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CNCI Achievers Awards 2009

The CNCI Achievers Awards for Industrial and Service Excellence is regarded one of the most prestigious National Awards granted to the Sri Lankan Industrial, Manufacturing and Service Sector. The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) has organized the CNCI Achievers Awards 2009 for Industrial and Service Excellence grand award presentation for the eighth consecutive year.

The award presentation for all provincial and National level Industries is scheduled to take place on September 11, at the BMICH with the patronage of Government Ministers, Foreign Diplomats, Government Officials and a large sector of the corporate sector, industrial, manufacturing and service organizations in Sri Lanka.

The Chief Guest at the CNCI Achievers Awards 2009 award presentation is the Minister of Export Development and Internal Trade and the Acting Minister of Post and Telecommunications Prof. G.L. Peiris.

The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) annually offers the Sri Lankan Industrialists, the manufacturing and the service sector to vie for honours for their achievements. This opportunity is also offered to Sri Lankan Enterprises operating in the SAARC countries, and for the country specific nominees of the SAARC countries. This year nominees from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible to receive awards.

An interesting feature of this year's award competition is the participation of many SME applicants from the newly liberated Northern and Eastern provinces in Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavunia. The services of an eminent panel of Judges, headed by Chartered Engineer Sunil Wijesinghe, comprising reputed industrialist and an international award winner in quality and management, supported by experts from management, finance marketing, S.L. standards, engineering, consumer affairs, accreditation and banking sectors were evaluated the applicants.

The principal sponsor of the 2009 award presentations is Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, and the event sponsors are Ceylinco Insurance PLC, Chemanex PLC. Bank of Ceylon and Sign-Tec while the ANCL - Daily News, Dinamina, MTV, Sirasa TV and Sirasa FM Radio are the press media and electronic sponsors for the eighth consecutive year.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry :

New President elected

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry elected Indoscan (Pvt) Limited Chairman/ CEO Ananda Samarasinghe as its fifth President last week at the Chamber's AGM held at the Ceylon Intercontinental Hotel.

The new President Ananda Samarasinghe who takes over from Adrian Basnayake said that he has important plans especially to project the pharmaceutical industry not merely in its production and distribution sphere but rather as a contributor towards the healthcare of the nation.

"This industry is not all about molecules and generics, it's about healing people. The pharmaceutical industry has been called various names by its detractors in their attempts to mislead public perception, but it needs to be understood that we are corporate bodies with social responsibility; we are an integral and important part of the healthcare sector. We are a part of the healing process for the sick not merely the production and distribution route," he said.

Addressing the chamber membership and invitees present he said "We need to identify our counterparts who in so many different ways contribute to and are linked together directly or indirectly in the process of healing - in the manufacturing, dispensing, hospital care and distribution. We need to understand and stand together in facing challenges.

"If the Pharma Industry faces a challenge it will have a direct or indirect effect on other industries such as Pharmacists, Pharmacies or Private Hospitals, Manufacturers etc. Therefore it becomes necessary that we build bridges through closer communications and better interactions with these industries", he said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was felicitated and highly commended for his leadership in the healthcare sector not only in Sri Lanka but also at WHO level for bringing much fame to the country, while four other outstanding personnel, which included two posthumous awards, were also felicitated at the AGM for their noteworthy contribution to the pharmaceutical industry. This has been an ongoing practice at SLCPI AGMs for the last two consecutive years.

The SLCPI's new Executive Committee headed by Ananda Samarasinghe as President has Stuart Chapman and Vish Govindasamy as Vice Presidents, Sudharshana Jayathileka as Secretary, Sajith Wijesekera, Asst. Secretary and Adrian Basnayake as Immediate Past President and H.A.A. Priyantha as Treasurer.

First Guardian Equities featured on Bloomberg and CNBC

First Guardian Equities, a Sri Lankan stockbrokerage firm based at Colombo's World Trade Centre, was recently featured on Bloomberg and CNBC, two globally renowned media networks with regard to the thriving stock market in Sri Lanka.

First Guardian Equities Director Ranjan Hulugalle, who was on a road show in Singapore with the objective of generating awareness on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka was featured on the Bloomberg Edge, as well as CNBC news on August 17 discussing the rising investment opportunities and future financial prowess in the post-war nation.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Hulugalle said that the Sri Lankan economy reported a 1.5 percent growth in the first quarter, followed by a 28 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in July this year. These were positive signs for the Lankan economy in the first quarter, and with the Sri Lankan Index being at 67 percent last week it was seen as initiating much interest among foreign investors. The Bloomberg Edge went on to say that investors such as Soros, Mobius and Rogers are among the investors eyeing investments in Sri Lanka.

