business Sri Lanka

Shikha Pandey held her nerve at the last to help India become the first team into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-finals with a tense three-run victory over New Zealand.

Having held India at 133 for eight, the White Ferns would have fancied their chances in Melbourne having not failed to chase a sub-140 T20I target since October 2013.

But they were thwarted with the bat, their star-studded top-order of Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest and Suzie Bates all falling within nine overs, as Amelia’s Kerr’s stunning late cameo proved not enough to prevent defeat.

The tense Junction Oval win means India are guaranteed a spot in the last four, with the battle for the final qualifying spot in Group A hotting up.

Scores:

India 133-8 (20) (Shafali Verma 46; Amelia Kerr 2-21, Rosemary Mair 2-27)

New Zealand 130-6 (20) (Amelia Kerr 34 n.o., Katey Martin 25; Shikha Pandey 1-21)

HAMBANTOTA - “Doing the right things at practice and then reciprocating it in the middle has made it easy for us in matches,” said Sri Lanka opener Avishka Fernando whose knock of 127 saw him win the Player of the Match award in the second ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium at Sooriyawewa on Wednesday.

“We have a good coaching staff and experienced players. We can take advice from them and gain a lot of experience”.

Fernando’s innings came at a crucial period of play when Sri Lanka had lost their first two wickets for nine runs. Joined by Kusal Mendis, Fernando went onto put together a record double century stand of 239 that saw them to an imposing total of 345-8 and go on and beat the West Indies by 161 runs.

“At that time I couldn’t play my normal game because we had lost two wickets for 9 runs. I had a chat with Kusal and during that time we had to play down a lot of dot balls but it didn’t become an issue because we had the big hitters coming at the bottom. Kusal and I decided to score 3-4 runs an over and bat for about 10-15 overs until the wicket settled down,” said Fernando.

“This is the biggest ground in Sri Lanka and has boundaries of 85 metres and more. We don’t have the strength to clear those boundaries. We thought of doing a lot of running in the middle overs. Today we were able to do that very well,” he said.

Fernando said that as a batsman in the top four of the batting his job was to contribute ‘big’ to the team.

ELEMENTARY MISTAKES COST US BIG TIME - POLLARD

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said that his team’s heavy defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka was due to elementary mistakes made by them.

“We made elementary mistakes yesterday and it cost us big time.

They were able to get away from us and were able to get 345. It proved more than enough in the end,” said Pollard reflecting back on his side’s disappointing performance.

“I don’t think it was a 345 wicket, 300 would have been on par. We weren’t disciplined long enough to execute in the back end and that sort of fielding performance on the international stage was very disappointing. It also started with myself as well that’s something we need to address but having said that I thought we were totally outplayed when we went to bat. Sri Lanka had their plans and they stopped it and they were able to execute and be on top,” he said.

Pollard rued the dropped catch of Kusal Mendis when he put down a sitter when the batsman was on two. Mendis went onto score 119. “Mendis must be thanking me very dearly for the lapse. I dropped him when he was on 2.

Hopefully in Kandy I get some dinners or something like that but having said that Avishka again proved his mettle.

This time he was not aggressive as he was in the first game,” said Pollard.

“Playing at home Kusal and Avishka used the advantage of exactly how to play on this pitch, how to maneuver the field and they showed exactly how we should have batted. We got a perfect opportunity to see how they batted for 42 overs or so but we didn’t take it. Well played to them but disappointing for us,” he said.

The third and final ODI will take place at Pallekele on March 1.

A sharp pickup in India’s business activity in January signaled momentum returning to Asia’s third-largest economy, although a strong recovery still looks unlikely as consumer demand remains subdued.

The dial on a gauge measuring so-called animal spirits showed activity accelerating for a second straight month, with most of the eight high-frequency indicators tracked by Bloomberg News holding their ground last month. The needle moved to 5 from 4 in December. “Animal spirits” is a term coined by British economist John Maynard Keynes to refer to investors’ confidence in taking action, and the gauge uses the three-month weighted average to smooth out volatility in the single-month readings.

Signs that the economy has put the worst behind it should give policy makers some respite. The central bank has eased policy, while the government has widened budget deficit goals to spur economic growth, which is set to be the weakest in more than a decade this year. The latest health check for the economy is due Friday, when gross domestic product data for the October-December period will be published.

The Markit India Services PMI index climbed to 55.5 in January -- the highest in seven years -- from 53.3 in December. That, together with an improved showing in the manufacturing purchasing managers’ survey, helped push the composite index higher to 56.3. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The improvement in growth was accompanied by stronger inflationary pressures, according to the PMI surveys, with input costs rising by the most since February 2013 and output price inflation surging to a near two-year high. Those price pressures mirror a spike in inflation to 7.6% in January.

Exports

Exports remained a laggard, falling 1.7% in January from a year ago. The drag was mainly because of a drop in shipments of gems and jewelry along with engineering goods. Prospects of a recovery in trade in the near-term appears remote as the spread of the coronavirus disrupts supply chains and weakens global demand.

Consumer Activity

Consumer sentiment worsened to an almost five-year low, according to a survey by the Reserve Bank of India. The current situation index fell to 83.7 in January, with 100 being the dividing line between pessimism and optimism.

Another survey showed that pay increases across India’s organized sector will probably grow at its slowest pace since 2009 this year, which in turn can crimp consumption. Domestic sales of passenger vehicles declined 6.2% year-on-year in January, data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers show, highlighting sluggish demand for discretionary purchases. Loan growth rose 7.1% in January from a year earlier with lower borrowing costs and better policy transmission gaining traction. The weighted average lending rate was down 13 basis points last month, although the Citi India Financial Conditions Index showed a slight tightening of money supply.

Industrial Activity

Industrial production contracted 0.3% in December from a year ago, led by weak manufacturing activity and the automobile sector. Other components on the production side, namely mining and electricity, grew at a healthy clip.

The index of eight core infrastructure industries, which feeds into factory output, offered a ray of hope: activity rebounded in December after four months of contraction.

That was mainly due to higher production of fertilizers, cement, refinery products, coal production and steel. Both the data are published with a one-month lag.

(www.indiantimes.com)

The Indian rupee appreciated by 11 paise to 71.74 against the US dollar in early trade.

At the interbank foreign exchange the rupee opened at 71.76 and touched a high of 71.74, registering a rise of 11 paise over its previous close.

The rupee had settled for the day at 71.85 against the US dollar.

The domestic unit, however, could not hold on to the gains and was trading at 71.78 against the dollar at 1002 hrs.

Meanwhile, investor sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over the impact of coronavirus outbreak on global economy, forex traders said.

The death toll in China’s novel coronavirus epidemic climbed to 2,715 with 52 new fatalities while the confirmed cases rose to 78,064.

Domestic bourses opened on a muted note with benchmark indices Sensex trading 275.11 points lower at 40,006.09 and Nifty down 85.30 points at 11,712.60.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the capital market, as they sold shares worth Rs 2,315.07 crore on Tuesday, according to provisional exchange data.

Rising crude oil prices and strengthening of the American currency vis-a-vis other currencies overseas weighed on the rupee, traders said.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.44 per cent to trade at 55.19 per barrel.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose by 0.13 per cent to 99.09.

