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Grants goes high-tech with SLT

New business communication system launched

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) signed an agreement with one of the advertising and brand communication agencies - Grant McCann Erickson (GME), to provide the agency with a total communications solution.

The agency’s demand for a streamlined, integrated and efficient communication solution that will result in maximum customer benefit has been answered by SLT’s business communication solution which includes all fixed line connections, broadband internet facility and data services with seamless connectivity and data hosting facility at SLT internet Data Centre. General Manager (Corporate Sales) of SLT M. Z. Saleem said, “In today’s world technology and communication go hand in hand.

The advertising industry in Sri Lanka is going through major changes and the latest technologies play a significant role in that transition.

As the communication service provider for Grant McCann Erickson, we faced the challenge of providing a solution that would meet the agency’s complex and exacting demands and we are confident that we have done that”.

Chairperson/Managing Director of Grant McCann Erickson Mrs. Neela Marikkar said, “Grants keeps itself up to date with global advancements in brand communications, via outstanding creative expression and strategic effectiveness and also keeps abreast of the latest communication technologies, thus the solution we required was one that could serve us on many levels and in all areas of the agency from creative and production to client servicing and management - we wanted a solution that would increase productivity, reduce time spent and provide a fast, reliable, cost effective service.

While these plans have been in the works for some time, the recent shift to our new operational headquarters proved serendipitous, and we have rolled out the system provided by SLT with immediate effect.”

The agreement is projected to cut down costs of communication as well as increase productivity as a result of cost effective real time communications. Reliability, quality of service, better service levels and a customized solution are the other benefits offered by SLT.

Access to international advertising material via broadband internet service, online advertisement publishing and site uploads which will result in speedy interaction between the agency and its clients are highlights of the solution.

SLT has also provided GME with state-of-the-art hosting services and IP related services.

COM Bank launches 365 - day Banking in Jaffna

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched 365-day Banking at its main branch in Jaffna. Commercial Bank was also the first bank to offer ATM facilities and real time online banking in the peninsula.

The main branch was established in 1939 and has served the people even during the most difficult times.

The branch will open for business daily from August 16, from 9 am to 3pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 1.30pm on holidays.

“It is heartening to see life returning to normal in the North and the Commercial Bank is happy to facilitate and further encourage this process by extending features like 365-day banking,” said the Bank’s Deputy General Manager Sanath Bandaranayake.

He said the demand for banking services had increased sharply in areas of the North and East, following the end of the military conflict.

Having pioneered this service in Sri Lanka, Commercial Bank has extensive experience in 365-day banking, with 28 branches and Supermarket Banking Counters already offering this facility in most major towns of the country.

Extending this facility to our main branch in Jaffna, which has been in operation for over 70 years, will be of immense benefit to residents of the entire Peninsula,” Bandaranayake said.

Among the services available at this branch on a 365 - day basis are cash and cheque deposits in Rupees or in foreign currency, withdrawals from savings accounts and encashment of cheques up to Rs. 500,000 opening of Rupee or foreign currency savings and fixed deposit accounts and payment of e-Exchange and MoneyGram Remittances. Issue of travellers cheques, foreign currency notes and encashment of travellers cheques or foreign currency notes up to Rs. 200,000 will be available shortly.

Other services such as registration for the Com-e-Load facility for mobile phone users, registration for Mobile Phone Banking or Internet Banking facilities, utility bill payments, and settlement of Combank International Credit Card dues as well as dues on other selected Credit Cards will also be offered 365 days of the year.

Commercial Bank also operates other branches in Chunnakam, Chavakachcheri, Nelliady and Stanley Road and would opening another soon at Manipay.

American Express rewards card members

-American Express offered a new and exciting benefit for their valued Cardmembers each time they use their American Express Card at Keells Supermarkets.

American Express will offer lucky shoppers the chance to win a Rs 10,000 cash prize daily as well as the chance to win free air tickets weekly.

Cardmembers simply need to use their card to make a purchase at Keells Super for a minimum value of Rs 2500 to be eligible for daily and weekly prizes. This offer is available at all Keells outlets islandwide.

Chief Manager Cards and Consumer Assets at Nations Trust Bank Lewie Diasz said, “We are delighted to partner with Keells Super as well as Classic Travel to offer our Cardmembers this opportunity. This benefit will be available till end August.”

The winners of the first three air tickets to Singapore, Chennai and Dubai are Miss Uwanthi Perera, Hiran Jayasuriya and Ranjanie De Silva. Current winners of the Rs. 10,000 daily cash prize are Mrs. N. Lokuhewa, Ernest Perera, Pitawala, Derrick Abaysekara, C.I. Dassanayaka, Dr. Senath Karunaratne, Mrs. C.K. Senanayake, Mrs. S. Susila, Mrs. Dilini Peiris, Arshad Mohamed and Mrs. Deepthi Senanayake.

The winners were selected in a draw, in the presence of officials from the Department of Revenue.

DFCC and Vardhana help IDPs

DFCC Bank and DFCC Vardhana Bank recently made a donation towards the IDP camps in the North.

The donation, handed over to the ITN network was carried out in two phases.

The first included dry rations, clothing and infant formula and drinking water - focusing on immediate relief measures due to the escalating crisis.

Essential medicines were donated to the IDP camps in the second phase.

Kent Ridge training program

Kent Ridge (Pvt) Ltd will launch a fresh Outdoor training program for children during the August vacation. This program will provide opportunities for children to develop their character and personality.

The key learning objectives would cover developing; leadership, teamwork, self-reliance, initiativeness, respect for diversity, self-disciplines and overcoming self-imposed limits, boosting morale and creating a vision. The program is designed to unleash the true potential of youngsters using outdoor interactive fun based group activities.

The program will be handled by internationally qualified pioneering outbound trainers.