Don't Be Afraid To Ask These 5 Tough Questions In A Job Interview

1. “What are the most important characteristics that someone needs to succeed in this position?”

This question will help your interviewer get past what you look like on paper and focus on you as a person. If your resume isn’t perfect, directing the conversation toward your amazing personality traits can make up for what might be lacking on your resume. If your resume is perfect, recruiters still like to form a connection with a candidate and see what characteristics they would bring to a position.

More importantly, the answer to this question can help you decide whether or not the position is the best fit for you. If the recruiter’s answer is, “self-starter” or “entrepreneurial,” this could mean that you would be working on your own a lot. On the other hand, if  “personable” and “collaborative” are the words that come to mind for the interviewer, this could tell you the opposite. Learning what personal characteristics are vital for a position can help you get an idea for the work environment you could be entering and help you decide if a company is a good fit.

2. “Do you enjoy working here?”

This question may catch a recruiter off-guard, but their answer will be very telling. If they confidently answer “yes,” paired with a smile and an enthusiastic, drawn-out response telling you every single reason why they love the company, it’s a good sign. If they hesitate, drop eye contact or force an awkward answer, it’s probably a red flag to take a step back and take another look at your possible future employer.

This question also helps the interview turn into more of a conversation, rather than just question and answer. Asking this question may be daunting, but it gives recruiters a chance to reflect on their own experiences and talk about themselves, which frankly, sometimes we all like to do.

3. “Is there anything about myself, my skills or my background that have made me stand out as someone who might not be the right fit for this position?”

This is a question to ask if you didn’t get the job. Getting feedback on why the company decided not to move forward is essential but may be the scariest question of them all, because there is the possibility that we may get slapped in the face with rejection and a whole list of ways you messed up, said the wrong thing, or simply didn’t live up to a recruiters expectations. Facing potential negative feedback head-on can be scary, but it can also be very beneficial. Asking this question shows that you can take constructive criticism and are dedicated to continuously improving, even if it may not be with that company. Who knows, you might even get the job after all.

4. “What is the reason for the open position? Is it a new position, or did someone leave?”

This question may seem a bit forward or as having a negative connotation toward a company, but it’s critical to do some digging to truly find out why there is an open position at a company. If the answer is because the company is growing or because of a promotion, great! If the answer seems indirect or the recruiter dismisses the question, not so great. Although an open position doesn’t necessarily mean there is something undesirable about a company, it’s important to be straightforward in order to get a straightforward answer. An indirect answer can tell you a lot about any patterns in people quitting, getting fired, etc.

5. “What are some challenges that will face the person filling this position?”

This question can be uncomfortable because it forces the interviewer to talk about potential negative aspects of the position. It can be scary to put someone else in an awkward position, but you owe it to yourself to know what you could be up against if you are the one who ultimately ends up with the job! There will be drawbacks to any position, but challenges can also be good, so don’t be afraid to push for the true answer.

Read more: http://www.yourcoffeebreak.co.uk/career-guide/26338741307/5-questions-you-shouldnt-be-scared-to-ask-in-an-interview/#ixzz3GDwtoyN0

Elevated highway from Peliyagoda to Colombo Fort

FT.lk: 

ADB has financed feasibility study and the preliminary designs; Cabinet approves major traffic easing project

Cabinet last week approved preliminary work towards building an elevated highway from Peliyagoda to Colombo Fort to ease traffic congestion and improve mobility.
As per the approval, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between HASS Joint Venture, Australia and the Road Development Authority to obtain detailed proposals.
Plans include constructing a new bridge over the Kelani River and an elevated highway from Peliyagoda to Colombo Fort.
Official sources said the project for the construction of the new bridge and its approaches has been formulated separately and is being financed by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and feasibility study and the preliminary designs for the elevated highway have already been completed with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Cabinet approved the proposal on the elevated highway submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping.

