Manoj Gunawardena to make comeback as SriLankan CEO?

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Manoj Gunawardena is tipped to make a comeback with Kapila Chandrasena tendering resignation on Monday, sources said. Manoj, who was with the airline for over 30 years when it was Air Lanka under the management of Emirates, was appointed as the CEO in 2008.

Dr. Kelegama to take reins of Singer Industries

Prominent economist Dr.Samana Kelegama will be appointed Chairman of Singer Industries PLC with effect from April 1, 2015, the company said in stock exchange filing. 

Bartleet Religare gives thumbs down for latest IPO

?The research arm of Bartleet Religare Securities (BRS) has given thumbs down for the latest Initial Public Offering (IPO) that is to be listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

Lanka’s ICT exports will hit $ 1 bn mark this year, beating forecasts: Rishad

Sri Lanka’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) exports will reach the US$1 billion milestone this year, one year ahead of projections, according to Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

Modi to inaugurate rail track to Talai Mannar

?The train services from Madhu Road to Talai Mannar Pier will be declared open and dedicated to people of Sri Lanka by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on March 14, 2015, during his visit to Sri Lanka, which takes place from March 13 to 14, 2015. 

Holcim Lanka lecture on transferring from British Standards to Euro Codes today

?Concrete structures have always been designed according to the British Standard (BS) codes for a considerable period of time. However, due to the advancement in design codes, Euro Codes (EN) have been introduced.

CSE partners CA Sri Lanka, CFA Society to empower investors

?The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and The Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Sri Lanka, ....

CPM to host 13th South Asian Management Forum end-March

?The Institute of Certified Professional Managers (CPM), a member of the Association of Management Development Institutions of South Asia (AMDISA), will host the 13th South Asian Management Forum, at Taj Samudra, on March 26 and 27.  

Need to increase productivity of yielding rubber plantations

?It is well known in the rubber industry that the yield productivity in the early years of tapping on the first renewed panel, on completion of 10 years tapping of basal virgin panels, is poor and generally much lower than the average yield productivity recorded on basal virgin panel tapping. 

Investing in agarwood? Take some advice from pioneers in the business

?The persistent and culturally-embedded nature of demand for Agarwood by end-consumers has placed the current global market at an estimated range of US$ 6 – 8 billion with rapid growth foreseen in the future. 

To truly overcome SME finance challenge, let’s look beyond ‘quick fix’ of special loan schemes

?With their wide geographical spread within a country as well as their wide sectoral coverage, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often an important source of inclusive economic growth and job creation.

MOL Lanka bags Customer Service Quality Award in Liner Shipping

?Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Lanka (Private) Ltd. (MOL Lanka) was  honoured with the National Industry Silver Award in Liner Shipping at the recently concluded Customer Service Quality Awards ceremony 2014” organized by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (UK) – Sri Lanka Branch.

Sri Lanka Tourism excels at GITF China

?Sri Lanka tourism arrivals in February 2015, has been powered by China with a strong performance of  27,425 visitor arrivals making it the top destination with the cumulative performance up 85 percent as against last year in the first two months of 2015.

Qatar Airways offers special fares covering over 140 destinations

?“A World of Fabulous Fares” awaits Qatar Airways’ passengers from 9 to 13 March 2015 as travellers can enjoy up to 40 percent savings on all inclusive return airfares to a wide variety of destinations across....

Asia’s next Travel Bloggers Conference to be held in Sri Lanka

?Last year Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts successfully organized Asia’s first ever Travel Bloggers Conference – TBC Asia 2014, in association with the Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA). 

Germany pledges support for Sri Lanka’s tourism promotion drive

?One of the key invites at the reception of the inaugural day reception hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau together with the High commission of Sri Lanka in Germany was the delegation from the...

Emirates’ European operations make €6.8 bn impact on GDP

?Emirates, a global connector of people, places and economies, and Frontier Economics, a leading European consultancy, have released the results of a socio-economic impact study that measures Emirates’ contribution to the European economy. 

Behavioural theory on leadership

?Leadership - Trait Theory is based on the presumption that there are specific virtues a leader must have. These are usually inborn traits that take control and guide situations. 

HRMI offers employability enhancement for undergraduates

As a part of its commitment to help undergraduates and unemployed graduates enhance their employability opportunities, HRMI has initiated a very generous concessionary scheme under which students are offered a discount of Rs.49,500, which amounts to 33...

Suren Cooke Agencies partners with Japan’s Riken Keiki

?Pioneers in pest management, Suren Cooke Agencies recently tied up with Japan-based Riken Keiki, the world renowned manufacturer of Combustible Gas Detection Equipment to promote, distribute and calibrate its products here in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Virtusa receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2014 Global System Integration Award

?Business consulting and IT outsourcing company Virtusa Corporation has received Frost & Sullivan’s 2014 Global System Integration in Healthcare Product Line Strategy Leadership Award. 

Ceylinco Life produces record 41 MDRT qualifiers in 2015

?Life insurance leader Ceylinco Life has set a new record in sales achievement, with 41 of the company’s sales team qualifying for membership of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in 2015.

Gerard Muttukumaru to lead workshop on CRM

?Gerard D. Muttukumaru will be leading a half-day workshop on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – how to build a customer-centric organisation on Saturday, March 14, at the Royal College Skills Centre, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

ComBank opens 242nd branch in Batapola

?Commercial Bank of Ceylon (ComBank) has opened its latest branch in Sri Lanka in Batapola, extending the services of the country’s largest private bank to this southern town.

Union Assurance life launches ‘Union Higher Education Month’

?The latest in a series of innovative programmes planned for this year, Union Assurance has launched the Union Higher Education Month, starting from March 1 to March 31. Union Assurance Life has recognized the need for support for parents and...

Seylan signs Internet Payment Gateway Agreement with SLT

?Sri Lankan Telecom (SLT) Chief Financial Officer Udeni Samararatne and Seylan Bank PLC Director/Chief Executive Officer Kapila Ariyaratne signed the Internet Payment Gateway Agreement in the presence of ...

DFCC Vardhana Bank upgrades operations in Gangodawila

?DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB), Sri Lanka’s fastest growing commercial bank, recently upgraded its extension office which is located at 601/1 High Level Road, Gangodawila into a fully-fledged branch. 

ComBank conducts Capacity Building programme for Uva Agri SMEs

?The Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently extended its support to 150 entrepreneurs of the Uva Province by providing them with valuable information on developing their businesses,....

Swadeshi Khomba illuminates Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya

?The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC sponsored the “Aloka Poojawa” of the historic Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya for Nawam full moon poya day. The illumination is done under the theme; “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya”.

Panadol provides relief to Sri Pada pilgrims

?Panadol, the flagship brand of SmithKline Beecham (GlaxoSmithKline), recently held a relief camp to provide relief to the pilgrims visiting Sri Pada, under their flagship CSR programme “Panadol Suwa Saviya”.