Ronald Perera appointed BoC Chairman

Ronald Perera appointed BoC Chairman President’s Counsel Ronald Perera has been appointed Bank of Ceylon Chairman. He is due to assume office this morning. Perera is an experienced lawyer with a wide practice in the original courts as well as in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. A long standing member of the UNP Working Committee, Perera has appeared in numerous cases on behalf of the UNP and its leadership as well as for party members

SLT enables double broadband speeds for same price

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national ICT solutions provider announced the breaking news regarding the launch of the company’s Happy Broadband campaign.

2014 Climate Talks In Lima Appear To Provide Some Hope

An Asian Development Bank (ADB) climate and economics report for South Asia, released some time ago stated that climate change will affect South Asia more than most other regions. South Asia’s weather is likely to become hotter than the global average, while monsoon rains and heavy storms will increase in most parts of the region.In the plantation sector, there could be both direct and indirect impacts.

Hundred Days Programme and local cinema industry

With the launched 100 Days Programme of the Government of Sri Lanka, it has been suggested to look at the reforms required in the local film industry with the view to address its immediate concerns with short-term and long-term benefits. This is to protect all the stakeholders including exhibitors, distribution companies, producers, artists, directors, technical and support staff, spectators and the regulator, National Film Corporation.

Trade facilitation: Breaking down barriers to international trade in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has undertaken key initiatives to facilitate trade and transport over the years. Vital agencies in the trading process such as the Sri Lanka Customs and Sri Lanka Ports Authority have taken measures to facilitate trade through the automation, infrastructure expansions and others. While acknowledging the initiatives by relevant agencies, Sri Lanka still has a lot to achieve if it is to reach the facilitation levels of Singapore, which is

Laksala retains growth momentum, to set up more outlets

Laksala, the leader in handicraft, gift & souvenir market in Sri Lanka has recorded a 25 percent year-on-year growth.The supplier base too has continuously increased and recorded over 8,000 craft entrepreneurs in 2014 from various parts of the country. Laksala continues to uplift the living standards of those occupied in rural cottage industries.

Thilak to assume duties today

Thilak Karunaratne will assume duties as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission today.This is the second time Karunaratne will assume duties as chief of the stock market regulator.Karunaratne was first appointed as the SEC Chairman in December 2011, when the then Presidential Secretary’s spouse Indrani Sugathadasa resigned from the post to ‘uphold her principles’.

Central Bank keeps policy rates at record lows

The monetary board under the stewardship of new Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran decided to maintain key policy rates unchanged for the twelfth straight month as widely expected, and shattered hopes of the banks which were eagerly awaiting a scrapping of the two tier Standing Deposit Facility Rate.The new monetary board considered the current accommodative monetary policy largely appropriate given the benign price pressures and the economic

IAC sponsors Jaffna International Trade Fair 2015

With the end of a three decade civil war and the doors now opened for brands and businesses in a wide range of industries, Jaffna is considered to be amongst the most lucrative destinations today in Sri Lanka and the peninsula held its Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) for the sixth consecutive year for which Industrial Asphalts PLC (IAC) was a proud sponsor.

Amãna Takaful (ATL) - A Change for the Future

Amãna Takaful PLC the only fully-fledged Takaful operator in the country and  flag bearer of the Takaful way of insurance in Sri Lanka recently announced the transfer of its Life insurance business to Amãna Takaful Life Limited. 

SLT launches 2015 calendar themed ‘Corals of Sri Lanka’

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national ICT solutions provider and a responsible corporate citizen, adjudged as being amongst the top ten corporate citizens in Sri Lanka, launched its much awaited calendar and complimentary items for the year 2015 under the theme “Corals of Sri Lanka”.This follows the arts, culture and environmental/biological diversity themes which have been brought to life on an annual basis since 2003.

Templer’s Square to unveil model homes

Kelsey Homes, Sri Lanka’s leading housing development company is now underway with the construction of Templer’s Square, a Rs. 2 billion development in the heart of Mount Lavinia. Model homes and leisure facilities within the highly anticipated residential complex will be unveiled very shortly.

Dr. Harsha De Silva to address NCE’s 20th AGM

The 20th AGM of t he National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) will be, held on January 29th at Hotel Galadari, commencing at 6.30 p.m.The main business at the AGM will be the formal assumption of office of elected office bearers for the year 2015. It will also feature among other item the official launch of the National Institute of Exports which is a Subsidiary of the NCE.

Construction Expo to be held in June

Construction Expo 2015, Sri Lanka’s most comprehensive exhibition featuring each and every factor related to the construction and building industry is scheduled to be held on 12th, 13th, 14th June at the BMICH.

