Crop insurance: Is it workable in Sri Lanka?

Farmers have been severely affected by various natural calamities - floods, droughts and excessive rainfalls, during the recent years.

ComBank’s Arunalu supports country’s brightest young students

Twelve of Sri Lanka’s brightest young students have been rewarded by Commercial Bank of Ceylon with nearly Rs 750,000 in scholarships and cash prizes as Sri Lanka’s largest private bank began the disbursement of Arunalu rewards to top achievers at the 2016 Year-5 scholarship examination. Total disbursements are expected to top Rs 5 million under this year’s rewards programme conducted by Arunalu – the bank’s signatur

Seylan Bank relocates Bogawantalawa branch

The Seylan Bank Bogawantalawa branch was relocated at Main Street, Bogawantalawa recently.  The branch was declared open under the patronage of Chithral De Silva, Deputy General Manager, Branches of Seylan Bank PLC. The branch was moved to a new location to provide improved facilities to the bank’s clientele.

Dialog introduces Sri Lanka’s first-ever virtual reality platform

The exhilarating experience of virtual reality has now got Sri Lankan flavour, as Dialog introduces the first-ever virtual reality application for Sri Lanka, featuring historical locations, edutainment and local entertainment. 

StanChart cards offer slew of purchasing options this festive season

Standard Chartered’s credit and debit cardholders are truly privileged this festive season as they are offered an extensive range of purchasing options. 

Government turning a blind eye to common man?

By G.K.S. Ekanayake The transportation sector has been under the watchful eyes of many in the recent past because of the undue pressure imposed on 1/3 of the country’s population, who make a living through anything and everything related to the three-wheeler industry.

Softserve implements Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 for Puwakaramba group in record time

Softserve (Pvt.) Ltd, a company that focuses primarily on Microsoft Dynamics as its core product deployment, successfully delivered the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 ERP system at Puwakaramba Group of Companies in a record time of three months.

SLIM is about creating business leaders and SLIM Brand Excellence 2016 has brought the organization

One of the main objectives of SLIM is to turn marketers into business leaders,by being strategic and maintaining a holistic view of their specific businesses and brands

Mobitel Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza awards 10th lucky winnerwith Montero worth Rs. 250 lakhs

Cash Bonanza Montero Extravaganza 2016 Introduced by the National Mobile Service Provider, SLT Mobitel, has become one of the most popular competitions in the country.

Walkers’ Remains Asia’s Only Internationally Certified Green Fleet for 4th Straight Year

Walkers Tours Limited retained its title as Asia’s first and only to own a vehicle fleet that is certified with the leading global environmental sustainability accreditation ‘Carbon Neutral®’

Asian Marketing Federation President meets SLIM CPM fraternity

The senior holders of the status of ‘SLIM Certified Professional Marketer’ (CPM) engaged in an open discussion with the president of the Asian Marketing Federation (AMF),Gwen Albarracin at SLIM home, Colombo recently.

HNB launches web-based payments  and cash management platform 

 Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, HNB announced the launch of its new web-based, fully-integrated payments and cash management (PCM) platform – HNB Online, a comprehensive new online banking portal featuring robust functionalities capable of meeting the needs of any corporate - large  or small. 

ATL bags Gold at National Sales Congress 2016

ATL (Amãna Takaful PLC) excelled at the National Sales Congress 2016 as Mohamed Niyaz Mohamed Shafraz was bestowed with the Executive/Supervisor GOLD AWARD in the Life Insurance category. 

Kiruwanaganga Estate clinches National Occupational Safety Award

Hayleys PLC owned, Talawakelle’s flagship estate in the Southern Province, Kiruwanaganga Estate clinched the National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Award in the agricultural sector at the awards ceremony held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

SDB wins IPM Great HR Quiz 2016 Champion’s Trophy

IPM Sri Lanka –the organizers of the country’s only corporate quiz dedicated to human resources management, announced that the IPM Great HR Quiz 2016 Champion’s Trophy was awarded to the team representing the Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) at the IPM Great HR Quiz 2016 Championship held at the Hotel Galadari 

SLIM holds graduation ceremony in grand style

The graduation ceremony 2016 of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) was held in a grand scale on 4th November at the BMICH, with certificates being awarded to students who completed graduate and postgraduate level qualifications. The Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake attended as the Chief Guest of the Graduation event.