Work begins on Northern Expressway The Government has begun work on the larger Northern Expressway by finalising contract packages for link between Pothuhera to Galagedara and to Galewela on a priority basis. This portion of the expressway will connect major commercial cities Gampaha, Veyangoda, Mirigama, Kurunegala, Rideegama, Melsiripura and Galewela and further connect major commercial cities Rambukkana and Galagedara. On the Northern Expressway portion, interchanges will be constructed at Enderamulla (system interchange), Gampaha, Veyangoda, Mirigama, Nakalagamuwa, Dambokka, Kurunegala, Ridigama, Melsiripura, Galewala and Pothuhera (system interchange). On the Link Expressway interchanges will be constructed at Rambukkana and Galagedara. System interchange provides connectivity only along the expressway. The feasibility studies and preliminary designs have been already completed and the proposed expressway corridors for the above mentioned sections have been already identified. The Environmental Impact Assessment and land acquisition activities are in progress. These sections of the expressway have been divided into eight individual contract packages for implementation of construction. The proposal, made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping, to proceed with the related activities was approved by the Cabinet last week.

Google asks US Supreme Court to decide Oracle copyright fight

Reuters: Google Inc has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to wade into contentious litigation against Oracle Corp, arguing that the high court must act to protect innovation in high tech.
Google’s request, filed on Monday, seeks to overturn an appeals court ruling that found Oracle could copyright parts of the Java programming language, which Google used to design its Android smartphone operating system.
Representatives for Oracle and Google could not immediately comment on Wednesday.
Google’s Android is the world’s best-selling smartphone platform. Oracle sued Google in 2010, claiming that Google had improperly incorporated parts of Java into Android. Oracle is seeking roughly $1 billion on its copyright claims.

The case examined whether computer language that connects programs – known as application programming interfaces, or APIs – can be copyrighted. At trial, Oracle said Google’s Android trampled on its rights to the structure of 37 Java APIs.
A San Francisco federal judge had decided that Oracle could not claim copyright protection on parts of Java, but earlier this year the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington disagreed.

In its filing this week, Google said the company would never been able to innovate had the Federal Circuit’s reasoning been in place when the company was formed.
“Early computer companies could have blocked vast amounts of technological development by claiming 95-year copyright monopolies over the basic building blocks of computer design and programming,” Google wrote.
The case in the Supreme Court is Google Inc vs. Oracle America Inc., 14-410.

Sri Lanka Nawaloka buys control of Millennium Housing for Rs. 459 m

• Nation Lanka divests 68% stake with Rs. 306 m capital gain

Nawaloka Holdings Ltd. yesterday bought 68% controlling interest in Millennium Housing Developers Plc for Rs. 459 million with the seller Nation Lanka Finance booking hefty capital gain.
Nawaloka Construction Ltd. bought 53 million shares or 39.35% stake at Rs. 5 per share and related party Ceyoka Ltd. bought 38 million shares or 28.28% stake. The latter is an associate of Nawaloka Holdings Ltd. Buyer and seller and acquired company share one or more common directors.
The seller, Nation Lanka Finance Plc, said the divestiture was carried out with the approval of the Central Bank. It said following the sale, it expects to recognise Rs. 305.8 million as a direct gain in financial statements. This represents a Rs. 1.22 increase in the Net Asset Value per share of Nation Lanka Finance. With this capital gain, Nation Lanka Finance is poised to make significant profits for the current financial year ending on 31 March 2015 compared to a Rs. 23.6 million net profit posted in FY14.
The Net Asset Per Share of Millennium Housing Developers at Group level is Rs. 4.56 as at September 2014, down from Rs. 5.18 as at FY14. At Company level it was Rs. 3.64 down from Rs. 4.13.
In the quarter ended 30 September 2014, the highest price traded was Rs. 7.20 and the lowest was Rs. 5.50 with the closing value being Rs. 6.10.
Millennium Housing Chairman Harshith Dharmadasa is also a director at Nawaloka Holdings. He is also a director at Nation Lanka Finance whilst Nawaloka Constructions owns 7% stake in the company.
The group has assets worth Rs. 1.14 billion and liabilities of Rs. 530 million.
In the six months ended on 30 September 2014, the company posted revenue of Rs. 127 million, down from Rs. 314 million a year earlier. Operating loss was Rs. 18 million, as against a profit of Rs. 62 million in the first half of FY14. The group’s net loss was Rs. 9 million, as opposed to Rs. 67 million profit a year earlier.
With the acquisition, Nawaloka Construction will make a mandatory offer to buy remaining shareholding as per the SEC’s Takeovers and Mergers Code. Other major shareholders of Millennium Housing include Anilana Hotels and Properties (8.85%), Arrow International Ltd. (4.45%) and Ceybank Unit Trust (1.52%).

