HNB the first private commercial bank to enter Dickwella
Opens 215th customer centre
Hatton National Bank’s 215th Customer Centre opened recently in Dickwella giving the people of Dickwella an opportunity to embrace an all new banking experience. The opening of the full-fledged HNB Customer Centre — the first private commercial bank to venture into the area would serve as a more convenient choice for banking. The customer centre was declared open by the chief guest, R. M. P. Dayawansa, Assistant General Manager (Specialised Financial Services) of Hatton National Bank. A large number of senior bank officials, government officials, local businessmen and customers were present at the event.
UNP hails Cabinet’s fresh move on CATIC
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday welcomed the recent decision by the Cabinet to review the sale of 10 acres land at Galle Face to China National Aero Technology Import Export Corporation (CATIC).
“We are happy to note the new developments with regard to the Galle Face land sale to CATIC where the President has ordered the sale to be halted and the terms and conditions reviewed. It is now clear that we were right from the beginning and take pleasure in performing our duties as a responsible opposition in national interest,” UNP MP and Chief Economic Affairs Spokesman Dr. Harsha de Silva said.
UN endorses ICC Demand Guarantee Rules
The most recent revision of the ICC Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG 758) was officially endorsed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) at its 44th annual session in Vienna held recently.
Comprising 60 member states – all elected by the United Nations General Assembly– UNCITRAL represents the world’s principal geographic regions and economic and legal systems.
Seylan to aim high with new strategy, appoints MTI for four-year plan
Having successfully completed the restructuring and turnaround of its operations, Seylan Bank will be starting work on a four-year strategic plan aimed at regaining and surpassing the strong market position the bank enjoyed pre 2008.
After a competitive selection process, Seylan Bank has selected MTI Consulting to work with the Seylan Team to research and develop a four-year strategic plan, with greater focus on the bank’s products, channels and operating processes.
Emerging Sri Lanka and the role of the private sector
Following is the speech by World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Diarietou Gaye at the 172nd Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held last week
Chairman, distinguished members and friends, I would like to thank you for inviting me today to deliver the keynote address at the 172nd Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
The private sector has been a longstanding partner of Sri Lanka’s development even through tough times and deserves a pat in the back for engaging with the Government from the colonial times, through independence, a three-decade long conflict, financial crisis and now in the process of moving into a Middle Income Country.
Reading the CCC’s latest annual report, I found the theme ‘Practical, Effective, Development’ very topical and timely for Sri Lanka in the current point of history.
After leadership in General, SLIC now looks to Life dominance
Having regained leadership status in General business after eight years, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) is now bracing itself to dominance in Life insurance.
Last year SLIC increased its Gross Written Premium (GWP) on Non-Life insurance by 5.7% or Rs. 496 million to Rs. 9.266 billion. This gave SLIC a market share of 24.82% ahead of Ceylinco Insurance, which managed to have a share of 24.70%.
The latter’s General business grew by only 1.5% or Rs. 143 million to Rs. 9.22 billion. Ceylinco Insurance overtook SLIC in General business eight years ago and lost the crown in 2010 to SLIC.
Tribute to thought leaders
The best treasure a teacher can have is a talented and committed student community. Saturday 23 July was a memorable day with the convocation of the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), the largest-ever so far with 438 graduates. Today’s column will focus on the finesse of this fresh breed of thought leaders.
Convocation as a commencement
The term used in USA for convocation is commencement. As the term aptly demonstrates, it signifies a new beginning, a journey of knowledge application in achieving organisational results. It is an end of the beginning in the sense that the formal programme of studies has come to an end. It is also a beginning of an end in the sense that the lifelong application of learning has just commenced.
SLAAQP to revive interest in Quality Circles
The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity is planning a series of events to re-invigorate Quality Circles (QCC), in order to build up an impressive level of activity in time for the International Convention to be hosted by Sri Lanka in 2014.
Currently when especially exporters are experiencing difficult times with the appreciation of the rupee, the only answer is higher productivity. The best method is to use the creativity of all employees to boost productivity in all spheres of work and therefore QCCs are more relevant today than ever before, maintains the Association.
World champions Spain face France in World Cup
Reuters) – World champions Spain will face former world champions France in their campaign to qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014 following Saturday’s gala preliminary round draw.
Spain, who are also the European champions, were the last name drawn in the European qualifying zone and the last of the 166 countries to be allocated a place in the 107-minute globally televised event in a windswept auditorium at Rio’s glamouros Marina da Gloria.
High winds buffeted the temporary building before the draw started, causing slight damage to the roof, but inside stars of showbiz and soccer were unaffected with Pele given a huge welcome when he was introduced to the audience.
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