Tourism authorities positive over reaching 2.2mn tourist target

The country’s tourism authorities yesterday said they were extremely confident of posting probably the second best tourism performance figures of the past four decades despite escalating global safety concerns.

Local poultry sector likely to face excess demand near future: report

Sri Lanka’s poultry sector is expected to run into excess demand, given the rising income levels and inconsistent government policies with regard to supply, an equity research report pointed out.  

Two economists win Nobel for insights on setting pay and rewards

REUTERS: British-born Oliver Hart and Finland’s Bengt Holmstrom won the Nobel Economics Prize yesterday for work that addresses a host of questions from how best to reward executives to whether schools and prisons should be privately owned.

Rupee ends lower on seasonal importer dollar demand

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee fell yesterday due to importer dollar demand ahead of the festival season in December, dealers said, adding the local currency would remain under pressure due to continued dollar demand from importers until year-end.

Tourism authorities positive over reaching 2.2mn tourist target

??By Chandeepa Wettasinghe The country’s tourism authorities yesterday said they were extremely 

Shares end slightly weaker; turnover touches 3-wk low

REUTERS: Sri Lankan stocks edged down yesterday, led by blue chips on profit-taking, while trading volume fell to a three-week low as investors stayed on the sidelines awaiting direction from the budget and September-quarter corporate results. The benchmark index of the Colombo Stock Exchange finished 0.3 percent weaker at 6,562.50.

Next Institute holds 3rd Colombo Supply Chain Forum

Organised by the Next Institute of Supply Chain Management (NISCM) along with a host of industry sponsors, the third Colombo Supply Chain Forum (CSCF) themed ‘Capability building for 2020’ was held recently at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.

SriLankan Airlines partners Trail 2016

SriLankan Airlines recently stepped forward as the official airline partner of Trail 2016 that is set to take place from October 6 to November 2.

Hire1 and WEBXPAY join hands to provide fully-fledged e-commerce solution

E-commerce has been growing rapidly in Sri Lanka with more and more businesses big and small and many a start-up and fledgling enterprises selling everything from fashion goods to electronics and more through online retailing. Today’s millennials and browse-and-buy urban consumers looking for niche brands and personalized choices increasingly prefer to shop with their smartphones than trudge to the store.

Technology-driven banking will be critical driver of future industry growth: HNB CEO

This is the fifth interview under the Mirror Business S&P SL20 Insights series where top CEOs of the companies in the S&P SL20 index are interviewed. The interview series is done in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange. Following are the excerpts of an interview with Hatton National Bank MD/CEO Jonathan Alles.

Spice Producers’ TIEP scheme seminar on Oct. 13

The Spices and Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA), in association with the Sri Lanka Customs and Primary Industries Ministry, will hold a seminar under the theme ‘Temporary Importation for Export Processing (TIEP) scheme’ on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ground Floor Auditorium of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, No: 50, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2.

Creative Solutions turns award-winning book into software platform

Creative Solutions’ completed the development of a software platform based on the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed sales strategy book “Selling to Zebras” by Jeff Koser.The new cloud-based sales application is a result of Creative Solutions’ one-year-long collaboration with the Selling to Zebras company.

hutch ties up with Sampath Bank to provide online reloads

Hutch, Sri Lanka’s fastest growing 3G network, has enhanced convenience for their customers by enabling online recharge now through Sampath Vishwa. This feature is an extension of the existing online recharge facility already available to  Hutch customers.

BMICH staff holds blood donation campaign

The Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation held a day-long blood donation campaign at the BMICH recently, to bestow merit on three members of the Bandaranaike family. 

Microsoft advances cybersecurity investments in Asia-Pacific region

Microsoft recently launched its first combined Transparency Center and Cybersecurity Center in Singapore, serving the Asia-Pacific region. 

What ails Sri Lanka’s tea industry?

With regard to the current crisis facing the Sri Lankan tea industry, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) has released the following facts to shed light on what is ailing the industry.

Hameedia refurbishes Cancer Hospital Ward 13

Adhering to its legacy of making lasting contributions to the community, leading menswear specialist Hameedia refurbished Ward No. 13 of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital to offer enhanced services to patients. The refurbishment of the hospital is one amongst many such initiatives undertaken by Hameedia, which undertakes a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project every month. The refurbishment more importantly has created a  positive atmos

ComBank launches smartphone-linked mobile POS system for card transactions

The Point-of-Sale (POS) enabled merchant base of Commercial Bank of Ceylon is expected to grow significantly with the country’s largest private bank launching mobile Point-of- Sale units in Sri Lanka. Branded Commercial Bank ‘EasyPOS,’ the mobile units introduced in collaboration with CBA Solutions, make it possible for any merchant outlet that has a smartphone to acquire one and enhance sales.

High-profile German delegation discusses business with CCC

A high-profile German business delegation led by the German Asia Pacific Business Association, which visited Sri Lanka during last week to explore trade and investment opportunities, held talks with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). 

Maldives HC to speak at NCC bilateral talk session

Maldives High Commissioner Madam Zahiya Zareer will be the special guest speaker at a session on ‘Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Maldives’ organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, on Thursday, October 20, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Chamber Auditorium, No: 450, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

hSenid Mobile and Effective Solutions launch robotic Mi-Car

hSenid Mobile Solutions together with Effective Solutions launched Sri Lanka’s one-of-its-kind micro controllable car, Mi-Car. This unique robotic invention uses light/photo transistors to capture its path with the use of easy graphical interface.

Fashion Bug continues their career guidance programmers at Kurunegala and Tangalle

With a continuous drive and increasing passion towards enhancing knowledge amongst students about what’s next after school, Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail 

CB Governor cautions against populist policies creeping into budget process

As only few weeks are left for the second budget of the coalition government , the Central Bank 

BRICS to discuss global economic downturn, militancy and cooperation

REUTERS: The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will focus on global 

Bad weather pushes up Sri Lanka’s unemployment in 2Q

Unemployment in Sri Lanka increased in the 2nd quarter of 2016 (2Q16) to 4.6 percent from 4.2 

Sri Lanka’s 7-month budget deficit at Rs.433bn

Sri Lanka’s budget deficit for the first 7 months of 2016 stood at Rs.432.73 billion, against Rs.503.34 

Russian experts ready to educate Lankans on safe use of chrysotile asbestos: envoy

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, Alexander Karchava, said the postponement of the proposed ban on importation of chrysotile asbestos till 2024 does not resolve the problem, and 

British Council Sri Lanka opens refurbished Colombo and Kandy premises

The British Council in Sri Lanka announced the reopening of its newly revamped Colombo and Kandy premises.

CIM Future Marketers Conference end on high note

The CIM Future Marketers Conference 2016 was recently held in style at the Hilton Colombo Residence for the ffth consecutive year. 

Ceylon Institute of Builders to provide free training for youth in construction industry

The Ministry of Finance has stepped in to evolve a long-term solution to the prevailing critical dearth of trained technicians in Sri Lanka’s construction industry.