Richard Branson says he will invest in Sri Lanka if the conditions are right

“For me, it’s the people – the warmth, the welcome. You don’t get that everywhere, but I’ve always sensed that Sri Lankans have a very charitable and personable side. It’s a great place,” Sir Richard Branson tells LMD, in an exclusive interview which features on the leading business magazine’s October cover.
As LMD notes, Branson has been to the country several times, and he has apparently developed a taste for Ginger Beer along the way. “I love Ginger Beer, which I discovered in Sri Lanka; so I owe it (Sri Lanka) that at least,” he says.
Branson also says that he has made inroads into developing a business relationship with Sri Lanka, as well as a personal one. As well as holiday trips, he points out that Virgin Airlines now flies charters to Sri Lanka, and that his autobiography was made available for sale in the country not long ago.
Yet, LMD says, the question of whether Branson is ready to invest in Sri Lanka “is a trickier one.” The billionaire business magnate notes that “the end of the conflict has been great for everyone, and the country is reaping that benefit,” but he warns that there is still some way to go.
What is certain with Branson is that his eyes are firmly fixed on any opportunities that may present themselves, and he is refusing to rule out investing in Sri Lanka at some point, LMD reports.
Sir Richard tells the magazine that “if the conditions are right, and if I feel like there is a good opportunity – one I feel passionate about; and one that I feel will enhance not just the Virgin brand, but the lives of Sri Lankans – then, yes, it is perfectly plausible. But it’s got to be a good idea.” Go to www.LMD.lk for the full interview.(http://lmd.lk/2014/10/01/20250/)

Govt. of Sri lanka shows prosperous future to global investors

• President Rajapaksa flags off mega capital market conference with 70 intl. fund managers
• Sri Lanka showcased as a great case study for post-conflict progress
• Treasury Chief Dr. Jayasundera and CB Chief Cabraal woo investors with outline of goals as far as 2035 and 2040
• Say by 2020 Sri Lanka would have reached current per capital level of South Africa and by 2040 graduated to advanced economy like South Korea

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

A seemingly-upbeat Government yesterday wooed global investors, promising a prosperous future and outlining goals as far as 2040, with an emphasis that Sri Lanka offers the best growth opportunities based on post-war resurgence so far.

The platform from which the emphatic message was conveyed was the mega Capital Market Conference 2014 attended by 70 international fund managers from UK, US, Switzerland, India, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Dubai and Bahrain.

Signifying the importance of the opportunity, President Mahinda Rajapaksa officiated as the Chief Guest and rang the Colombo Stock Exchange’s old bell used prior to the commencement of the automated trading.

Presentations by the top officials focused on the post-war rebound in Sri Lanka both from a macro economic perspective and private sector growth.

Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera who spoke on Sri Lanka’s future vision and Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal who gave participants the future economic outlook as well as conference co-hosts Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and Colombo Stock Exchange Chairman Vajira Kulatilaka referred to the resurgence in all spheres of Sri Lanka following the end of the conflict, noting that the country was a case study for post-conflict progress.

