Reuters: While most attention in the gadget world is on the breakneck pace of innovation in mobile phones, tablets and computers, another device has resolutely refused to die: the camera. Despite the onslaught of camera phones – the iPhone 4 has this year become the most popular device for posting snaps to the photo-sharing website ...

By EMMA STONEY New York Times: WELLINGTON — When you think of Sri Lanka, rugby is not generally something that springs readily to mind. The island nation is certainly better known for cricket, tea exports and its recently ended civil war. But Sri Lanka’s British colonial forefathers left behind more than cricket as a sporting ...

By Marianne David HSBC and the British Council launched ‘HSBC Youth Enterprise Awards 2012’ yesterday, a business plan contest aimed at recognising young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Open to Sri Lankan undergraduates, postgraduates and students aged 16 to 26 representing universities, private higher education institutions, technical and vocational institutions and professional training ...

Less than a year after starting up on its own, the company prepares to replicate its Indian success in Sri LankaJubilant FoodWorks, the master franchisee of Dominos Pizza for South Asia, last year set up its own subsidiary company in Sri Lanka, moving away from the franchisee partnership which held the fort for the Group ...

HNB Pathum Vimana, the biggest deposit draw in Sri Lanka, has rewarded countless Sri Lankans with amazing prizes over the last twenty years. The lucky winners of the Pathum Vimana 2011 draw received their prizes at a ceremony organized by Hatton National Bank. The prize presentation for the winners was held at HNB Towers on ...

Wins four coveted metalsLeo Burnett Solutions Inc., the Sri Lankan office of the globally recognised network dominated the Goa Fest advertising award festival by winning four coveted metals in a cross section of categories, for its clients Cargills Ceylon, Akzo Nobel – Dulux and the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) last weekend in Goa. ...

By Jack and Suzy Welch Reuters: Remember that incompetent boss you used to have? He was a good guy and all, but he just couldn’t make decisions or prioritise. Perhaps worst of all, he tried to make everyone happy, resulting in almost everyone being angry or confused or both.  And remember how long it took ...

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it expects at least a ten per cent spike in number of Gulf visitors to the country this summer lured by its family-friendly attractions, refined shopping experience and a sleepless nightlife. Singapore has already received more than 14,000 visitors from the UAE during the first quarter of 2012, up 8 ...

HSBC Signature cardholders, an exclusive circle of customers, have been offered a 10 per cent discount on Emirates First and Business Class travel from Colombo to ten popular destinations. The exciting promotion valid from 1 April to 30 June is applicable for both return and one-way tickets purchased on-line via www.emirates.com/lk from 1 April to ...

Emmanuel Ray, winner of Fashions Finest’s Fashion Icon of the Year award (2011), has been asked to officially open Gibraltar Fashion Week commencing 19 April 2012. Emmanuel will meet with fashion designers, press and a selection of important members of the Gibraltarian government. Reene Weston, designer and organiser had the following to say about why she chose ...

Last Sunday when the unknown Ajinkya Rahane scored 103 runs off just 60 balls at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, which helped the Rajasthan Royals to score a massive 195 runs at IPL season five, my mind went to just one ethos the IPL is all about – highlighting performance. It is how IPL ...

With ending of the Maha season paddy harvesting, newspapers and TV have been highlighting problems encountered by farmers in disposing of their harvest. Due excellent weather, free from drought, flood and disease, farmers have received a bumper crop but the problem is to convert the harvest into cash, in order to settle debts incurred in ...

THE Sri Lankan office of the global advertising agency Leo Burnett  has once again made history with its award winning short film, “Pass it on when you’re done with it“ making it into the prestigious Gunn “Showreel of the year” Report. The commercial has made an appearance in the “Top 100 Creative Ideas of 2011” ...

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 ...