Vallibel Finance takes operations to an epic IT platform

Vallibel Finance further consolidated its standing as a futuristic finance company with a far-reaching documentation management system that would overhaul the company’s  operating system.

Will TPP lead to trade diversion from Sri Lanka?

After more than five years of negotiations behind closed doors, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement reached a conclusion on October 5, 2015 in Atlanta, US and was signed on February 4, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. The completion of this deal was a landmark given that it is the first mega trade agreement of its kind. 

Emirates says annual profit surged 56%

A strong US dollar and the “double-edged sword” of low oil prices have hit the revenues of Emirates, but net profit still surged 56 percent as passenger numbers rose and fuel bills dropped, the airline said yesterday.

Economic mismanagement is a governance problem – It needs governance solutions

Elected officials and selected bureaucrats are given a huge amount of power to act on behalf of the public – modern democracies function on this basis: that citizens hand over their power to elected representatives. But how can the citizens then protect themselves against those individuals misusing that power? This is the perennial problem of governance

National Savings Bank opens Kopai branch

Facilitating a further extended service for its islandwide customers, the 249th branch of National Savings Bank (NSB) was opened in Kopai with the initiation of Children’s Affairs State Minister Wijayakala Maheswaran recently. 

Film Island to market cinema tourism at Cannes

Sri Lanka has often been thought of as a popular tourist destination with its golden beaches and ancient sites, but the island’s diverse visual appeal comes with many other possibilities that any filmmaker is bound to discover on arrival.

NDB Shilpa awarded at Asia Pacific Customer Engagement Forum

National Development Bank (NDB) marked yet another milestone by winning the ‘runner-up’ award for Effectiveness in the Retail Touchpoints and Merchandising category at the recently held ACEF Awards in Mumbai India. 

Cellcity introduces MEIZU smartphones to Sri Lanka

Cellcity Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. recognized as one of the best mobile service providers in the country, recently launched MEIZU smartphones to cater the mid-to-high range smartphone market in Sri Lanka. The launch event was held at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.   

Is India the key beneficiary of India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement?

In the current debate on India-Sri Lanka trade, it is often said that the trade deficit between India and Sri Lanka has widened over the years in India’s favour and thus India is the major beneficiary of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into operation in the year 2000. It is true that the trade deficit between the two countries has increased over the years but does that really mean that India was the major benefici

Sri Lanka among top 5 sticker markets for Viber

Viber, one of the world’s leading messaging apps with more than 711 million unique users worldwide today announced that Sri Lanka is now among top 5 sticker markets. Last year more than 22 billion stickers were exchanged worldwide, and over 600 million stickers were exchanged in Sri Lanka alone. Viber hasshown consistent growth in Sri Lanka with over 5 million registered users and is also one of the top ranked appsis also Sri Lanka’s

Global economic outlook for 2016 not very encouraging

Larry Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus, Harvard University, former Secretary, U.S. Treasury and former Director, National Economic Council, speaking at the CITI pension and endowment conference in New York observed that economic austerity can only further stunt weak global economic growth. 

Creative Solutions redefines “Cool” work places in Sri Lanka

As the corporate world is becoming increasingly HR-oriented, companies are racing for the title of a “cool place to work”. As a result, office life has gotten a makeover; we have traded Swiss clock for flex times, strict hierarchy for open doors, and sharp dress for comfort.

Quess Corp acquires Randstad Lanka

Quess Corp Ltd (“Quess”) announced the completion of the acquisition of Randstad Lanka Pvt Ltd (“Randstad Lanka”) from Randstad India Private Limited (“Randstad India”). The acquisition was closed pursuant to the terms of a share purchase agreement that was entered on October 14, 2015.

Unique “Enterprise Risk Practitioner Program”

Imayaglobal, a leader in Professional Training is organizing unique and rare “Enterprise Risk Practitioner Program” designed to be in line with ISO 31000, probably for the first time in Sri Lanka.  Organizations benefit immensely, by adopting Enterprise Risk Management at governance level, besides function and process levels, irrespective of the nature of business. 

