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Kotra Pharma appoints Lewis Brown Pharmaceuticals

Lewis Brown Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of the Delmege Group have been appointed by Kotra Pharma [M] Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia's top five pharmaceutical companies to represent their products locally.

In Sri Lanka for the launch ceremony held at Waters Edge, were Kotra Pharma, Head of Sales and Marketing for International Markets, Cheah Ming Loong and Business Development Manager for Asia-Africa Markets, Tan Poh Huat. "Today we launch two important brands to the Sri Lankan market together with our local representatives, Lewis Brown Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of infectious diseases, namely Axcel which represents the oral and topical antibiotics and Vaxcel which specializes in injectible antibiotics. According to the WHO, infectious diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in this part of the world," said Cheah.

"The Axcel and Vaxcel brands represent a quality commitment to doctors, pharmacists and patients and are manufactured in compliance with the stringent Good Manufacturing Practice [GMP] and ISO900/2000 standard accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Services [UKAS]," he said.

Lewis Brown Pharmaceuticals [LBP], the newly incorporated subsidiary of the Delmege Group to tap into the fast growing pharmaceutical industry, offers local representation to foreign principals seeking a local presence.

"The vision of LBP is to be among the top five marketing, distribution and logistics providers of pharmaceutical and healthcare services/products in the country," said Delmege and Forsyth Co, Group Director, Shamil Mendis.

LBP, General Manager, Rajeev Ariaratnam, said that the company offered the services of medical marketing, market knowledge, medical detailing and promotions, through a well qualified team who have experience in representing many multinational, as well as branded generic foreign principals. "LBP offers flexible business models to its principals and local partners. We focus on our key stakeholders when executing our core functions; the requirements of patients are met by ensuring product availability through a well developed sales and distribution network, while product knowledge is imparted to the medical fraternity by a medical marketing team that is headed by arguably one of the best in the industry," said Ariaratnam. He said that the company's sophisticated IT infrastructure enabled them to keep in close contact with their principals by providing timely reports and sales analyses.

Both Axcel and Vaxcel will be available countrywide within the next three months to doctors as well as pharmacists in all major cities and hospitals. The company has its sales personnel stationed in all major cities and towns who will ensure the continuous availability of these drugs.

"We have the honour today to launch the Axcel and Vaxcel anti-infective range of cephalosporins and we count it a privilege to represent them here in Sri Lanka," said Delmege Forsyth and Co, Group CEO Dilhan de Silva.

Ceylinco Life fetes top performers

Ceylinco Life's top performers were recognized at an awards ceremony recently for contributions that enabled the company to maintain its position.

This year's event themed 'One family, one goal, we are Ceylinco Life' honoured 225 of the company's sales team for their efforts which led the company achieving a premium income of more than Rs. 7.5 billion.

Ceylinco Life Deputy Chairman R. Renganathan said that 2009 was the most challenging year to-date for the company. "We can say that 2009 challenged and tested all aspects of our company including the ability of staff, our IT system, our products and customer service, but that every one of them passed with flying colours," he said.

"However, if we did not have such challenges, we may not have had the success we enjoy today," Renganathan said.

The year was also one of the noteworthy achievements and successes, he said. The construction of a new head office building and its completion took place in the midst of these challenges, and the company's actuaries had reported that its solvency margin had increased even further, Renganathan said.

The Post Graduate Institute of Management, Director Dr. Uditha Liyanage, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, categorized the company's sales professionals as VIPs, as it was they who produced the sales and the Rupees that sustain the business.

He said 50 years of research into what makes a successful salesman had identified two fundamental factors, 'Drive' and 'Empathy'. All successful sales people have drive and are able to go beyond their ability and step in to the zone of capability," he said.

Branch Sales Heads, Unit Heads, Sales Executives and Sales Consultants from all districts in Sri Lanka participated in the ceremony held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Conference Hall to pay tribute to these top performers. A notable aspect of the awards ceremony was the strong representation of branches in the Jaffna peninsula and the Eastern province in the company's honours list.

The awards presented for performance excellence included trophies, gold, silver and bonze medals, certificates and overseas tours. The top award winners were Best Branch Head - Platinum Category T. Nirojan (Nelliady Branch), Gold Category H. M. J. Banda (Kaduruwela Branch); Best Unit Head - Platinum Category S. Dharshan (Colombo North), Gold Category U. P. R. N. Prasad (Kaduruwela Branch) and Best Sales Consultant - Platinum Category A. Kesavan (Colombo North) and Gold Category G. C. K. Wijesinghe (Kahatagasdigiliya Branch).