ADB support for Sri Lanka scores on infrastructure, not fiscal reforms

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released an independent evaluation report that assesses its US $ 5.5 billion programme for Sri Lanka in the 10 years to the end of 2015. The programme made a substantial contribution to expanding infrastructure services in the country especially in lagging regions and former conflict-affected areas. 

Exide among top three SLIM brands

Exide was bestowed the honour of being one of the top three brands by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, at the recently concluded SLIM Brand Excellence Awards ceremony.

Alliance Finance hounoured at CMO Asia Awards for excellence in branding and marketing

Alliance Finance Co. PLC (AFC), was honoured with the award of excellence for ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year 2016’; AFC Bike show - The world of Biking under one roof’ at the CMO Asia Awards 2016’ for Excellence in Branding and Marketing held recently in the United Arab Emirates.  The award ceremony heralded various marketing efforts and was hosted by the World  Brand Congress.

Vallibel Finance among Sri Lanka’s best employer brands

Brand Vallibel was bestowed a glowing accolade as the group’s name-bearer Vallibel Finance was picked among Sri Lanka’s best employer brands at the annual event hosted by the World HRD Congress.

Pan Asia Bank relocates Kalutara branch

Pan Asia Bank opened its Kalutara branch at its new location in Galle Road, Kalutara recently.   The Director/Chief Executive Officer of Pan Asia Bank Dimantha Seneviratne was the Chief Guest at the opening. The senior management of the bank, members of the business community and customers in the area were among the other distinguished guests.  

Fitch rates National Insurance Trust Fund ‘AA-(lka)’/Stable

Fitch Ratings has assigned National Insurance Trust Fund Board (NITF) a National Insurer Financial Strength Rating (IFS) and National Long Term Rating of ‘AA-(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable.

Sanjiv Keerthiratne becomes Fellow of CIM-UK

Sanjiv Keerthiratne recently became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), United Kingdom (UK). 

Dr. Zurfick to lead Blue Diamond team to Dubai Gem & Jewellery Show

One of the country’s leading gem and jewellery businessmen Dr. M.G.M.S. Zurfick, who is a Blue Diamond PLC Director, will lead a Blue Diamond team to Dubai International Gem & Jewellery Show 2016 to be held from December 7-10, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. 

CMA Sri Lanka launches digital learning

CMA Sri Lanka Digital Learning, consisting of e-learning and video lectures, was launched by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the CMA Budget Highlights programme in keeping with the 2017 budget proposals to create a digital economy.

What’s happening to BIA duty free tenders?

Questions are now being raised as to what’s happening to the duty free tenders for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) floated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited in the month of May 2016. 

Budget’s focus on human development, soft infrastructure is a philosophical shift: Eran

The 2017 budget presented by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake a couple of weeks ago has drawn flak from the masses but a nod of approval from economists, analysts, etc., who have been calling for fiscal consolidation. 

IronOne Technologies to empower BoC with iPad-enabled analysis solution

Leading software solutions company, IronOne Technologies achieved yet another milestone recently when Sri Lanka’s largest banking entity, Bank of Ceylon (BoC), entered into an agreement with the company for a comprehensive iPad-enabled banking analysis solution for its top decision-makers. 

Why are some nations wealthy, others stuck in poverty or expand and collapse?

Many years ago, as primary students, we were taught that geography matters more than politics. Later, they argued the political system is the key component. Some countries at that time demonstrated that good geography could trump bad politics and the best politics requires a top effort to offset bad geography. 

Bharat Avalani of AFF Fast Track programme visits Leo Burnett

Bharat Avalani, Chief Knowledge Officer of the AFAA Fast Track programme recently visited the Leo Burnett Sri Lanka office to meet and receive feedback from Burnetters who have attended this insightful programme over the past three years.