[Biz Briefs]

Five Star Excellence Awards organised by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau is held annually to reward the best foreign employment agency. Emerald Isle Manpower and Travel Service was adjudged the best agency this year. Here Emerald Isle Manpower and Travel Service, CEO and MD Hemantha Sapumohotti receives the award from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.                                                                                                              Pic: Sudath Malaweera

BoC launches corporate solutions

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) has achieved an unassailable position in providing exclusive corporate financial solutions for private and Government sector corporate entities.

The vast asset base it possesses has enabled BoC to earn the highest single borrower exposure limit, thus enabling it to comfortably meet any macro investment objective of any corporate giant in the country.

The Bank has assigned every corporate client the service of a dedicated and specialised relationship manager to build a financial relationship that will guide the customer to find the right financial solution to make business decision-making smoother.

MBSL debentures oversubscribed

The listed debt offer of the Merchant bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) for Rs. 2 billion was oversubscribed on Thursday and closed on the same day, bank sources said.

MBSL offered 2,000,000 unsecured redeemable debentures of Rs. 100 each on November 5.

'Mihin Lanka offers affordable flights'

Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka's national low-cost carrier, prides itself on providing customers with a comfortable flying experience, at an affordable price.

In a recent customer testimonial, Chief Technical Officer, Ceylinco Insurance PLC, Jagath Alwis shared his Mihin Lanka experience. "I have flown international airlines from around the world, but whenever possible, I try to fly Mihin Lanka.

There's something special about flying in a national airline, you feel more special and the ground and cabin crew always take great care of you," he said.

Tourist arrivals increase

The number of tourist arrivals increased by 13.6 percent to 121,576 in October 2014 compared to the previous year according to official statistics released last week. The growth is driven by India, UK and China.

In the nine months of 2014 arrivals were up by 21.5 percent to 1,228,754. South Asian visitors were down 10.7 percent to 35,718 compared to the same month last year with arrivals from India, Sri Lanka's top market, up 19.8 percent to 26,148.Arrivals form United Kingdom, the second biggest market for Sri Lanka was up 2.7 percent to 10,112 compared to the same month last year.Sri Lanka targets 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year with a focus on achieving 2.5 million of tourists by the end of 2016.

Lenovo reports rise in profits

Chinese computer giant Lenovo has beaten expectations to record a 19% rise in net profits for the three months to September.

The world's biggest maker of personal computers reported profits of US $262 million (£163.8 million).

In October, Lenovo completed its takeover of Google's Motorola Mobility division, which gave it control of the unit's Moto and Droid-branded handsets, and 3,500 new employees, including 2,800 based in the US.

- BBC

Jasi passes away

N. Jayasingam who until recently served as Chairman of EB Creasy and the Lankem Group of Companies, passed away after a brief illness.

Jayasingam, 'Jasi', the eldest son of the late Professor Nadaraser, Senior lecturer and Reader in Mathematics at the University of Ceylon, had his education at Royal College and after his secondary schooling completed the B.Com Degree at the University of London.On completion of his tertiary education in 1952, Jasi joined the trading firm Harrisons and Crossfield Ltd as an Accountant. British Trading and Agency houses which were manned by expatriate staff had begun recruiting Sri Lankan executives and Jasi was in the first batch at Harrisons, the others being Douglas Fonseka, Satchi Canagasabey and John Hitcock.

His career flourished at Harrisons and he was responsible for the import and export business of the firm.On retirement he was invited to join the Boards of EB Creasy and Lankem Ceylon and several other companies of the Fort Lands Group.

The privatisation of plantations saw him spearheading the diversification of the Group into plantation management.

Panasonic launches Android-based smartphones

The global electronics major, Panasonic, launched its mobile phone series in Sri Lanka by extending its innovative product portfolio and services to users in the country. Panasonic introduced its Android-based smartphone series including its internationally acclaimed Eluga series in the Sri Lankan market.

The company launched Eluga, which is known for its design, superior build quality and unique user interface for single hand operation, along with its 'P' and 'T' series particularly for the youth segment.

The revolutionary series of Panasonic smartphones is targeted at the young generation – from the always-on-the-go college youth, to the premium executive class on the lookout for innovative, faster and savvier smartphones.

Abans introduces modern refrigerator

Abans is the sole agent in Sri Lanka for LG Electronics of Korea. Abans showcase a wide range of LG products through a network of showrooms and authorised dealers across the country.

The company makes products affordable to consumers with easy payment terms. The LG Refrigerator range has over 35 different models. From the smallest mini bar, single and double door refrigerators with innovative Green Ion Door Cooling Technology (GIDC) to giant side-by-side refrigerators.

Today, LG presents the latest Triple Inverter Refrigerator in floral designs with three advanced and innovative features – Smart Inverter Compressor which reduces electricity bill by 36%, Inverter Evercool Function with built-in standby power upto 10 hours during power cuts and Inverter Eco-Friendly Refrigerant R600a which protects the environment and enhances cooling performance. It saves up to 36% energy and comes with a 10-year warranty on the compressor.