The 10-year government bond yield was at 6.32 per cent in morning trade.

(India Today)

Bourse ended in positive territory reversing the negative trend witnessed for the last four consecutive sessions according to First Capital Research.

ASPI witnessed a volatile uptrend reaching an intraday high of 5,692, thereafter, moving downwards and reached an intraday low of 5,651 prior to closing at 5,668, gaining 24 points. Turnover was boosted by trades made in TJL, SUN and SDB contributing nearly 41% amidst a low foreign participation. Reversing the trend, a net foreign outflow was recorded primarily stemming from JKH and HNB.

Nations Trust Bank Group demonstrated strong resilience amid external challenges, to record a profit of Rs 3.71 billion, a marginal increase over the previous year. Total Operating Income increased by 6% to Rs 22.5 billion.

Subdued economic conditions which prevailed in the country affected many key economic sectors impacting the financial performance of businesses leading to low credit growth and higher non-performing loans. The Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and the election momentum further exerted pressure on credit growth in the industry.

Commenting on the results and achievements, Renuka Fernando, CEO/Executive Director stated “Despite the headwinds present in the operating environment, our fourth quarter witnessed an improved performance over the previous quarters of 2019, which is encouraging. With a cautious approach in growing the assets book, we remain committed to delivering our strategic agenda set at the beginning of the year to strengthen our digital capabilities, with the ultimate intention of achieving cost efficiencies, pioneering innovation and thereby challenging the norm to deliver an unparalleled banking experience to our customers”.

Amidst moderation in credit growth, the Group pre-tax profits recorded a 9% increase over the previous period whilst post-tax profits dropped to the previous year level largely due to the full impact of the Debt Repayment Levy in 2019. The Bank’s post-tax profits recorded a drop of 8% due to the inter-company dividend income recorded in the corresponding period of 2018.

Due to the prevailing challenges in the economy, the Bank followed a cautious approach in expanding its advances portfolio, which contributed to a slowdown in the loan book to a 2 % growth leading to a moderated net interest income (NII) growth of 6%. Lending rates ceiling imposed during the year also added to the slowdown in the NII growth while the reduction in Statutory Reserve Ratio from 7.5% in 2018 to 5% in March 2019 contributed towards defending the pressure on the NII growth.

Whilst credit cards, trade and deposit related fee-based income recorded moderate growth, lending-related fees recorded a drop owing to lower business volumes. Net trading losses arising from funding swaps due to the appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee during the period is largely negated by the revaluation gains arising from balance sheet positions accounted under Net other operating income.

Sri Lankan Rupee appreciated against the US Dollar by Rs 1.55 in 2019, in complete contrast to the depreciation of Rs 29.4 recorded in 2018. The Bank continued to benefit from the relatively lower funding costs of the funding swaps compared to high-cost rupee deposits.

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been awarded the titles of ‘Best Corporate Bank Sri Lanka 2020’ and ‘Best Trade Finance Bank Sri Lanka 2020’ by the International Business Magazine of the UAE.

The awards recognise the best-in-class achievements pertaining to budding industrial talent, global leaders and corporates across spheres related to the international business and finance arena, and are structured to identify core corporate players known to showcase their extraordinary prowess to lead. They honour those who strive hard to deliver supreme quality-backed services and function as a platform to appreciate business ethics and productive work.

The entire awards process is operated free-of-charge and is strictly supervised and scrutinised by expert panelists comprising of key subject matter experts, and judging panelists comprising of a research team and editor to finally select winners among the list of nominees. Among those awarded were niche businesses to emerging markets, SMEs to lead corporates, stock exchanges, insurance and forex providers, real estate giants, and companies in banking and finance. Notably, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon also won the title of ‘Best Private Bank Sri Lanka’ from the same awarding body last year.

Since its inception in 2018, the International Business Magazine has had many coveted clients across the globe from the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

The opening of LOT Polish Airlines direct flight connections between Warsaw and Colombo in November 2019 created new opportunities for bi-lateral economic relations.

With the opening of the Polish Airlines, it is expected that the number of Polish tourists visiting Sri Lanka (vice versa) will rise significantly.

“There is a constant growth in the number of polish tourists visiting Sri Lanka, and it was around 15,000 visitors in 2017,” Ambassador of Poland to Sri Lanka Adam Burakowski told at a session on ‘Bilateral Trade between Sri Lanka and Poland’ organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka this week. In 2019, total bi-lateral trade between Poland and Sri Lanka was USD 156.8 million. The majority of which was comprised on Sri Lankan exports to Poland to the tune of USD 140.8 million.

The main items of exports from Sri Lanka to Poland in 2019 were tea, belts, harnesses and binders, ready-made garments, tobacco, and pneumatic tyres and related accessories. Polish exports to Sri Lanka in 2019 included paper and cardboard products, rolled steel products, iron, and steel products, and related parts, sugar.

Presently, Poland and Sri Lanka have entered into agreements on Double Tax Avoidance, cooperation in the field of culture,education and science, and tourism.

The Cruise ship Nautica Oceania of the USA visited Sri Lanka recently with 450 passengers on board.

The ship had called to the Colombo port on February 25 and the visitors enjoyed shore excursions to Pinnawela, Colombo City Tours, Colombo by Night tours, Beach break at Blue Waters and visiting a Tea plantation in Ingiriya. Subsequently the ship docked in the Galle port on February 26, the visitors had a chance of enjoying the Galle fort, Heritance Ahungalle beach break, go on a Madu river safari and visit the Thalgawela Tea plantation to experience low grown tea. The ship will head to Oman from Sri Lanka and visit the Middle East for two weeks.

Aitken Spence Travels was the shore excursion agent at both ports enabling its passengers to enjoy a glimpse of Sri Lanka and take back fond experiences.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority won the GPF Awards for ‘Port Authority of The Year & Port Infrastructure Development of the Year 2020’ for the third consecutive year at the Global Port Forum Awards 2020 held at at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Deira, in the United Arab Emirates.

The Global Port Forum Awards 2020 aim to recognize the most valuable contribution made by organizations and professionals in different areas of Ports and Terminals Industry and acknowledge their roles and achievements in different categories. These awards are awarded based on the nominations received by the Global Port Forum and also in recognition of the important contributions and achievements made by organizations and professionals across maritime industry in the last year. From the cosmopolitan global port city of Singapore, the entrepreneurial decision was taken in 2008 to found and launch the Global Ports Forum (GPF).

The awards ceremony is organized annually by the GPF, in continuation of the commitment of improving global ports and furthering the interests of ports globally through collaborations among members of the port eco system. The Global Port Forum Awards 2019 aimed to recognize the most valuable contribution made by organizations and professionals in different areas of Ports and Terminals Industry and acknowledge their roles and achievements in different categories. The awards are awarded based on the nominations received by the Global Ports Forum (GPF) and also in recognition of the important contributions and achievements made by organizations and professionals across the industry during the previous year.

A panel of judges, comprising of Global Ports Customers and Senior Port Experts from the Global Ports Council shortlist and select organisations as the most deserving winners for each category. Accordingly, the winners are recognized and honoured in front of a crowd of ports & terminals veterans and professionals, and accorded awards at the Global Ports Forum Awards Gala Dinner.

Creating a major land mark in the power generation sector, Sri Lanka’s first power plant using garbage will be opened in May.