Hulugalle was also featured on another global network - CNBC which rarely touches on frontier markets such as Sri Lanka. Talking to CNBC's Oriel Morrison, Hulugalle was quoted saying that "despite a recent run-up in Sri Lanka's stocks, there is huge upside potential in that market".

First Guardian Equities (Pvt) Ltd, is the country's only internationally certified brokerage for systems standardisation and offers clients investment research and cutting edge financial consulting.

Naturub Lingerie Accessories to expand apparel production

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka granted investment approval to Naturub Lingerie Accessories (Private) Limited. Chairman/Director General Dhammika Perera signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI and presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to Managing Director of Naturub Group of Companies, Tissa Eleperuma.

The investment agreement worth Rs. 140 million was signed with Naturub Lingerie Accessories to manufacture high quality lingerie accessories. These lingerie accessories would be supplied to international brands such as Marks and Spencer, Victoria's Secret and Liz Claiborne. Commercial production is expected to commence within three months.

The venture will set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Panadura and is expected to generate employment for a workforce of 300. The Naturub Group of Companies has been operating in the apparel manufacturing and export sector for over 25 years with the BOI. The group operates two ventures, Naturub Export International (Private) Limited and Naturub Accessories (Private) Limited also under the BOI. Eleperuma said that the global lingerie market has expanded, resulting an increased demand for lingerie accessories exports. Managing Director Tissa Eleperuma and Director S.C.R.A. Fernando signed the agreement on behalf of Naturub Lingerie Accessories (Private) Limited.

New MD at Oriflame Sri Lanka

Pierre Martensson is the new MD of Oriflame Sri Lanka, a BOI approved company. He comes with an extensive work history in the area of direct sales. His last assignment was in Thailand prior to becoming a part of the Oriflame team.

"I am glad to be here and from my first visit to the island, I was sold on the destination and that was the beginning of my work with the company and of course Sri Lanka" said Martensson.

Cosmetics are an ever evolving industry with constant changes in areas such as innovation and marketing strategies. Oriflame natural Swedish cosmetics constantly strive to keep abreast of the trends and emerge as leaders in areas such as innovation and technology. Oriflame has shown tremendous growth of 75 percent annually in markets in the region.

"I personally feel the present market conditions in Sri Lanka are very strong as there is an increase in purchasing power in our target segments. We are looking at areas for expansion and ways in which to increase awareness while positioning ourselves to be able to meet tougher competition" he said.

"We in Colombo are very excited as we plan on our expansion to Galle, by the end of August and this would make our islandwide presence more prominent", he said.

Everything Channel Fast Growth 100 List:

Virtusa in fast growth list

Virtusa Corporation, a global information technology (IT) services company that provides business consulting, outsourcing, IT services, and application outsourcing services through an enhanced global delivery model, has been named to Everything Channel's Fast Growth 100 list. Virtusa claimed the 33rd ranking on the list, which honours the fastest-growing integrators in the industry.

"This independent recognition is a testament to Virtusa's solid financial foundation and firm footing in the market, and our growth reflects the business value we're providing to our customers," said Virtusa Senior Vice President of Marketing Doug Mow.

"Companies today feel mounting pressure to reduce total cost of ownership of IT operations while focusing on business results. Virtusa's broad portfolio of IT services provides its customers with a complete partnership able to handle complex projects end to end," he said.

A leader in IT consulting, systems integration and application outsourcing, Virtusa helps their customers streamline the systems that support their critical business functions. Virtusa's unique platforming approach consolidates, rationalizes and modernizes core systems resulting in an efficient, lean IT environment.

Virtusa specializes in business process management, data warehousing and business intelligence, and enterprise content management.

Everything Channel, a division of United Business Media, selected the honorees based on average revenue growth from 2006 to 2008.

Companies on this year's Fast Growth 100 list averaged 87 percent revenue growth during these two years and turned in median annual sales of $192.2 million.

"The companies included in this list are channel industry leaders," said Everything Channel Senior Vice President and Editorial Director Robert C. DeMarzo.

