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Caltex supports visually handicapped graduates

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, recently made a donation of specially manufactured umbrellas to all participants who attended a ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Council of Visually Handicapped Graduates, to mark International White Cane Day 2009, reiterating the company's support and commitment towards promoting equal opportunities for the visually-handicapped community in the country.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC MD and CEO Kishu Gomes makes a donation to the Sri Lanka Council of Visually Handicapped Graduates President Sugath Wasantha De Silva, marking the special occasion of International White Cane Day 2009.

The event was attended by more than 180 visually-handicapped graduates; some of whom actively participated in the day's ceremonious proceedings through choreographed dance acts and other musical performances.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC Managing Director and CEO Gomes said "Our commitment to the visually handicapped community is unquestionable due to our long history of outreaching contributions made to ensure that this community is perceived and accepted in a favourable manner by our society.

Our involvement with this community spans over a period of six years to date. We want to give light to those who cannot see, and open the eyes of those in darkness".

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC has been involved in numerous projects to help, rehabilitate, educate and develop visually-handicapped and other differently abled communities. Corporate responsibility has long been the epitome of Chevron's values and the way it operates. As a socially responsible organization, Chevron is committed to contributing towards social and economic development.

Airtel partners 60th anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka Army

Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO, Amali Nanayakkara presents the sponsorship cheque to Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Head of Sales and Marketing Vidur Rattan looks on.

Bharti Airtel Lanka, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, announced the Official Telecommunications Provider for the Army Exhibition and also the Army Tattoo held this month. Coinciding with the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Army, the Army Exhibition and the subsequent Army Tattoo attracted crowds of over 20,000 per day.

Handing over the sponsorship cheque of Rs 1,500,000, Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO, Ms. Amali Nanayakkara said "We are honoured to partner the Sri Lanka Army on this historic occasion. Bharti Airtel has always entered into projects that have a positive impact on society, and this partnership is the first of the many initiatives we propose to deploy for the benefit of the Government sector and the public at large. We are grateful therefore to the Sri Lanka Army for providing us the opportunity to partner this worthy cause, which enables all Sri Lankans to experience and celebrate the real heroes of our times." Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said that The Sri Lanka Army has reached a momentous occasion in its history and we are happy to celebrate the event with the people of Sri Lanka. While the Exhibition and Tattoo displayed religious observances, Army Day parades, guards of honour and other memorable events, it was a wonderful opportunity to felicitate the bravery of all our heroes and celebrate the freedom of Mother Lanka together, as one nation."

Bharti Airtel has always looked at creating eco systems within its environment to optimize benefits to society at large. Having crossed the 1 million revenue earning customers mark recently, the company continues to foray into transformational projects, whether it is in ushering new products and services to the market, or even in entering into similar initiatives such as the Army Exhibition and Army Tattoo, for the ultimate benefit of its customers and the public at large.

'Embark' to reduce cruelty to animals

Fashion retail icon and animal welfare advocate Otara Gunewardene will part with paintings from her collection to raise funds for her pet cause Embark, one of the best known cause-related brands cum personal community projects in the country. The paintings will go on display and sale at the Barefoot Gallery from November 6-8.

All proceeds will go towards the purchase of a vehicle for Embark's projects to rehabilitate and re-home Sri Lanka's ubiquitous stray dogs.

"I have decided to use part of my collection for a good cause," said Gunewardene. "I hope this will also bring greater awareness of what Embark is trying to achieve." The paintings are by artists Sanjeewa Kumara, Druvinka Madawala and Chamilia Gamage.

Embark was launched in March 2007 as a personal community project of Otara Gunewardene, the founder and CEO of ODEL. The project's aim is to reduce cruelty to animals and promote animal well-being through a series of activities including sterilization surgeries and puppy re-homing campaigns, caring for injured stray animals and educating the public about the importance of animal welfare.

Chairman EMP Group Eng Chandananda Dunage presenting a gold coin and a plaque to a senior employee at the occasion. Group Managing Director Eng T Suresh Kumara and Group General Manager Ravi Rupasinghe are also in the picture.

EMP Engineering turns six

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

EMP Engineering (Pvt) Ltd manufacturing electrical switch boards and cable light systems completed six years under the new management recently. Employees who completed five years of service under the new management were felicitated to coincide with the sixth anniversary.

The company has 20 years of professional experience and has expanded largely over the last six years. EMP Group consists of seven companies namely Electro Metal Pressing (Pvt) Ltd, EMP Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, EMP Project Lanka(Pvt)Ltd, Omata Water Management (Pvt) Ltd, Aklan International (Pvt) Ltd, Senas Plywoods International (Pvt) Ltd, and EMP PVC Technology (Pvt) Ltd. Five of these companies have received ISO9001;2008 certification. It is also ICTAD EM-1 graded company.

HNB relocates Customer Centre

Hatton National Bank (HNB) recently relocated the Gampaha Customer Centre and was opened by the Chief Guest, Deputy General Manager Chandula Abeywickrema, Deputy General Manager Marketing and Retail Banking Legal/Board Secretary Indrani Goonasekera, Deputy General Manager Services Piyal Hennayake, Network Management Assistant General Manager Jayaraja Chandrasekera, officials of HNB, government officials, local businessmen and a large number of customers were present on this occasion.

Abeywickrema said that "HNB took a decision way back in 1993 to establish their presence in Gampaha. Today after 16 years HNB has gone consecutively where having served approximately 25,000 account holders. He said that a number of value additions have been provided with the relocation of this customer centre that keeping in line with the banks commitment to provide greater convenience to its valued customers".

"Today's banking is highly competitive hence HNB is committed and geared to meet all challenging demands. Under HNB's Gami Pubuduwa program over half a million people have been benefited. A total of 110 Units have been set up to facilitate the bank's efforts apart from its network 180 Customer Centres. Our aim is to take rural financing forward which will benefit the small and medium entrepreneurs in the country" said Abeywickrema.

The new customer centre is equipped with an ATM, access for the differently- abled persons and ample parking space provided to carry out banking functions with ease. This Customer Centre will also provide holiday banking services.