The project will recycle solid waste within the Colombo Municipal Area to generate 11.5 mw of power converting 500-700 metric tonnes of municipality waste into electricity. The USD 100 million projects managed by Western Power Company Pvt. Ltd, a member of Aitken Spence Group, is now nearing construction at Muthurajawela.

This Waste-to-energy power plant will operate approximately 7,500 hours a year, utilizing the 700 metric tons (1,500,000 lb) of fresh waste from the Colombo Municipal Council area, also automatically proving a solution for the garbage disposal in Colombo.

The facility is planning to sell 9.7 MW to Ceylon Electricity Board. Director and Head of Business Development and Plantations, Aitken Spence PLC, Dr. Rohan Fernando, said that they were very happy to see the nearing the completion of this project.

“The project was slightly delayed due to the Easter Sunday attacks and also Coronavirus issue since the project involves several Chinese workers. We have now sorted these matters.”

An official from the Ceylon Electrify Board said that they welcome alternative energy projects of this nature which is duel propose. “First it offers a permanent solution to the Colombo Garbage clearing and then offers Green Energy to the national Grid.” Waste-to-energy power generation is currently one of the world’s most effective and green modes of managing disposal of waste.

Second mega PPP project with a Korean company called K.C.H.T Jang, will invest USD 95 million dollars to set up a plant to process up to 630 MT of unsorted waste generated from the suburbs of the Colombo and Gampaha districts.

Currently around 86% of waste is dumped in the open and only about 6% of this made into compost and about 4 percent of it recycled.

Microsoft held a workshop for ICT professionals to create resilient, fault-tolerant and scalable global services on Microsoft Azure. The workshop was led by Nabajyoti Boruah, Vice President of Technology at Synergetic Information Technology Services, Microsoft’s New Technology Readiness Partner.

Prima KottuMee is known for the fun and excitement it creates. Just when you think that it cannot get any better, the brand announced yet another Hot & Spicy addition to its team, with none other than Yohani De Silva, the youth sensation singing up with the brand to add to the spice.

Yohani brings in her vibrant and fashionable personality, and star-in-the-making talent to the fun loving, youthful brand. Prima KottuMee is popular among the local and international youth, not only for its tasteful and convenient product but also the fun and excitement it creates at all times.

Yohani is a mega social media star with a huge following on all social media platforms.

This Youth sensation has recently performed with several stars including the iconic duo BnS and Lahiru who were also Prima KottuMee brand ambassadors previously.

“We are pleased to have Yohani join the Prima KottuMee brand, which will further add to the youthfulness of the brand. We have had many youth icons grow with us and Yohani will be no exception. Her charismatic personality reflects exactly what KottuMee is as well, always there for the fun loving moments in life,” commented Sajith Gunaratne – Deputy General Manager, Ceylon Agro Industries, Prima Group Sri Lanka.

She hits an ideal match with the brand DNA of Prima KottuMee.

Her music needs no special mention and is set to go places, her fun and youthful personality is contagious, and her taste in fashion is unique.

She has been unafraid to take a stand for her music, a risk that not many young artists are ready to take.

Following the completion of her Masters in Accountancy in Australia, Yohani returned to Sri Lanka in order to pursue music as a full time profession. She is currently working on originals and collaborations with other iconic musicians to add a hot and spicy flavor to the music scene.

A legendary company from the Hill country Sun Match Company (Pvt) Ltd, producers of the leading brand ‘Soorya’ provided a new lease on life for the needy patients of the Centre for Handicapped, Kandy.

The project titled ‘ #helpmewalkagain’ was conducted in commemoration of the 17th death anniversary of the Founder of the company, T.R.R. Rajan.

Speaking on behalf of the company, the Director of Sun Match, and the Founder’s daughter Gowri Rajan said “physically handicapped persons account for almost ten per cent of people islandwide and many of them are sadly amputees. Even though amputations are often the most effective measure taken by surgeons in order to save lives in the case of accidents and debilitating diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

We also see instances of individuals who have been born without limbs that needs attention by society and this is where we as a company are focusing on assisting .Rehabilitation and provision of locomotor aids can make a impactful difference to a disabled or differently abled person’s future; a handicapped human being can be empowered to lead a productive and dignified life in which they can contribute to society in their own way without feeling that they are a burden .”

The project was a memorable moment as twelve prosthetic limbs were donated to the needy patients at the Centre for Handicapped, Kandy. The most deserving amputees, who had lost limbs were identified and the specialists at the Centre obtained their measurement as the prosthesis has to be custom made as per the need of each patient.

Rajan further stated “Prosthetic care is quite expensive and many patients lack the financial resources to obtain artificial limbs .Therefore many amputees today are forced to sacrifice their freedom and independence and are often never able to perform the day to day tasks. An artificial limb can make the difference to these people and provide not only a means to mobility but also a means of living “.

Branded as #Helpmewalkagain, Sun Match company who pioneered this project is the market leader in Sri Lanka.

Siyapatha Finance PLC, being the first finance company to join the National Card Scheme of LankaClear, launched the JCB/LankaPay/Siyapatha Dual Interface Debit Card (Siyapatha Card) on February 12.

As the fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, which utilized IT to revolutionize the banking industry in SriLanka, Siyapatha has lined up a series of IT initiatives for implementation in 2020 to enhance its customer services. Accordingly, the Siyapatha Card is earmarked as an essential enabler of convenience for the Savings Account customers of Siyapatha.

Siyapatha Finance was the only Finance Company member in the National Card Scheme (NCS) Pilot Project initiated by LankaClear and has qualified for issuing the first JCB Dual Interface Card in Sri Lanka catering for both the Contact and Contactless modes of card transactions. NCS will facilitate Siyapatha Card users the convenience of performing card transactions on the LankaPayisland-wide network of nearly 4,000 ATMs including the Sampath Bank ATM network, and at merchant outlets linked to the LankaPay’s growing network of Point of Sale (POS) Terminals. Siyapatha Card is also an International Card and can be used on the international network of JCB-certified ATMs and POSs.

The Siyapatha Card launch was held in the presence of the Chief Guest Nanda Fernando Managing Director,Sampath Bank, Sumith Cumaranatunga Chairman, Siyapatha Finance, Ananda Seneviratne Managing Director, Siyapatha Finance, the Board Directors and Corporate Management of Siyapatha Finance. The card would be initially used by the internal staff of Siyapatha Finance PLC prior to its official issue to Siyapatha customers from March 1.

Addressing the card launch, Ananda Seneviratne, Managing Director of Siyapatha Finance said “Siyapatha is strongly committed to providing the highest level of service to customers and we wish to utilize the Siyapatha Card facility to add value to the many services we provide for them”.

Backed by Sampath Bank Group, Siyapatha Finance is one of the leading finance companies in Sri Lanka with a sizeable network of branches across the country and is in the continuous process of expansion with the firm commitment to developing its leasing business, deposit account base and lending towards small and medium entrepreneurial efforts and personal needs.

Responding to rising demand for greater value, convenience, and flexibility in mobile data, Sri Lanka’s most youth-focused telco brand, Airtel Lanka, announced a new bonus data scheme to reward its loyal customers.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Airtel users can grab upto 50% additional data on various data packages, at no extra charge. With zero hidden restrictions the ‘App Bonus Data’ scheme is available to all customers and can easily be obtained through data recharges, reloads, web purchases and in-app purchases – via credit or debit cards.