“The presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa demonstrates the importance the Government is placing on the capital market as a key contributor for the development of the economy. I would say the capital market has been great beneficiary of the post-war development,” SEC Chief Godahewa said.

With stock markets considered the barometers of economic development, Dr. Godahewa said: “There is exceptional performance in the stock market, which is symbolic for the post-conflict economic progress of Sri Lanka.”

Dr. Jayasundera, who themed his speech ‘Takeoff to a High Altitude – The Transformation of the Economic Landscape in Sri Lanka,’ said the country had entered a true new wave of development with a promising economic outlook to move rapidly towards a higher income economy over the next decade.

Blending with the topic of his speech, he said: “We have taken off towards a high altitude, but it is a long-haul flight, which needs to be managed skilfully and cautiously. The pilot should be experienced and we are privileged to have a President and Finance Minister who is well experienced to navigate. Further, the co-pilots and the crew should remain sensitive to all aspects and be alert at all times to make the journey a success. It is only then that the passengers will enjoy the flight, in reaching the destination.”

The Finance Secretary also took the attention of participants both foreign and local to a new plateau when he shared the Government’s goals for as far as 2035. Going even further ahead, the Central Bank Chief in his presentation shared some goals up to 2040. Both emphasised that Sri Lanka is certainly serious about steering long-term growth.




Articulating the underlying national vision for economic advancement in Sri Lanka, Dr. Jayasundera referred to the country’s aspirations towards the realisation of 2020/2035 economic milestones – specifically, surpassing $ 7,000 per capita by 2020 and graduating to the transition towards an advanced economy by 2035.

In relation to the Capital Market Conference, the Finance Secretary said: “There is no doubt that we need a strong financial system and capital market, among many other building blocks, having to get into the proper context to be able to raise investments in excess of 40% of GDP. There will also have to be a high-skilled work force within a strong regulatory and institutional framework if this journey is to be made one that is unstoppable.”

Jayasundera also responded to some criticism aimed at the Government with regard to governance issues and others, which he noted was common to emerging countries and nations affected by terrorism such as Sri Lanka.

“The World Rule of Law Index, Global Peace Index, Economic Freedom Index, Ease of Doing Business Index and Global Competitiveness Index, all of which deal with diverse facets of governance, having been computed by reputed international organisations, have placed Sri Lanka well with regard to Asia in its entirely and on top in South Asia,” he said, in addition to detailing various criteria.

“I dealt with these concerns not to argue that the country has perfect governance but to highlight the fact that it is certainly not among the worst lot or even the bad, but in the promising lot among emerging global economies as far as governance is concerned. I also covered these aspects to show how seriously many facets including governance have been included into the overall reform process by the Government towards improving the country ranking,” Dr. Jayasundera emphasised.

Central Bank Chief Cabraal said Sri Lanka had seen extraordinary transformation post-war and global organisations such as the IMF as well as independent persons had commended Sri Lanka’s economic progress.

He also said that ambitious targets were set in 2005 under the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ and 10 years later the country had progressed rapidly. “All macroeconomic indicators have shown remarkable progress. We are mentioning this because we want people to understand that this is the platform we are on now,” he added.

Cabraal said that on many aspects Sri Lanka could be one the greatest case studies for post-conflict progress. Among others, he cited the performance of the capital market as the best for a country in a post-conflict situation.

“Sri Lanka is currently well entrenched in a ‘virtuous cycle,’ comprising low inflation, low interest rate, lower fiscal deficit and public debt, etc. – from a vicious cycle of high interest rates, inflation, deficit, etc. prior to 2005 – and a conducive investment environment,” revealed Cabraal, adding that “it was a tough call to move away from that cycle. I want to stress that today we have a great need and a commitment to maintain the new virtuous cycle and that is a key platform upon which the future will be built.”

Cabraal also said the country was passing several national mileposts because political stability was also important if economic stability was to be maintained as it was imperative for development.

