Why mentoring matters

It is often said that behind every successful career woman (or man, if it is grammatically correct) is a mentor.

Court orders Touchwood to submit documents by August 7

The Commercial High Court yesterday ordered former Touchwood PLC Chairman/CEO Lanka...

Is blocking websites making telecom share prices vulnerable?

Significant concerns have been raised over Sri Lankan Internet service providers (ISPs) blocking news-related websites. Currently, there are two ISPs listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Watch inflation and get ready for rate adjustment: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the authorities to closely watch the inflation and get ready for a rate hike as the long lag between the monetary policy actions and their effects in Sri Lanka could push the inflation up.

Further easing no healer for dismal credit growth: StanChart

Further easing of the monetary policy may not solve the problem of extremely low private credit growth, which fell to more than a four-and-a-half-year low of 2.2 percent in May 2014, compared with 3.3 percent a month earlier, according to Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart).

Sri Lanka’s external vulnerability still high, but improving: Moody’s

Sri Lanka’s short-term debt obligations against its official reserves - a measure of the country’s external sector vulnerability - still remains elevated but the United States-based rating agency said it was.......

Making effective Time Management your organization’s top priority

In today’s climate of corporate down-sizing, professionals find themselves taking on more and more responsibilities. This work gives readers a creative alternative to working harder over longer hours.

Understanding technical jargon in equity research reports

The article published last week addressed the responsibilities of investors. We discussed the benefits of working with your investment advisor and familiarizing yourselves on the performance of the company.

SEC asks brokers, margin providers to cut lending rates

Market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked stockbrokers to reduce interest rates charged on broker credit and margin trading in line with policy interest rates of the Central Bank.

IMF cuts 2014 global growth forecast, sees rising risks

The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that geopolitical risks in Ukraine and the Middle East are looming over a global economy already hit by slowdowns in the US and China.

Singer appointed exclusive distributor for Sony Mobiles

The latest premium flagship waterproof smartphone designed by Sony, the ‘Xperia Z2’ was unveiled to the local market recently in Colombo by Singer Sri Lanka Plc, laying a pedestal to the partnership with Sony Electronic Singapore Private Limited.

Rally continues, market breather might be around the corner

During the first three weeks of July the All Share Price Index (ASPI) has continuously gained increasing by 343 points with one single day been the exception in which the index lost just 20 points.

SL derivatives market to open up this year

After years of stagnation, Sri Lanka for the first time will open up its derivatives market particularly for foreign exchange, before the end of this year, according to a top official of the Sri Lanka Forex Association (SLFA).

In pursuit of a good hotel manager

Recently someone contacted me to find out if I knew of anyone who could be recommended to    manage their hotel. Apparently, the owners had looked at several candidates and found none to be a suitable fit.

Target jumble!

As in many other instances, the country’s two most prominent official economic institutions—the Treasury and the Central Bank recently gave two different per capita income targets to be achieved in 2020, leaving the public to wonder which one is the correct figure. 

E-car charging centres at Arpico Super Centres

Richard Pieris group finance arm, Richard Pieris Arpico Finance Limited (Arpico Finance) yesterday announced the setting up of charging centres at all Arpico Super Centre outlets, starting August 2014, to cater the growing number of electric cars on local roads.

DRC goes high-tech, company listing within two days

The Department of Registrar of Companies has completed its transition towards the age of information technology and is finally operating for more than a pittance, according to Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen’s address to the parliament on July 11.

Subway franchise open for local entrepreneurs

The world’s largest submarine sandwich chain, Subway officially opened its first store in Sri Lanka yesterday and announced they would provide the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to open outlets under the franchise to rapidly grow its chain of stores throughout the country.

Kidz Planet- Ultimate play and learn experience for kids

Children of today are very intelligent and smart, and they become individuals from a very early age, with aspirations of who they want to become, what they want to do, and where they want to go. Therefore it is very important that we teach them about how to interact and live in this world from a very young age.

Growth woes in the West getting worse?

Global activity in the 1st quarter strengthened and was expected to improve further, according to the April 2014 WEO, with much of the impetus for growth coming from advanced economies.

Deshodaya to acquire George Steuart Finance for Rs.375mn

Sarvodaya-owned licensed finance company, Deshodaya Development Finance Company Limited (DDFC) said yesterday that they would acquire 75 percent stake of George Steuart Finance PLC (GSF) controlled by the high net worth investor Dilith Jayaweera for a consideration of Rs.375 million.

Bull run and investor’s responsibility

The year 2014 is a promising year for the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The CSE has recorded a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 14 percent in the broad market index while the S&P SL 20 Index has experienced a growth of 15 percent in the current year.

Create a high performance organisation with wisdom of effective work teams

J. Richard Hackman (1940-2013), a professor of social and organisational psychology at Harvard observed: “The more common reason for sub-standard work group performance is that managers make serious mistakes in designing, supporting and leading teams.

DRUGS IN REEFER CONTAINERS - Pharma importers cry foul over new regulation

Private sector pharmaceutical importers are crying foul over the Custom’s directive issued in consultation with Cosmetics, Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA), that makes compulsory to import pharmaceutical items in refrigerated containers, to maintain the required temperature.

Findmyfare offers convenient customer experience via upgraded FMF CRM system

findmyfare.com, Sri Lanka’s largest online travel company recently upgraded its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to offer a comprehensive service and better engage with their customer base.

Packaging industry should be made priority exports support sector: Rishad

In 2013, most recipient countries of FDI in South Asia experienced a significant decline in green field projects except for Sri Lanka. In that, the total announced green-field investments in South Asia, declined by a strong 38 percent-except for Sri Lanka where the investments remained at a..........

Lesser known information about Sri Lanka tourism

Very often, when discussing tourism and its performance, the focus is on occupancy and room rates. Certainly, these two indices are the most important aspects to monitor the tourism and hospitality sector, which give a good indication of how the industry is performing.

Are we less ambitious as we age?

It starts often as you hit mid-life. The glittering promotion. The dynamic career. The corner room office. It doesn’t sparkle like it used to – priorities have changed. Children are growing up and they need your time. You honestly prefer a good night’s rest to drinks out with the office crowd on Friday nights.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS - Chandra questions SEC about competitive safeguards

Good governance activist Chandra Jayaratne in an open letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has inquired about the laws pertaining to anticompetitive practices originating from mergers and acquisitions in the country’s capital market.

BOI promotes investments at Tel Aviv Biz Forum

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka recently engaged in investment promotion at an important event held in Tel Aviv, Israel.