Union Bank of Colombo PLC (UBC) held the ‘Mega Dinum’ promotion grand draw prize awarding ceremony on Tuesday at its Colpetty Branch. The winner of the super prize of a brand new Suzuki A Star motor car and two years free fuel was produced by the UBC Old Moor Street branch. The winner, M. Yoganathan, ...

‘Construction Expo 2012’ is set to be held on 29, 30 June and 1 July 2012 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre. Since the event’s inception it has grown by leaps and bounds showcasing the most innovative technology and services around the world under a common platform. The event is set to be one ...

The premier world-wide sustainability merit ‘Green Globe Certification’ was achieved by Cinnamon Lodge Habarana with a compliance of 78% of the 248 preset standards. The five star resort located in the heart of the cultural triangle was constructed keeping the idea of ‘going green’ in mind. The 27 acre property was an arid piece of ...

The Mlesna Tea Centre at Majestic City was re-launched with a sophisticated and stylish new look recently. The Tea Centre now carries a wider range of premium quality tea for the benefit of tea lovers and connoisseurs of Sri Lanka as well as for overseas visitors. The much sought after Mlesna Tea Centre at Majestic ...

Autogrill Lanka Limited, the leading duty free retailer at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), gave its patrons the chance to feel the loud, powerful and exhilarating experience of the Formula 1 (F1) Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, which will be held from 23 to 25 September in Singapore, through a unique promotion. Customers who purchased selected products ...

The policy changes, reforms and modernisation since Budget 2011 appears to have been the context of a presentation made to the Joint Apparel Association Forum in July 2011 by the “leading light” in finance, planning, treasury management and economic development. Sri Lanka background 2000-’10 The presentation articulates the background issues experienced from 2000 to 2010. ...

Last week I received an invite for an ‘Inventors Day Celebration’ in one of the leading schools in the country and the master in charge shared a thought that I felt was a cutting edge idea. Apparently, every one of us is an inventor in some part of our daily life. The issue is that ...

Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi, two of the most destructive batsmen in the history of cricket, are set to dazzle fans at the Karp Group Hong Kong Cricket Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club from 28-30 October 2011. Joining them in the All Stars line-up are a coterie of premier cricketers from around the globe ...

In what is likely to be major breakthrough to the litigation-filled long-drawn-out impasse at Hilton Colombo-owning company Hotel Developers Plc (HDL), a proposal for an amicable win-win settlement has been presented to the Treasury. Sources said that as per the proposals with four options studied by Treasury, major shareholder Cornel Perera (owning 56% but held ...

Targets hotel sector; offers seven FCS products to local customersBy Cheranka Mendis Supporting the boost in tourism, integrated solution provider Fentons Limited forged a partnership with one of the world’s leading hospitality solution providers, FCS Computer Systems, on Wednesday, offering Sri Lankan hospitality industrialists world class solutions for their companies. The partnership, whi...

The gem mining sub-sector grew by 7.9% in 2010. The gem and jewellery exports too reported 1.56% positive growth in 2010. Even in the first-half of 2011, increased earnings from mineral exports were led by higher exports of gems which increased by 35.5% in the first half of 2011, according to the Central Bank. The ...

Following an impressive 125-run victory inside four days at Galle, Australia can wrap up a series victory over Sri Lanka when the second Test starts in Kandy on Thursday. The visitors seized the upper hand on a surface described as a dustbowl, but the early indication is the Pallekele International Stadium pitch looks a more ...

By Cheranka Mendis Pioneers in ayurvedic hospitals and resorts, Hettigoda Group yesterday ceremonially opened its newly renovated Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort in Wadduwa. The resort which has been completely renovated and refurbished at a cost of Rs. 150 million in a period of two months is looking at expanding and adding more features within the ...

Business leader Dhammika Perera sells 51% personal stake in Amaya Leisure to Hayleys Group for Rs. 2.6 b and buys 9% more of the latter for same amount Deputy Chairman’s control in Hayleys tops 40%; Hayleys Group firms pay Rs. 107 per Amaya share after getting independent report valuing share at Rs. 160; to announce ...

Galle, (AFP): Australian debutant Nathan Lyon said taking five wickets in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday was like living a dream. Australia's Nathan Lyon jumps (above) as he celebrates with teammates after completing five wickets during the second day of their first test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Galle September 1, ...