“We are delivering what many other countries in our region have not been able to provide so far and we are proud that those aspects have also been nurtured and provided whilst the environment for capital development and big businesses have taken shape in our country,” said the Governor.

The Central Bank Chief listed several of the 2020 targets, including the development of economy that would be around $ 150 billion, a $ 7,000+ per capita income, and sound macroeconomic fundamentals, an enabling environment that would reflect a major enhancement and a real economy that would have undergone a paradigm shift.

“When we talk about the new targets it will give you a confidence that it is this target that the Government would give and want to deliver in the next few years,” he said.

“The 2020 targets would obviously be challenging, and many stiff hurdles would need to be surmounted. The challenge is to continue to manage the macro-economic fundamentals in a manner so as to deliver sound targets – even if the global environment is tough. We are confident of doing this,” Cabraal said.

“This newfound success will help Sri Lanka to raise its sights towards 2040, where Sri Lanka could move towards the ‘High Income’ category with confidence,” the CB Chief said.

According to Cabraal, by 2020 Sri Lanka’s projected per capita GDP of over $ 7,000 would take it to where South Africa is today and by 2040 Sri Lanka will be where South Korea is today, enjoying $ 22,670 per capita income.

Pointing out that the country is enjoying economic, political and social stability, CSE Chairman Kulatilaka opined Sri Lanka had the necessary ingredients in the right amount for investments to be brought in. He explained the level of returns the CSE has offered both in equities and debt as well as attractive valuations it is offering at present.

For the benefit of prospective investors, HSBC Global Private Bank Southeast Asia Co-Head Rob Ioannou and Citi Securities Services Managing Director Philippe Dirckx in their presentations highlighted the investment experience and potential in Sri Lanka.

Following the inaugural session and a panel discussion including a Q&A session, around 40 of the visiting foreign investors held one-on-one meetings with 15 S&P SL 20 Index companies.

Source http://www.ft.lk/2014/10/10/upbeat-govt-shows-prosperous-future-to-global-investors/

Colombo Stock Market back at over 3-year high on blue-chips; seen rising

Reuters: Stocks rose on Wednesday, hitting their highest in more than three years, led by blue-chips such as John Keells Holdings and Dialog Axiata Plc, while lower interest rates and growth optimism boosted sentiment.
The main stock index . ended up 0.56%, or 40.94 points, at 7,293.08, its highest close since 7 June 2011.

“We expect another rally in October due to low interest rates and good earnings in the September quarter,” said Reshan Wediwardana, a Research Analyst at First Capital Equities Ltd.
Analysts said local investors have no alternatives, but to buy stocks in the lower interest rates regime.
The day’s turnover was Rs. 2.65 billion ($20.3 million), more than this year’s daily average of over Rs. 1.32 billion.

Foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 75 million on Wednesday after selling a net Rs. 4.4 billion worth of stocks in the previous three sessions. The Bourse has seen a net foreign inflows of Rs. 7.04 billion so far this year.

Market heavyweight John Keells Holdings Plc, which led the market gain, rose 0.79% to Rs. 255.70, while Dialog Axiata Plc DIAL.CM gained 4.35% to Rs. 12.
The Central Bank on Wednesday rejected all bids at a weekly Treasury bill auction. The Treasury bills are already at multi-year low.

Port City in Presidential spotlight

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chinese President Xi Jinping inspecting the model structure of the Colombo Port City project at the official commissioning ceremony yesterday. The China-financed project will cost $ 1.4 billion – Pic by Sudath Silva     

Otara Gunewardena exits Odel to enjoy Embark

Odel founder Otara Gunewardena in a statement yesterday said her exit was to enable the organisation to be taken to the next level by the dynamic and fast growing Softlogic Holdings Plc and for her to focus more on another passion – Embark.

