Business
MV HR Sarera becomes first caller at JCT after Covid-19 pandamic

With a greater focus to provide flexible feeder connections in Colombo, HR Lines, Bangladesh feeder vessel operator, who introduced their feeder service, CCE – Chattogram Colombo Express in April 2021, has dedicated one of their Chattogram loops to call at JCT effective MV HR SARERA Voyage 0042N called at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo (POC) on 10.03.2022. The occasion was participated by the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Tareq Md Ariful Islam.
MV HR SARERA is the first inaugural caller at the JCT of SLPA after Covid -19 pandemic. To mark the inaugural call of the vessel plaque exchanges were held at the JCT of SLPA. Clarion Shipping (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis group is the local agent for the vessel.
HR Lines stared the Colombo – Chattogram feeder service with 02 vessels, once a week sailing and eventually will upgrade it to twice weekly with adding 02 more vessels by October 2022. Being one of the prominent feeder operators, within a year, HR Lines has secured a total market share of about 35% of this trade lane. HR Line is a part of diversified group Karnaphuli Bangladesh and is determined to enhance their presence in Colombo with further developments.
Expressing views at the occasion, Chairman of SLPA Dr.Prasantha Jayamanna said that during the discussions held with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, it was apparent that Bangladesh was immensely supportive of improving mutually beneficial relationships between the two countries and also for working together to bring in more practical and workable business solutions in policy decision levels towards enhancing volumes at the JCT and POC. He also thanked the Hayleys Advantis group for having trust on the JCT to have the new initiative and for its continuity.
Speaking at the occasion, Bangladesh High Commissioner said that shipping connectivity was one of the most important areas in developing bilateral relations between the two countries. He also thanked the JCT and the Port of Colombo for the improved efficiency in operations and wished for a long lasting relationship that would open more business avenues in maritime operations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Business
Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+

Oil-producing countries have agreed to continued cuts in production in a bid to shore up flagging prices.
Saudi Arabia said it would make cuts of a million barrels per day (bpd) in July and Opec+ said targets would drop by a further 1.4 million bpd from 2024.
Opec+ accounts for around 40% of the world’s crude oil and its decisions can have a major impact on oil prices.
In Asia trade on Monday, Brent crude oil rose by as much as 2.4% before settling at around $77 a barrel.
The seven hour-long meeting on Sunday of the oil-rich nations, led by Russia, came against a backdrop of falling energy prices.
Total production cuts, which Opec+ has undertaken since October 2022, reached 3.66 million bpd, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Opec+, a formulation which refers to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, had already agreed to cut production by two million bpd, about 2% of global demand.
(BBC)
Business
Manpower services agency wins accolades for its contribution to foreign employment sector

Its MD says. ‘go abroad only if you can work hard’
Siraj Manpower Services, one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign employment agencies, was honoured with the Three-Star Award at the ‘Golden Awards’ 2023, organised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). This award ceremony was organised to honour foreign employment agencies that have made a significant contribution to the development of the foreign employment sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services, was presented with the award at the award ceremony which was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour Manusha Nanayakkara.
Having been established in 2002, Siraj Manpower Services (www.sirajmanpower.lk) has earned a reputation in the field of foreign employment by winning the trust of customers for more than 20 years. It has been offering job opportunities in the Middle East countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia as housekeepers, drivers, sanitation workers, labourers and also jobs related to the apparel industry. All these workers are entitled to approved salary scales certified by the SLBFE.
“We always stand for the safety of workers who go abroad through our organisation. We work to solve the problems that arise in relation to the contracts that the workers have entered into. I must mention something special to those who go abroad for employment. That is, you should keep in mind that you go abroad only to work. Go abroad only if you can work hard. You have to remember that you are going abroad to earn some more money and achieve the advancement of your family.” said Siraj Cafoor.
Business
Ports Minister invites Singaporean investors to develop Colombo North Port

The Minister of Ports, Navigation and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva was on an observation tour on 3rd of June to witness the operations and development of Singapore’s main port. During the tour, he had a special discussion with the head of PSA International Private Company which carries out the operations and development of the Singapore port.
Won Chee Fung, CEO of the company’s Middle East and South Asia arm said if there are investment opportunities for development and operations in the ports of Sri Lanka, they would like to apply for them.
The Minister told him that since the government has planned to start the development of the North Colombo Port, a suitable investment plan and proposal could be made for it. He also requested the heads of PSA International Private Company to provide a suitable proposal for the development of Trincomalee Port.
PSA International is one of the few largest companies operating in ports in the world, and 37,000 million containers are handled per year in Singapore’s main port alone.Officials including Assistant Vice President of PSA Company Lim Wei Chang, Chairman of JCT Oil Bank Company, Lakmal Ratnayake and representatives of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Singapore also participated in this discussion.
-
News6 days ago
Police looking for security guard of Sirisena’s brother
-
News7 days ago
Sri Lankans living abroad can apply for a new passport or renew their passport online from 01 June
-
Latest News6 days ago
Jadeja’s nerveless hitting gifts Chennai Super Kings fifth IPL title
-
Features6 days ago
Sri Lanka’s ignorance matches that of US – II
-
Features6 days ago
President’s efforts require parliamentary support
-
News6 days ago
Six Lankan victims of trafficking repatriated from Myanmar
-
Business6 days ago
Havelock City Mall to be launched
-
Features6 days ago
Excitement galore for Janaka