SLASSCOM Appoints Sandra De Zoysa as Chairperson for 2021/2022
The national chamber for the IT/BPM industry, Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) appointed Sandra De Zoysa as Chairperson for 2021/22, at the 9th Annual General Meeting held on 29th June. Sandra’s appointment as the first female Chairperson to lead SLASSCOM is indeed a historic moment for the industry. She has held many leadership positions within SLASSCOM including Vice-Chairperson, Finance Director, Operations Director, and gave leadership to Quality, Branding and Communications, Tech Kids, and Women Technoprenuer initiatives. Commenting on her appointment Sandra said “I’m humbled and honoured to have been the first female appointed to the Board and now to be elected as Chairperson. Elaborating on priorities during her tenure Sandra stressed that “listening closely to our members, helping them realise their goals is a key attribute of SLASSCOM.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 12:00 UTC
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup shifted to UAE, Oman
The venue for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with the tournament set to run from 17 October to 14 November. The first round of the tournament, comprising the eight qualifying teams, will now be split between Oman and UAE. The upcoming edition will be the first Men’s T20 World Cup played since 2016, when West Indies beat England in the final in India. “Our priority is to deliver the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 safely, in full and in its current window,” said acting ICC CEO Geoff Allardice. “We will work closely with the BCCI, the Emirates Cricket Board and Oman Cricket to ensure fans can enjoy a wonderful celebration of cricket.”“The BCCI is looking forward to hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 tournament in UAE and Oman,” added BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 11:03 UTC
Switzerland donates USD 4 million worth COVID aid to Sri Lanka
Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka Dominik Furgler, who called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday (June 28) at Temple Trees, has hand over medical supplies donated by the Swiss government to Sri Lanka. The humanitarian assistance contained medical supplies amounting to more than USD 4 million, including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and Antigen test kits, among other supplies, that would assist the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. The two delegations discussed the need to reactivate the Sri Lanka – Swiss Parliamentary Friendship Association (SLSPFA) and conduct programs between parliamentary members of both countries as has been successfully done in the past. Prime Minister Rajapaksa handed over that responsibility to the current SLSPFA Convener MP Premanath C. Dolawatta. Ambassador Furgler also expressed to Prime Minister Rajapaksa his government’s interest in assisting Sri Lanka to enhance activities and services of the hospitality sector as the world hopes to revitalize tourism in the near future.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 10:30 UTC
SampathCards Announces More Timely Offers and Additional Relief Measures to Support Cardholders
25,000 made using Sampath Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards as well as Sampath Bank American Express® Credit Cards from now until 31st December 2021. 15,000 made at any Educational Institution by Sampath Mastercard and Visa Credit Cardholders as well as Sampath Bank American Express Credit Cardmembers can convert those transactions into six months 0% Interest Extended Settlement Plans. SampathCards is offering Sampath Mastercard and Visa Credit Cardholders cashbacks of 5%, up to Rs. Cardholders can save more when purchasing medicines online on www.mymed.lk and www.quickmed.lk using their Sampath Mastercard / Visa Credit Cards and Sampath Debit Cards. 2,000 on PickMe Food and PickMe Market for all Sampath Credit and Debit Cardholders.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:56 UTC
India gifts Rs.120 Mn in machinery parts to Sri Lanka Coast Guard
The statement noted that the event was indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the two nations and their forces including the Coast Guards. The spares would ensure prolonged utility of the SLCGS Suraksha, which is the only Offshore Patrol Vessel of Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the mainstay of patrolling and surveillance undertaken by SLCG at sea. The spares included main machinery spares, shaft, gearbox parts and more. The spares will facilitate expeditious repairs, improved sea going capability and increased overall life cycle of the ship. It was also recalled that during the recently conducted High Level Meeting (HLM) on 22 June 2021 between Indian Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Coast Guard the assurance of India’s fullest cooperation in the field of maritime security and capacity building was reiterated.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:45 UTC
The Country’s Fastest Growing Smartphone Brand realme & the e-Commerce Stronghold Daraz Form a Partnership
realme smartphone clinches slot in Daraz.lk top threeThe Youth’s Favourite Brand realme signs MoU with DarazColombo – June 29, 2021 – realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, officially signed a MoU with Daraz on June 24 for developing its online channel and sales in Sri Lanka and other countries. “realme is a fresh, youth focused smartphone brand that has entered 61 global markets within three years of its initial arrival. Despite this realme has become the fastest-growing smartphone brand in the world at present. With the commitment to its e-Commerce DNA, realme has established a stronghold over the global market through partnering with leading e-Commerce companies in different markets. In this partnership, its not just about generating sales, but building a brand online and leveraging Daraz for market entry.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:33 UTC
Probe confirms no presence of Chinese Military in SL: Rambukwella
June 29, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsThe findings of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Military investigations into the alleged presence of Chinese Military personnel at the site of a Chinese Joint Venture to clean up the Tissamaharama Weva, have revealed that no foreign military presence exists at the site, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said today (29). He noted that the findings of the investigations highlight that such allegations of Chinese Military personnel present in the country are “baseless”.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:33 UTC
Philippines extends travel ban on travellers from Sri Lanka