Following is the full text of Otara’s statement:
I wish to inform the public that I, along with my family members Ajit Gunewardene and Ruchi Gunewardene, have disposed all of our shares in Odel Plc this morning to the Softlogic Group.
I believe that the sale of our shares to the Softlogic Group is in the best interest of Odel Plc, and a natural progression to its continued growth. Having being nurtured from a simple retail operation from a car boot into one of the largest retail businesses in Sri Lanka during the last 25 years, Odel Plc now needs to move to the next level of retailing in order to be competitive, locally and globally.
This requires the entry of a larger player with a deep commitment to retailing, which I believe can best be provided by the Softlogic Group, which has a proven history of dynamism and perhaps an unrivalled track record of such operations in Sri Lanka.

Apart from the overall interests of the growth of Odel Plc, my decision to sell out of the company is also based on my personal desire to focus on another passion I dearly treasure in life: the pursuit of a mission to ensure the welfare of animals and the development of the Embark brand which funds such programs. The sale of my shares in Odel Plc will hopefully provide me with more time and energy to devote to these activities in the future.

I wish to state that I will continue my association with Odel Plc over the foreseeable future, and will provide all assistance and cooperation during the period of transition.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all my shareholders, customers, stakeholders and all well-wishers who have made this a truly wonderful journey. I hope that you will continue to support Odel Plc in the future.

Apple unveils watch, larger iPhones in bid to retake innovation crown

CUPERTINO Calif. (Reuters): Apple Inc unveiled a watch, two larger iPhones and a mobile payments service on Tuesday as Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook seeks to revive the technology company’s reputation as a wellspring of innovation.
The first new product to be developed and introduced under Cook’s reign is a timepiece tethered to the iPhone that will combine health and fitness tracking with communications. It will price at $ 349 and go on sale in early 2015.
First impressions were mixed. Some expected Apple to blow away the current competition but others warned the fact that it requires a paired iPhone may limit its sales.

Starting at $349 – $50 more than the cheapest version of the iPhone 6 with a contract, the lofty price tag may also keep some consumers on the sidelines. It could go up to more than $1,000 for higher-end editions, IDC analyst Danielle Levitas said.
The Apple Watch can receive phone calls and messages, play music, serve as a digital wallet to pay for goods and monitor heart rates via special sensors. The watches will come in three collections, including a sport edition and an upscale line coated in 18-karat gold.
“People are kind of scratching their heads on this watch, especially the fact that to successfully use the watch and to take advantage of its capabilities, you also have to have an iPhone,” said Daniel Morgan, vice president at Synovus Trust Company in Atlanta. “I don’t know if they’re in the right direction with this iWatch.”
Still, rival watch and wearable device makers will keep a wary eye on Apple, which upended the music industry and drove once-dominant phone makers like Blackberry to the brink of extinction.
Sony Corp, Samsung, LG Electronics Inc and Qualcomm Inc have already launched smartwatches, albeit without much success.
“Not the knockout some were anticipating. A bit gimmicky also on the health end of the wearable bands market,” said Jon Cox, an analyst of Swiss watch companies at brokerage Kepler Cheuvreux in Zurich.
“Not as cool as I feared. Nick Hayek is probably sleeping a little easier tonight,” Cox said, referring to the chief executive of Swatch Group.
Shares of the company closed just a tad higher after having risen almost 5 percent before executives trotted out the watch. The stock tends to rise in the run-up to a major product launch, and come under selling pressure afterward as investors cash out.
The watch is unlikely to increase Apple’s top-line. Estimates vary but IDC expects total global demand of 42 million smartwatches in 2015. Apple sells that many or more iPhones in a good quarter.
But the pressure was on for the world’s largest tech company to wow on Tuesday, after a years-long drought of products beyond new iPhones and iPads. The prospect of a new gadget attracted a broader swathe of attendees than usual, with celebrities, fashion industry editors and even healthcare executives rounding out the mostly tech-industry crowd.

