Plying his wares
A trader on a different kind of 3-wheeler stops at a traffic lights junction in Colombo. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Singapore expertise sought to expedite Household Transfer Management Project
Sri Lanka is seeking Singapore expertise in expediting the implementation of the Household Transfer Management Project (HTM) with the aim of introducing a National Digital Identity (NDI), which will ensure that all financial and non-financial digital transactions are conducted in a transparent but secure manner. The Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Ministry Secretary has been directed [...]
BPPL Holdings to commission new plant, expansion by 1Q17
Brush manufacturer and exporter of sanitary maintenance tools, BPPL Holdings Ltd (BPPL) which started trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently will commission its synthetic yarn plant (to manufacture polyester yarn) within a few months, officials said. The company is also set to expand its monofilament plant as well during the same time, they [...]
New developer challenged by property sector constraints
The apartment rent industry is currently seeing a growing disparity between increasing demand against already available office space in Colombo and in the long-run property developer, RIL Property Ltd (RIL) may find issues with excess office supply, analysts say. With the proposed real estate projects that are underway, the company, which recently went public, will [...]
Phase one of the Hambantota and Moneragala industrial zones gets underway
Sri Lanka will soon be establishing phase one of the Hambantota and Moneragala industrial zones acquiring necessary lands identified for the massive project, official sources said. A decision has been taken by the government to issue instructions to implement the gazette notification dated 26 July 1999 published by the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and [...]
Soon an all-female taxi fleet
If the project works according to plan, Sri Lanka will soon get its first all-female taxi service The Market Development Facility (MDF), a multi-country private sector development program funded by the Australia Government, in an announcement last week said it was seeking proposals from transport service providers in Sri Lanka to establish a taxi fleet [...]
That lonely feeling … again
Silence. The house and surroundings were absolutely silent. No singing by Kussi Amma Sera (KAS), no shouting from the kitchen, no ‘bloody’ interventions when “home people on the phone” (to borrow a phrase from writer Carl Muller). Absolute silence! Only dogs barking and the ringtones from the ‘choon paan karaya’ down the road. Holidays are [...]
Prevailing drought and impact on coconut production, exports and prices
The prevailing drought is reported to be the worst experienced during the last four decades. Around two thirds of the coconut is grown in the two districts of Wayamba (Kurunegala and Puttalam) and Gampaha districts. These three districts are characterised by a rainfall pattern, which is bimodal. Around two thirds of the annual rainfall occur [...]
EU team examines SL’s labour laws ahead of GSP+ approval
A 7-member delegation which includes two European Union (EU) parliamentarians visited Sri Lanka on Monday on a fact finding mission to examine the prevailing labour laws and submit a report to the EU regarding the impending GSP+ concessions. The delegation was expected to meet President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ministers of Labour, [...]
Ceylinco Life policyholders to receive Rs. 3.8 bln in bonuses this year
A mammoth Rs. 3.8 billion in annual bonuses will reach some 300,000 policyholders of Ceylinco Life in April and May this year, the life insurance leader announced this week in a media statement. The highest bonus pay-out in the history of the company, this year’s payment is an increase of Rs. 900 million or 31 [...]
Market Research Society of Sri Lanka elects new committee
At the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Market Research Society of Sri Lanka (MRSSL) held recently, current President of MRSSL, Ms. Himalee Madurasinghe was re-elected for another term. In her acceptance speech, Ms. Madurasinghe thanked the support of the society and the Executive Committee for the successful year that went by and outlined the [...]
Products and services changing rapidly to meet needs of consumers
Today’s world is changing, economic conditions are changing and accordingly the products and services should also change to meet the aspirations and needs of consumers, is the view of a veteran industrialist in the country. E.J. Gnanam, Managing Director, Supermet, speaking at the re-launch of the product – Supermet – a roofing solution, in Colombo [...]
Lankan professionals initiate public hearing on national trade policies
The Professionals’ National Front, a new, high-powered group of academics, intellectuals and civil society activities, last week begun in Colombo what it terms as ‘public hearings’ into Sri Lanka’s proposed National Trade Policy. The group comprises representatives of many organisations which have expressed dismay over proposed trade pacts that allows an ‘unrestricted’ flow of foreign [...]
Sky is the limit for Sri Lankan drones
In movies of recent times, we’ve seen drones of all shapes and sizes over our skies. Be it dishing out medicines for contestants in ‘Hunger Games’ or tracking children’s trail in ‘Logan’, drones are now real, not only in ‘reel’ life. Unmanned aerial vehicles have dominated both the imagination and nightmares of people around the [...]
Subtle, rather than direct, advertising the core of reaching out to consumers
Advertising has taken a different turn altogether compared to what was thought before with eager corporate clients joining ad agencies in designing their product to capture the imagination of people at large. “Advertising agencies in the past was seen as mere suppliers of commercials aimed at a target market but the whole perception of advertising [...]
