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VIDEO: What is OpenAI’s super-secret Project Q*
A breakthrough in artificial intelligence at OpenAI preceded former CEO Sam Altman’s firing and was part of a list of the board’s grievances, according to sources cited in a Reuters report. Andrew Chang explains what we know about the AI technology referred to as Q*, and also breaks down the gap between current AI technology […]
Quick chat with celebrity Chef Gary Mehigan
The renowned Celebrity Chef and former judge of MasterChef Australia, Gary Mehigan, engaged in a brief online discussion ahead of his highly anticipated trip to Sri Lanka at the end of the month. The culinary maestro is set to captivate Sri Lanka during a three-day culinary extravaganza, in partnership with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. From […]
| Ilya Sutskever
Just weeks before the management shakeup at OpenAI rocked Silicon Valley and made international news, the company’s cofounder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever explored the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), highlighting how it could surpass human intelligence and profoundly transform every aspect of life. Hear his take on the promises and perils of […]
Public officials are duty bound to discharge public trust reposed in them: Eran
Eran Wickramaratne SJB MP stressed that it is the rule of law that is our biggest defence. SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa on November 20th, is on record referring to the Supreme Court landmark verdict questioning the right of the petitioners to challenge government policies in the court. Mr. Wickramaratne remarked that the questioning was hilarious […]
Headline inflation is expected to converge towards 5-pct level over medium term, says CBSL
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that the spillover effects of tax measures and other developments are likely to be muted due to subdued underlying demand pressures; hence, this rise in inflation is expected to be transitory. A one-off upward movement in inflation is expected in the near term, driven mainly by the changes to the […]
Monetary Policy Board further reduces policy interest rates by 1-pct
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 23 November 2023, decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points (bps) to 9.00 per cent and 10.00 per cent, respectively. The Central […]
Advocata Institute raises concerns over enforcing minimum room rates for hotels in Colombo
The Advocata Institute raised concerns about the policy by Sri Lankan authorities to enforce minimum room rates for hotels in Colombo starting from October 1st, 2023. The gazetted rates are USD 100 for 5-star hotels, USD 75 for 4-star hotels, USD 50 for 3-star hotels, USD 35 for 2- star hotels, and USD 20 for […]
Commercial Credit enters digital Payment space with Pay&Go
Heralding its entry into the digital payment space, Commercial Credit and Finance PLC (CCF) recently announced its acquisition of a 19.99% stake in Mega Pay (Pvt.) Ltd., which provides payment services under the Pay&Go brand. Pay&Go is the first step in Commercial Credit and Finance entering the digital payment space. The partnership with Mega Pay is […]
‘s Basel III Subordinated Debt BBB+(EXP)(lka)
Fitch Ratings has assigned Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) (CC/CCC-/A(lka)/Stable) proposed Basel III-compliant subordinated unsecured debentures of up to LKR10 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘BBB+(EXP)(lka)’. The proposed debentures will mature in five years and be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The bank plans to use the proceeds to strengthen its Tier 2 […]
HIP briefs newly appointed Sri Lankan Heads of Mission and Ambassadors
Seven Sri Lankan Heads of Mission/Ambassador designates to foreign embassies and high commissions, were given a detailed orientation by Hambantota International Port (HIP) on port operations and activities. Tissa Wickramasinghe, COO of the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) briefed the group of diplomats on these aspects, covering the port’s progress over the last 5 years. […]