To redeem the bonus data, Airtel customers can login to their MyAirtel app and simply click on the rewards pop-up and claim the bonus data. For customers who do not already have the MyAirtel app installed, an auto generated message with the app link will be shared upon the purchase of mobile data.

“Recognizing the evolution in data consumption patterns, we at Airtel are proactively working on providing solutions to enhance our customer’s experience. Whilst looking for speed and value, consumers have already established expectations and preferences for their digital consumption which has no limitations based on day or night.”

“By breaking down the barrier between day and night-time usage, we give the Sri Lankan mobile user total control as to how and when they spend their data with no hidden conditions or restrictions. This is part of a wider strategy that we are driving aimedat empowering users by giving them the maximum in choice,” Airtel’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Jinesh Hegde said. In order to gain the maximum out of their connection, Airtel also provides users with the option to convert to a 4G SIMfree of charge,bundled with a further 5GB of free mobile data. To start the conversion, users need simply dial 780 or *780# and visit their nearest SIM change outlets.

#AirtelThanks is the telco’s exclusive rewards program which is construed to the benefit of all Airtel users by a customized rewarding system, free digital content, VAS offers and other exclusive benefits based on their usage. Customers can claim these benefits and other exclusive offers,deals and discounts through the ‘My Airtel’ App.‘My Airtel’ is the free customer service app designed for all Airtel subscribers in Sri Lanka. Through the ‘My Airtel’ app, subscribers may access their user accounts, track data usage, recharge, pay bills and enjoy music and movies.

The first multidisciplinary medical care centre for the elderly in Sri Lanka’s private sector was formally opened by Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) recently, with the involvement of some of the country’s leading specialists in Geriatric Medicine.

Located on the first floor of the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre at Park Street, Colombo 2, the unit comprises of four rooms for residential care, as well as facilities for outpatient services and channelling of specialist doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists and diet therapists, bringing under one roof the inter-linked, inter-disciplinary services needed for holistic care of elders.

Recognising the need for a shift from the disease-centric approach to the person-centric approach of treatment that is central to Geriatric Medicine, the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre will cater to persons who are relatively healthy after the age of 60 andwill benefit from assistance for active healthy ageing, as well as for elderly patients who are weak and in need of specific medical interventions and support.

Speaking at the opening of the centre, CHSL Chairman R. Renganathan stated that Sri Lanka has the dubious distinction of having the fastest ageing population in the world, and that elderly people, defined as persons over 60 years, will represent 50 per cent of the country’s population by 2050. These projections had led Ceylinco Life, which owns Ceylinco Healthcare Services, to invest in ‘La Serena’ – Sri Lanka’s first dedicated retirement resort – and the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre, he said.

Consultant Physician Dr Dilhar Samaraweera, founder President of the Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine, who addressed invitees at the opening of thenew centre, said the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre was the result of detailed discussions between himself and other leading doctors and Ceylinco Healthcare Services.

“The Board of Directors of CHSL showed great commitment to set up a centre of excellence of quality, and I have great pleasure and pride to be associated with the first multidisciplinary elderly care centre in the private sector,’ he said.

“No other centre offers services that encompass the physical, sensory, cognitive, environmental and social areas,” Dr Samaraweera said, disclosing that the centre would address the syndromes associated with ageing such as decreased mobility, instability, falls, frailty, incontinence, dementia and depression, and would also offer pre-retirement counselling to provide those approaching 60 guidance to age gracefully.

A membership programme offered by the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre provides the assurance that “we will all be with you throughout the course of your life,” Dr Samaraweera added.

Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Lalith Wijeratne, founder of the Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine, who spoke on the origins and evolution of Geriatric Medicine as a distinct specialty in Sri Lanka following the establishment of a Board of Study in Elderly Care, said Sri Lanka now has 70 postgraduate doctors who are diploma holders in Geriatric Medicine, and that the first batch of fully-qualified Geriatrics specialists would pass out in 2024.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s leading life insurance company Ceylinco Life, Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited operates two radiation treatment units – the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre which offers treatment via Linear Accelerator and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, which is the only TomoTherapy unit in the country.

Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), in collaboration with its Patron Member, Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC, recently organized a learning event titled ‘Wetland Biodiversity: Why it Matters’, to commemorate this year’s World Wetlands Day.

Wetlands are rich in biodiversity and are a habitat for a dense variety of plant and animal species.

The latest estimates show a global decline of biodiversity, with wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests. Sri Lanka boasts of 6Ramsar Wetlands whilst Colombo was designated as a Ramsar Wetland City in 2018.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2, to raise global awareness on the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands February 2 1971 - in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

At the event, the importance of conserving the rich biodiversity of our wetlands and their value in terms of economic and socio/cultural usage, was explained to an audience largely comprised of BSL’s members.

Dr. Sampath Seneviratne, Research Scientist and Senior Lecturer from the University of Colombo providing an introduction to wetlands and their uses, explained that wetlands are often referred to as the earth’s ‘kidneys’, because they provide the same functions, absorbing wastes from the environment such as excessive nitrogen and phosphorous.

When excess amounts of such nutrient loadings flow into waterways, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills can occur, disturbing the delicate balance of these fragile ecosystems. Dr. Seneviratne went on to explain that wetlands have significant ecological and economic values because of their function in ecosystems and their watersheds.

These systems store a total of 11.52 pentagrams of carbon which is equivalent roughly to 4 years of annual carbon emissions by the nation.

Freshwater inland wetlands store nearly 10 times more carbon than tidal saltwater sites on a national basis, due to the sheer extent of freshwater inland wetlands on the landscape.

According to research, wetlands are home to a rich abundance of animal and plant life. Nearly over 100,000 freshwater species have been identified in wetlands and that is 30% of all known fish species. Wetlands are key contributors, supplying a broad range of wild and cultivated food sources such as fish (including shellfish), certain mammals, plants (rice, seaweeds, a range of leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts), reptiles, amphibians, insects and other arthropods, snails and more. Today over one billion people, largely in developing countries, rely on wetlands, making a living from these unique ecosystems.

Arjan Rajasuriya Co-ordinator of the Coastal and Marine Programme of IUCN Sri Lanka, presented a technical overview of the status and management of Sri Lanka’s wetlands, highlighting facts on mangrove management in inter-tidal estuaries and lagoons. He enlightened the audience on the uniqueness of Sri Lanka’s mangrove ecosystems and how they differ from location to location around the island’s coastal zone, focusing also on the importance and fragility of coral reefs.

Among the threats to Sri Lanka’s wetlands are excessive extraction activities, mismanagement and lack of adequate monitoring by government authorities. The lack of awareness amongst the public on these important ecosystems also plays a detrimental role. Nevertheless, he also mentioned that new and innovative solutions are being applied by various stakeholders in the country to save and conserve the wetlands of Sri Lanka, and that the private sector’s support towards these initiatives have been recognized to be significant and praiseworthy.

Ishanda Seneviratne Environmentalist from Jetwing Hotels, presented a case study on the ‘Biodiversity in Man-made Wetlands’, based on the impressive work being carried out by Jetwing Vil Uyana, Jetwing Kaduruketha and Jetwing St. Andrew’s.

