bring its expertise to another key strategic location in the country.

Emirates to offer services to Phnom Penh in Cambodia

Phnom Penh in Cambodia will be the latest destination Emirates will serve from July 1 this year, with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a two class configuration.

Etihad Engineering to perform mandatory checks on Kenya Airways’ Boeing 787-8 fleet

Etihad Airways Engineering has signed an agreement with Kenya Airways to perform the mandatory checks on its Boeing 787-8 fleet. This is part of an integration programme for the newest additions to the airline’s fleet.

IPM-CMI presentation provides deep insights into emotional intelligence

IPM Sri Lanka, the nation’s leader in human resource management, together with the Sri Lanka Branch of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK jointly hosted an evening presentation on ‘Emotional Intelligence & Work Life Balance’, at the auditorium of IPM Sri Lanka ‘HR House’ in Polhengoda, Colombo 5 recently.

SLIM commences CIM classes in new year

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing, is the very first accredited study centre for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) courses in Sri Lanka. 

Sigiriya Jungles supports professional service excellence training

The deluxe Sri Lankan-themed resort in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya Jungles, hosted a training session by service excellence specialist Dhammika Kalapuge, at the regal resort recently. 

Maxxis Tyres holds Dealer Convention & Awards

Maxxis Tyres Dealer Convention & Awards Night 2016 was held at Waters Edge recently where Ravindra Lanka Auto Service (Pvt.) Ltd being awarded the 2016 winner. From left: Tim Tsai of Maxxis International Sales Department, Tyre House Group Group Director  Gayan Fonseka, Ravindra Lanka Auto Service (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Ravindra Premathilaka, Maxxis Director Global Sales Lenny H.K. Lee and Tyre House Group Managing Director Sunil Fo

CIM Sri Lanka heralds 2017 with Talking Point on Marketing Insights

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka held its inaugural Talking Point programme for the new year titled ‘Insights for Marketing in 2017’ in January at the Union Ballroom, Hilton Colombo Residences.

Mindshare Sri Lanka Wins Gold award at the Campaign Asia Awards 2016

Mindshare Sri Lanka has yet again proved its place as the undisputed market leader in the field of communications by bagging the Agency of the Year Gold Award 

Rupee falls for 5th session as foreign investors sell rupee bonds

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee declined for a fifth straight session yesterday as offshore investors sold government securities amid concerns over further depreciation in the local currency, dealers said.

ComBank branches open on Mahasivarathri Day

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced it will keep 71 branches open for business on Friday, a Public and Bank holiday to mark the Mahasivarathri festival.

Union Bank enhances banking convenience in Negombo

Union Bank reopened its Negombo branch with a new outlook and an enhanced ambience recently in line with the bank’s strategic focus to deliver a redefined banking experience to its clients.   

Everybody has a fundamental right to education: Eran

The debate on the legitimacy of the privately-owned medical faculty at the South Asian Institute of Technology and Management

SLASSCOM introduces Blockchain concept to Sri Lanka

At the heart of digital currency is a powerful, decentralized technology that is now revolutionizing the way people around the world exchange value. 

Lankan ICT sector poised to significantly benefit from Tokyo B2B meetings

A group of Sri Lankan ICT companies were able to make a strong impact at the B2B meetings held with 12 key Japanese ICT companies in Tokyo recently. 

SLT receives nod to construct Pitipana Tier III Internet data centre

As Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) was aiming towards instigating the construction of a new state-of-the-art Internet data centre (iDC) that would enhance the provision of a secure and reliable data hosting facility to Sri Lanka, the Uptime Institute had recently awarded SLT with the design certification required to carry through  the initiative. 

Indian PM urges U.S. to keep an open mind on visas for skilled workers

REUTERS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the United States yesterday to keep an open mind on admitting skilled Indian workers, in comments that pushed back against Republican President Donald Trump’s “America First” rhetoric on jobs.

YouTube is getting rid of unskippable 30-second ads

Variety.com:  YouTube is killing one of its more obstrusive ad formats: The Google-owned video service said Friday that it was going to phase out unskippable 30-second preroll ads by next year.

Hotel Nippon opens for public after Rs.400mn refurbishment

Hotel Nippon was one of the oldest first 5 hotels in Sri Lanka which is the main landmark of Slave Island; Colombo 2 is 130 years old. 

Transcend Drive provides ground-breaking travel solutions for tourism industry

Since 2009, Sri Lanka has seen strong year-on-year, double digit-growth in tourist arrivals. Overall infrastructure development has significantly boosted the growth and modernization of tourism, and in particular the level of offerings at hotels. 

Aitken Spence Travels wins ‘Best in Class’ Award at Interactive Media Awards

Aitken Spence Travels received the ‘Best in Class’ award presented by the Interactive Media Awards (IMA) for its revamped Aitken Spence Holidays website in the Travel and Tourism category. 

British passenger vessel Aurora calls at Colombo port

The British passenger vessel ‘Aurora’ made her graceful appearance on the Colombo port on February 6th, coming from Mumbai port, India.  

DFCC records a stand out performance for 2016

The financial year ended 31 December 2016 was the first full year of operations after the amalgamation of DFCC Bank with DFCC Vardhana Bank

EU-funded housing project commences in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Batticaloa

More than 215, 000 people will benefit from a Euro 14 million multi-faceted housing project, financed by the European Union (EU), and implemented by Habitat for Humanity and World Vision Lanka. 

Korea Eximbank to provide clean and safe drinking water to Kurunegala

The foundation stone for ‘Deduru Oya Water Supply Project’ was laid ceremoniously on February 20thby Minister of City Planning and WaterSupply, Rauf Hakeem, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri  Lanka, Chang, Won-sam and  other dignitaries.

Kanrich Finance carries out 12th phase of Sasunata Diriyak in Vavuniya

Kanrich Finance, a company with a rich heritage of over 45 years, carried out the 12th phase of its ‘Sasunata Diriyak ’CSR initiative in Vavuniya very successfully recently.

Flexible forex management comes under spotlight amid brewing CB- FinMin conflict

The Central Bank’s laissez-faire policy towards the country’s foreign exchange management came under severe scrutiny yesterday as the country’s financial sector stakeholders argued whether such a policy has delivered the desired outcomes in terms of maintaining lower interest rates and a stable currency. 

National inflation accelerates to 6.5% in January

Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased to 6.5 percent in January 2017 from 4.2 per cent in December 2016, on year-on-year (YoY) basis.