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Sampath Bank opens Jaffna branch

First bank in the region following the conclusion of the ethnic conflict

New Sampath Bank Jaffna branch office

Sampath Bank opened its branch office in Jaffna on August 24. The first banking house to enter the Peninsula since the conclusion of the war, the Sampath Bank branch is conveniently located in the hub of the Jaffna town, where, with the exception of the three most senior staff who possess comprehensive regional experience, the bank is exclusively staffed by qualified local residents, and offer customers a varied and comprehensive banking service.

Products and financial services include Savings Accounts, Business and Personal Current Accounts, Fixed Deposits with higher interest rates, foreign currency accounts, Personal and Housing loans and Leasing facilities. The bank will also offer special gift schemes and rewards for customers that open savings accounts and fixed deposits within the first month of operations.

Assistant General Manager - Marketing and Deposits of Sampath Bank Tharaka Ranwala said, "The opening of this new branch office is part of Sampath Bank's efforts to achieve a genuine national presence by extending our services to all parts of the island, and also to follow to the fullest the President's vision of Uthuru Wasanthaya. By becoming the first bank to enter the Jaffna Peninsula since the end of the conflict, Sampath Bank hopes to assist in empowering the people by rebuilding livelihoods and stimulating development in the region. Prior to the commencement of operations, bank representatives met local business and community stakeholders to ensure that we provide customised banking solutions that support the growth of our clients.

I sincerely believe the people of Jaffna will benefit from better access to a broader product range, and enjoy a differentiated banking experience."

ILMS City Campus for Event Management Education

Event Management, although a blossoming profession in Sri Lanka now, was not available in Sri Lanka's formal education till The Institute of Leadership and Management Studies -ILMS City Campus, introduced a Diploma in Event Management early 2007.

Four batches have successfully completed their studies and have become Diplomates of this job oriented Diploma. The institute has experts in the field as their resource personnel supporting them continuously. Managing Director of Event Productions (Pvt) Ltd Roshan Wijeyeratne, Jt. MD of TRIADS Varuni Amunugama Fernando,

Leading Professional MC Arun Dias Bandaranaike, Media Specialist Savithri Rodrigo and a free lance resource person Jude de Silva have been sharing their experiences with the participants keeping the harmony and cheer from the commencement of the course, till the end. An exam is conducted very professionally at the end of the series of lectures and certificates are awarded thereafter.

"No better resource personnel could be found for this course of study as we have the experts in the field. It is a novel, learning experience", said the Executive Director-Saroja Weeratunga. "Our motto is 'introducing new learning experiences to Sri Lanka". We are happy and proud that we were able to launch this new area of education to Sri Lanka", she said.

"In the West as well as in countries like Australia, Event Management education is available even at Degree level. We have got accreditation for our program from the first ever Event Management College in Asia- The National Institute of Event Management (NIEM) Mumbai, which in turn has an understanding with Regency TAFE-South Australia and the diplomates of our program are eligible to enroll for the Diploma In International Event Management of Regency TAFE", she said.

"We have also introduced MBA in Advertising and Event Management by IMSR India and at present there are several students enrolled for this as well, said Saroja Weeratunga. It is interesting to note that different people in the society are anxious to attend the course, ranging from ages twenties to fifties. They are persons employed in event management companies, those who wish to get into the event management trade, and especially those who wish to know what all this new area of study is about. We shall continue our programs with value additions and expansion as we go on. Presently we are doing research to include areas such as Media Law to enrich the program further", she said.

ILMS City Campus has their own Diplomas such as Diploma in Industrial Relations and Labour Law, Diploma in Secretarialship and Foundation Course in Conversational English with Diploma in Leadership Studies to be introduced shortly. Again we have been lucky to have the unstinted support of experts in the field for these programs.

We also conduct Seminars on current topics such as, Taxation, Law, Industrial Relations etc. and other areas of topical interest and we have been commended heavily for the professionalism exercised in conducting our seminars. We conduct in-house training with our panel of renowned resource personnel in public and private sector corporations.

Indian Laparoscopy surgeon in Sri Lanka

Harshini PERERA
 

Dr. Balaji Ravilla Baskaran

Our expert team of surgeons with Laparoscopic technicians will carry out abdominal operations with minimal side effects, said Laparoscopic Surgeon, attached Noble Hospital, Chennai, Dr. Balaji Ravilla Baskaran. He was speaking at an exclusive interview with Daily News-Business as he is expanding his services to Sri Lanka. With his availability in Sri Lanka many patients can be treated with Laparoscopic technology.

"It has been our goal throughout the years to treat patients with a low-cost and minimal side effects. At the initial stage, I will tie up with several hospitals in Sri Lanka to deliver service to needy people. Cancer in the stomach, appendicitis and various other abdominal surgeries can be treated with the Laparoscopic technology," he said.

He said that there is a demand for abdominal surgery in Sri Lanka because most of the patients in rural areas suffer from such diseases. There will not be much difference in the charges compared to open surgeries. Few patients with severe asthma, severe bleeding disorders and heart diseases are not suitable for Laparoscopic surgeries.

He said that Sri Lankans can get his services either in Sri Lanka or at his hospital in Chennai. Special concessions will be given to Sri Lankans who are unable to attend surgery because of financial constraints.

"We use the latest technology with the safest methods for patients. The technology is important for different strata of society. For example, if a woman wants her appendicitis treated without a scar the best technology is Laparoscopy. We have a plan to set up a branch in Sri Lanka since it's a country rich with various resources. We want to make a difference with this technology in Sri Lanka. We expect to use robotic technology in surgeries in the future," he said.

Renuka adjudged 'Best in Agribusiness'

Renuka Agrifoods Ltd, one of Sri Lanka's leading exporters of value added agro based products won the Gold Award for Food Processor (Large) Category and was adjudged Overall National Winner (Gold Award) at the National Agribusiness Awards 2009 held recently.

Chief Guest Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakara with Executive Director Renuka Agrifoods Ltd Shamindra Rajiyah (right) and Director Manufacturing Renuka Agrifoods Ltd S. Vasanthakumar.

Organised by the National Agribusiness Council, the Awards ceremony was held at the BMICH under the patronage of Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara.

According to the Chairman of the National Agribusiness Council Asoka Gopallawa, one of the main criteria which led to Renuka Agrifoods Ltd winning the Overall National Business Award 2009 was the contribution of its local inputs which led to a high degree of value addition thereby enhancing the rural economy.

Leading companies in Sri Lanka involved in the agribusiness trade together with farmers from all parts of the country were recognized for the contribution they all made in their respective fields which led to the growth and sustainability of the agribusiness sector.

The National Agribusiness Council consisting of 20 active trade associations is the apex body for the Agribusiness sector of the country. These associations have a combined membership of over 4500 agribusiness enterprises such as dairy, meat processors, poultry, food processors, fisheries etc.

Renuka Agrifoods Ltd, a subsidiary of Renuka Holdings PLC was established in 1999, and grew to an organisation with a turnover of Rs 1 billion within a span of five years. It is now recognised as the leading and the largest exporter of coconut-based food products such as Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Powder and Low-Fat Desiccated Coconut to over 60 countries worldwide.

Renuka's Coconut Milk Powder has been made available in the Sri Lankan market since year 2007 with consumers who value 100 per cent Sri Lankan products continuing to increase the local market share of Renuka Coconut Milk Powder.