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Airtel sponsors CACCI Conference

Sri Lanka Economic Summit:

Airtel are the Platinum sponsors of the 24th Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference held together with the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2010. The Summit, which is the foremost business forum in Sri Lanka, is organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for the 11th consecutive year.

This is Airtel’s second consecutive year as Platinum Sponsor of the event. Scheduled for July 5 to 7 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, the joint conference will focus on “Facing Global and Local Challenges: The New Dynamics for Economic Development”.

Bharti Airtel Lanka CEP Amali Nanayakkara, said “As the future of Sri Lanka dawns upon a new landscape of opportunity, it is imperative that we not only build strong pillars to support that development climate, but also to engineer avenues of sustainable growth for all key sectors that contribute to this national cause.

An agenda based on a cohesive long-term strategy to rebuild Sri Lanka at a moment when the country is about to make a positive leap into the future will dramatically improve the lives of all Sri Lankans.

We are confident that the Summit will yield these results and are therefore honoured to partner such a worthy initiative. We take this opportunity to thank the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for providing us the opportunity of association yet again.”

The 24th Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference and the Sri Lanka Economic Summit will include a greater foreign participation comprising the CACCI membership of 27 countries across Asia and the Western Pacific.

Utilizing this foreign expertise present, the summit will facilitate the convergence of public and private sector participation to arrive at recommended policy measures and long-term planning required to address the summit’s focus areas of mitigating the impact of climate change for business and economic development, investing in human capital and technology for sustainable economic growth, the identification of economic implications of an aging population as well as the identification of key elements required to boost foreign direct investment opportunities in South Asia.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dr. Anura Ekanayake said, “With enhanced investment opportunity now open, the Sri Lanka Economic Summit, together with the 24th Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry facilitates the admirable purpose of charting a rational course for progress in the region. We would like to thank Airtel for partnering with us and enabling the gathering of some of the best minds in the country and the region to actively participate and address challenges and emerging issues that lay ahead in the path of regional development and inter-regional co-operation.”

The conference will also feature a number of eminent speakers presenting topics on issues on food security and opportunities in innovative agriculture/plantation, accelerating infrastructure development, fast tracking the economy and also the FTA’s role in promoting an export economy.

Arpico Supercentre earns top brand honours

Arpico Supercentre, was recently honoured by Brand Finance when it was selected as one of the country’s top 50 most valuable brands. The accolade is a testament to the true strength of the Arpico Supercentre brand and reflects the efforts undertaken by the company to build the best retail chain in Sri Lanka.

By securing an AA rating, Arpico Supercentre has demonstrated to its stakeholders that its future is bright.

The brand ratings, which appeared in the most recent edition of the Brands Annual published by Brand Finance Ltd are a yearly assessment of the country’s brand landscape. A brand rating, which is similar to a company credit rating, gives investors guidance as to a brand’s future outlook and its ability to attract future revenues. Based on a combination of publicly available data and market research, the rating measures a brand’s performance in a range of categories, including market share, growth, and brand awareness.

Richard Pieris Group, Director / Chief Operating Officer Pravir Samarasinghe said. “The company was very happy to be awarded with this coveted recognition and that we owe our strength to the thousands of shoppers who believe in Arpico Supercentre’s unbeatable choice, service, quality, and affordability.”

For Accredited Hospitality Management Programs:

Cross Border Academy opens new premises

Cross Border Academy in partnership with Dimensions International College which is one of the largest and highly reputed hospitality management schools in Singapore has now opened its new premises in Colombo. Located opposite the National Eye Hospital at 525, Union Place, Colombo 02, it is easily accessible by public transport.

Cross Border Academy Managing Director, Yatila Wijemanne said that the primary object of the school was to create adequate human resources to fulfill the growing demands of the hospitality industry both in Sri Lanka and abroad. The new premises are equipped with large lecture rooms and computer facilities.

Wijemanne said that a student intake is limited to a 30 students per batch in order to give personalized attention to each student and their studies. Well qualified lecturers who are specialists in the industry, are available to help and guide the students.

The diploma covers eight primary areas such as front office operations, table services, restaurant services and operations, food safety and hygiene, event and banquet operations, housekeeping, customer care and fundamentals of accounting in hospitality management.

The academy offers two forms of gateways for local students. The first being that the student could complete part of their qualifications in Sri Lanka and transfer to Singapore for full completion.

Wijemanne said that students of Cross Border Academy will receive facilities by way of student loans from leading banks and the required investment criteria for visa documentation and ensures departure within three weeks, once the visa is processed.

Cross Border Academy also provides the necessary English education for students before leaving to Singapore.

The second gateway is where students complete the entire course in Sri Lanka within the allocated four months and would receive in house training in hotels as well. Students will receive a substantial cost saving program by pursuing their studies in Sri Lanka. Wijemanne is willing to guide and advise students with further information and assistance in this sphere.

Wijemanne said that the Cross Border Academy has had a 100 percent success rate and an 80-100 percent growth in students within the last one year. He said that their affiliated college, Dimensions in Singapore, which is one of the largest hotel management schools, has been in existence for the last 30 years. Their next intake will commence on July 19. Wijemanne said “The hospitality industry is a major employer throughout the world and is one of the largest service industries.

