Tourism Fest 2017 to dazzle Colombo during Christmas season

With the festive season just around the corner sophisticated plans are being made to transform the city of Colombo in to a tourism wonderland from the 20th to the 23rd of December this year.

You are a masterpiece!

Usually, with the beginning of December, there is a change in the atmosphere. The temperature begins to drop and the air becomes colder. Everything around us points to the end of another eventful year and the dawn of a brand-new one. Thus, this becomes an opportune season to take stock of life and to make appropriate plans for the future. 

Global aviation industry net profit to rise to US $38.4 bn in 2018: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts global industry net profit to rise to $38.4 billion in 2018, an improvement from the US $34.5 billion expected net profit in 2017 (revised from a US $31.4 billion forecast in June). Highlights of expected 2018 performance include:

The Kingsbury bags three awards for cleanliness and hygiene

Adding to an ever-growing list of awards and accolades, The Kingsbury has raked in three awards that firmly establish its status as a benchmark of five star hospitality in Sri Lanka. 

Hemas Travels opens branch in Kandy

Hemas Travels (Pvt) Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s leading outbound, IATA-approved travel agencies which has been in operation since 1979, recently opened its first-ever branch out of Colombo, in Kandy.

Destination marketing: Need of the hour

Sri Lanka is awash with Chinese money. The Port City, Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport and the Lotus Tower are all investments by China. Unfortunately, Chinese tourists’ arrivals are not eeping pace with their investment.

Viber celebrates 7 years of connecting people freely and securely

Viber, one of the world’s leading messaging apps developed by Rakuten Viber, celebrates its 7th anniversary, reasserting that its purpose, first and foremost, is to connect people freely and securely—no matter who they are, or where they are from. 

Huawei to introduce nova2i Aurora Blue to Sri Lanka

Huawei, the number one growing smartphone brand in Sri Lanka, announced that the company would launch the long-awaited Huawei ‘nova2i Aurora Blue limited edition’ in mid-December targeting the festive season. 

SLASSCOM publishes Compensation and Benefits Survey for 2017

SLASSCOM together with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have published the SLASSCOM Compensation and Benefits Survey for the year 2017. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the emerging HR trends and practices in the Sri Lankan IT and BPM sector whilst providing a comprehensive 

Arpico recognizes and rewards outstanding performers

Superintendents of 13 plantations that come under the purview of Namunukula, Kegalle and Maskeliya plantations managed by Richard Pieris Company was rewarded with Mitsubishi double cabs, recognizing their outstanding performance in the current financial year.

Over 180 Brandix associates graduate from Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. programme

A group of 181 Brandix associates recently completed Gap Inc.’s Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) programme for female workers in the apparel industry.

Classic Travel’s Zafrana Nafees among ‘Most Influential Global Marketing Leaders’

World Brand Congress hosting the annual Global Marketing Excellence Awards, presented Zafrana Nafees of Classic Travel (Pvt.) Ltd with an award of being ranked among the ‘Most Influential Global Marketing Leaders’ at the awards ceremony at Taj Lands End in Mumbai on November 24th 2017.

CIM SL accredits Visahlam Further Education College, Jaffna

CIM Sri Lanka, recognized as the first international branch of CIM UK, comprising the largest number of professional and student members outside the UK, recently granted its prestigious accreditation status to Jaffna’s Visahlam Further Education College as a Study Centre.

TVS wins big at Asian Marketing Excellence Awards

TVS has yet again created history being the first automobile company to be awarded the ‘Marketing Company of the Year–Sri Lanka’ in the recently concluded Asian Marketing Excellence Awards conducted by the Asia Marketing Federation in Mongolia for the financial year 2016/17.

Jetwing chief reiterates need for destination marketing campaign for tourism to take off

Amidst continuing delays to the digital and global tourism campaigns and stagnant tourist arrivals, a leading tourism industry figure stressed that a promotional drive from the government is the need of the hour to support the good work the government has done in strengthening foreign relations and national reconciliation.

CMEC-CEB to jointly develop 400MW LNG power plant in H’tota

China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and state-run utility, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), are to jointly develop a 400 megawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Hambantota, a cabinet spokesperson told reporters yesterday in Colombo.

Nine local banks to provide Rs.5.2bn in green funding

Nine local commercial banks and two financial institutions acting as participating credit institutions will loan Rs.5.2 billion under a state-sponsored loan scheme for green initiatives by the manufacturing sector small and medium-scale enterprises. 

November tourist arrivals flat

The number of tourists who visited Sri Lanka in November 2017 totalled 167,511, recording a 0.2 percent growth compared to 12 months ago amidst a mixed performance in the key markets. Western Europe was the largest regional market for Sri Lanka during the month with 45,903 tourists, although this was a 1.4 percent decline year-on-year (YoY).

October vehicle registrations at elevated levels despite already congested roads

Vehicle registrations in October remained virtually unchanged from a month ago as the buyers were awaiting direction from the national budget presented in November.

Sri Lanka should support WTO at Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is back on the global economic radar. Its 11th Ministerial Conference (MC-11) – the highest decision-making body that meets every two years – will convene in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from December 10 to 13, 2017. While expectations for a major trade deal at the conference are low, Sri Lanka must continue to support the WTO-led multilateral trading system in the new Trump and Brexit era. 

ComBank wins overall award at CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards

Commercial Bank PLC on Tuesday won the ‘Cyril Gardiner Memorial Trophy’ Gold award for Overall Excellence in Annual Financial Reporting at the 53rd Annual Report Awards 2017,

NDB joins exclusive ranks of Business Today Top 30

NDB was honoured at the ‘Business Today Top 30’ award ceremony held recently, presented by the popular magazine ‘Business Today’. 

Shares hit near 3-month closing low

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares extended falls into a third session yesterday and closed at their lowest in nearly three months, dragged down by healthcare and diversified conglomerates.

A successful Sri Lanka in a sustainable world

At the recently concluded Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2017, David Bent, a global expert on corporate sustainability, spoke to share his insights on how companies can succeed through increasingly sustainability-challenged times.

DPMC fetes top performers at annual parts and accessories dealer convention

From inspiring presentations and glittering entertainment to unprecedented networking opportunities, David Pieris Motor Company Limited (DPMC) Annual Bajaj Parts and Accessories Dealer Convention and get-together once again enthused and empowered over 400 dealers from across the country.

Rupee ends firmer on dollar remittances

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee closed stronger yesterday on dollar sales by exporters and year-end remittances, dealers said.

Amazing seasonal discounts up to 60% with DFCC Bank’s Vardhana

The Christmas season just got a whole lot more interesting with an exciting seasonal offer from DFCC Bank! Vardhana Virtual Wallet

DSI opens new outlet in Ratnapura

On the 30th of November 2017, DSI celebrated the opening of the latest footwear outlet in Ratnapura.

Sampath Bank Partner for Singer Lifestyle Fiesta

Continuing to support events that add value to consumers’ lives, Sampath Bank stepped in as the official banking partner of the Singer Lifestyle

Prima Sunrise Bread sponsors Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship

For the 10th consecutive year, Ceylon Agro Industries (Prima Group, Sri Lanka) has come forward to sponsor the most prestigious event in the junior golf calendar