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To instill a sense of awareness about the environment:

CEA and John Keells inaugurate ‘Nature Field Centre’ at Rumassala

Sri Lanka’s first ever Nature Field Centre at Rumassala, Galle, a collaboration between the Central Environment Authority (CEA) and John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation, was formally declared open recently by Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Patali Champika Ranawake in the presence of Deputy Minister for Social Services and Welfare, Lionel Premasiri, Director-General, CEA - Pasan Gunasena, Director, John Keells Holdings Sumithra Gunesekera and Chairman, State Mortgage and Investment Bank Chandima Weerakkody.

The construction of the Nature Field Centre began in February this year. The building has been constructed on a block of land managed by the CEA in an area rich in biodiversity, with over eighty species of birds, seventy-five recorded species of butterflies, marine life, coral reefs and a number of rare medicinal plants. The Centre includes an auditorium, a library and information centre on marine life managed by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union).

The facility consists of a second building that serves as a canteen while the main auditorium building targets education primarily among schoolchildren.

The Nature Field Centre, which will be operated by the CEA, will conduct half-day programmes for schoolchildren to experience, observe, research and learn about the flora and fauna and biodiversity in the area, eco-friendly practices and co-existing in harmony with the environment.

Audio-visual tools will also be used to educate visitors about global warming, the detrimental effects of green house gases and renewable sources of energy.

Over 45 plant species in the area have been named and marked, making even a walk through the trail an educational experience. The Nature Field Centre is also open to all other visitors, including foreigners; and welcomes volunteers from the area who can add value to the programmes through their knowledge of the environment.

Commenting on the initiative, Sumithra Gunesekera, Director, John Keells Holdings said “Our natural environment is the heritage of every citizen. It is our duty to instil in our children a sense of awareness about their environment.

I am delighted that we received the opportunity to sponsor an initiative of this nature.

Through this Nature Field Centre and its activities, I hope that we will be able to give our children and the future generations a solid education about our invaluable environment and its conservation.”

The Nature Field Centre is the result of a MoU signed in January this year between the Central Environment Authority and John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation (JKSRF).

Free pre-paid connection and talk time from Tigo

Nokia and Tigo have come together to offer free pre-paid Tigo connection and free talk time worth Rs 600 on every purchase of a Nokia 1680 classic phone. The Nokia 1680 classic is Nokia’s most affordable camera phone offering essential mobile phone functionality with the added benefits of a basic digital camera and video recording features.

The partnership between Nokia and Tigo aims to make essential mobile phone functions available to a wider portion of Sri Lanka’s population and demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to bringing products and services that serve the varied needs and preferences of the Sri Lankan market.

People in the Sri Lankan market and regionally are increasingly expecting more from their mobile phones and the Nokia 1680 was launched to meet the expectations of affordability and functionality beyond basic voice and sms” said, Nokia’s National Sales Manager for Sri Lanka Kent Sitaca.

The Nokia 1680 classic offers consumers opportunities for social networking via its functionality and contemporary design.

In addition to the VGA camera and video recording features, the device comes equipped with one-touch access for photos and videos, phone sharing functionality and easy access to e-mail which makes it useful for families and small businesses.

The device also offers ring-tones with audio recording to personalise and share.

KOMPASS introduces B2B tools

KOMPASS Sri Lanka has introduced new business-to-business tools for the promotion and sourcing of products and services for the Sri Lankan companies. A value-added feature called the “Quick Find Index” is included in the print edition of 2008 to help the Sri Lankan business community in particular to find products and services offered by the Sri Lankan companies in a much easier way.

Unlike the previous one, the user-friendly CD-ROM is simplified further and technologically improved with new features that provide email and internet links with just a click and go. The logos and the product pictures of the advertisers have been incorporated for better showcasing.

The improved data downloading facility makes the COMPASS CD ROM a sought after product for the business analysts. This easy-to-use system cuts down the lead time and cost of operations drastically compared to the normal methods of emailing and faxing that are used by many purchasing departments today.

This system is constantly updated and also enhances the productivity of all purchasing departments and facilitates effective management of supply base, importantly, reducing the decision-making time.

KOMPASS international was established in Switzerland in 1947, and it has serviced both business and industry for over 60 years and is now represented in 75 countries in all continents worldwide employing over 3000 people.

KOMPASS provides in-depth information on 2.3 million companies that are listed in the KOMPASS classification system across nine global regions and is translated into 26 languages.

KOMPASS Sri Lanka is now in its ninth year of operations in Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in promoting more than 4000 Sri Lankan companies both large and medium scale showcasing their products and services to many of the World’s largest business enterprises.

KOMPASS Sri Lanka stands for the Register of Industry - Trade and services of Sri Lanka and is the most cost-effective way to bridge buyers and sellers to trade their products/services both globally and locally.

Rohitha Amarapala Charter President of IPM Toastmasters Club

IPM Sri Lanka establised a Toastmasters Club recently for the benefit of its members, students and staff.

The vice president of IPM, Rohitha Amarapala was elected as the Charter president of the IPM Toastmasters Club and other office bearrers are Namal Jayaweera, D G M Senadeera, Dananjaya Jayakody, Niluka Hettige, B G Karunananda and Prasad Hewagama.

Making a special statement at the inaugural meeting Rohitha Amarapala stated that it would be an ideal opportunity for the stakeholders of IPM to develop their Communication and Leadership skills among a group of people who are there for the same reason.

He also appreciated the catalyst role played by BCIS Toastmasters Club, the Divisional governor and the deputy of Toastmasters Sri Lankan movement, Batiya Hettiarachchi and Sudash Liyanage in forming this unique club.