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Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Bartleet Group Chairman Eraj Wijesinghe. at the opening

Bartleet Finance opens in Jaffna

Bartleet Finance Ltd, a member of the Bartleet Group, opened its branch in Jaffna recently. The branch was opened by the Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal.

Located at 306 A, Hospital Road, Jaffna, the Jaffna Branch is fully geared to offer a comprehensive range of financial products and services, all under one roof. This includes Fixed Deposits, Leasing/Financing and the Wealth Management service, which helps customers manage and enhance their assets, while planning the future of their entire family.

"In keeping with the Government's policy of developing the North-Eastern region, we have already established our presence in Vavuniya, while setting up our new branch in Jaffna. Bartleet Finance comes to Jaffna as a partner, ready to power the region and its people towards prosperity and progress in all spheres," said the Bartleet Group Chairman Eraj Wijesinghe.

International Indian Film Academy Awards 2010:

Visit Lanka facilitates IIFA

Dirk Flamer Caldera, Amithab Bachchan, Chandana Amaradasa and Nihal Ileperuma during Bachchan’s recent visit to Colombo

The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA's) 2010 will be held in Sri Lanka from June 3 to 5 in Colombo. Visit Lanka, a travel agent and tour operator, will facilitate the awards ceremony. The International Film Academy Awards (IIFA's) are promoted by one of India's premier event management and entertainment agencies Wizcraft International Entertainment (Pvt.) Ltd.

The IIFA weekend will consist of a range of activities that will culminate with the IIFA Awards Ceremony.

Visit Lanka's Director-in-charge Chandana Amaradasa, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTBP) Managing Director Dileep Mudadeniya and the former Tourism Minister Faiszer Mustapha along with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board officials held discussions with the Wizcraft team to bring this event to Sri Lanka.

Visit Lanka Chairman Dirk Flamer Caldera said, "We at Visit Lanka always felt that the IIFA Awards, being one of the largest media events of the world, would be the ideal event for Sri Lanka to help consolidate its position in the world".

Visit Lanka has been appointed 'The Official Destination Partner for IIFA 2010'.

At Vajira Sri Children's Home:

SLT celebrates Avurudu

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), held an 'Avurudu' celebration at the Vajira Sri Rehabilitation Children's Home, as part of the company's wide ranging corporate social responsibility initiatives to reach out to the wider community.

This project was initiated by the Company and conducted under the patronage of Venerable Dr. Hunupolagama Vajira Sri Nayaka Thera, who was the Founder of the orphanage. SLT Chairperson Leisha De Silva Chandrasena was the Chief Guest at this event which saw the participation of SLT staff.

The Vajira Sri Rehabilitation Children's Home is currently one of the largest and most populated orphanages in Sri Lanka.

It is home to nearly 200 children ranging from infancy to 18 years. Founded in 1983 by the Venerable Dr. Hunupolagama Vajira Sri Nayaka Thera, it is located just outside of Colombo. SLT Chairperson Leisha De Silva Chandrasena said, "We are glad for this opportunity to celebrate Avurudhu with the children at Vajira Sri Rehabilitation Children's Home.

We are greatful to Venerable Dr. Hunupolagama Vajira Sri Nayaka Thera, under whose patronage we were able to make this program a success.

We came up with this idea since we felt that not only was it different but it was also a much more meaningful way to celebrate Avurudu.

Most of us have been very privileged to spend Avurudu with our families and loved ones whereas these children don't have that privilege since they have either been orphaned, abandoned or come from disadvantaged families. So for each of us at SLT, it was a real joy and we experienced true satisfaction by seeing the joy and laughter on the faces of these children."

Etisalat Chairman awarded

The jury of the Middle East Business Leaders Summit has selected Etisalat Chairman Mohammed Omran, as Personality of the Year 2010 for being an excellent role model for other business leaders.

Mohammad Omran

The award comes also to recognize his great efforts in developing the telecom sector across the Middle East, Africa and Asia and for his leadership of Etisalat.

The award ceremony took place during the Middle East Business Leaders Summit Ceremony that took place in Dubai.

The awards aim to recognize the personalities, companies, as well as local and regional leading organizations that contributed to the development and excellence of the economy.

Mohammed Omran dedicated the award to Etisalat's management and employees. "The achievements accomplished by Etisalat would not have been possible without a synchronized and experienced team possessing the ability to implement general strategies and policies applied by the management.

This has reflected positively on our international expansion so that we are now able to extend our services to more than two billion people. Today, we are delighted that we have over 107m customers across our 18 markets," Omran said.

Sampath Bank signs MOU with HDFC Bank

Sampath Bank and HDFC Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding to effect fund transfers of HDFC customers to other banks through Sri Lanka Inter Bank Payment System (SLIPS) recently. Here Sampath Bank CEO Harris Premaratne exchanging the MoU with HDFC Bank CEO Suresh Amarasekera. (From left) Sampath Bank DGM Operations and Commercial Credit Nimal Tillekeratne and Chief Operations Officer Aravinda Perera with HDFC Bank DGM Finance S. Dissanayake, AGM (IT) W.M.A. Bandara and Board Secretary D. de Silva look on