RICS Sri Lanka grows as market grows
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Sri Lanka branch has advanced by leaps and bounds since its formation. The RICS was originally founded in London as the Surveyors’ Club after a meeting of 49 surveyors at the Westminster Palace Hotel on 15 June 1868. In 1946, George VI granted the title “Royal” and in [...]
Hambantota IT Park becomes a white elephant
Another Rajapaksa era multi million rupee Information Technology Park at Hambantota has become a white elephant in the area as its construction work has been stopped midway, the recent report of the Committee on Public Enterprises revealed. The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) had to stop the construction work of the seven storeyed massive building located [...]
Importance of employability in the hospitality trade
The tourism industry both locally and internationally is a fast growing field with ample employment opportunities for many in Sri Lanka. Potential employees to this highly competitive local or international field, must have the right knowledge along with a marketable skill set which allows them to gain entrance into the sector, according to TRAc International, [...]
Nepal micro-financiers keen to emulate Lankan model
The Sakchyam Access to Finance for the Poor Programme (Sakchyam) in Nepal recently invited a Sri Lankan team from Berendina Microfinance Institute (Gte) Ltd (BMI) to conduct a feasibility study to replicate or adopt the Enterprise Development Services (EDS) model being implemented by the Berendina Group in Sri Lanka. Berendina Group Chairman Anura Athapattu and [...]
Top ME carriers loan laptops on US flights
Doha, gulf-times.com – Qatar Airways has announced a “unique” solution to the recently imposed US ban on electronic devices by offering its business class passengers a “laptop loan service”. Qatar Airways has thus become the only airline to offer passengers a replacement laptop on all its flights to the United States. The complimentary laptops will [...]
OBG launches new academic programme in Sri Lanka
Students at the University of Colombo were recently provided with access to the extensive library of economic reports on emerging markets produced by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG). Under the agreement, which forms part of OBG’s worldwide Academic Programme, students based at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, presided over by [...]
IIT campus promotes ‘Sustainable Business’ through elite master course
With increased attention being paid to sustainability and promoting sustainable business practices, the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) recently organised a workshop on the concepts of “Embedding UN Sustainable Development Goals in Corporate Strategy”. The one-day master course was held recently in Colombo and conducted by Dr. Ravi Fernando, a Blue Ocean Strategist, Chairman and [...]
Government seeks AGs advice over Hilton Hotel promoters’ claims
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has directed the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Development to seek the Attorney General’s advice on the legality of the claim for compensation made by the promoter of Hilton Hotel Cornel Perera and as to how this matter should be proceeded by the authorities. Mr. Perera has [...]
Bileeta obtains ISO 9001:2008 certification
Bileeta, a company with an award-winning Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for Quality Management System. In a media release, Bileeta said it pioneered the development of a cloud-based ERP solution called Entution, which gives the customer an advantage due to the advanced features that it provides at a very [...]
Migration: Boom or bane for receiving countries?
OXFORD/SHANGHAI, (www.project-syndicate.org) – Many of the immigration debates now raging around the world reflect the faulty assumption that admitting immigrants is an act of largesse – and a costly one, at that. But, far from being an economic burden, immigrants represent a major economic opportunity for destination countries. Those countries that take a thoughtful, long-term [...]
Four misconceptions about Cloud
The present market is evolving into a system of connected enterprise. Thus, Cloud has become the central driver for this evolution as the primary focus shifts towards accommodation of future scalability and improving business efficiency. This rising popularity of Cloud Computing has given rise to multiple misconceptions over various aspects, some common and some not [...]
Tech One Global, Microsoft and Learning Possibilities together launch new teaching tools at British school
The British School in Colombo has embarked on the wave of digital transformation in partnership with Tech One Global, Microsoft, and Learning Possibilities. The British School in Colombo is a progressive international school establishing the concept of creative, collaborative, and transformative learning with the use of cutting-edge technologies. In January 2017, the school piloted the [...]
Etisalat introduces a sleek Yoga laptop
Yoga Laptops have been in the market for over two years, but the higher market price has halted Sri Lankans from getting their hands on one. Understanding the consumer need and bringing innovative solutions, Etisalat in collaboration with EWIS has produced Sri Lanka’s very own Yoga Laptop, Etisalat said in a media release. Bundled with [...]
Moratuwa students guided on transforming entrepreneurial ideas to businesses
Sri Lankan and UK-based Mitra Innovation recently conducted a workshop at the University of Moratuwa on transforming entrepreneurial ideas into successful businesses. Students were required to develop unique business ideas, which they will pitch to a panel of individuals as partial fulfilment of their coursework. During the two-and-a-half-hour workshop, Mitra Innovation – represented by Dammika [...]