Young HR Minds Awards 2009:

Amali emerges a winner

Amali Ferdinandes of Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited (CCBSL) emerged a winner at the recently concluded Young HR Minds Awards. Ferdinandes who functions as the Assistant Human Resources Development Manager at CCBSL was one of the four winners in 2009.

This year the awards process included four steps which were the initial submission of the research papers by the participants, the independent evaluation by the panel, the selection of presenters for the second round based on the highest average and finally the selection of the best four presentations from the second round.

Ferdinandes was among the final four selected from the second round.

The four winners presented diverse and attractive topics at the pre-conference session.

Ferdinandes' presentation was on the National Vocational Qualification Initiative by Coca-Cola through which employees are given the opportunity to commence tertiary education at Coca-Cola Sri Lanka.

She discussed the importance placed on continuous 'People Development' at Coca-Cola and how employees have the opportunity of acquiring the internationally recognised National Vocational Qualification as a result of this.

The training programs which are conducted by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) have been invaluable in providing an opportunity for employees to gain internationally recognised qualifications as well as to progress in their field of employment.

Hemas Southern Hospital launches Maathru

Hemas Southern Hospital Galle recently introduced ‘Maathru’.

Hemas Southern Hospital Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Sajeewa Narangoda said, “Maathru” encompasses all the core elements that go into a safe, secure and comfortable delivery, be it normal or Caesarean.

Giving birth at Hemas Southern Hospital Galle has been a special and unique experience for almost 50 mothers who have already done so since we launched operations in March this year.

Our trained, caring and experienced staff will ensure a safe and a secure delivery for both mother and baby at the Hemas Southern Hospital”. With its private father-friendly labour rooms for normal delivery and its modern theatres for Caesarean deliveries, the Hemas Southern Hospital Galle exudes a warm family ambiance which extends to its clean and comfortable rooms.

Maathru also includes special anti-natal classes for mothers.

This has been identified as a critical area in the field of childcare where new mothers are often unaware of the basics of how to handle their newborns.

Classes will be conducted by specialists in the field who will impart their knowledge and long years of experience in childcare.

Maathru also offers a range of discounts on all investigations and vaccines for the baby until he / she reaches 10 years of age.

Very often young parents are anxious at the birth of their first child and relatively unprepared to face the experience.

‘Maathru’ now gives them the assurance of the total cost of the procedure even before entering hospital while adding value to the first ten years of the baby’s life.

Hemas Hospitals Chairman, Murtaza Esufally said that the introduction of ‘Maathru’ at Galle, subsequent to its launch at the Hemas Wattala Hospital, was yet again in keeping with the Hospital’s patient-centric ethos. “Not only have we been able to enhance convenience and dependability, but also to bring in a totally new and patient-friendly experience at the Hospital.

The response we’ve so far got from patients has been very good, and this augurs well for the future. Maathru would be the first of many more patient-centric packages in the pipeline”, he said.

Brandix continues its commitment

Bathing facilities at Menik Farm:

Brandix has commenced the construction of bathing facilities for internally displaced persons at the Menik Farm complex in northern Sri Lanka, in one of its largest CSR projects this year.

The Group, which has made water and sanitation the central theme of its corporate social responsibility program, is building 50 bathing stations, each comprising 20 bathing units, providing the camp with bathing facilities for up to 1,000 people at a time.

“Facilities for water supply and sanitation are two of the most critical needs of the IDP camps,” said Brandix, Head of CSR, Anusha Alles.

“These are areas in which the Group has extensive experience, as our CSR projects are all motivated by the fundamental premise that water is life, and involve building or improving water supply infrastructure and sanitation facilities for needy people,” she said. Alles said the project, expected to be completed by end September would be another example of private sector involvement in assisting the Government in efforts to provide sustainable living conditions to the thousands of IDPs in the welfare villages. An important feature of the project was that Brandix engaged the displaced persons to provide labour for the construction, enabling them to earn some income and become closely involved in the outcome.

Before work on the project commenced, representatives of the Brandix CSR team carried out a survey of the site with the assistance of the Water Supply and Drainage Board to identify the most suitable locations for the bathing stations.

A cost-effective design that would minimize wastage of water was used, and all bathing stations are incorporated with inter-built drainage lines which are connected to the main drainage system to ensure that the bathing facilities would remain hygienic.

The 50 bathing stations have been strategically located so that they serve four zones of the welfare camp.

Separate stations have been designated for men and women and all bathing areas have been fully covered to provide users with privacy.