Seylan Bank's 'The Case Study'

The Seylan Bank's Annual Report for 2009, is dedicated to the bank's stakeholders and takes a closer look at the efforts that restored financial stability to Seylan Bank.

The first copy of 'The Case Study' was recently presented to the Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal by the Seylan Bank Chairman Eastman Narangoda.

The Seylan Bank Chairman Eastman Narangoda, said, "Our goal in The Case Study is to tell this story - clearly and candidly, heartened that the crisis is behind us and that we can already point to measurable signs of progress. At the same time, some of the problems that sparked this event, both inside our bank and in the wider market, have yet to be fully resolved. We will examine those challenges as well, and the strategic plan we've put in place to address them."

Enriched with illustrations and reproductions of trilingual newspaper articles, the volume has already come in for critical acclaim as a fine documentation of one of the most controversial happenings in Sri Lanka's contemporary financial history. '

The Case Study' takes the reader through six principal chapters which lucidly outline the Seylan Bank's story, from its birth and growth to its fall and renaissance.

First corporate customer:

RCU signs up with Etisalat

Etisalat Lanka, having sponsored the Battle of the Blues encounter this year, has introduced an affinity package in honour of Royal College, celebrating 175 years service. The offering is available to all old boys. Drawing on old boys' loyalty, the incentive is that as long as the subscriber remains active, the Royal College Union (RCU) will receive a donation from Etisalat, enabling the school and the Union to acquire a substantial annual amount, to pursue developmental and project based activities.

This collaboration between Royal College and Etisalat Lanka is not only the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, but also the first Corporate agreement embarked on by Etisalat Lanka following its launch. Etisalat Lanka CEO, Dumindra Ratnayaka said, "Royal College is one of Sri Lanka's oldest and most respected schools and we are delighted to become a part of their rich culture and tradition, assisting them in any way we can." He said, "This is Etisalat Lanka's first corporate agreement since its entry into Sri Lanka, and we hope to engage in many more activities of this nature where we can indirectly contribute to the development and sustainability of respected institutions."

The Royal College Principal, Upali Gunasekera said, "We are thankful to Etisalat's assistance in helping us financially through this unique package offering."

The Royal College Union President Rizan Nazir said, "this is a very special anniversary for us as we celebrate 175 years of glorious existence and we are most honoured that Etisalat Lanka has taken the initiative to acknowledge it. With this venture I invite all young and old Royalist to join this offer as it is our duty to give back to our alma mater." During the dinner celebration held at Cinnamon Grand commemorating the 175th Anniversary of Royal College, The Principal Upali Gunasekera and RCU President Rizan Nazir signed as the first customers on this offer.

Avurudu offer for American Express cardmembers

This season American Express is offering their cardmembers a chance to get their Avurudu spend fully refunded. One hundred lucky cardmembers will get upto maximum of Rs. 50,000 refunded this season.

American Express Cards, DGM Priyantha Talwatte said, "we are delighted to be able to offer such a benefit to our valued cardmembers during this festive season. Cardmembers can treat their family and friends keeping with the tradition of giving during this Avurudhu season."

Cathay Pacific Airways new flight schedules

Cathay Pacific Airways, which operates in over 110 destinations worldwide, now offers new flight schedules to serve customers better.

The new schedules, focused on minimizing transit times in Bangkok and Singapore, will be implemented from March 28 until October 30.

Flights to Hong Kong via Bangkok (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), and Hong Kong via Singapore (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) will now operate with minimum transit times for passengers. "These schedules will afford our valuable customers a more enjoyable flight to Hong Kong via Singapore and Bangkok, and the airline constantly strives to raise the standards of excellence through commitment towards quality and comfort," said Cathay Pacific Airways Sales and Marketing Manager Ruhan Abbas.

LOLC Micro Credit opens service centre

LOLC Micro Credit Ltd. (LOMC) the Microfinancing arm of the LOLC Group opened their 25th service centre at the Ambalanthota post office recently. LOMC is the only microfinance provider with a strategic partnership with SL Post to deliver financial services through postal network.

During the past year the company has successfully expanded their reach through the partnership, reaching rural locations such as Horowpathana, Aralaganwila, Dehiattakandiya and Paalaviya.

The staff manning the service centres are recruited from surrounding locations as well, generating employment to youth from the area.

LOMC has also got involved in the welfare of the postal network, assisting SL Post through renovating and developing buildings and infrastructure at the locations.

Since 2003 the LOLC Group has been carrying out microfinancing activities and LOMC was established in 2009 to accelerate and expand the business. LOMC is a subsidiary of LOLC PLC with FMO (The Netherlands Development Finance Company) owning a 20 percent stake of LOMC as its shareholder.