Lankan-born Rajan Anandan is India’s top MNC CEO

Sri Lankan-born Rajan Anandan, the Head of Google India, has been ranked as India’s Top Multi National Corporation (MNC) Chief Executive Officer. 
Rajan is the son of endurance swimmer and multi-Guinness record holder, the late Kumar Anandan, and Manel Anandan (nee Samaraweera). He is an MIT and Stanford alumni, and previously worked for McKinsey, Microsoft & Dell, and is a Founding Partner of Blue Ocean Ventures.
Rajan has beaten some of the top and senior names in India whilst Google at brands level had superseded some of the more established global brands as well as per the ranking done by Economic Times of India.

Here is the impressive power list of Top 10 MNC CEOs in India:
1. Rajan Anandan, Head, Google India
2. D. Shivakumar, CEO Pepsico India
3 Sunil Kaushal, CEO Standard Chartered India
4. Sanjiv Mehta, CEO Hindustan Unilever
5. Martin Pieters, MD and CEO Vodafone India
6 Shinzo Nakanishi, CEO Maruti Suzuki
7. Kalpana Morparia, CEO JP Morgan India
8 Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head HSBC India
9. Parmit Jhaveri, CEO Citi India
10. B.D. Park, President Samsung India

Bloomberg to add Sri Lanka to its international release of Economic Forecasts

Sri Lanka’s profile for business and investment will get a big boost shortly when the world famous and influential premier source for business and financial market news, Bloomberg includes the country into its global service providing economic forecast. 

The Bloomberg’s Economic Forecasts (ECFC) tracks eight macro-economic indicators including GDP, inflation, unemployment, current account, budget deficit and interest rates. At present Bloomberg ECFC coverage has over 80 countries and territories.

“Very soon we will be including Sri Lanka in our ECFC service which is available in our Bloomberg Terminal subscribed by over 300,000 worldwide,” Bloomberg’s FX Application Specialist Stephen Jonathan told the Daily FT on the sidelines of the Invest Sri Lanka Forum in New York, which he moderated. ECFC is also available via www.bloombergbriefs.com.

Plans to include Sri Lanka were shared by Jonathan during his opening remarks at the New York Forum attended by over 150 US based fund managers and investors.
He said that data on Sri Lanka will be updated as and when required especially when new information is released.

The New York Forum last week as well the series of Investor Foras held in several parts of the world – London, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai were in partnership with Bloomberg.

Microsoft to cut 18,000 jobs this year as it chops Nokia

Reuters: Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella kicked off one of the largest layoffs in tech history on Thursday, hoping to reshape the aging PC industry titan into a nimbler rival to Apple and Google, and jolt a culture at the company that is used to protecting its existing Windows and Office franchises.
Microsoft Corp said on Thursday it will slash up to 18,000 jobs, or 14% of its workforce, over the next 12 months as it almost halves the size of its newly acquired Nokia phone business and tries to become a cloud-computing and mobile-friendly software company.
The larger-than-expected cuts are the deepest in the software giant’s 39-year history and come five months into Nadella’s tenure.Beyond the Nokia reductions, Nadella gave few clues about where the ax will fall or what areas will receive more funding.

One source briefed on the cuts said a major victim would be the 175-strong Xbox Entertainment Studios unit, which will start to wind down efforts to create original content. But it will continue to work on its highest-profile project, a filmed version of the blockbuster ‘Halo’ videogame.
Nadella said he will answer questions from employees at a town hall meeting at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on Friday and flesh out his plans publicly after Microsoft’s quarterly earnings report on July 22.
“We will simplify the way we work to drive greater accountability, become more agile and move faster,” Nadella wrote to employees in a memo made public early Thursday. “We plan to have fewer layers of management, both top down and sideways, to accelerate the flow of information and decision making.”
The size of the cuts were welcomed by Wall Street, which was critical of the Nokia acquisition and viewed Microsoft as bloated under previous CEO Steve Ballmer, topping 127,000 in staff after absorbing Nokia earlier this year.

