Advertorial

Vocational Training Centre in Tellipallai:

ComBank gifts computers

Commercial Bank Chief Operating Officer Ravi Dias (fourth from left) presents one of the computers to S. Arumuganathan, T. Jeyaraj and P. Kamalanathan. District Coordinator (Education and Career Guidance) S. Sirinivasan, Deputy Cabinet Secretary (Regions 8-10) D. Stephen Leonard, Senior Manager of Commercial Bank-Jaffna and District Coordinator (Leadership Development) S. Raveendra, Deputy Cabinet Treasurer (Regions 8-10) C. Sunthareswaran and District Coordinator (Information Technology) S. Gnanarajah look on.

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon with the Lions Club has set up a computer section at the Vocational Training Centre at Tellipallai to provide IT knowledge to the youth of the area.

The Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility Trust donated eight computers to the Vocational Training Centre through this latest CSR project.

Construction of the Vocational Training Centre was done by the Lions Club of Mallakam, Tillipallai, the cost of which was mainly borne by District Co-ordinator - Vocational Training S. Arumuganathan while the land for the building was donated by T. Jeyaraj.

"This was one of several projects carried out in the North with the launch of our 365 Day Banking facility in Jaffna," Commercial Bank's Chief Operating Officer, Ravi Dias said. "Most of our CSR projects in this area are aimed at uplifting standard of education, particularly in IT and English," he said.

Lions Clubs International - District 306 B1 Past District Governor and one time Manager of Commercial Bank Jaffna branch S. Raghavan initiated the project to build a computer section at the Vocational Training Centre and sought the assistance of Commercial Bank to buy the computer equipment.

SriLankan Holidays enhances efficiency

With new HolidayWiz system:

SriLankan Holidays, commissioned its fully automated reservation system HolidayWiz on October 1.

Head of Worldwide Sales, Mohamed Fazeel and SriLankan Holidays, General Manager, Amith Sumanapala with the Holidays team.

Winner of the coveted title of Best Outbound Tour Operator in Sri Lanka at the last Presidential Travel and Tourism Awards, SriLankan Holidays has targeted significant improvements in its efficiency and performance over the next year to cater to both inbound and outbound travel.

SriLankan Holidays, General Manager, Amith Sumanapala said: "We at SriLankan Holidays are not content with winning one national award, and are introducing many more exciting packages for both outbound and inbound customers."

The system, which has been newly developed by Reservations Gateway Inc, enhances the ease of operations by SriLankan Holidays' network of partners which include franchise operators, travel agents, hotels, and tour operators. Its real-time service and integration with existing systems allows partners rapid access to SriLankan Holidays' inventory and booking systems.

"SriLankan Holidays has many more value additions planned for the near future to make our customers' experience ever more delightful, and to enhance the ease of operations for all our partners. The introduction of this system is a major step and significant investment that strengthens the commitment of the National Carrier towards the leisure market into and out of Sri Lanka. Phase I of the project introduced the new system for the home base markets as the initial step," said Sumanapala.

Mesfin W. Eyob, President / CEO , Reservations Gateway Inc, said: "We are delighted to enter into this new partnership with SriLankan Airlines, which we are certain will be of significant benefit to the customers of SriLankan Holidays. Although Reservations Gateway Inc is headquartered in the United States, our main operations centre is in Sri Lanka's capital, which creates, manages, integrates and distributes travel inventory using Internet technologies."

Deutsche Bank pioneers mobile authorization

Deutsche Bank is the first provider to successfully implement mobile authorization for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Sri Lanka, a global trade organization for airlines and airline agents, a bank communique said yesterday.

Leveraging on the latest mobile push technology, this advanced web-based mobile authorization feature allows corporate users to benefit from mobility in electronic-transactional authorization via easy access to transactional information with their smart phones without the constraints of geography and time.

The authorizers, in turn, will benefit from real-time access to information on pending transactions and responses on authorization results.

Deutsche Bank's mobile authorization is the only authorization option in the market with a non-repudiation support feature. Stringent security measures are in place to ensure the secure delivery and confirmation of transaction authorizations.

This integrated mobile technology is available via db-direct internet, the bank's web-based platform, which is part of db channel and information solutions. This is an addition to db direct internet's two modes of authorization, online and remote token authorization.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is Deutsche Bank's first client in Sri Lanka to experience the mobile authorization solution. As an intermediary between airlines and cargo and airline agents, IATA is responsible for the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Sri Lanka.

