Dialog consolidates performance with strong 3rd quarter

Dialog Axiata said yesterday it has consolidated its performance in FY12 with a strong third quarter.It said the Group recorded strong revenue growth across Mobile, International, Digital Pay Television, Tele-infrastructure and Fixed line businesses to record a consolidated revenue of Rs. 41.5 b for the nine months ending 30 September 2012, demonstrating a significant growth of 24% YoY.
Group revenue for Q3 2012 was recorded at Rs. 14.5 b, reflecting growth of 3% QoQ. Group EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) for the first nine months of 2012 was recorded at Rs. 14.2 b, a significant increase of 21% relative to the corresponding period in 2011.
Group EBITDA margin for the nine months ended 30 September 2012 declined marginally by one percentage point on a YoY basis to 34%. Group EBITDA for Q3 2012 was recorded at Rs. 4.9 b up 5% QoQ. The Group EBITDA margin improved by one percentage point QoQ to reach 34%.
Non-operational performance below EBITDA for the first nine months is characterised by noncash translational foreign exchange losses amounting to Rs. 2.5 b, and a one-off write back of the company’s deferred tax provision of positive Rs. 2.3 b.

Sri Lanka Dialog Axiata 'AAA(lka)' rating confirmed

Fitch Ratings has confirmed an 'AAA(lka)' rating with a stable outlook citing support from its Malaysia-based parent and said its stand alone credit profile had improved to 'AA 'AA+(lka)' from 'AA(lka)'.

"Dialog's standalone credit profile is strong, and has improved between 2010 and 2012, helped by a benign competitive environment and improving usage across most service segments," Fitch said."The agency expects Dialog's standalone profile to continue to improve over the medium term, driven by the company's ability to fund its capex from strong operating cash flows."

Fitch said Dialog foreign and local currency cashflows were strong enough to cover upcoming repayments.

Sri Lanka raids fake ICC T20 cricket clothing stores

Sri Lanka's police raided a factory turning out counterfeit ICC World Twenty20 T-shirts and seized stocks of spurious merchandise, a senior officer said Wednesday.

Deputy Inspector-General Anura Senanayake said they carried out the crackdown on fake World Twenty20 merchandise following a complaint from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over trade mark infringements."We have arrested a person who produced fake T-shirts and recovered stocks from several retail outlets," Senanayake told AFP. "Investigations are underway."

Sri Lanka's Janashakthi Insurance targets 15-pct top line growth

Sri Lanka's Janashakthi Insurance, which marks 18 years of operations in September, is expecting revenues to grow 15 percent to 8.0 billion rupees in 2012, managing director Prakash Schaffter said.

In the six months to June, gross written premium grew 14 percent to 3.8 billion rupees. The composite insurer reported profits of 163.7 million rupees or 45 cents per share for the half year.Schaffter said the firm's general insurance business was making under-writing profits (before investment income) as a portfolio. Medical insurance was the least profitable he said.

Why saying no to your boss can be a good idea

Your manager comes to you in a panic and asks you to fill in for Sharon, who will be out of town all next week. Your first thought is, "Why me?" Yet, despite your frustration, you smile and say, "No problem." Your boss is making the request, after all, so refusal is not an option. Right?

Not necessarily. In some cases, "Sorry, I can't" may be the most appropriate response. Dubious about this claim? Here are some examples of situations in which it might make sense to say no and suggestions for how to turn down the boss diplomatically.

"It looks like Joe can't make the deadline again. Can you handle it?"

The situation: Whenever a colleague falls short on an important assignment, your supervisor looks to you to save the day. Initially, being the go-to person was flattering. But having to constantly step in at the last minute is forcing you to put in extra hours so you can get your own work done.

10 ways to make your day healthier

While many of us set long-term goals in regards to our health and fitness, there are many things you can do right now to boost your health each day. To improve your wellbeing and start feeling better, check out these 10 healthy changes to make to your day.

Plan to be healthy

Like most things worth having, a healthy lifestyle sadly won’t fall into your lap without any effort. To make healthy lifestyle choices a regular part of your day it is important to make a plan and schedule them in, at least until they become second nature. Rather than making vague plans to “eat more healthily” or “do some exercise”, make a menu for the day ahead detailing exactly what you will eat, or schedule in a date for exercise, establishing an exact time, activity and

Transformers 4 to feature all-new robots

Hasbro disappointed with the amount of toys sold by the last instalment Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The next film in the 'Transformers' series will feature an all-new cast of transforming robots because the last film 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' didn't sell enough toys.

According to reports, Transformer-maker Hasbro was disappointed with the performance of the last film in the series in terms of the amount of robots sold.

Key fashion pieces to obtain British style

British style is desired worldwide, our high street is the most famous and coveted of all. Although eclectic, there are a few key pieces to obtaining British style.