The Philippines has extended the travel ban for all inbound travellers from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) until July 15, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday. “This is one of the proactive measures imposed to implement international border control because of the Covid-19 Delta variant,” Roque said in a televised press conference. The Philippines has detected the more transmissible Delta variants in the samples taken from 17 returning Filipinos, among whom a seafarer has died, the Department of Health of the Philippines said. Sourced: IANS-Agencies
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:22 UTC
eMarketingEye revolutionizes Online Food Ordering with RestaurantsEye
eMarketingEye (www.emarketingeye.com), the award-winning Digital Marketing Agency has revolutionized “Online Food Ordering” with its latest online platform RestaurantsEye. The platform facilitates Restaurants to directly reach out to their end consumer with lower cost of distribution and higher yield. RestaurantsEye allows brands to create their own customized online food ordering platform within a matter of days with payment gateway integrations, easy to work backend functionality and tracking. The first international client of RestaurantsEye was launched last week with Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara launching Sofilicious food delivery service in Malaysia. Our service levels and ability to customize the platform have become major reasons for the top brands to sign up with RestaurantsEye.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 09:11 UTC
Production of multi-day and solar power fishing vessels commences
The Minister of State of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekara has initiated the production of Ceynor multi-day fishing vessels and eco-friendly solar powered vessels, the State Ministry said in a release today (29). “The 59.5-foot multi-day fishing vessel manufactured by CEYNOR under the State Ministry of Fisheries was inspected yesterday before departure on its first voyage. The vessel has two fish holders and is equipped with freezer facilities with temperatures of -10 and -20 degrees Celsius. “At the same time, an eco-friendly, solar-powered small transport vessel jointly produced by Ceynor and Genso Pvt will also take place. In the future, work will be done on the production of open craft using such solar and wind technology,” the Ministry said.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 08:03 UTC
Two million Sinopharm Vaccines to Sri Lanka in July
COLOMBO (News 1st): Another consignment of TWO million doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccines will reach Sri Lanka by next week, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said. “#Sinopharm has confirmed that 2 million doses of its anti-#COVID19 #vaccine procured by #SriLanka will be delivered by @flysrilankan on 2nd & 4th July. One million on each flight,” the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted on Tuesday (Jun. The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, further noted that Sri Lanka’s vaccination drive could run at its maximum speed now.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 06:56 UTC
Are we heading for a buy-to-let exodus?
It added that across the entire sector, there was a fall of 30 per cent in the volume of buy-to-let mortgages between 2014-15 and 2018-19. Both reports noted that tax changes have been one of the main factors making buy-to-let less attractive for some. 'We feel we're being picked on': Landlords have their say The University of York report features interviews with landlords, who gave an insight into their thoughts about the buy-to-let market. And it said that some landlords were increasingly targeting the housing benefit claimants with the greatest additional needs, where rent is paid directly to the landlord. Rugg added: 'It's a real concern that many good, professional landlords are no longer letting to housing benefit claimants because of the way that Universal Credit is administered'.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 06:22 UTC
HRW concerned over threat to rule of law in SL
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concerns over what it termed as an alleged assault on Sri Lanka’s rule of law by the executive president. HRW also stated that the Government’s recent decision to pardon of 16 prisoners convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), however welcome, does not address the urgent need to repeal what the HRW refers to as a draconian law. The law has long enabled arbitrary detention and confessions obtained through torture, and been used primarily against members of Tamil and Muslim minorities. Referring to the recent amendments made to the PTA, HRW alleged that such amendments have made the act even more “abusive”. United Nations experts and human rights groups including Human Rights Watch have extensively documented grave abuses under the PTA,” HRW concluded.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 06:00 UTC
Cabinet approval to facilitate local companies to raise foreign funds
Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance to issue an order under Section 7 (1) of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 2 of 2021 to make the necessary provisions for the implementation of the proposal to facilitate local companies to raise foreign funds and to submit that order to the Parliament for approval. The Colombo Stock Exchange has submitted a proposal to list out the foreign currency denominated shares issued by the Sri Lankan registered companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange with the aim of increasing the ability of local companies to raise foreign funds in Sri Lanka. Foreign Exchange Orders No. 2 of 2021 does not permit funds to be debited to the Business Foreign Currency Account by the issuance of debentures or initial shares issued in foreign currency or the payment of dividends or the payments received by distributing of foreign currency.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 05:48 UTC
Discussions on relief for Tourism sector affected by COVID-19
COLOMBO (News 1st): A special discussion will be held on Tuesday (Jun. 29) to provide relief to those engaged in the tourism sector who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, and representatives of 53 trade unions involved in the tourism sector will join the discussion, Dhammika Wijesinghe, the Director-General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority told News 1st. “Discussions will be held regarding the provision of financial and leasing benefits to more than 300,000 people engaged in the tourism sector who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wijesinghe further noted.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 05:03 UTC