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Suntel celebrates Marketing and Sales Awards Nite

Suntel Ltd, Sri Lanka’s fastest growing CDMA provider telecom provider recently held its Annual Marketing & Sales Awards Night. The event was based on the theme of the world celebrated Olympic Games.

Marketing & Sales (M&S) personnel were recognized and rewarded for their contribution in achieving the highest sales and extending the No.1 service to customers thus living upto the image of the brand, Suntel.

The staff of Marketing & Sales (M&S) commenced the night in grand splendour with the traditional passing of the Olympic flame from individual to individual, ending up with Managing Director Jeremy Huxtable lighting the Olympic lamp to open the awards night.

It was a night that will stay embedded in the minds of all the attendees for it was truly a spectacular event, where the atmosphere was intensified by the decor and whole look and feel of the Olympics.

Suntel M&S personnel who received awards for their achievements for the year were presented with medals and trophies, along with bouquets truly in the Olympic fashion.

“It was a splendid night and a memorable experience for all of us,” said Huxtable, “Our Marketing & Sales team work very hard to keep Suntel in the position of a trusted telecom provider in Sri Lanka and we, as the management of the company, wanted to express our heartfelt appreciation for our team” further stated Huxtable.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by the internal staff of Suntel Ltd, keeping the audience in peals of laughter and awe at all the performances, which just goes to show that the M&S staff of Suntel is exceptionally multi-talented.

Chevron, Senok renew business ties

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC recently renewed its business partnership with Senok Trade Combine Limited, the sole distributor for JCB, Kobelco, Sakai construction machineries and UD Nissan trucks in both Sri Lanka and Maldives.

“The partnership we share with Senok Trade Combine Limited is built on a common commitment to excellence in operations and business solutions” said Managing Director / CEO for Chevron in Sri Lanka Kishu Gomes. “Over the years, having understood their needs and requirement, we are now able to serve them better as we enter a new phase in this partnership.”

In this renewed partnership agreement, Chevron will continue to support Senok through technical advice, training, joint promotions, and brand assistance, supported by the unsurpassed performance of the internationally reputed brand Caltex Delo.

Caltex Delo has a long history of proven performance that has firmly established the Delo brand name worldwide as the symbol of reliability and unsurpassed performance for all types of diesel engines.

The advanced ISOSYN(r) technology of Delo 400 is specifically designed to provide premium performance under the most severe conditions. Through ongoing innovation and continual testing, Delo 400 provides the most technically advanced solution for virtually any diesel engine.

This premium engine oil combines ISOSYN(r) technology and unique additives to provide the ultimate in engine protection

Chevron will also continue to play an active role through the Senok Heavy Machinery Training Institute (SMTI), a joint venture with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority in Sri Lanka.

The institute offers 17 courses ranging from basic and advanced operator training, welding courses, supervisory management courses, light construction operator and supervisory courses which are on par with the National Skill Standard Level for construction equipment operators predetermined by NAITA (National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority).

TRI, TRA sign MoU to gear tea production

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Tea Research Institute (TRI) Sri Lanka and Tea Research Association (TRA) India signed an MoU recently with a view to boosting joint research activities in tea. The MoU was signed by TRI Chairman Dr Jerry Jayawardena and TRA Chairman CS Bedi at the Cinamara based Tockia Experimental station recently.

Dr Jayawardena said that the collaborative research areas will be plant breeding. Studies on maximum residue level, biological control of pests mechanization of field and factory operations and development of chemical index for quality tea, harvesting techniques and soil health.

Through this MoU, the strengths of both the institutes will be fully exploited on the one hand and scarce resources much better utilized by preventing duplication of research in common areas.

The delegation was led by Minister of Plantation Industries D.M. Jayaratne and he was accompanied by Chairman Tea Board Lalith Hetttiarachchi TRI Director S.B Abeysinha Director TRI, and five other scientists. TRA Chairman Bedi hoped that the MoU would yield positive results by 2010 which will be the Centenary year of Tockia Experimental station.

