ADVERTORIAL

Chevron strengthens Maldivian with new business initiatives

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC announced that it will further strengthen its presence in the Maldives, one of its key export markets, through the introduction of new business initiatives during the last quarter of 2008.

These include forming new strategic partnerships, providing technical training and advice and assisting with brand support.

Chevron Sri Lanka will initiate new strategic alliances in the Maldives to further its business opportunities in both the power generation and fisheries sectors within the country.

The fisheries industry is the bloodline of the Maldivian economy contributing approximately 7 percent to the nation, a vital source of foreign exchange to the country and Chevron has continued to play an active part in this sector.

In addition, Chevron will leverage its technical capabilities through seminars and workshops in the power generation, transportation and fisheries industries while simultaneously imparting technical advice and conducting brand support campaigns in the local market.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC is represented in Maldives by Damas, an organisation with a history spanning 25 years in the Maldivian market and actively present in a number of key sectors in the economy with concentration on sales and distribution of hardware, construction materials, furniture and other industrial and household appliances.

It also represents a number of well-recognized international brands in addition to the Caltex range of lubricants such as RJ London paints and putty, Multilac range of paints and WIL brand furniture systems.

“We are committed to further enhancing the relations we have with Chevron to grow the business in Maldives and capitalize on our government’s future expansion plans for the country”, said Chairman of Damas Mohamed Salih, Salih also serves as a member of the Economic advisory committee to the President and holds the post of President of the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC is also engaged in export operations to Bangladesh, Re-Union, Mauritius Island and India.

HNB Pathum Vimana Awards Audi Car

H.A.D.M. Jayantha was the winner of the brand new Audi A4 car offered through the Pathum Vimana midyear Premium draw. Nihal Kakulawala the Chief Financial Officer of HNB handed over the keys to the brand new Audi A4 car to the winner at a prize presentation ceremony held recently. Jayantha is a customer with the HNB Kandana Customer Centre.

The Pathum Vimana 2008 is the biggest deposit draw in Sri Lanka with over 15,000 prizes offered this year worth more than 100 million rupees.

The savers with HNB can look forward to win an apartment from Colombo from the Year End premium draw and a luxury Montero Jeep from the Year End grand draw in addition to these fabulous prizes HNB Customers can also win prizes ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs.

100,000 in the Pathum Vimana weekly game show telecast on Rupavahini and 100 gift vouchers worth Rs. 10,000 each to shop at Cargills, Keels Super and Arpico Super markets every weekend from the HNB Super Weekend draw.

This year the Pathum Vimana Gamin Gamata Draw was introduced for the benefit of HNB Customers in rural areas giving them the opportunity to win tractors, motor cycles, trucks and many other household electrical items.

The Gamin Gamata Draw will be held in October.

To qualify for the Pathum Vimana 2008 Year End Grand Draw, TV game show, HNB Super Weekend Draw, all you have to do is to maintain a minimum balance of Rs. 10,000 in Savings Account, Singithi Savings Account or Current Account for a period of one calendar month prior to the draw.

And to qualify for the premium draw a minimum balance of Rs. 100,000 has to be maintained in a savings or a Singithi Savings account or a minimum balance of Rs 50,000 has to be maintained in a current account for one calendar month immediately prior to the draw.

To qualify for Gamin Gamata Draw a minimum balance of Rs. 5,000 has to be maintained in a Savings Account for a one calendar month immediately prior to the draw.

Swadeshi Khomba illuminates Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya
 

The Aloka Poojawa of Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya during this year’s Dalada Poojopahara Perahera, was sponsored for the seventh year by the Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the pioneer herbal personal care products manufacturer in Sri Lanka.

Chairperson of Swadeshi Amari Wijewardene commented that the company’s values are deeply entrenched in the rich history and traditions of Sri Lanka and that Swadeshi is committed to support such religious activities.

She said the company’s support for these events is greatly appreciated by the devotees who visit these sites to pay homage.

Dambadeniya was the third kingdom in Sri Lanka and the Viharaya was built in the reign of King Parakramabahu II.

The Dalada Perahera was begun to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, which was kept there for a short period. Swadeshi currently supports the Aloka Poojas of three of the four guardian Gods of Sri Lanka, namely God Vibishana-Kelaniya, God Kataragama-Kataragama and God Saman-Saman Devalaya Ratnapura.

Nawaloka Industries opens first retail outlet at Nawinna

Nawaloka Industries Ltd, member of Nawaloka Group has ventured in to retail segment directly with opening of their first showroom mostly with own products at High Level road, Nawinna, Maharagama.

Nawaloka Industries is the pioneer manufacturer of iron wire nails, barbed wire, welded mesh, chain link fencing, hexagonal netting, brass screw and brass panel pins for last 44 years. With the main objective of supplying genuine quality products and extend the superior service throughout the country.

Our vision and the goal are to increase customer base through the showroom net work by providing them a better-quality service all over the country.

As a result of that the Nawaloka Industries have taken another step in their endeavour and significantly to increase the presence in the trade. Nawaloka Industries is one of the main contributors for the local construction industries while supplying products with economical and very reasonable price.

