Employee orientation: Keeping new employees on board

Orienting employees to their workplaces and their jobs is one of the most neglected functions in many organisations. An employee handbook and piles of paperwork are not sufficient anymore when it comes to welcoming a new employee to your organisation.

Mobitel Successfully Concludes a Large-Scale Network Expansion Drive to lead the ICT transformation

No other invention has had a greater impact on social interaction than the advent of mobile communications. How Mobile Communication has revolutionized the way businesses and humans interact needs no elaboration.

SL plans another US$ 1bn sovereign bond issue

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday said that on behalf of the Sri Lankan government, it is planning to sell sovereign bonds worth up to US$ 1 billion, which is most likely to be utilized for the redemption of the country’s first-ever sovereign bond in 2007, which matures in October, this year.

Aung San Suu Kyi - A quiet but determined journey

She is considered easily Asia’s best-known woman, a figure that commands tremendous respect and even reverence for the quiet struggle she has led on behalf of her people.

Oil falls to 18 - month low on global growth worries

Brent crude fell to its lowest in 18 months yesterday at about $92 per barrel on demand growth concerns as China’s factory sector slowed and as the U.S. Fed’s stimulus plan dashed hopes for more aggressive steps to boost the world’s top economy.

Should we rate the rating agencies?

This writer is by no means an expert on credit ratings or even financial affairs and therefore not in any position to give an expert opinion in this area.

‘Banks are sound’ says CB

In response to Tuesday's statement by the international rating agency, Standard and Poor's (S&P), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday assured the public that the Sri Lankan banking system is sound and resilient and is not prone to high risk as indicated in the rating agency's statement.

Logiventures launches automotive logistics for H’tota port

The Hayleys group has begun offering comprehensive automotive logistics solutions through its logistics services subsidiary Logiventures, to importers clearing their vehicles at the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota.

Out-grower schemes for rubber smallholder development

Although the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the rubber industry are very keen to extend rubber growing to non-traditional rubber growing areas in the Uva, Northern and Eastern Provinces, where land and labour are assumed to be non-limiting factors, there are several constraints to successful implementation of such plans.

Valuation dynamics: Real estate prices in Sri Lanka

Property valuation is a key area of interest and an important consideration in almost every real estate transaction. The following interview with W. Seniviratne, Former Chief Valuer, Valuation Department shares insights on the subject.

Banks stable despite NPL rise - IMF

Despite an increasing trend in non-performing loans (NPLs) being recorded over the first quarter, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed confidence in the stability of Sri Lanka’s banking system.

Dipped Products develops high-voltage protection gloves

A new range of specialised rubber gloves that provide insulation against electrical voltages of up to 17,000 volts has been developed by Dipped Products PLC (DPL), taking the Hayleys group’s hand protection specialist into a new high-value product segment in the global market.

Govindasamy appointed Tata Communications Chairman

Tata Communications Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Communications Limited, yesterday announced the appointment of Vish Govindasamy as the company’s new Chairman. He takes over from S.K. Gupta, who retired on March 31, 2012. The TCLL board approved the decision on the appointment at its 54th board meeting held on May 31, 2012.

Where have all the tourists gone?

All newspapers carried headlines a few days ago stating that May 2012 tourist arrivals have increased by 17.5% from last year. It is reported that the May arrivals of 57,506, were higher than even that of April, which showed only a 9% increase YOY. So far, the total arrivals for 2012 up to end May is 327,627, which is almost an 18.2% increase over last year.

Top UK diplomats express confidence in local tourism industry

Sri Lanka has a very good potential to be a top tourist destination in the region and is unique in its natural beauty, against any competitor in the region, a top diplomatic group from United Kingdom (UK) stated.

Resort hype!

The leading Thai hotel chain, Centara Hotels and Resorts is scheduled to open its two maiden properties in Sri Lanka during the second half of this year, under the names ‘Centara Passikudah Resort & Spa’ and ‘Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa’, a statement by the hotel company stated.

Investment wisdom and intelligent investor

There is no doubt that some people simply are better at playing the role of a stock market investor than others. When talking about somebody who has successfully worked his way through investing in the stock market,

Don’t let negative co-worker drag you down

Ajith, working as the sales manager in a small company wrote to me recently. He said, “There is a person I work with in my team who is really negative and constantly complaining. I find this very draining and it’s affecting me. How do I break the cycle?”

NTB at the forefront in recognizing blood donors

The National Blood Transfusion Service of Sri Lanka has been in existence since 1960 and has contributed immensely towards saving lives. In 1967 the service introduced the Red Donor Book that was given to all donors so that they could maintain a record of their voluntary donations, which would in turn be invaluable in the event the donors themselves required blood transfusion.

Microsoft Sri Lanka, Tharunyata Hetak partner to build youth leaders in North

Microsoft Sri Lanka came another step closer to their mission of being an organisation of value to the nation when they joined hands with Tharunyata Hetak to provide IT and Leadership Training to 200 youth from the Killinochchi, Mullaitivu and Thunukkai areas, in the North of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan stocks at 3-wk high; rupee steady

Sri Lankan stocks jumped 1.6 percent yesterday to a more than three-week high on institutional buying of blue-chips stocks like John Keells Holdings PLC in an oversold market after the Central Bank kept policy rates steady.

Euro crisis may bring long-term positives for SL - Economic Advisor

Instability in the eurozone is leading to rising risk aversion and global volatility. However, after an adjustment period, the capital flows may yield benefits to the Sri Lankan equities market, according to a top official at Ceylon Asset Management.

AVIVA NDB produces Sri Lanka’s highest number of MDRT Qualifiers

June 15, 2012 Colombo:  Once again, AVIVA NDB Insurance has produced the highest number of Wealth Planners who qualify to attend the Million Dollar Round Table Conference reserved for the world’s best performing life insurance sales professionals.

Alcohol policy measures not addressing real problem - Carsons

National policies to curb the availability and affordability of licensed alcohol through distribution and pricing strategies, have not led to a decline in alcohol related social negatives, Carson Cumberbatch PLC (CARS) stated.

Dialog launches first Mobile Money service

Dialog Axiata announced the launch of the country’s first Mobile Money service following the awarding of a License under the aegis of the Payments and Settlements Act No 28 of 2005 from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

US GSP REVIEW:Recent developments in SL interesting - Delaney

Sri Lanka looks set to emerge on a winning note in the crucial US GSP hearings that will conclude this month. “I am pleased to announce that Sri Lanka’s case appears to be progressing well at the crucial US GSP review hearings

Skills base needed to “future proof” emerging economies

Mature markets today are stagnating and are looking to little or no growth over the next few years; the Euro crisis has made it worse. Then, there are relatively fast growth economies like the BRICS or the CIVETS and others. Each market is different but, they share a common problem – skills. There is a serious global skills shortage in three areas: the skills to run core businesses; the skills to upgrade current performance and, the skills

US exempts India, Korea from Iran oil sanctions

Washington: The US added seven economies to the list of nations qualifying for an exemption from financial sanctions on Iranian oil imports, penalties intended to pressure Iran’s leaders to abandon any nuclear weapons ambitions.

South Asia, least integrated - WB official

South Asia is the least integrated region in the world as the trade between the countries account for less than 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the region, according to World Bank Country Director for Nepal, Tasheen Szyed.

HSBC launches $100mn water programme

Yesterday, HSBC Group Chairman, Douglas Flint, announced the launch of the HSBC Water Programme, a new $100 million, five-year partnership with WWF