4rever Skin Naturals bags ‘Emerging Brand Award’

4rever is the winner of the highly coveted ‘Emerging Brand Award’ of the 25th Global Brand Excellence Awards organized by the World Brand Congress held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 11th of April 2016.

IPM to host workshop with Omar Khan on May 25th

IPM Sri Lanka – the Nation’s leader in human resources management – will host a full day workshop with the world renowned Leadership expert and Team Transformational Specialist Omar Khan at 9 am on 25th May  on the theme “The 5 Leadership Levers to Business Success” at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. 

SLITAD to foster future leadership at National Conference

The seventh National Conference and Symposium of Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development will be held on June 9th and 10th, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Committee Room B, with over 350 participants in attendance.

Macbertan and Dorset Kaba organize first Brand Ambassador’s meet in Colombo

Macbertan and Dorset Kaba organized the first Brand Ambassador’s meet in Colombo recently. The event was organized for the brand’s esteemed trade partners, keeping in mind their performance and loyalty. The core idea behind this initiative was to enhance the company’s network and facilitate better quality products and services to its customers.

Sri Lanka property portal targets mobile users

LankaPropertyWeb.com, a Sri Lanka-based property portal has revamped its website to target mobile users, as the segment grows, with a responsive site that fits multiple screen sizes.

“Waves” revolutionizing casual footwear in Sri Lanka and beyond

The year 2007 saw the launch of a revolutionizing footwear product under the brand name “Waves” which encapsulates the youth and vibrancy of the brand itself. It gave life to a new fashion era, and contributed to once basic rubber flip- flops becoming an iconic fashion statement and a symbol of island life. The comfort, quality and innovativeness of the product resulted in it becoming popular among the younger generation. 

Hameedia wins Group and Individual Retail Leadership Awards

Leading menswear fashion retailer, Hameedia, shone in the spotlight at the Global Golden Tiger Awards held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Eagle Logistics expands wings to Maldives

Sri Lankan-based supply chain logistics company Eagle Logistics expanded their network to Maldives last week with an opening a new branch in the city of Male. 

Healthguard opens dedicated training centre

Healthguard, the country’s premier urban pharma, wellness and beauty retail chain, has taken a significant step towards achieving its vision of becoming the country’s ‘Most preferred employer in the pharma sector’ with the opening of a centre dedicated for the training of its employees. 

SLT to power Orwell Residency as exclusive telecom partner

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) recently entered into an agreement with the BOI-approved SMI Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd., to be the exclusive telecommunication service provider for the luxury apartment complex, Orwell Residency. 

Imposition of VAT on healthcare is unconscionable

One is not against the imposition of value-added tax (VAT) so long as essential commodities and public utilities are taxed at a bearable minimum. VAT on healthcare services was exempt in Sri Lanka until May 1, 2016, as the principal purpose of the healthcare service was “protection, maintenance or restoration of the health of those who are sick”. The primary purpose of healthcare service is “protecting, (including maintaining or

Cinnamon Training Academy becomes the new twig of Ceylon Cinnamon

As the number one exporter of Ceylon Cinnamon in the global market, Sri Lanka’s cinnamon industry holds immense importance for the national economy. 

WIM, IFC launch 6th Professional and Career Women Awards 2016

Women in Management (WIM) and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, invite nominations for the sixth Professional and Career Women Awards 2016.

HNB holds open day for Urban Homes Fairway Koswatta

The HNB open day for Urban Homes Fairway Koswatta was held recently with the participation of the prime customers of the bank where attractive interest rates were offered by the bank to the customers who availed themselves of this opportunity. On its part, Fairway Holdings offered price discounts, special packages on Fairway Koswatta and early bird deals.  

Home Lands to convert “Treasure House” into luxury apartment complex

Home Lands Skyline (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Home Lands Holding, a premier Real Estate Company in Sri Lanka unveiled its plans to convert the property known as ‘Treasure House’ situated at Cotta Road, Borella in the heart of Colombo, into a 77-unit Apartment Complex consisting of 15 floors.

Schneider Electric recognizes partner contributions

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management, rewarded the contributions of its partners by recognizing their outstanding performances, at the recently concluded 2016 edition of the annual ‘Partners’ Meet’ hosted by the company.