CIMA appoints new Board for 2015

Celebrating 50 years in Sri Lanka, the CIMA Board for the year twenty-fifteen was introduced under the theme “50 years of delivering excellence, the legend continues” on a grand scale on 20 January 2015 at the Cinnamon Grand.

Odel Home opens at Softlogic Max, Thalawathugoda

Odel Home has now opened a standalone outlet at the Softlogic Max showroom at Capital Mall, Thalawathugoda, bringing its stylish and richly diverse range of household products to this popular shopping location.

Huawei claims it maintained effective growth in 2014

Huawei announced that it maintained effective growth in 2014 due to its commitment to creating value for customers. Global sales revenue in 2014 is expected to reach between CNY287-289 billion, an increase of nearly 20 percent yearon-year.

Brandix i3 and SLIIT sign MoU for in-house internship program

Brandix i3 signed a MOU last week with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information and Technology (SLIIT) to set up an in-house Internship Program at the university. The program will simulate a corporate environment for students to acquire the professional and technical skill sets needed to increase employability.

HP Designjet Printer Fiesta

The HP “Large Format’ Printer Fiesta exhibition kicked off yesterday at the Trident Corporation’s HP Large Format Experience Centre, Colombo 3. The event will be held till 31st January.

Eight key actions for development

Asia is making remarkable progress in development and poverty reduction. But, why have some countries developed more rapidly than others? In the 1950s, the Philippines was second only to Japan in per capita gross domestic product (GDP), but slipped to among the lowest in per capita GDP terms of the major Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), although it has been growing more rapidly in recent years. The People’s Republic of China

Global economy faces strong and complex cross currents

The world economy is facing strong and complex cross currents. On the one hand, major economies are benefiting from the decline in the price of oil. On the other, in many parts of the world, lower long run prospects adversely affect demand, resulting in a strong undertow.

Sino-Lankan economic ties: a dynamic and forward looking perspective

A previous Pathfinder Foundation (PF) Economic Alert (54) argued that the Sino-Lanka FTA has the potential to be the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ in the bilateral economic relationship.

Oil prices fall on market relief over Saudi policy

REUTERS: Oil prices fell yesterday, with U.S. crude falling close to a nearly six-year low, as Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman moved to assuage fears of an unstable transition and any policy change in the world’s largest oil exporter.

Tough regulator will ensure better governance: stockbroker

A local stockbroking firm with a foreign partner said in a report that the appointment of Thilak Karunaratne as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be beneficial for the country’s capital market in the longer run.Stock brokerage Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt.) Ltd (BRS), a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Bartleet group and India’s Religare Capital, said the return of Karunaratne, who is ge

"Holidays on Tea" - Channel News Asia reviews Heritance Tea Factory

There is nothing quite like a truly unique relaxing holiday with a dash of adventure, especially one that involves largely unexplored locations. But before you jump on the already-popular getaways at the spa or on the beach, consider spending some time jaunting through tea plantations instead.

Mobitel extends biggest cash giveaway to Rs. 230 mn for 2015

Creating a winning opportunity ‘Every Minute’, the national mobile service provider Mobitel, recently announced the extension of the popular Cash Bonanza Draw to another rewarding year by offering an outstanding Rs. 230 million as prizes in recognition of their valued customers.

Dialog powers mobile subscription for Falck Emergency Medical Services

With the objective of providing high quality emergency medical care to the entire Western Province by March 2015, Falck recently entered into a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka’s premier telecommunication service provider, Dialog Axiata. Falck, the world’s leading Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider and Dialog are able to integrate Falck membership plans to all Dialog subscribers.

Capitial market investment planning

One needs to invest to maximize returns on one’s savings and also to be able to generate cash flows for meeting several financial needs of the future. One must, however, invest with knowledge and full care in order to not only protect one’s hard-earned capital but also generate good returns.

Effective Communication Makes A Great Leader Stand Out From Others

If you read the job description of an advertisement placed for the post of a CEO or a senior leader, it will certainly contain a phrase something like this: “The candidate must be a strong and skilled ‘communicator’.” Note it does not say “strong and skilled ‘talker’,” because the definition of a communicator is very different that of a talker.

Need for a national mineral policy and activities of GSMB

Acomprehensive national mineral policy for Sri Lanka was drafted by me recently in my capacity as Honorary Adviser to the Environment and Renewable Energy Ministry and with my experience as the senior most geoscientist with over 50 years of professional experience from 1965 at the Geological Survey Department (Present GSMB) and the Director from 1982 to 1985 and thereafter as a World Bank consultant to the Industries and Scientific Affairs Minist