The development and conservation of man-made wetlands in these locations have led to thriving populations of unique species like the Slender Loris, the Eurasian Otter, the Fishing Cat, numerous species of frogs, birds and insects in addition to unique plant species. As a corporate entity dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity as a part of its core business, Jetwing Hotels is implementing several valuable initiatives across the island.

Salinda Kandapola Corporate Sustainability Manager of Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC elaborated on the work being carried out by his company to restore the mangrove ecosystems in and around Cod Bay in Trincomalee. ‘Before’ and ‘after’ conservation efforts were demonstrated, highlighting success rates and changes observed over a ten-year period in ecosystem dynamics.

He detailed the roll out of the project in order to support effective restoration methods for the information of members. Tokyo Cement has also established a mangrove nursery and is now able to support other mangrove restoration projects around the country, upon request.

The commitment of the higher management of the company towards this cause, has helped the Company to put into practice the required expertise and know how, which is demonstrated by the high success rate of the project unlike frequently observed failures in mangrove restoration efforts.

The event’s proceedings benefitted all participants, consisting of members of the public, private, academic and non-governmental sectors.

Biodiversity Sri Lanka: Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) is a national platform entirely owned and driven by the private sector, established to promote strong engagement of the corporate sector in biodiversity and environmental conservation in Sri Lanka. BSL actively promotes strong leadership of the private sector in the areas of biodiversity and environmental conservation, through the provision of technical support, sharing of information, knowledge and experience, the promotion of best practices through active learning and understanding mechanisms and by initiating and facilitating dialogue between State and civil society partners and the private sector, advocating biodiversity-friendly policies and positive instruments that campaign for the conservation of Sri Lanka’s fragile environment.

BSL’s overall mandate is to help raise awareness on biodiversity and sustainability issues amongst the Sri Lankan business community. Working to assist companies in understanding biodiversity and related issues, as well as to mainstream it into their core businesses, BSL has the ultimate aim of ensuring that a majority of Sri Lankan companies will eventually be on a sustainable ecological footing with vastly reduced negative impacts on our biodiversity.

CIPM Sri Lanka the Nation’s leader in human resource management entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Benedict XVI Catholic Institute of Higher Education (BCI) based in Negombo for facilitating academic cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity building for developing competent human resource management professionals to serve the economy of Sri Lanka.

The MoU was signed recently, by Dhammika Fernando-President, CIPM Sri Lanka and Rev. Father Quintus Fernando Director, BCI amidst the presence of Members of the CIPM Executive Council and Business School including G. Weerathunga Director, Professional and Academic Affairs CIPM Business School, U.A.C Obeysekere Chief Officer and Director CIPM Business School, P.G. Tennakoon Chief Executive Officer, CIPM Sri Lanka, Indika Wijesiriwarden Senior Manager Examinations, CIPM Sri Lanka together with W.M.M.S. Barbara Perera Course Coordinator, Department of Professional Studies of BCI.

“In order to extend our reach to aspiring HR professionals in Negombo and surrounding areas, we are delighted to enter into this MoU with the BCI which is a highly respected institute for higher education in Negombo. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Governors of the BCI for looking ahead and enabling CIPM to conduct the courses and programmes for the benefit of the students and professionals in Negombo and the surrounding areas” said Dhammika Fernando-President, CIPM Sri Lanka.

The human resource management profession is one of the fastest growing management disciplines in the world. HR professionals are increasingly playing a much needed strategic role in organizations which are being affected by the disruption that is brought about by changing lifestyles, digitalization and technological developments.

“We are happy to have been given the opportunity to join hands with CIPM Sri Lanka in offering their much recognized HR courses and programmes for the benefit of our students in Negombo and the surrounding areas.

This will provide them access to the best in the field of HR without having to undergo the long journey to Colombo in order to fulfill their aspirations” said Rev. Father Quintus Fernando-Director, BCI.

“The BCI has been exploring the possibilities of offering professional education programmes and courses in addition to our academic programmes. Hence, this MOU with CIPM Sri Lanka to offer professional HR programmes and courses is a much welcome initiative” added the Rev. Father.

Under this MoU, the BCI will facilitate the conduct of CIPM HR programmes and courses at BCI’s lush green Campus with technology enabled, state of the art learning facilities including air-conditioned classrooms in the heart of the Negombo Town by the accredited faculty of CIPM on a revenue sharing model.

In a day and age where convenience, price as well as good quality matters when shopping for your family’s household needs Keells is a one stop shop.

The range of Keells products not only covers majority of the household needs, it is available at very attractive prices compared to regular brands and is of good quality. Providing customers access to lower priced good quality products was the main drive behind introducing the Keells own label range. Since inspection several years ago, the range has currently grown to include more than 300 products in attractive packaging that is easily identifiable as Keells.

Keells own label products are priced competitively due to the minimum marketing and distribution costs incurred as they are products marketed by Keells itself. This enables Keells to ensure that customers who shop this range experience a saving in their basket due to the competitive prices.

The range of Keells own label products consists of popular essentials such as rice, pulses, eggs, spices and to household items which include dish wash liquid, detergents, paper products and cleaners. The newly introduced range of Keells biscuits which consists of Marie biscuits, wafers, cream crackers, chocolate and custard cream biscuits have become instant bestsellers in the market.

Offering customers healthy and nutritious product choices is important to Keells, and a range of dry organic products have been currently introduced which includes coconut oil, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and green and black tea. “Free From” is another category where currently lactose free Soy Chocolate and Vanilla ice creams have been introduced along with a soy milk powder. Other categories in the pipeline are Gluten free and low sugar products and will offer customers who are intolerant to Gluten a variety of options to choose from. Introducing these products at affordable prices is a testament regarding Keells’s focus on listening to customers and providing them with quality and affordable products.

Keells own label products go through a stringent quality checking process and quality checks are performed periodically throughout the supply chain. These include an independently conducted facility audit, a sensory evaluation of products and at certain times an audit by the Keells Quality Assurance Team as well.

Out of our own label suppliers49% are GMP certified, a testament to the quality of the products. This year saw Keells introduce an “Ethical Sourcing Policy” to it’s own label suppliers which includes a process of checking on parameters such as adherence to environmental policies, water consumption and discharge, waste and affluent discharge, labour practices, plastic and ploythene usage and noise and pollution impact among others. This is not all, if scores are lower than the expected benchmark Keells plans to work with the suppliers to improve the score thereby supporting the supplier to uplift their standards and improving the quality of the products.

Charitha Subasinge, President Retail of John Keells Holdings said that the ambition of introducing own label products which are of good quality but at lower price was to make these everyday items accessible and affordable to more customers. He further added that listening to customers and providing new categories of products such as the organic range to “free from lactose” products is directly in line with the Keells journey of striving to “improve the quality of life for the nation”.

The National Chamber of Commerce would conduct a one day workshop on import procedures and documentation on March 5, from 8.30 am to 4.30 p.m at the Chamber Auditorium D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

The workshop is designed for those who are involved in importing, buying and sourcing from overseas. It provides an overview of the principals involved in successful importing, tips on how to avoid problems and ensure smooth running of contracts, profitably.