The Chairman of TRI Jayawardena commented that the MoU would be beneficial for both the countries at the international platform as Indian being the largest black tea producer and Sri Lanka being the largest tea exporter could collaborate and effectively project issues like MRL before international organisations, FAO and ISO.

TRA Director Dr Abeysinghe, highlighted the possible benefits either country could achieve through the MoU.

Eagle to conduct national safety awards 2008

The safest workplaces in Sri Lanka will be recognised at the seventh National Safety Awards (NSA) presentation, evolved and sponsored by Eagle Insurance to be held on September, 18 at the Trans Asia Hotel. Collaborating with Eagle Insurance are the Department of Labour and Employees’ Trust Fund Board.

The selection panel comprised officials from the Department of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety and a panel of Health and Safety consultants.

The response for this national event has been most encouraging with numerous workplaces in the public and private sectors vying for the coveted award. In order to facilitate maximum participation, the competition is conducted in three categories - large, medium and small.

Those with 250 or more employees fall into the large category while those having between 125 to 249 employees are categorised as medium. Those with 25 to 124 employees form the small category. Sectoral awards are also on offer for manufacturing and processing, apparel and allied industries, plantations and engineering services.

The National Safety Award, held once in two years, was evolved by Eagle after identifying the need to enhance industrial safety in Sri Lanka.

The NSA was first awarded in 1994 and was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was Minister of Labour and Vocational Training at the time.

The NSA is an extension of Eagle’s very comprehensive and focused CSR strategy designed to positively affect all stakeholders and the nation. Eagle’s CSR is consistent, comprehensive, and consciously impacts the country with a profound commitment towards building a better society.

The Minister of Labour Relations and Manpower, Athauda Seneviratne will be the chief guest at the ceremony.

Eagle is an Aviva Company. Aviva is one of the world’s oldest insurance groups, with a history dating back over 300 years to 1696.

Today it is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK. The group has 57,000 employees serving 45 million customers worldwide with more than GBP 359 billion of assets under management.

Arpico biz promo continues

Scores of revellers packed the aisles as shoppers had the time of their lives at the Arpico Family Carnival that’s now the most happening event at Arpico Super Centres, from July through September.

The promotion caused a buzz of excitement among shoppers, many of whom bought goods that included any three of the brands, Surf, Signal, Astra, Knorr, Sunsilk and Clear - to be in the running for Rs.1,000,000 worth in prizes. Many other exciting gifts are being won, both daily as well as weekly.

Scores of lucky shoppers are winning baskets of goodies every day, while families win weekend trips for 4 each week. What’s more, all kids below 10 years completing the activity sheet on the Arpico leaflet walk away with a bag of delicious goodies.

Unilever in partnership with Arpico promises shoppers a truly memorable family experience in recognition of the Super Centres as being the preferred family shopping environment today, and this is the first time ever that the novel concept of an in-store carnival has been introduced to Sri Lanka.

“Providing an exciting, engaging and enriched shopping experience is an important aspect for us at Unilever.

We invest both time and money in understanding our shoppers’ needs and always work towards providing the perfect solutions,” confirmed Customer Marketing Manager Shamara Silva. Added Customer Manager Priyanga Nanayakkara, “It is truly a privilege to partner with Arpico and to provide this unparalleled experience to our loyal shoppers.” Marketing Manager of Arpico Avanthie De Zoysa, reiterated that, “We at Arpico believe in rewarding our loyal customers and adding value to their shopping experience. Hence we are pleased to partner with Unilever in carrying out this joint mega promotional campaign “Arpico Family Carnival” which brings about fun and excitement to the entire family”

Standard Chartered tackles Silent Stealer of Sight

Standard Chartered Bank has addressed the increasing risk of Glaucoma related blindness in the country by setting up an exclusive Glaucoma Unit at the Lions Gift of Sight Hospital in Panadura. Equipment valued at Rs 3.25 Million was handed over to the hospital by CEO, Clive Haswell as part of the Bank’s long term commitment to eradicate curable blindness in Sri Lanka.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. People over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted are most at risk.

