Biz in Brief

79th free wifi zone launched

The 79th wifi zone was inaugurated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Elpitiya Central Bus Stand, in the Galle District recently under the program of setting up free wifi in public places.

So far 78 free wifi zones have been set up in 17 districts, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) sources said. The first zone was set up at the Colombo Fort Railway Station last month.

Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatilleke and ICTA officials were present.

BOI extends Green Channel facility

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has extended its Green Channel facility for an additional 24 enterprises.

Over 100 enterprises have been awarded the Green Channel facility since 2006.

The Green Channel is a facility given to BOI export-oriented companies, based on their performances and compliance to BOI regulations.

With the Green Channel facility BOI enterprises are granted facilities such as priority in documentation and also exemption from examination of selected cargo.

Airline profit expectations remain positive

Airline profit expectations for the year ahead remain positive, consistent with improvements in recent performance, according to IATA’s quarterly survey of airline CFOs and heads of cargo in April.

Recent past financial performance shows improvement from a year ago, and the outlook remains positive which suggests there will be further growth in profitability, it said.

The survey indicates that falling input costs and growth in volumes are responsible for better recent financial performance as well as the positive outlook.