Some of the Subjects that would be discussed will be introduction to imports, imports planning, determining Import requirements, introduction to international business, sales contracts, import restrictions, terms of sale, incoterms – purpose and scope, payment terms with regard to imports customs import procedures and documentation, WTO goods valuation agreement, WTO trade facilitation agreement (TFA) and proof of country of origin.

The resource person would be T. Raviendrarajah, Former Director of Sri Lanka Customs who has over 37 years of experience at Sri Lanka Customs in various Departments.

Participants would get an understanding to seek quotations and place orders efficiently, ensure correct documentation for customs clearance into Sri Lanka including VAT compliance and complete costing.

It would be beneficial for those involved in sourcing goods from overseas, including sales, purchasing, production and accounts staff. It also provides a good overview necessary for senior managers who have to delegate responsibility.

The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka – Eastern Chapter (IESL- Eastern Chapter) in collaboration with the Universal Business and Technology Campus, Kalmunai (UBT Campus), conducted a CPD program (Continuing Professional Development) for the first time in Kalmunai at the Auditorium of the Deputy Director General’s Office, Kalmunai, under the patronage of Chairman, IESL-

Eastern Chapter, Eng. Rasa Mohan. Dr. M. I. M. Hilal. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Management and Commerce of the SEUSL who participated as Resource Person, is seen lecturing the Engineers on the theme ‘Equipping Engineers with Management Skills’ where more than 40 Engineers from the Eastern Province (Members of IESL-Eastern Chapter) actively participated. This CPD program organized by the UBT Campus, is a part of the Social Responsibility Program and Awareness of MBA Program.

Cool Tempo (Pvt) Ltd was awarded as the recipient of “The Most Reliable Event Management Solution Provider in Sri Lanka” at the Global MICE and luxury travel congress and awards.

Being acknowledged as the most reliable event management brand at an international platform cements the company’s reputation for providing top-notch facilitation to international clients.

The award was presented recently, at Taj Lands End in Mumbai, India, which brought together leading professionals related to tourism and hospitality management. The significance of Global MICE and luxury travel congress and awardslies in recognizing the achievements of the industry players who are augmenting the hospitality and tourism industry in India.

Kamesh Malwana, Chairman of Cool Tempo (Pvt) Ltd, received the award at an event graced by the Founder, World CSR Day and World Sustainability, Dr. R. L Bhatia.

Chairman of Cool Tempo (Pvt) Ltd, Kamesh Malwana said, “We are pleased with this achievement as one of the pioneer event management companies in Sri Lanka.

I am honored that Global MICE recognized our hard work and efforts by presenting us with the title of Most Reliable Event Management Solution Provider in Sri Lanka.

It is motivating for our team and reassuring for our clients to know they are in the right place where the best event management solutions are available.

I hope this will attract new clients and we can help improve quality of events by providing them with the best event management solutions.”

He expressed his gratitude to the staff for their dedication and contribution for the achievement.

The Telematics Conference in Colombo, held recently, saw Abans Group of Companies being awarded 1st Place for driving innovation in the use of telematics and for optimal utilisation of KloudIP’s wide array of platforms.

KloudIP is a comprehensive suite of telematics solutions, being used across diverse sectors and over five hundred businesses in Sri Lanka.

Jerastin Dubash, Digital Lead of Abans Group, delivered an address at this event, touching upon Abans Group’s strategy to utilise digital tools and platforms to streamline fleet management operations. Jerastin further stressed on the importance for Abans Group, as a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate, to keep pace with technological revolutions, and so the digital evolution of the Group is considered as a key strategic priority.

In 2011, Abans Logistics was the first to embark on an experimental partnership with KloudIP.Now, over 200 vehicles are being monitored across all of the Group’s companies through KloudIP’s GPS tracking and fuel tracking platforms.

In July 2019, Abans PLC commenced work with KloudIPto implement an automated delivery SMS that would be sent to showroom managers once a vehicle has been dispatched from the warehouse, and to subsequent showroom delivery locations.

The SMS communication, which includes a live tracking option for the delivery vehicle, gives showroom staff enough time and information to get their unloading teams assembled. ThisSMS communication, enabled through the KloudIP FiOS system, has gone on to drastically reduce the amount of phone calls and e-mails which the warehouse teams have to send while conducting deliveries on-route.

The size and mix of deliveryloads can vary a great dealin the electronics and household goods retail business – some loads can include large side-by-side refrigerators along with small cartons of Pyrex glassware. Planning for these load variations is a major challenge for the warehouse personnel to ensure that showroom demand is met with vehicle availability. Using KloudIP’s Logistic platform’s load planning functionality has begun to help the Abans warehouse teams streamline deliveries and ensure maximum vehicle utilisation.

For more than 50 years, Abans Group has worked on a simple vision to ‘Keep enhancing tomorrow for every Sri Lankan’. They have been able to do this through their vast array of products and services that have empowered people to their own unique Way To Life.

To keep serving our customers better, Abans Group continues to evolvein the face of new technology andis dedicated to a journey of digital transformation. Abans Group’s unprecedented usage of KloudIP’s platforms is one of the ways the Groupwill continue to push the boundaries of telematics and fleet management in Sri Lanka.

Potential investors look seriously at Sri Lanka but keep their projects on hold until political stability is established in the country, said former Minister, Prof G L Peiris at the Business Today Top 30 awards ceremony at Colombo Hilton on Monday.

“Political stability in the country is vital to serve this purpose. Though Sri Lanka occupies a sensitive geographical space in the Indian Ocean, the country should be politically stable for the business community to perform its functions adequately.

In order to stimulate and encourage investment into this country, the state should also bring clarity and precision with regard to taxation.

Minister, Prof G L Peiris

Decisions on taxation should not be subject to constant change. Uncertainty and unpredictability of monetary and fiscal policy would discourage investors hence quality of fiscal policy must be enhanced.

An investor would want to know how long it would take to recover his investment and to make a reasonable profit. Ad-hoc taxation decisions may discourage major investors to the country.

The most important single strength of Sri Lanka is the unique caliber of the island’s human resources. The country suffered from two youth insurrections during the last few decades. People who are turned out by the system have a legitimate expectation of obtaining gainful employment.

The President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has plans to strengthen the linkage of synergies between education and employment.

ICT industry in the country is worth approximately one billion USD at the moment. “But it could easily be elevated to the level of three USD billion.”

When attracting serious investments to this country and paving way for business community to prosper and to make contributions to the national economy, we must pay our attention to the judicial system. With a view to resolving commercial disputes, informal methods of dispute resolution should be looked into”, Prof Peiris said.

He said the government and business community should work hand-in-hand to create an environment which is conducive for optimal performance. Hatton National Bank reclaimed the number one bank in the ‘Business Today Top 30 2018-2019’ after 22 years. Commercial Bank of Ceylon was ranked at number two and LOLC Holdings rose to number three.

According to Business Today that recognizes top 30 best performing corporates, 2018-2019 has been a year in which resilience, innovation and the search for new markets played a decisive role.

The selection process for the Business Top 30 is based on the published information of companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange and social considerations for the financial year ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 and was compiled with the assistance of KPMG Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the chief guest with Basil Rajapaksa.

Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100)1 increased to 7.6 per cent in January 2020 from 6.2 per cent in December 2019.

