Reuters: U.S. employers hired far fewer workers in March than in previous months, keeping the door open for the Federal Reserve to provide more monetary support for a still sluggish economy. The report was seized upon by Republicans hoping to make the weak economy the centerpiece of their campaign for November’s presidential and congressional elections. ...

In Sri Lanka, a joyous festive celebration is not complete without a loud blast of firecrackers. The auspicious times celebrated during Sinhala and Tamil New Year are traditionally marked by ear-splitting sounds that reverberate across the length and breadth of the country. How did firecrackers and fireworks become popular? How did it all start?   ...

News Butterfly, the unique TV programme from the US’ FOX news network, is now filming in Colombo for an exclusive segment on Sri Lanka’s new upswing. News Butterfly Market Place (NBMP) is described as a ‘unique women’s movement on TV’. According to NBMP, ‘the programme is a TV Channel venture for beautiful and talented women ...

nAward-winning carrier spends Rs. 200 m on plush dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers and Skywards Gold members Emirates has opened its own dedicated passenger lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake (BIA), becoming the first international airline to invest in such a facility at the BIA. Completed at a cost of Rs. ...

The challenges Sri Lanka has to face in its march towards development are manifold. Although the war has ended the wrong political ideologies, the proposals and timetables it created are still in operation. By Government Information Department Additional Director General Chandrapala Liyanage Similarly, various social activity groups and individuals and organisations operating under the advice ...

The appointment of tycoon Harry Jayawardena’s daughter to the Board of Hatton National Bank (HNB) on Friday has brought with it several interesting developments. Harry J resigned from the HNB Board in December 2011 after being on it for over 20 years. Harry-controlled companies own 18.3% voting shares and 15% of total capital. A nominee ...

Seylan Bank has already awarded a total of 7890 winners in its blockbuster ‘Thagi Pita Thagi’ draw since its grand launch in October last year. Hailing from different parts of Sri Lanka, the lucky customers have won from an array of prizes such as monthly Rs. 1 million, motor bikes, LCD TVs, refrigerators, home entertainment ...

The Platinum Honours is an annual event that is held by the Alumni of the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) in order to recognise the PIM graduates who perform exceptionally well in their careers. This is a prestigious recognition that motivates graduates to continue with significant growth and performance. This year’s ceremony will be held ...

Mohamed Reyaz Mihular took the helm of KPMG Sri Lanka with effect from 1 April 2012 with his appointment as the Managing Partner and Country Head of the Firm. Reyaz has been with KPMG Sri Lanka for over 30 years and during this time his contribution, both to the firm and the field of accountancy, ...

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children, as the Native American proverb goes. It is with this philosophy in mind that Jetwing Hotels will be participating in the Earth Hour campaign on 31 March. Jetwing will be the first Sri Lankan hotel chain to do so and ...

HSBC has partnered the Export Development Board (EDB) to be the Principal Sponsor – Banking Sector of the Sri Lanka Expo 2012, which began yesterday at the BMICH. It is on until Saturday from 10.a.m. to 8.p.m. The premier international trade fair aptly themed ‘Partnering with the Hub of Asia’ is expected to attract over ...

With the recent relaxing of the rupee exchange rate and subsequent increase in fuel prices, trade unions and the opposition parties are conducting protest campaigns against the Government, demanding a reduction in oil prices and the cost of living. This article investigates the living conditions of citizens in the recent past and present, quality and ...

Sri Lanka Expo 2012 will kick off from 28 to 31 March at Sirimavo Bandaranayke Memorial Exhibition Centre of BMICH, under the theme ‘Partnering with the Hub of Asia.’ This event will be organised by the Export Development Board. Having foreseen the importance of Expo 2012 to promote Sri Lanka as a destination, Sri Lanka ...

Titan Fleet Management, France a specialist yacht management company places confidence in Colombo for their repair requirements on super luxury yacht Lauren L. This seven star category 90 meter long yacht called in for repairs on 1 February. The luxury yacht called in for her 10 year class survey repairs coupled with hull surface preparation ...

aHSBC has partnered Asia Exhibition and Conventions to hold the biggest exclusive lifestyle fair, ‘The Big Deal,’ scheduled to be held from 23-25 March at the BMICH. This comes in the wake of the bank’s latest campaign, ‘Wake Up!’ which inspires customers to live their unspoken dreams with the assistance of a Lifestyle Loan.   ...