“This is about double what the Street was expecting,” said Daniel Ives, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets. “Nadella is clearing the decks for the new fiscal year. He is cleaning up part of the mess that Ballmer left.”
Microsoft shares rose 1.8% to $ 44.88 on Nasdaq, reaching their highest since the technology stock boom of 2000.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Daily as You Roll Out of Bed

The morning is a powerful time to frame your mindset for the day ahead.


One of the best lifestyle practices you can get into as an entrepreneur is to start the day with some bold and optimistic questions to set the tone for how you’re going to approach what comes next. This helps you to be prepared for opportunities throughout the day by keeping your eyes open to possibility when there are inevitable challenges.


Here are three questions you should ask yourself every morning as soon as you wake up to help you be a rock star entrepreneur.


1. Who can I help today? There’s a famous Plato quote -- “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” It’s easy to wake up and have your very first thoughts be, “I didn’t get enough sleep” or “I’m so busy … how will I get it all done?”


While those thoughts are perfectly normal, they’re not necessarily inspiring. Everyone has something to offer others. When you start your day asking how you can be of service, it is tantamount to you saying, “I’ve got something to offer. I’ve got something to give.”


That’s a more empowering place to come from in life: offering value. Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas of ways you can help people and watch throughout the day as new opportunities to help will undoubtedly spring up.


2. What can I do better today? This can be as broad or specific as you want, but the point is to conceptualize what positive actions you can take today to be just a little bit better than the day before.


Did you slack off and skip the gym when you know you really needed to go? How can you take a positive step to ensure that the gym happens today? Lose your temper with someone on the staff and you wish you would’ve handled better? Brainstorm how you can approach that person today with a better understanding, and if necessary, an apology for your bad behavior.

Luxury hotel chain Ritz-Carlton ties up with Krrish

Luxury hotel chain Ritz-Carlton has signed a management agreement with Indian real estate company Krrish on a $ 650 million hotel project in Sri Lanka’s capital, a top official said yesterday.
Titled ‘Krrish Square,’ the project will have four high-rise ultra-luxurious towers and will be envisaged as a vertical city. Three of them will house high-end residential apartments.
The fourth tower will be the tallest tower with 85 levels complete with a high-end retail complex, commercial office outlets and a seven-star hotel, which will be managed by Ritz Carlton. “Krrish has informed us that they have tied up with Ritz-Carlton and we believe it will be to manage their hotel,” Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene told reporters.
However, the project has been dogged with controversy after the company repeatedly delayed lease payments to the Government, prompting the Investment Promotion Ministry to impose a 12% tax and threaten to end the contract.

The agreement for the Krrish project was initially signed in August 2012 with the money to be paid in full by January 2013. Yet a final payment of Rs. 690 million ($ 5.3 million) is still pending, with the company assuring it will be handed over to the Government on 15 July.
“If the payment is not made, then we will cancel the contract in September,” the Minister added.
Nonetheless, he denied the delay of the project, which was initially expected to open in 2016, being a disadvantage to the Government, which owns the land.
“We have made a car park into a money spinner,” he joked, insisting the Government had not made losses in the deal.
Krrish is hoping to cash in on Sri Lanka’s lucrative tourism industry, which has boomed since the end of the three-decade war in 2009.
The Investment Promotion Ministry estimates 8,000 rooms will be added to the existing 24,000 by end 2015, creating sufficient accommodation for the 2.5 million tourists targeted by the Government in 2016.
A second luxury hotel project by Hong Kong company Shangri-la in the southern Sri Lankan town is “70% complete” Yapa noted and likely to begin operations in early 2015.
In the first six months of this year, a total of 727,353 tourists arrived in the island, marking a 24.6% increase from the 583,573 who visited during the corresponding period in 2013.
Most of the tourist arrivals were from Western Europe, with 223,810 tourists visiting in the first six months of this year recording a 17% increase over corresponding 2013 figures, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said in its latest report on Wednesday.