This was driven by monthly increase of prices of items in both Food and Non-food categories.

Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased substantially from 8.6 per cent in December 2019 to 13.7 per cent in January 2020, the highest since November 2017. Further, Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) stood at 3.0 per cent in January 2020.

The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100) is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics.

The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased to 4.1 per cent in January 2020 from 3.5 per cent in December 2019. Monthly change of NCPI recorded at 1.5 per cent in January 2020 and it was due to the price increases observed in the items of both Food and Non-food categories.

The increase in prices of items in the Food category was mainly caused by supply shortages occurred due to adverse weather conditions prevailed during the latter part of 2019. Within the Food category, prices of vegetables, coconut, red onions and fresh fish recorded increases in January 2020.

In addition, prices of items in the Non-Food category also recorded increases during the month owing to price increases of the items in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels (housing rent); Education (tuition fees); and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco sub-categories.

The core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, decreased from 5.2 per cent in December 2019 to 3.9 per cent in January 2020, on year-on-year basis, recording the lowest since January 2019. However, annual average core inflation remained at 5.6 per cent in January 2020.

The Lankan Angel Network (LAN) today announced that it has signed a landmark grant agreement with the Ford Foundation to catalyze the growth of Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem. The grant of USD 300,000 is the first of its kind for the Ford Foundation in Sri Lanka and will be utilized to reach entrepreneurs across multiple sectors island wide.

While Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, it is still very much focused in Colombo. The grant will focus on growing skills, entrepreneurship and reaching more people operating at the grassroots level. To achieve these goals, LAN will collaborate with key, long-term ecosystem partners working across the island.

Through LAN, the grant will help support the I AM HER program which empowers female entrepreneurs and develops the landscape for women-led startups in Sri Lanka; launch an Angel Fund to support early-stage startups, and; support Sri Lanka’s largest annual venture competition, Venture Engine, which has a mission to empower entrepreneurs. Other initiatives will focus on founder & funder education.

The Ford Foundation has a long history of working to advance innovation, fairness, opportunity, and human dignity around the world, including over 60 years in South Asia.

“We look forward to our partnership with Lankan Angel Network and their implementation of programs to accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka in order to address income and gender inequality,” said Pradeep Nair, Regional Director for Ford Foundation, India, Nepal & Sri Lanka.

The grant serves as a testament to the alignment of values between LAN, its partners and Ford Foundation, focused on empowering startups, spurring innovation across every level of industry and promoting equality and shared growth.

“Partnering with the Ford Foundation is an honour and a privilege for LAN. It’s an endorsement of our efforts and strengthens our vision for the next decade. With this support, we aim to promote entrepreneurship across the country,” said Mano Sekaram, Chairman, LAN. “Furthermore, we believe this partnership will provide much-needed expertise to accelerate the growing startup ecosystem.”

“Since the inception of LAN, one of our goals have been to reduce inequality via the empowerment of entrepreneurs. I am happy to note that a global organization such as the Ford Foundation, recognized our vision and have partnered us to accelerate the process via the eight programs planned for year 2020/21,” said Prajeeth Balasubramaniam, Founder LAN/Managing Partner BOVCapital.

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.

LAN is a platform for angel and private investors who invest in high growth early stage Sri Lankan ventures with the aim of creating an impact by reducing inequality.

 Bandula Karunaratne the Chairman of Tharanga Lands, a pioneer of the land sales in Sri Lanka, won the coveted Business Excellence Award at the recently concluded prestigious US based Business World International Organization (BWIO) Awards Ceremony held at the Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur (KL) Malaysia. The award was for their contribution towards the economy growth of Sri Lanka. There were over 60 awards presented at this awards ceremony for successful enterprises throughout the world representing various industries.

Speaking to the media the Chairman of Tharanga Lands said it was a privilege to be a winner at this prestigious awards ceremony and vowed to continue the winning streak, while making Sri Lanka proud.

Bandula Dias Wickramanayake Karunaratne who pioneered the business dating back to 1992 with a great vision of providing reliable quality, affordable and eco-friendly real estate solutions to the nation. He not only pioneered the business, but he also become a pioneer of the real estate industry in Sri Lanka too.

A Graduate of Commerce (B.Com.Special) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with great dedication, vision and expertise knowledge, the business saw a rapid and steady growth and popularity among the nation, emerged as a giant in the real estate industry within a short period of time.

The business transformed into a limited liability company in 2004 and had some landmark developments by opening a branch in Galle, while stationing its head office in Kottawa.

At present, Tharanga Land Sales (Pvt.) Ltd., is a prestigious company with branches throughout the island, having its corporate office in Kottawa and branch office in Galle. The workforce is more than 80, fully geared to cater their professional services with great care and dedication. Operations are carried out islandwide and our product and service supplier network and customer base is enormous. We provide our customers convenient payment methods and also assist them in obtaining bank loans. Every branch has a dedicated customer service hotline to contact directly and obtain information instantly.

Damitha Kumari Rathnayake assumed duties as the Acting General Manager/CEO of the National Savings Bank, yesterday.

Rathnayake is a well-known personality in the financial sector with an experience expanding well over a decade as the Director of the Treasury Operations Department of the Ministry of Finance, thus far.

She has served as a Director of People’s Bank and presently holds a directorate at the Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation. Graduated from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, she has obtained aMaster’s Degree in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo and in Economic Policy from the Australian National University.

Rathnayake is a past pupil of Maliyadeva Girls College, Kurunegala.

Sri Lanka Tourism in collaboration with the Federation of Environmental Organisations (FEO) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), successfully concluded Nature Interpretation Training for Jeep Drivers at the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks last year, while looking forward in continuing the same at the Yala National Park this year.

These programs are designed to educate jeep drivers on the importance of natural fauna and flora and especially on the importance of maintaining park discipline to reduce the frequent negative comments made by visitors.

The program was conducted by Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, (Former Director-General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Elephant Researcher), Nishad Wijethunga, (Committee Member of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators - SLAITO), Neranjana Gunetilleke (Historian) and Rahula Perera (Conservation Scientist and Nature Interpreter).

Over 1,100 safari jeep drivers were trained with the active participation of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Officials and the Wardens of Minneriya and Kaudulla Parks last year.

HNB PLC secured the No. 1 ranking on the prestigious ‘Business Today Top 30’, further consolidating on a remarkable reputation for excellence and a legacy of innovation in the Sri Lankan banking industry.

“We are both happy and deeply humbled to have topped the Business Today rankings, and at the outset, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at HNB for powering our remarkable journey to the top.

For over 130 years, we have supported Sri Lankans from all walks of life to pursue their aspirations and achieve their fullest potential, while also making impactful contributions towards developmental goals on a national scale.

“Our position at the top of this year’s rankings stands as further validation of the ambitious transformational journey which HNB has commenced. Our nation too is at a cross-roads and we cannot afford to waver in our mission to spread sustainable development and prosperity to all parts of the country. HNB remains totally committed to serve as a true partner in progress in this important journey,” Alles stated.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa presents the award to HNB Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody and HNB Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles at the Biz Today Top 30

HNB’s victory at this year’s awards marks the second time that the bank has topped the Biz Today Top 30 rankings since 1997. Business Today’s Top 30 Rankings were compiled following a series of stringent evaluations of all applicants by a panel of respected corporate sector veterans.