To encourage the habit of saving among the women of Sri Lanka and further strengthen their financial capacity, People’s Bank has named the period between 8 March and 8 April as ‘Vanitha Vasana Month in commemorating International Women’s Day. People’s Bank CEO/GM N. Vasantha Kumar accepting a ‘Vanitha Vasana’ deposit as Head Office Branch Manager ...

 Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. commercial titled, ‘Pass it on when you’re done with it’ created for the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) continues its winning streak with a metal win in the Film Lotus category under the sub category Single Best of Social Engagement at Adfest 2012. The film made its mark in the ...

By Cassandra Mascarenhas Asia Broadcasting Corporation Chairman Rayynor Silva confidently promised that the network’s first television channel Hiru TV will shake up the television industry in Sri Lanka, uplifting standards and setting the bar of expectations of the viewers of television in Sri Lanka. Scheduled to be launched on 3 May, the television channel will ...

When one saw recent pictures of a fit and energetic Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Inc. dashing downfield with a football, for a moment many would have wondered if football in Sri Lanka had indeed found a new sponsor, the State itself! But with the Minister of Sports watching intently, we were soon to realise ...

Can clothes, fashion accessories and makeup make a country look democratic?Dictators have begun to dress up their autocratic regimes in the manner of democracies with all the mod cons that help to pass off a system of government, which is for all purposes a dictatorship, as a five-star democracy. This in the manner that a ...

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa on Sunday declared open the newly built Amethyst Resort in Passikudah. Amethyst Resort Passikudah is an investment of Arrc Capital, whose directors include, Rohini Nanayakkara and Rajan Asirwatham. The total investment on the project will reach Rs. 750 million at the end of its completion. Minister of Coconut Development ...

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the nation’s telecommunications powerhouse, launched a new Technology Experience Centre, a platform where enterprise and SME customers can experience first-hand the company’s enhanced services provided through state-of-the-art technology. The one-of-a-kind SLT Technology Experience Centre is located at the Company’s head office premises at Fort, Colombo. ...

By D.C. Ranatunga “We bear a very heavy responsibility to build up this service with great care, vigilance and intellectual integrity so that the people of this country belonging to different ethnic groups, believing in four different faiths, of diverse economic groups, living in varying environments, urban and rural, with different levels of literacy and ...

ATHENS (Reuters): Greece’s cabinet unanimously approved the terms of its international bailout on Wednesday, hours after euro zone countries formally approved the 130 billion euro financial package that Athens needs to stay afloat. The deal to keep Greece funded until 2014 will now be sent for approval to the Greek parliament, which is expected to ...

The MBA Alumni Association of the University of Colombo presents the Management Conference 2012, themed ‘Beyond Traditional Boundaries,’ which promises to bring together a diverse group of individuals, each of whom has dared to go beyond conventional limits and as a result, excelled in their respective fields. The conference will be held today at the ...

CHANNEL 4 has done it again. Just as the Government approaches a crucial time in lobbying to defeat a US resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, the axe seems to have dropped again. However, whether the video which is to be aired on Wednesday will have a crippling effect on the ...

Business class passengers, departing Bandaranaike International Airport on SriLankan Airlines, to any of its 34 online destinations, could avail of a unique ‘Silk Route’ offer which streamlines check-in, customs, immigration and security formalities. The ‘Silk Route’ experience is the latest addition to SriLankan’s premium Business class product, commen...

Sri Lanka’s first television channel dedicated to sports, Carlton Sports Network (CSN) last week completed its first year of successful operations. CSN which started its journey broadcasting only in Colombo has within the year reached islandwide status by launching seven transmission channels a few months after the start of operations. The channel, which features premier ...

Janashakthi Insu-rance PLC has entered in to an agreement with India’s multi-specialty dental clinic and orthodontic centre, Dentavista Healthcare Private Limited to launch a unique, one of its kind dental insurance scheme. The scheme Denta Shakthi, allows customers routine treatments such as scaling and root canals plus specific orthodontic and implantology treatment of dental implants, ...

Sri Lanka’s most popular deposit draw scheme ‘HNB Pathum Vimana 2012’ was launched recently for the 20th year, offering   prizes worth millions of rupees and many more. In an interview, HNB Assistant General Manager, Personal Financial Services R.M.P Dayawansa said HNB Pathum Vimana is the most attractive rewarding scheme in the country that has been ...