BIZ BRIEFS

LG smartphones - World’s number three

According to export statistics of mobile phone manufacturers across the world, the number of smartphones exported exceeded the numbers of feature phones exported for the first time, last month.

A recent Reuters report stated that LG Electronics Inc of Korea has emerged as the world’s number three smartphone maker in the $ 223 billion market, spurred on by record sales of high-end models of the LG Optimus series.

CASL appoints training partners

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) recently appointed The Autodrome PLC and the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation as strategic level training partners.

At a ceremony recently, the Institute’s Vice President Arjuna Herath awarded the strategic level training partner certificate to Jt. Managing Director of The Autodrome, Rajeev A.J. Aloysius.

Herath also awarded the training partner certificate to DGM, HR of the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation T. B. Chandrasekera.

Economic summit on July 9

Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Anoop Singh will deliver the keynote speech at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2013 on July 9.

Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation and Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Sarath Amunugama will be the chief guest.

With this year’s theme for the summit being ‘Re-Balancing the Economy', the discussions are expected to produce strategies that can be adopted by the private sector and the Government to face the challenges in the region.

HP introduces modern printers

HP recently introduced the latest inkjet innovation for businesses including the HP Officejet Pro X series.

“The HP Officejet Pro X476 dw MFP and HP Officejet Pro X451dw printer deliver high-quality professional documents at up to twice the speed and half the cost of colour lasers. These devices will meet the needs of work-teams with up to 15 users printing upto approximately 4,200 pages a month,” a spokesman for the company said.

Customs launches on-line system

Sri Lanka Customs and the Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) launched an online standardised vehicle valuation system for the import of brand new and reconditioned vehicles at the Customs head office in Colombo last week.The system will streamline the process of valuing, clearing and taxation for the vehicle importing community. The new system will also prevent undervaluation of imported vehicles and other import scams.

The new valuations can be viewed on the VIAL and Customs websites. Other models will also be added to the list in the near future. The system will include a depreciation-based aging system that calculates the value of each vehicle based on the year of make, the age of the vehicle and hence the value will reduce accordingly on a six-month basis.

Browns sponsors SAPSA’s Sisu Nena Pahana

Sri Lanka School of Agriculture Past Students General Association (SAPSA) has initiated Browns-SAPSA, Sisu Nena Pahana, a training program for the students of Sri Lanka School of Agriculture. The program commenced on May 30 at the Sri Lanka School of Agriculture, Kundasale. Director General of Agriculture, K.G. Sriyapala was present.

The first program was sponsored by the Brown & Co. Plc.Browns conducted a workshop on four wheeled tractors and use of other agricultural implements. The programs are conducted in Sinhala and Tamil languages. The agricultural division of the Browns designed this program with practical and theoretical sessions. This will enhance the knowledge of the students on agricultural machinery and its use.Using of agricultural machinery and modern technology has become a must to enhance agricultural productivity and maximise yield.

SLT PEO TV partners Rangiri TV

SLT PEO TV will telecast programs of Rangiri Sri Lanka Television, a channel focusing on educational, cultural and Buddhist programs. The channel will add a new dimension to religious television programming with rich cultural and educational content. Rangiri Sri Lanka Television is one of the first cultural and educational channels to nurture Buddhist and cultural interaction in society.

Group Chief Executive Officer, SLT, Lalith de Silva said, "We are proud of the launch of Rangiri Sri Lanka Television on SLT PEO TV, which will help spread Buddhist teaching and enrich society."
 

MSTI wins award

The Mercantile Seamen Training Institute (MSTI) won the Seatrade 'Education and Training' Award at the Seatrade Awards ceremony held parallel to the Sri Lanka Ports, Trade and Logistics Conference and Exhibition 2013.

"We are privileged to receive the Seatrade 'Education and Training' Award in recognition of our excellence in maritime training. This is yet another milestone in our pioneering journey stretching back more than 26 years when the Mercantile Seamen Training Institute was set up on the seafront in Galle to train youth to become professional seafarers," said Chief Operating Officer of Mercmarine Group of Companies, Capt. Rohan Codipilly.

CILT-Sri Lanka AGM

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport - Sri Lanka (CILT-SL) held its Annual General Meeting at the auditorium of the National Chamber of Commerce recently.

Romesh David of John Keells Transportation Group was re-elected Chairman. Niral Kadawatharatchie, Namalie Siyambalapitiya and Gayani de Alwis were also re-elected as Vice Chairpersons while Channaka de Alwis and Upali Gunawardena were retained as Secretary and Treasurer.

The Chairman said that the CILT-SL has made massive strides in engaging the men and women in the industry through its YPF and WILAT initiatives (Young Professionals' Forum and women in Logistics and Transport).

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport - Sri Lanka is a territorial organisation of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport - International, one of the largest professional institute in the world for professionals and aspiring professionals in the field of logistics and transport.

TAG Heuer partners FIA Formula E Championship

TAG Heuer, a manufacturer of luxury timepieces, has signed on as Official Timekeeper, Official Watch and Chronograph and Founding Partner of the new FIA Formula E Championship.

The agreement was signed at TAG Heuer's headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by President and CEO of TAG Heuer, Jean-Christophe Babin and CEO of Formula E Holdings, Alejandro Agag.

Commercial Bank, Deputy General Manager Marketing, Hasrath Munasinghe presents the lamp to Consultant Pathologist of the National Eye Hospital, Dr. Manel Pasqual. Doctors, staff of the hospital and officials of the bank look on.

ComBank presents slit lamp to Eye Hospital

The CSR Trust of Commercial Bank of Ceylon presented a slit lamp to the National Eye Hospital as part of the Bank's CSR initiatives in the sphere of health. The slit lamp facilitates an examination of the frontal structures and posterior segment of the human eye, including the eyelid, sclera, conjunctiva, iris, natural crystalline lens and cornea. The binocular Slit Lamp examination provides a stereoscopic magnified view of the eye structures in detail, enabling anatomical diagnosis of various eye conditions.

According to hospital authorities, a daily patient turnout of around 200 is recorded at the eye clinic where the slit lamp is installed.