Deutsche Bank has been the local BSP Clearing and Settlement Bank for IATA since 2005.

Deutsche Bank in Sri Lanka Head of Cash Management Corporates Asanka Ranhotty, said, "We understand that corporate executives responsible for authorizing payments need to access electronic transactional information while on the move. Mobile authorization allows our clients access to electronic transactional information at their convenience. This is key in today's business environment where optimizing working capital and managing liquidity efficiently take precedence. As pioneers in mobile authorization, we expect more clients to upgrade to this enhanced value-added feature," he said.

HNB in Point Pedro

Hatton National Bank opened their 180th customer centre in Point Pedro recently. This is the sixth HNB customer centre in the Jaffna peninsula.

This customer centre was opened by HNB Managing Director/CEO Rajendra Theagarajah, Deputy General Manager - Marketing and Retail Banking Chandula Abeywickrema, Deputy General Manager - Network Management Crysanthi Thambiah, Senior Regional Manager - Northern Region A.V. Beadle, government officials, local businessmen and a large number of customers were present on this occasion.

The HNB Point Pedro Customer Centre offers a complete range of facilities from savings and current accounts, import/export loans, Singithi (minor savings accounts), Shanthi home loans, financing under the Gami Pubuduwa scheme, Credit Cards, NRFC/RFC accounts, leasing facilities and pawning, HNB drives on the cutting-edge of technology with an islandwide ATM network, online banking and tele-banking facilities.

NTB launches 'Kidz' Investment Plan

Nations Trust Bank recently launched the Nations Kidz Investment Plan in a bid to help plan for a financially secure future for the younger generation.

This facility offers customers the opportunity to open an account for their child, or even a niece, nephew or a non family member, and through a regular monthly deposit, help build a secure future.

The Bank's assurance of an 18 year commitment to safeguard this investment plan at an interest rate of 10 percent per annum makes this an unmatched investment option.

Offering this for an extended period helps the parent take into consideration a child's major milestones such as school fees, university education fees, higher studies or professional studies.

The guaranteed fixed interest rate further provides assurance of the best benefit for the child whilst a free life insurance cover up to Rs. two million for the parent or guardian further secures this investment option. Investment options ranging from Rs. 100,000 to five million are offered.

Nations Trust Bank PLC, DGM Consumer Banking, Renuka Fernando said, "Children are our most important asset and building a bright and prosperous future for them becomes the focus of every well-minded parent. We at Nations Trust Bank understand their hopes and dreams for their young ones and this investment plan has been designed with exactly that in mind, helping them to build a safe and secure future for their child."

Singapore offers students extensive choices for Bachelor Studies

Singapore is an attractive education destination for prospective Sri Lankan students, as it offers diverse opportunities in almost any field of study. A leading destination for the pursuit of Bachelors' degrees, the high quality of education, training and exposure that students gain from studying in Singapore will open doors, not just in Singapore but globally as well.

Fresh Graduates have numerous opportunities for professional and skill-based training, internships and attachments at leading international organizations enabling them to forge ahead in their chosen profession. The cultural similarities and geographical proximity also help Sri Lankan students to easily adjust to their new environment.

Mohamed Zarook Mohamed Zahran an alumnus of SIM said "Studying overseas is a significant decision in any student's life and I am glad I chose Singapore for my academic journey. All my apprehensions of adjusting to a new social and academic culture were at ease from the very first day at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). I had the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) degree from a renowned Australian university whilst enjoying the comforts of studying in Singapore's warm and friendly environment.

The course was very well structured with real world applications and provided a forum for challenging and interactive group discussions. Overall my academic experiences and qualifications have sharpened my communication and presentation skills and given me the confidence to face the business world of tomorrow".

As a leading financial centre and the Asian hub of global MNC's, Singapore offers the perfect launch pad for a student looking for a career in the field of Business and Management.

The Nanyang Business School (NBS) of NTU is currently ranked top in Singapore and ASEAN, and top 50 in the world by the Financial Times (January 2008).

It is also ranked among Asia's top three business schools by the Economist Intelligence Unit (2004-2007). The NUS Business School remains distinctive among the world's leading business schools by offering the best of global knowledge with deep Asian insights.