Solex Technologies launches latest aerial platforms

?Solex Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd introduced its latest aerial platforms to the industry exhibiting its co-competence in unique technology.  The company started its business in 1983 giving birth to a well-known product - Solex water pumps.

Alpha Industries holds annual dealer convention

?Alpha Industries, one of the leading security solution (physical storage) providers and furniture manufacturers in Sri Lanka, held its annual dealer convention recently. 

Elephant House Cream Soda, people’s beverage of choice for nine years in a row

?Achieving an unprecedented feat, Elephant House Cream Soda was recently recognised as the ‘People’s Beverage Brand of the Year’ at the 2015 Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) Nielsen People’s Awards, for the ninth year in a row. 

UAE carriers introduce ‘rule of two’ after Alps crash

?AFP: Leading carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways said yesterday that their cockpits will have two crew members in at all times under new procedures introduced in response to the Germanwings disaster.

Soros ready to pour US $ 1bn into Ukraine

?AFP: US financier George Soros said yesterday he was ready to invest US $ 1 billion in Ukraine if the West promised to help the embattled country.

Lee Kuan Yew: death of an outstanding statesman

Lee Kuan Yew was quite simply, and unquestionably, one of the outstanding national leaders of the last hundred years.  He worked on a small canvas, but what he achieved in tiny Singapore not 

Oil giant Total sells Nigerian oil field stake for US $ 569mn

?AFP: French oil giant Total said yesterday that it has sold its stake in a Nigerian oil field to a local company for US $ 569 million (523 million euros). Total’s sale of its share in the onshore Oil Mining Lease 29 to Aiteo Eastern E&P comes after the Frenc...

China seeks to boost property market as economy slows

?AFP: China’s central bank on Monday lowered minimum downpayment levels on second homes nationwide, scrapping a key policy originally aimed at controlling housing prices as it seeks to boost the economy.

Prada 2014 profit falls for first time since listing as China, Europe weaken

?REUTERS: Italian luxury goods company Prada SpA reported its first drop in annual net profit since it listed in Hong Kong four years ago, as growing retail sales in the Americas and Japan failed to offset declines in Greater China and Europe.

Ceylinco Life leads for 11th year with Rs 18.5 bn income

?Ceylinco Life has reported total income of Rs 18.54 billion for the 12 months ending 31st December 2014 with premium income of Rs 12 billion, emphatically retaining its position as the country’s largest life insurer for the 11th consecutive year.

China yuan falls in global payment rankings: SWIFT

?AFP: China’s yuan has dropped to seventh place among the world’s payments currencies, global transactions organisation SWIFT said yesterday, even as Beijing tries to push greater international use of the unit.

Thailand admits ‘urgent’ need to improve aviation safety

?AFP: Thailand admitted yesterday it “urgently” needs to improve airline safety procedures as several carriers face bans on new international flights after a UN aviation agency raised concerns.

India rejects BP’s request to market jet fuel

?REUTERS: India has rejected a request from BP PLC to be allowed to sell jet fuel to the booming aviation market in Asia’s No. 3 economy, saying it did not meet the conditions necessary, a source with direct knowledge of the decision told Reuters.

Japan’s Fujifilm agrees to buy Cellular Dynamics for US $ 307mn

REUTERS: Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp said yesterday it has agreed to acquire U.S. biotechnology firm Cellular Dynamics International Inc (CDI) for US $ 307 million.

HNB’s Chiranthi Cooray wins Global HR Leadership Award

?Taking Sri Lankan HR leadership to international frontiers, L Chiranthi Cooray, was the recipient of the Global HR Excellence HR Leadership Award by the World HRD Congress at a ceremony held at the Taj Lands End Hotel, Mumbai, India on February 15th.

Bank of Ceylon excels at JASTECA Awards

?Bank of Ceylon won multiple awards for its implementation of the “5 S” concept in branches and became the only bank to win awards at the 19th Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA)- Taiki Akimoto 5S Awards ceremony. 

Cashing in on empty car seats

Tehan recently opted for a new way to reach Colombo from Galle, his hometown : He skipped the train ride and hopped in a car pool he had booked on his mobile phone.

Leo Burnett is the most awarded Sri Lankan agency at ADFEST 2015

?Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI), the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide, recently won three silver awards at the prestigious ADFEST 2015 annual advertising festival, which took place in Pattaya, Thailand. Leo Burnett was the most awarded agency from Sri Lanka at ADFEST 2015 and secured one silver Direct Lotus award for which there were 213 entries, and two silver Press Lotus awards for which there were 286 ent

Kuwait Airways fly daily from Colombo

Kuwait Airways commenced its Colombo Operations way back in 1972. With a history of 43 years in Colombo, Kuwait Airways has  been gradually expanding  its services with the emerging need.

Activists in court over bond deal

?Three good governance activists have filed a petition in the Supreme Court for an independent inquiry on the alleged bond sale fraud and requested the court to direct relevant authorities to set up proper regulatory framework to avert incidents of this nature in future.

S.D.N. Perera takes reins as NSB GM/CEO

S.D.N. Perera has been appointed the 16th General Manager/CEO of National Savings Bank with effect from March 12, 2015. Perera is scheduled to assume duties today.

Sunil and Ranee to step down from NDB, HNB

?The Chairpersons of two leading private banks in the country have indicated that they will be stepping down from their duties and will not pursue re-election to their posts during the respective banks’ Annual General Meetings scheduled for today.

BOC 4Q net down; FY14 net up 18% to Rs.14.4 bn

The state banking giant with over Rs. 1.3 trillion asset base saw its net profits for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 down 43 percent year-on-year (yoy) to Rs. 3.1 billion,  but the group ended the financial year with a net profit of Rs. 14.4 billion, up 18 percent. 

Land Alienation, Strategic Development Acts under review

The Land Alienation Act which restricts the foreigners owning lands is currently being reviewed by the new rainbow government and the Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe will soon address this issue, according to a top government official.  

Archetyping beyond Warrior CEO

?The 12 archetypes or patterns of behaviour identify the personality makeup and leadership style of chief executive officers (CEOs) and emerging leaders. Most CEOs only display their Warrior but each archetype has its positive and Shadow energies.

HNB to raise US$ 100 mn through 7-year ADB loan

HNB entered into a landmark agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to raise US$ 100 million by way of a 7-year senior debt.  This is the largest transaction by ..

Creating one million new jobs

?The new government of President Sirisena in their 100-day programme talks of creating a strategy to overcome the unemployment problem that affects our young people by putting in place a million jobs programme for local and foreign employment and for self-employment. 

Burger King opens doors at Bandaranaike International Airport

?International fast food giant Burger King has opened its latest restaurant at the Departure Hall of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), providing a much-needed boost to the airport’s dining options. 

People’s Bank posts best ever financial results in 53 years

People’s Bank closed 2014 with an impressive performance, attesting that it continues to remain the ‘Pulse of the People’.   Posting the milestone of Rs 1 trillion in its balance sheet, only the second bank in Sri Lanka

Time to say ‘Cheese!’ with Pizza Hut!

Pizza Hut just launched an unbelievable treat for pizza lovers who are cheese fanatics. The all-new Cheesy Blaster pizza promises to offer the most discerning cheese aficionados an unbelievable cheese fix unlike any...