Glaucoma is detected through the use of specialized equipment and if left unchecked will lead to progressive loss of sight. Glaucoma is a condition that is irreversible and as such the burden on early detection is greater.

The Visual Field Recording Analyzer is helped to identify the gradual reduction in the angle of vision caused by Glaucoma and can be treated and controlled in accordance thereafter. The Visual Field Recording donated by Standard Chartered Bank is only the third of its kind in Colombo.

“We hope this equipment can provide early detection of Glaucoma to those who would not otherwise be able to detect and minimize the impact of this disease. We see it part of the next phase of our commitment to increase the support that we have been providing the Lions Hospital and also inline with the next phase of the Bank’s Seeing is Believing programme,” said CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Clive Haswell.

Standard Chartered has been working closely with the Lions Gift of Sight Hospital Panadura over the years providing over 20 cataract operations a month, free of charge to patients who could not otherwise afford the operations and after care.

Also providing equipment for eye surgery to regional hospitals, Standard Chartered has funded training of ophthalmologists in Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SISC) as well as providing them the micro instruments they require, training ophthalmic theatre nurses and providing eye-care, training for over 175 health care workers. At a grass roots level volunteers organized free eye testing for the public through mobile eye testing units.

“Standard Chartered Bank is making a great contribution towards eye-care in Sri Lanka. said Mahendra Amarasooriya, Immediate Past President of Lions International and Chairman LCIF.

Swadeshi improves Dambadeniya children’s ward

Children seeking treatment for diarrhoea at the Children’s Ward of Base Hospital in Dambadeniya can now recuperate in a brighter environment thanks to a community project funded by Sri Lanka’s leading personal care products manufacturer the Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC.

The project under the banner of the Swadeshi Khomba Baby Care Range, the only leading herbal baby care brand in Sri Lanka, has funded an extension of the existing children’s ward to create a section exclusively for the treatment of diarrhoea cases.

The new section was handed over to hospital authorities by Swadeshi Chairperson/Managing Director Ms. Amari Wijewardene during the annual Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya Dalada Perahera season.

National Chamber to conduct training courses on exporting

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka will hold a series of one-day training courses on exporting. These short duration courses will be held in every month.

The first course on “Introduction to Exporting” will be on September, 24, from 8.00 am 5.00 pm. in the Chamber auditorium, 450, D R Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

These training courses are designed to provide perfect knowledge and understanding of export procedures to those entering the exporting newly and the new staff of export oriented companies.

At the one day training course to be conducted on September, 24 the subjects that will be discussed are “Why export, Planning to export, Strategic decisions, Export enquiries, Understanding, Responding and Converting to Business, Incoterms, method of calculating export prices and profit, Procedure on contract, Internal order processing and Dispatch preparation, methods of payment, insurance, Marine and credit and export documents Internal, External and VAT, Customs duties, Export cess, Shipping methods, Ramifications of different methods, costs, time.”

Those interested in registration for the training courses should contact the Chamber on their email [email protected],

Shalwar promo for Ramazan from Hameedia

In celebration of the forthcoming Ramazan festive season, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist Hameedia has just launched a colourful shalwar promotion - The September Shalwar Spree - with special discounts on offer.

Operative from Friday 12 to Sunday 14, this special September Shalwar Spree features the latest collections and is being held at Hameedia showrooms at Wellawatte, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Wattala, Rajagiriya, Negombo and Kandy. On offer will be a 25% discount on all items. In addition to this is also a 50% discount on selected items until stocks last.

Managing Director Fouzul Hameed said, “The traditional shalwar is a very popular item of clothing among Muslim and non-Muslim women in Sri Lanka. Known both for its comfort and modesty, the shalwar is also very much in demand as an item of clothing. Our September Shalwar Spree offers all our customers just that, and with amazing discounts too, this festive season”.

“We’re targeting women, both young and old who want clothes that are striking and make them stand out. There are a lot of women who are price conscious and yet want real value for money, women who at the same time want nothing but the best in terms of quality and appearance”, Hameed added.