Business
Training school for firefighters to be set up in Galle
For the first time in South Asia, an internationally-accredited training school for firefighters will be opened in Galle, aiming to attract both local and foreign students.The two companies involved in this initiative, Association of Firefighters South Korea and Troja International Management and Consulting Services, Biyagama, are targeting to attract students from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives to follow this six months course.
Though there is huge demand in the world for qualified firefighters, there is no internationally qualified firefighting training school in the region, hence many high- paying international job opportunities do not come to the region, depriving it of a huge amount of foreign remittances, informed sources said.
“It is to fill this gap that we joined Association of Firefighters South Korea, one of the largest training schools in Korea, said chairman, Troja International Management and Consulting Services Dr. Nimal Rohitha Kahagalagewa.
Kahagalagewa said that they hope to commence the course in September and are expecting to produce 500 firefighters within the first six months.
Director, Troja international Ravindra Gayanath said that they have already received the approval and the assistance of the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara. “The minister has also provided space to us from the Galle Town Hall premises to launch this course. We hope to advertise this course from next month.”
‘The Galle Municipal Council firefighting unit too would be upgraded to facilitate practical training activities, chairman, Association of Firefighters South Korea, Kang Yun Jin said. ‘Sri Lanka went through a financial crisis and we are very keen to open this school in Sri Lanka which will help to increase remittances to the island.’
Kang added: ‘After undergoing the first course (TOPIK2) in Sri Lanka, trainees will be recruited to the school where they will be provided advanced training and then sent for employment where over 450 companies in Korea have ready-made jobs for them. The minimum salary would be nearly Rs. 700,000.”If our firefighters want to move to Europe, UK or USA this too is possible as our certificate is accepted all over the world.’
Chairman, Association of Nursing South Korea, Kim Song Chor said that as in the case of firefighters there is also a demand for caregivers in hospitals in Korea and that they hope to introduce a similar TOPIK2 course in nursing, starting at the end of the year, also in Galle.
Chor, who is also a Vice President at the Association of Firefighters said they will be sending volunteer teachers for both these courses, while online platforms too would be introduced.
(HS)
Business
Affairs of Sri Lankan Airlines could be turned around using local expertise – former CAA chair
The financial affairs of national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines could be turned around along with the fortunes of Mattala Airport, using local management expertise without divesting these assets, former chairman CAA and veteran travel and tourism expert Upul Dharmadasa said.
“Sri Lanka has experts and knowledgeable persons to develop Sri Lankan Airlines into a viable entity. But when it comes to the debt restructuring process the government should absorb the losses to salvage our national carrier, former chairman Civil Aviation Authority Upul Dharmadasa told The Island Financial Review.
Speaking on Mattala Airport Dharmadasa said that during the Covid 19 pandemic he spearhead the airlines’ operations to bring more than 138,000 Sri Lankans back into the country. “At that time Mattala Airport functioned as a second international airport and it assisted the government in managing Covid patients in a more systematic way, he said.
Dharmadasa added: ‘Further, Mattala Airport’s 12 anniversary falls today. It falls on the government to develop it as the second international airport. It could attract large aircraft.
“We need to deploy proper and qualified persons to streamline the entire process.
“I have been in the airline industry for more than four decades. The number of airline arrivals in the country and departures from it have come down considerably after Covid 19 pandemic.
“In this scenario, Sri Lankan Airlines should focus on launching new flights to US and Canada. Together they account for more than 1.4 million Sri Lankan diaspora members who fly to Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lankan Airlines should resume Rome flights as well, which is a lucrative market. Apart from that Sri Lankan Airlines should focus on new destinations, wherein they could sell tickets and attract huge revenue to the airline.
“The airline should have 25 aircraft to offer uninterrupted services to air travelers but at present it has only 23 aircraft.”
By Hiran H Senewiratne
LOLC Al-Falaah, Sri Lanka’s leading provider of alternate financial solutions, proudly announces the launch of ‘Al-Falaah Wakalah Future-Cash’, a pioneering Shariah-compliant alternative for Factoring, Invoice & Cheques discounting facility, designed to transform business financing. This ground-breaking financial solution empowers businesses to elevate and realize future cash flows in real-time, while maintaining adherence to ethical financial principles. Setting a new benchmark in Sri Lanka’s Islamic financial services sector, this initiative strengthens LOLC Al-Falaah’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the alternate finance arena.
Unlike conventional Factoring, which relies on interest-based returns against receivables, LOLC Al-Falaah’s ‘Wakalah Future-Cash Today’ product is structured under the ‘Wakalah-Bil-Istithmar’ concept, ensuring full compliance with Islamic economic jurisprudence. Through this model, LOLC Al-Falaah provides capital infusion into business operations in exchange for a pre-determined Anticipated Profit Return (APR), eliminating interest-based transactions. Businesses are appointed as agents to deploy these funds within their operations, with surplus earnings allocated as a performance incentive. This structure enhances financial discipline, promotes transparency, and encourages ethical business practices.
The introduction of this pioneering facility is particularly timely as Sri Lanka transitions towards economic recovery and long-term stability. Shiraz Refai, Head of Alternate Financial Services at LOLC Al-Falaah, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “As Sri Lanka embarks on a path of economic resurgence, businesses require the right financial instruments to capitalize on emerging opportunities. As a trailblazer in the alternate financial services sector, LOLC Al-Falaah has identified a critical gap in the bills-discounting and factoring industry. The launch of LOLC Al-Falaah’s ‘Wakalah Future-Cash Today’ product presents a strategic solution that enhances liquidity and working capital efficiencies while adhering to Islamic financial principles.
City Cycle Industries Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, a leading provider of sustainable mobility solutions and renowned for its household brand Lumala, has been honored with the Best National Industry Brand award under the Large-Scale Other Industry Sector at the recent National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Technical Development Board under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the award ceremony was held on 21 February at Eagle Lakeside and saw the participation of distinguished leaders from diverse industry sectors. The vent was graced by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as the Chief Guest.
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