Managing Director Nawaloka Industries, Upali Dharmadasa said, ‘Developing trade is a main objective and launching products awareness programme soon as possible will be very important to establish among the competitors’.

He further stated that we are planning to explore the market and identify the market requirement, potential and invest as a local manufacture in future. The founder and the Chairman H.K. Darmadasa declared open the new showroom according to traditions at a ceremony.

Nawaloka pioneered the concept of total solution in the Sri Lankan local manufacturing industries and has been recognised as a leading organisation for the last 44 years.

Emirates passengers win 250,000 skywards miles

A stroke of good fortune saw three Emirates passengers in Sri Lanka win a whopping 250,000 Skywards Miles from the frequent flyer programme of the award-winning international airline.

By simply booking their travel online via www.emirates.com/lk the three passengers qualified for a draw at which all on-line bookings which resulted in travel during the months of May and June 2008 had an equal winning chance. The first prize of 100,000 Skywards Miles was won by Master Jamieneil Maddock, while the second and third prizes of 75,000 miles each went to Dishan Wickramaratne and Lucy Emerton.

The Skywards Miles won at this promotion were in addition to the Miles each of these passengers earned in respect of their flights. The Skywards Miles won and accumulated can be redeemed for free air tickets or many other benefits offered by Skywards, including upgrades, hotel accommodation, excursions, exclusive shopping, and fine dining.

One of the world’s fastest growing international airlines, Emirates operates 17 services a week from Colombo to Dubai and four services a week from Colombo to Singapore and Jakarta.

The winner of more than 300 major international awards, Emirates flies to 101 cities in 61 countries in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and Asia-Pacific.

Two Lankans for World Delphic Competition 2008

Two handicraft artistes registered with the National Crafts Council have got an opportunity to participate in the second world Delphic Competition of artists, sculptors and handicraft artistes to be held in Saratov, Russia.

The competition is sponsored by UNESCO and organised by the National Delphic Council of Russia.

These artistes have been given this opportunity with the objective of showcasing the latent talents and skills and to introduce the local artistes to the outside world and widening the international market for our indigenous handicraft creations said National Crafts Council Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena.

The two talented youth handicraft artistes who will represent Sri Lanka at this fine opportunity afforded for our artists, sculptors and handicrafts men and women are Pasindu Geeth Nimantha Rodrigo of Kandana and G. Indika Udayanaga of Elpitiya.

The selection was made after interviews conducted by the NCC. Pasindu will represent traditional paintings and Indika will represent wood carving and sculptors.

Both of them have won Presidential Silver awards at handicraft exhibitions and competitions conducted by the NCC Keerthisena added.

Participants at this exhibition will be allowed to showcase 5 to 7 of their creations each. They will also have to demonstrate their talents and capabilities live by engaging in turning out items utilising their raw materials. Winners will be selected through two rounds.

The National Crafts Council has done a vast service to the handicraft sector introducing many designs through the upcoming new generation.

Wall Street at crossroads

It was meant to be a desperate day, especially for some people on Wall Street.

Wall Street, in geographical meaning, is a long narrow street in the downtown Manhattan. At the intersection between Broadway and Wall Street stands the Trinity Church, with a green tomb yard spreading beside it.

Around 10:30 a.m. Pine Street, which is back to back with Wall Street in New York financial district. A dozen journalists have already gathered in front of a gray business building.

Cold early autumn breeze gained strength when passing between skyscrapers lining along the street, making the only noise. Scratching on the notepad, clicking on the shutter or setting up video camera, everyone’s got their lips locked while their eyes fixed on the entrance of the building. Inside the drop-dead silent building is the world’s top insurer American International Group ( AIG), which was struggling to stay alive.

After the fourth largest investment bank Lehman Brothers went into bankruptcy protection, and the third biggest securities firm Merrill Lynch was sold, AIG was virtually put on the fast track to become the next sacrifice of the unfolding financial crisis.

“They’ve got only one day left. Really not many choices,” a Bloomberg reporter told Xinhua. “My colleague for Bloomberg TV got here 6 in the morning.” “We’re kind of watching it dying,” someone uttered.

Since the fall of Bear Sterns, it has been unsurprising to see an ex-banker standing on Wall Street, wearing pajamas with a cardboard hanging in front of chest reading “Seek Job.” Surveys showed that unemployment number on Wall Street before Lehman bankruptcy has exceeded 40,000. If AIG finally followed Lehman’s steps, the jobless toll would top 70,000.

On Sunday evening, as the news broke that the two most serious buyers Barclays and Bank of America had withdrew from talks to buy Lehman, which left Lehman no other choice but bankruptcy, Lehman staff at its New York headquarters started packing and leaving. Down, but dignified.

“After what we’ve been through at September 11, nothing can beat me down,” a man working for Lehman for over a decade said calmly to the TV camera outside the Lehman building. “We’ve got to deal with it and move on.”

Take a casual 10-minute walk from Wall Street to the northwest and you will see the site of the destroyed World Trade Center, Ground Zero.

New York, (Xinhua)