During the period in review, HNB’s strong financial performance, and proven ability to introduce novel technology-enabled capabilities, products, and services also helped the bank to secure the top spot in the most recent rankings.

Moreover, the Biz Today ranking is the latest in a string of accolades bestowed to HNB for its transformational approach to banking. Over the recent past, HNB was declared the Best Bank in Sri Lanka for 2019 for the third time by Euromoney Magazine, even as The Asian Banker Magazine bestowed the rare triennial honour of recognising HNB as the Best Managed Bank.

HNB was also ranked among the World Top 1000 Banks list compiled by the prestigious UK-based, Banker magazine for three years running upto 2019, further strengthening its status as Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent private sector bank.

Marina Square - Uptown Colombo was recently involved in the National Law Conference 2020 as their Official Real Estate Partner for the year 2019/2020.

The Conference, organized by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) was held last week where attorneys at law from all across the country gathered to discuss and study the topic for this year’s conference “Sri Lanka, a financial and commercial hub - vistas, challenges and opportunities”, referencing the exciting new development of the Colombo International Financial City (Port City).

The conference was also graced by President Gotabaya Rajapakse, acting as the Chief Guest, highlighting the importance of this conference to the country.

The Port City is currently being developed by one of the main Investors of Marina Square - Uptown Colombo, the China Harbour Engineering Company. The luxury condominium complex is also conveniently located just minutes away from the Port City, Fort Multimodal Transport Hub and leading schools, making it a central hub for all business and lifestyle activities.

With the completion of the Port City, it stands to offer a range of opportunities to those who reside within close proximity; thereby making Marina Square - Uptown Colombo a place that will be in high demand and a place that offers unmatched rental opportunities and highly rewarding future returns.

The condos could be used as a residence favorably located within the city limits or as a second home to enjoy the ease of access to surrounding locations for work and leisure. Lawyers, in particular, could stand to immensely benefit from its strategic location being just 2km away from the Colombo District Courts Complex. Marina Square - Uptown Colombo is a fully integrated mixed development and Sri Lanka’s first and largest harbor front development project by three internationally reputed industry giants; Access Engineering PLC, China Harbour Engineering Company and Mustafa Singapore. This multi-view luxury condominium complex offers a view of all surrounding scenery from the Colombo city skyline to the vast Indian Ocean to the burgeoning Port City. 

With the current critical Global scenario due to Covid-19 especially in China, it has severely disrupted Apparel supply chains from China. Apparel buyers are seeking alternatives to Chinese suppliers and trying to connect with Apparel manufacturers of other countries in Asia and Africa. While Apparel manufacturing nations like Bangladesh, Vietnam and even some African nations like Morocco are gearing up to capture market opportunity created due to the shutdown in China, search to find ideal new suppliers in other countries has become an impending challenge for buyers.

The only way to identify and connect with Global Apparel manufacturers from countries other than China thus remains in B2B Online Sourcing platforms and one of such leading high-quality platforms is GoSourcing365.com, the Worldwide Online B2B Networking and Sourcing platform which is exclusively focused to the Global Textile & Apparel Sourcing sector.

An Apparel Buyer’s instant access to Apparel factories or manufacturer’s information online in other regions of the world on GoSourcing365 makes it easier for buyers to see, compare and connect with worldwide Apparel suppliers.

Today more than half of the Global Apparel Sourcing buyers conduct their research on their computers or smartphones looking for Apparel manufacturers worldwide, reading about their products, comparing and interacting with the manufacturers online. And with the current world coronavirus scenario, the online research of buyers looking for manufacturers is seeing newer heights.

Our busy lifestyles mean that many of these activities take place on the go, between jobs or in meetings. An advanced B2B Apparel Sourcing Platform like GoSourcing365 is optimized for a high-quality experience for the buyers to see Verified Manufacturers, study their products and production capacities, compare them on GoSourcing365’s Online platform, shortlist manufacturers as their requirement and then network with them from their free account.

An Online Platform like GoSourcing365 tremendously saves an Apparel buyer with a lot of time, effort and money as with the ongoing global scenario, they now do not have to travel internationally and visit hundreds of factories or look for references scrutinizing for the right Apparel factory or manufacturer.

GoSourcing365 – an Apparel Sourcing website and a B2B Online Networking and Sourcing Platform for the Global Textiles & Apparel sector, makes Networking easy between Apparel Sourcing Buyers and Verified Apparel manufacturers fast, no matter where they are located around the world. BBC

Thrie Malee Jewellers, with its continual commitment to excellence in jewellery manufacturing becomes Sri Lankan’s first jeweler to be certified the coveted ISO 9001:2015 standards for Manufacturing and Selling of Gold Jewellery.

Thrie Malee Jewellers was chosen for its high standards in the category of jewellery manufacturing and customer service by an accomplished panel of judges comprised of eminent personalities from UK, honoring them for setting high standards for quality, innovation and value. The certification is primarily about highlighting each and every segment of the industry. It rewards inspiration, passion and motivation across the jewellery industry by the United Kingdom. SGS International issued this world-renowned certification after carrying out an audit, proving that Thrie Malee Jewellers services are compliant with national and international regulations and standards.

Awarding Officer Chamika Wimalasiri of SGS Sri Lanka, said that award was given as for Thrie Malee Jewellers for consistently upgrading its standard in jewellery manufacturing and sales service.

“ISO 9001:2015 enables an organization to demonstrate to its customers that its products and services are consistently offered at a high standard of quality, in addition to excellent quality creation and high demand jewellery.”

The driving force behind this great achievement is the chairman of Thrie Malee Jewellers, Kasun Rajasekera and founder of Malee Jewellers Ebert Rajasekera. Kasun Rajasekera, chairman of Thrie Malee Jewellers commented “Receiving this prestigious award was absolutely fantastic. Our success has proven the industry’s appreciation for our design, Karatage and High Quality Jewellery work. This latest award adds further weight to this and provides a seal of approval for its commercial appeal.”

He added “We would like to thank our staff, customers and well-wishers for all the love and support which encouraged us to achieve this level of excellence.”

The origin of Thrie Malee Jewellers was way back in 1974 when Ebert Rajasekera with just five craftsmen started a small shop under the banner Malee Jewellers and subsequently in 1992 opened his first Thrie Malee Gold House showroom in Nittambuwa.

Cool Tempo (Pvt) Ltd was awarded as the recipient of “The Most Reliable Event Management Solution Provider in Sri Lanka” at the prestigious Global MICE and luxury travel congress and awards. Being acknowledged as the most reliable event management brand at an international platform cements the company’s reputation for providing top-notch facilitation to international clients.

The award was presented on 12th February 2020 at Taj Lands End in Mumbai, India, which brought together leading professionals related to tourism and hospitality management. The significance of Global MICE and luxury travel congress and awards lies in recognizing the achievements of the industry players who are augmenting the hospitality and tourism industry in India.

Chairman of Cool Tempo (Pvt) Ltd, Kamesh Malwana says: “We are pleased with this achievement as one of the pioneer event management companies in Sri Lanka.

It is motivating for our team and reassuring for our clients to know they are in the right place where the best event management solutions are available.

I hope this will attract new clients and we can help improve quality of events by providing them with the best event management solutions.”