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Texstyle wins gold

Texstyle Lanka Exports (Pvt) Limited, a BOI enterprise was the recipient of the Large Category - Gold Award - Garment Sector for the second consecutive year at the 17th Annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony recently.

The company was set up in 2003 with nine employees as a modern sample manufacturing unit.

In 2004 it went into manufacturing unit. In 2004 it went into manufacturing with the staff strength increased to 75 and its present workforce is around 150.

The company incorporated state-of-the-art technology to produce sophisticated safety, military, aero space and survival clothing with a high added value. New products manufactured by Texstyle Lanka Exports include garments used by jet pilots and parachutists, air crew coveralls and anti gravity trousers.

Other specialized items produced are tri laminate water immersion suits, submarine escape suits and thermal protection garments. Texstyle Lanka also manufactures drogues used on life rafts for survival operations.

The True Knit Unit was started in 2007 to supply pullovers, sweaters and cardigans to the UK market under labels such as BHS, Chums, Woodville and Heatons. In July 2009, the company obtained ISO 9001:2008 Systems Certification which was awarded by SGS United Kingdom Ltd. An engineer by profession Ananda Bandara who has many years of experience in the industry, founded the company as a garment buying and liaison office in 1998, before embarking on a manufacturing program in 2003.

Specialized knowledge and experience drawn over the years has held him in good stead.

He developed specialized knowledge in the manufacturing of flying suits and sea and air survival equipment used by military and aerospace professionals, and contracted with RFD Beaufort - main supplier to the British Ministry of Defence.

He functions as the Chairman/Managing Director of the organization. His spouse Hemali Bandara, a Director of Texstyle Lanka Exports was the recipient of the Gold Award for the Best Woman Exporter at the 16th Annual NCE Export Awards ceremony.

Her knowledge of the garment industry includes experience working for Hentley Garments, May Department Stores International and also Liz Claiborne. She was the General Manager at Gabo Apparels, Mahiyanganaya for nearly 15 years.

During this period she won several awards at NCE Award Ceremonies. She handles the entire sphere of operational activity in the manufacturing unit at Texstyle Lanka.

Christmas bonanza for COMBank cardholders

All Commercial Bank’s credit, debit and shopping cardholders can enjoy attractive discounts at ODEL, NOLIMIT, Sarasavi Bookshop and DSI under a Christmas promotion, spokesman for the Bank said.

Valid till December 31, 2009, the promotion allows discounts of up to 30 percent at Sarasavi Bookshop, 10 percent discount at ODEL and NOLIMIT stores and 20 percent at DSI for purchases exceeding Rs.1,000.

Simultaneously, the current discount of 20 percent offered to Commercial Bank’s cardholders at Abans outlets has been increased up to 40 percent for selected products, the spokesman said. “This is a great opportunity for our 1.6 million cardholders to save substantially on their purchases this Christmas season,” Head of Cards for Commercial Bank Lakshman Perera said.

Cardholders would also be entitled to attractive overseas promotions carried out by Mastercard and VISA during this period.

There are many offers available in more than 20 countries including popular destinations such as Thailand, India and Singapore.

Seasonal discounts from American Express

American Express has offered their Cardmembers shopping privileges and savings at some of the best establishments in the country.

Chief Manager Cards and Consumer Assets at Nations Trust Bank PLC Lewie Diasz said, “We are delighted to offer a host of special privileges and savings during this festive season and we hope it will serve as a timely treat to all our valued Cardmembers. We are privileged to join the country’s premium partner organizations in offering these benefits to our Cardmembers which helps us to reiterate that the American Express Card is indeed the card for all seasons”.

To make this season more memorable American Express has partnered with Crescat Boulevard to offer Cardmembers exclusive shopping privileges and savings at all partner outlets. In addition, all Cardmembers who shop at Odel will be part of a daily bill wipe out during the season, American Express cardmembers will also receive an exclusive 10 percent saving on all hampers purchased at Keells Super.

Anti diabetic tea launched

Chanaka de Silva

A new variety of tea which could be used as a remedy for diabetes has been launched in the Sri Lankan market by Serendib Tea Exports with the aim of capturing the international market as well.

The anti diabetic tea, a natural remedy for diabetes comprises Ayurvedic herbals and Camellia thei fera.

The tea is known to reduce blood sugar levels, polydipsia, polyuria, dehydration, fatigue, dizziness and pruritus, Serendib Tea Exports Proprietor D. J. Punchihewa told Daily News Business.

“Diabetes has become a killer disease today. But now we have natural remedies that can prevent and control the dreaded disease effectively with the product developed by Serendib Tea Exports.

Stress has become the major cause of disease today. The environment and work pressure have been recognized as the leading cause for diabetes and hypertension”, he said.

Punchihewa said that this product is patent pending. There are several products like this in the pipeline, but the delay in getting patents is a drawback. As a result losses are two-fold. First, the loss of the curative benefits of these product and the second being the loss of local and foreign revenue, he said.