Ex-England skipper Martin Corry during a three day visit to Sri Lanka to train the Navy rugby team finds time to have a chat with Daily FT. His visit was arranged and funded by Frontier Automotive Ltd., sole agent for Land Rover in Sri Lanka, Principal Sponsor of the Sri Lanka Navy Rugby teamBy Sachin ...

The premier world-wide sustainability merit ‘Green Globe Certification’ was achieved by Bentota Beach Hotel. The Green Globe certification requires conformity to 248 preset standards, some of which being energy efficient measures, emission reduction, effective water management and waste management systems with to emphasis on reduce, recycle and reuse. The team at Bentota Beach Hotel im...

Stock Broking firm Capital Alliance suggests that the 2.6 million tourist arrivals target isn’t a pipedream but achievable though it will be only by 2020, which is 4 years later than the Government and industry set timeline of 2016. “The Government projects 2.5m arrivals in 2016, but the industry will lack the rooms and trained ...

Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka ’s exotic southeast coastline, is set to welcome 96 top world surfers from 19 countries spanning Argentina , Peru , USA across the globe to New Zealand , to compete in SriLankan Airlines Pro Surfing contest held in association with Australasia ’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) from 30th August – ...

Cross Border Academy (CBA) is one of the primary hospitality education providers in Sri Lanka, with a highly-reputed team of lecturers who possess decades of hands-on experience in the hotel and tourism industry. The academy is partnered with Dimensions Education Group of Singapore, which was established in 1980 and Wissen Academy of Singapore, the subsidiary ...

Exponential 575% rise in comparison to FY2010’s figure of Rs. 155 m; Posts Rs. 829 m net profit attributable to equity holders; Turnover more than doubles to Rs. 10.6 b FY2012 1Q revenue up 162% to Rs. 4.4 b; after tax profit up 257% to Rs. 368 m Assets worth Rs. 34.3 b, up from ...

With the tourism boom now experienced in Sri Lanka and projections to attract 2.5 million tourists per annum by the year 2016 seemingly going well according to plan, the country is currently positioning itself on the global tourism map as a star product. “But in order to do this, we need a long term marketing ...

By Marianne David Warm, welcoming and exuding good cheer, the Cinnamon Lakeside’s newest General Manager Denis Gruhier perfectly fits into the best qualities the hospitable hotel is well-known for and his affirmation of Sri Lanka’s optimistic post-war outlook for tourism in particular and the country in general is welcoming news indeed. Having joined the Lakeside ...

Firzan Mulafer, Arc Worldwide Sri Lanka’s Engagement Planner, has taken up the posting of Engagement Planning Director for Arc Worldwide in Bangkok with responsibilities extending across the South East Asian region. Arc Worldwide is the integrated communications specialist arm of Leo Burnett Worldwide. Starting as a Brand Manager at Arc Worldwide in 2006 Mulafer was ...

After two decades, Hilton Colombo owning company Hotel Developers finally releases accounts Accumulated losses by end FY 2009/2010 top Rs. 10 billion Revaluation of hotel results in Rs. 4.7 b gain yet company beset with negative networth of Rs. 4.7 b as against Rs. 8.26 b in 2008/9 Total outstanding loans and borrowings near Rs ...

President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga delivered the keynote address as the Guest of Honour at the FutureGov Forum Sri Lanka 2011 in Colombo recently. Addressing the gathering, he asserted that it was the President’s leadership that led to the great achievements recorded by the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka even under the trying circumstances of wartime. ...

The night of unforgettable music promises to provide dazzling entertainment for all and will feature the great musical family of Sri Lanka; the Bahars and will showcase the musical legacy, energy and iconic performances of this musical family, who have in their own right, left an indelible mark on the local western music scene. The ...

Our ‘poli-socionomic’ dialogue You will recall that like Capt. Kirk in his Star Ship-Enterprise,’ we also ventured into new territory with our first discussions under this theme ‘poli-socionomics,’ which appears to have caught on somewhat; thus, on behalf of those of us who still dare to think, I must thank those editors who carried it. ...

Arugam Bay gears up for world title championshipBy Cheranka Mendis Sri Lanka’s very own world class surfing destination, Arugam Bay, will welcome 96 world class surfers from 19 countries in what is known to be the world’s first combined competition for the ASP 6-star women’s event and the ASP men’s World Longboard Title (WLT) later ...

Bangkok: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has published a 24-page analysis of the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (MICE) industry in Asia. The report, in the latest edition of PATA’s Issues & Trends, shows that Asia accounts for 16% of total meetings worldwide. Asian destinations are increasingly seeking to attract MICE visitors as they ...