Finance
National carrier, SriLankan Airlines is offering (payment-based Business Class upgrades from Economy class through an online auction system designated “Upgra‘d e-auction”.
Upgra‘d is an extremely user-friendly online procedure, where an Economy Class ticket holder booked on a SriLankan flight operating to any SriLankan online destination can place a bid for an upgrade by filling in and submitting an e-form available in the website, the airline said on Wednesday.
It opens up an array of Business Class comforts ranging from cosy flatbed seats to the AVOD inflight entertainment system that has the latest audio/video on demand and games. “Complementing this facility are the wide screens with superior high resolution picture quality for infinite viewing pleasure. Complete with a wide spread of culinary delights and the finest SriLankan hospitality, flying in the Business Class amidst world class comforts is sure to make memories for every traveller. SriLankan Business Class also offers the passenger fast-track check-in options, access to the lounge, a baggage entitlement of 40 kg and the opportunity to earn FlySmiLes miles,” it said.
Under Upgra’d, the payment for an online bid has to be made through credit card and if the offer is accepted, the passenger will be informed via email between 72 and 48hrs prior to departure. In the instances where an upgrade is not possible, the previous booking will remain valid and nothing will be charged from the ticket-holder.
Business
Business class upgrades on SriLankan Airlines thro’ auction
Emirates increasing flights to Colombo from June 30
Emirates, following rising demand, is increasing seat capacity to Colombo from June 30 with the addition of three more flights per week, the airline announced on Wednesday.
The addition of three more services, which will operate between Dubai and Colombo on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, will increase the number of flights between the two cities to four each day on those days, and take the total number of weekly Emirates flights serving Colombo to 31.
The additional Colombo – Dubai flight EK 655 will depart Colombo at 1410hrs and arrive in Dubai at 1655 hrs. The returning Dubai – Colombo flight EK 654 will depart Dubai at 0645 hrs and arrive in Colombo at 1245 hrs.
“The increase in capacity to Colombo demonstrates Emirates’ continuing commitment to the destination” said Chandana de Silva, Emirates’ Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, in a media statement. “The demand for seats on the Colombo – Dubai sector is increasing, and these additional flights will enable more UK and USA bound passengers to connect with Emirates services out of Dubai. The additional capacity will support the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to increase tourist arrivals towards the declared target of 2.5 million by 2016.” – Ends -
Parliamentary committee urged to re-summon EPF
Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) on Tuesday was urged to summon the Employees Provident Fund (EFP) to the legislature to respond to a series of questions on its investments.
UNP Parliamentarian and economist Harsha de Silva said in an email communication to a group of reporters that he had made the request “given the inordinate delay in resuming the examination of audit queries of the EPF”.
He said COPA should summon the EPF at the earliest convenience of the Committee to restart the session that was abruptly stopped three months back. “There is long list of queries and alleged misuse of funds that has to be answered by the senior officials of the EPF department of the Central Bank before the Committee can decide how to proceed with any violations,” he said. – Ends -
New chairman at Watawala Plantations
Top business professional Sunil Wijesinha has been appointed chairman of Watawala Plantations, taking over from Govindasamy Sathasivam who retired on May 20 after serving in this post since 1996.
Mr. Wijesinha is currently Chairman of the Employers Federation of Ceylon and President of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. An expert in the ceramics industry, he is former Chairman and Managing Director of Dankotuwa Porcelain. – ends -
Top directors quits HNB board
N.G. (Tanky) Wickremaratne, a former chairman of the Hayleys Group and respected member of Sri Lanka’s professional business community, has resigned from the post of senior director of the Hatton National Bank (HNB) with effect from May 16, the Colombo Stock Exchange was informed on Monday. No reasons were given for the resignation. He has been a director at HNB since July 2009. – Ends -
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