BIZ BRIEFS

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has initiated a mobile 'voice portal'. This would enable mobile phone users to access the services of government departments.

A stamp fee too would be levied for the required information or services sought, while payments could be made through the voice portal.

Copies of important documents such as birth certificates could be obtained in the future by accessing this portal and requesting for the delivery of documents to the claimant's address.

Sri Lanka and Russia trade up

Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Russia which topped $ 360 m is set to significantly increase bilateral cooperation across diverse economic sectors. The Russian Federation is the single largest buyer of Pure Ceylon Tea.

Russia will extend its support to Sri Lanka's power and energy sectors. A Russian nuclear-power team with scientists will arrive this month to study the potential of the country's energy sector.

Chinese is one millionth tourist

Sri Lanka tourism welcomed the one millionth tourist in 2012, achieving another milestone in the country's booming tourism industry.

Jiang Ying and her husband Yang Bo arrived in Sri Lanka via flight UL 889 from Beijing on December 30. Tourist arrivals at present indicate a growth of 17 percent compared to the previous year.

The total revenue surpassed $ one b. The industry has set an ambitious target of 2.5 million tourists and attract $ 3 b FDIs by 2016. Plans are also underway to position Sri Lanka as the world's most 'treasured' island for tourism.

Stretchtec wins award

Managing Director of Stretchtec (Pvt) Ltd, Nihal Pathirage won an award at the Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 organised by the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) at the Waters Edge. Here Pathirage receives the award from the Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board, Janaka Ratnayake. Former President of FCCISL, Patrick Amarasinghe and CEO of FCCISL, Nalin Attygalle look on.

Consular conference

The 6th Consular Conference meeting was held in Latvia recently. It was attended by 95 Honorary Consuls from fifty countries.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis and State Secretary Andris Teikmanis expressed the thanks and gratitude of the government to the Honorary Consuls for their hard work and all their efforts to date of promoting and protecting Latvia’s business and economic interest and providing assistance to Latvian nationals in different situations.

Dr. L.N. Senaweera receives Fellowship from ASQ

The Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Dr. L.N. Senaweera has received a Fellowship from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) an organisation which supports the development and enhancement of the knowledge of professionals in the field of quality.

Dr. Senaweera has also received a Fellowship from the International Institution of Quality Assurance, UK.

Lanka Aluminium launches sliding window system

Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC launched the new sliding window system, 'Lux' range recently.

Managing Director of Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC, Dinal Peries said, “Sliding window designs manufactured locally are over three decades old”.

“The new technology introduced for the aluminium sliding window will no doubt boost the local manufacturing industry in keeping with the new vision of Sri Lanka” he said.

MBSL seminar

The Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka PLC (MBSL)will hold a seminar 'Three perspectives of managing business' at the Cinnamon Lakeside on Tuesday, January 29 at 4 pm.

On the same day MBSL will launch a book titled 'Knowledge Dissemination to the Business Community' containing all the knowledge dissemination networking programs conducted by them from 1998 to educate the business community and build relationships in business.

The seminar targets organisations seeking capital (debt/ equity), medium to large businesses with slower growth, organisations planning strategic restructuring and new investments, managing directors, directors of companies, chief executive officers, general managers, chief financial officers, finance managers, portfolio managers, analysts, financial accountants, management accountants, staff of audit firms, financial advisory and consultancy firm staff, listed companies, banks and insurance companies and people with interest in restructuring and benefitting from tax exemptions.

Munchee donates media unit to Nikaweratiya school

Group Managing Director of Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) Ms. Sheamalee Wickramasingha, recently inaugurated a media unit donated under the Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana program at the Jayanthi Navodhya Vidyalaya, Nikaweratiya. A large gathering including the principal, teachers, students and community leaders in the area were present.
Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana is the Community Development Initiative of CBL and under which over 50 projects have been already donated in various parts of the country including the North and the East.

Singer Mega showroom in Malabe

A new Singer Mega showroom was opened in Malabe recently. A wide range of renowned lifestyle brands and products will be available under one roof at Singer Mega, Malabe. Here the Group CEO Singer Sri Lanka, Asoka Peiris, Director Operations, Singer Sri Lanka, Premalal de Silva and Sales Manager, Modern Trade, Dhammika Guruge open the new Singer Mega showroom in Malabe

Janashakthi rewards top performers

Janashakthi Insurance rewarded 100 of its top performing employees with a holiday to
Dubai recently. They spent six days in Dubai taking part in various team- building and
leisure activities. Janashakthi Insurance which spends over Rs 30 m per annum on human
capital development and training, continuously ventures towards uplifting the service
standards of market delivery and pro-people market innovation,” a spokesman for the
company said.