Biz Briefs

The TJL Group posted an impressive year-on-year bottom-line growth of 79 percent for its third quarter; a testament to its first full quarter as a Group; consolidating the performances of its subsidiaries Ocean India (Pvt) Ltd. (OCI) and Quenby Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. (QPL).

The Group's consolidated revenue was Rs. 5.6 billion, 39% percent over the previous quarter, and 48% over last year. The increase in gross profit could be directly attributed to consolidation, the improved margins achieved during the quarter under review, through envisaged sourcing synergies coming in to play and cost management strategies as well as TJL's fast growing value added product portfolio.

'Reaching Excellence through Benchmarking'

The National Chamber will conduct a program on 'Benchmarking', on February 15 from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. at the National Chamber auditorium, D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Benchmarking is a productivity tool to achieve excellence in performance, measuring an organisation's internal processes by identifying, understanding, and adapting outstanding practices from other organisations considered to be best-in-class. Benchmarking enables organisations to outperform competitors, open minds to new ideas, and place the organisation in a continuous improvement mode.

CDS goes for paperless settlements

The Central Depository System (CDS), a fully owned subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently partnered with LankaPay, the national payment network, to provide a full-fledged digital experience to its settlement banks via the CDS - Digitalized Settlement Schedule Signing (DS3) online portal.

The solution was enabled via LankaPay's service arm, LankaSign, a trusted digital Certification Authority (CA) in Sri Lanka. LankaPay provides comprehensive CA services including digital signatures to the entire financial sector in Sri Lanka.

Emirates introduces fifth daily service to Colombo

Dubai, UAE: Emirates has introduced an additional daily service between Dubai and Colombo.

Emirates will operate five daily flights between Dubai and Colombo every day from August 1, except Wednesdays when it will operate four flights. The additional frequency will enhance the weekly services on the route to 34.

Emirates' Area Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Chandana de Silva said, "The increased frequency provides customers with greater flexibility in their travel plans, allowing them to explore this exciting destination and connect seamlessly to other flights on Emirates' extensive global network."

Kingslake concludes Siemens digital manufacturing world tour

From left: Business Development Manager, Kingslake, Samira Madapatha, Director, Business Consulting and Strategy, Siemens, Rahul Sehgal, Senior Director, Business Consulting and Strategy, Siemens, Bhaskar Prasad, CEO, Kingslake, Duleep Fernando, Digital Factory Division, PLM Global Sales and Services, Siemens, Arun Stevenson and Operations Manager, Benji Ltd., Sudath Fernando.

Unilever launches 'Gastronomy Symphony'

Unilever's brand Knorr will introduce a multi-sensorial dining experience to discerning Sri Lankans. This follows the hosting of chef Marco Pierre White on his first visit to Sri Lanka. Knorr has been used in Sri Lanka for over two decades. 'Gastronomic Symphony' promises diners a unique dining experience that stimulates the senses, while challenging the notions of food, taking the audience on a culinary journey. 'Gastronomic Symphony' will create a 'sumptuous feast for your senses' through a carefully crafted evening of gastronomic delights enhanced by music on February 26 and 27 at the Cinnamon Grand from 7 p.m. Here the Unilever 'Gastronomy Symphony' team. Pic: Vipula Amerasinghe

The National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) held its HR Forum 2016 at the Galle Face Hotel recently. Here officials at the head table. From left: Director, PIM, Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, CEO, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories, Ravi Jayewardene, Chairman, United Motors, Sunil Wijesinghe and Business Analyst, Ms Kala Walihinda. Skills Development and Vocational Training Ministry Secretary P. Ranepura and Director General, NIBM, Dr. E. A. Weerasinghe were also present. Pic: Vipula Amerasinghe