Leather jacket

Due to the not-so-lovely weather for most of the year it is crucial to invest in a few good jackets. I think leather jackets can be added to any outfit to give it a British twist, whether it be a pretty dress or a simple tee and jeans. The rock chick vibe is big in the UK and adding a leather jacket is the easiest way to achieve it, go for one with some studding if you're feeling brave.

Women don’t share fashion bargains online

Women don't like to share their online fashion finds with friends, according to a survey © RexWhat do you do when you come across a designer dress online at a bargain price? Do you share it with your friends - or keep it a secret?

Because a study by online fashion retailer Lovarni has found that almost a third of British women don’t tell their friends about a fashion bargain they’ve found online – in case their friend ends up buying it as well.

 

Of those sharing-shy women, more than half (57 per cent) refuse to share the bargain on social networking sites, and 44 per cent won’t share a ‘hot’ web link – even when their friends ask.

Almost two thirds of women (63 per cent) worry that if they tell their friends, they’ll end up buying the same – but more than a quarter (27 per cent) just like the ‘buzz’ of knowing about a bargain that others don’t.

5 health hazards in your handbag

Many of us wouldn’t consider the impact of our handbag on our health, however research suggests this essential fashion item could be more risky than you think. As our handbags tend to travel most places with us and are often placed on floors, they can easily pick up germs throughout the day.

A study by microbiologists tested swabs taken from the outside and bottom of handbags and found that your handbag could contain thousands, or even millions, of bacteria, including fecal bacteria and viruses that can cause colds and stomach upsets. However, when it comes to your handbag, it’s not just what’s on the outside that counts. Here are five health dangers lurking in your handbag.

Top 10 fashion health hazards

Fashion health hazard 1: Skinny jeans

Skinny jeans may be fashionable, but wearing skin-tight denim and other close-fitting trousers can have health repercussions for both women and men. For men, wearing tight trousers can cause overheating of the testes, lowering sperm count and causing fertility problems. For women, wearing skinny jeans can increase your chances of developing thrush. Furthermore, squeezing into skin-tight trousers can cause nerve compression, leading to tingling or numb thighs.

Top 10 worst female health habits

Wearing heels

More and more of us are opting to wear heels on a daily basis, and this could be bad news for our health. High heels affect our posture, put pressure on joints, and can lead to a range of conditions including arthritis, hammer toes, back pain and tendon injuries – and that’s before you take into account any heel-related accidents! To minimise damage, limit your heels to 1.5 inches for daily wear, and wear insoles to help reduce the pressure on joints.

Women wearing high heels

Carrying a heavy handbag

With the rising number of gadgets and accessories the majority of women haul around, many of us are carrying around several pounds of weight on our shoulders every day. As a result, lots of us are also putting our long term health at risk. While you may not feel the effects right now, lugging around a heavy handbag can lead to serious back problems and neck pain as well as poor posture. Don’t wait until the damage is done – do your health a favour and try clearing out all non-essential items and switching to a smaller bag.

Three minute morning meals that will help you lose weight all day long

Time after time, studies show that people who eat breakfast are routinely slimmer than those who don't.  One of the reasons for this is because 'breaking the fast' of the night before with a healthy, high fibre, slow releasing meal really helps to avoid over eating throughout the rest of the day.

So, here are three ridiculously healthy, low calorie and high fibre morning meals that can all be made in minutes.

Orange, kiwi and ginger oats
Don't have time for porridge? Try this delicious little oaty number instead.  Packed with immune strengthening vitamin C, the slow releasing oats will help to keep your energised all morning.

Preparation time: 3 minutes
2 tbsp oats
1 kiwi fruit, peeled and diced
150ml fresh orange juice
1 piece of stem ginger finely chopped

Simply put the oats, kiwi fruit and chopped ginger in a bowl.  Pour over the orange juice and leave for a couple of minutes for the oats to soften slightly.

Nutritional information:
Kcal: 218
Fat: 2g
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrate: 44g

Top 10 sexiest actors of all time

 

Marlon Brando

King of the rebel image, Marlon Brando first captured our imagination with his performance in Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire in 1951. This film turned him into one of the pin-up actors who defined the 1950s. Marlon Brando was the embodiment of virility and masculinity, a man with many conquests to his name, both female and male. Brando is a sex symbol immortalised by cinema, a raw and sincere talent who had a life that was filled with passion and excess.

Marlon Brando - A Streetcar Named Desire - 1951

7 things women find unattractive about men

Unattractive male habit 1: Boasting

Some guys big themselves up so much that it would appear they’re trying to prove to themselves that they’re a good catch. We’ve heard about how amazing your job is, how much money you’re earning, how hot your exes were, how everyone loves you. Now time to talk about ourselves... nope, because you haven’t finished bigging up your car and your house and your hilarious personality (erm, really?). Do you think that all this bragging will make us overlook the fact that you’re so boring? Being egotistical won’t make the ladies stick around so employ a bit of modesty and try asking questions about us rather than blabbing about yourself all the time.

women find boasting unattractive in men