However, despite the wide variety of jobs available, the lack of formal training is a key concern. As the hospitality industry continues to grow, there is a continual need for training of staff and managers specifically. Studying a hospitality management course will enable one to develop an in depth of knowledge of management theories and specialized aspects of tourism and hospitality management that will secure a position of seniority within the industry.

ICM launches low cost ATOM Notebook

ICM Micro Computer Systems launched their latest and low-cost ATOM notebook system ICM Atom P02.

ICM Atom P02 Note Book is an ultra sleek notebook that is lightweight in structure which weights only 1.2kg and 10.2 inch TFT LCD WSVGA with Anti glare type LED back light screen and powered by Intel Atom latest N450 processor technology and with media card reader, 1.3 Mega pixel webcam, Bluetooth, Wifi.

This ICM product is designed for the corporate leaders, internet surfing, businesswoman in the new world who are constantly on the move and for the education sector where the usage of electricity is very much limited in rural sector. The consumption of electricity of the ICM Atom P02 is very much low and gives longer hours of battery power usage.

ICM Atom P02 is design and manufactured to support Opensource and MS Windows XP and above and certification by CE. Another main benefit of this product is its’ low maintenance cost and the affordable price tag and the comprehensive product warranty.

For Poson pilgrims:

AVIVA NDB provides free train service

This year, AVIVA NDB Insurance enhanced its Poson Safety Campaign and made arrangements to run a special free shuttle service between Anuradhapura and Mihintale. The "AVIVA NDB Poson Vandana" train was available for the safety and convenience of devotees starting from June 24 to 26. Over a million pilgrims visit Mihintale during the Poson season.

Every year AVIVA NDB has an extensive campaign to keep Poson pilgrims aware of the dangerous waters that have claimed many lives before the safety campaign was launched. This was the 17th successive year that the company has had the Poson safety awareness campaign, reducing the number of deaths from drowning among pilgrims to zero.

To ensure this trend continues, AVIVA NDB's safety campaign includes the distribution of leaflets starting from entry points to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, with hoardings, banners, pennants and public address systems reminding pilgrims to safeguard themselves.

Most importantly, the company facilitates the presence of around 550 professional lifesavers at almost all the tanks and reservoirs with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Police, Navy and the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka. Over the years at least 150 lives of Poson pilgrims have been saved. This year the lifesavers succeeded in saving 12 people.

"Apart from the lives saved, this year we extended our traditional safety campaign in Anuradhapura to offer a free train service to and from Mihintale for the Poson pilgrims so that they were able to travel safely and comfortably" said, AGM Marketing Amal Perera.

Unimo offers Perodua Viva Elite cars

Unimo Enterprises Limited, a fully-owned subsidiary of United Motors Lanka PLC joins Nations Leasing to offer customers its latest addition to the Perodua range, the Viva Elite. Nations Leasing, which is part of Nations Trust Bank PLC is confident that this special leasing package will be very attractive given the competitive pricing of the Perodua range of cars due to the recent tax reductions.

At the signing of the MOU, Unimo Enterprises Limited Director Chanaka Yatawara thanked Nations Leasing for teaming up with Unimo for this special promotion. He said, "Since its launch to the Sri Lankan market the Perodua range of vehicles have become popular among Sri Lankan motorists especially for its ability to amaze customers with its performance, fuel efficiency and most of all with its low maintenance cost".

The Perodua range of cars are assembled in Malaysia using Japanese components by Perodua Sales SDN BHD of which Daihatsu Japan has a stake in. These vehicles are also marketed in countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Fiji, Brunai, Nepal and many more. Nations Trust Bank CEO Saliya Rajakaruna said, "Viva Elite's options and design are outstanding and I am confident that a product of this nature together with Nations Leasing will be able to break all barriers".

Sri Lanka Insurance top achievers attend MDRT Conference

Sri Lanka Insurance had eleven of its top Life Insurance achievers qualifying for the elite Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) this year. The MDRT insignia is a seal of excellence for the public to trust that they are serviced by the best when fulfilling their life insurance needs.

The 11 top achievers participated at the MDRT Annual Conference 2010, which was held from June 13-17 Vancouver, Canada.

The MDRT, groups together the cream of the life insurance advisors globally.

It is the most innovative and prestigious business forum in the financial services profession, attracting nearly 8,000 attendees from around the world. Founded in 1927, this annual event gathers the world's top sales achievers, to share their sales experiences with each other. The conference also provides its members with resources to improve their technical knowledge on sales and client servicing while maintaining a culture of high ethical standards.

Amana Takaful in Dehiwala

Amana Takaful opened a new branch in Dehiwala. The branch was opened by Rtd. Col. Janaka Ritigahapola and Amana Takaful PLC Director M.H.M. Rafiq. Director/CEO Ehsan Zaheed, Amana Takaful Life, GM/Chief Executive Officer Reyaz Jeffrey and GM Operations and Medical Takaful Zaid Aboobucker were also present.

The branch has been fully equipped with all facilities, to provide life insurance and all classes of General Insurance including Motor, Fire, Marine, Engineering and Miscellaneous.

Farmer crowned Shooragoviya

Priyantha Weeraratne, a 38-year-old farmer from Angunukolapelessa was crowned the CIC Shooragoviya at a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister D M Jayaratne and other Ministers and held at the BMICH recently.

Weeraratne, a farmer who is involved in the cultivation of paddy, fruits and vegetables in a 15 acre plot received his award from the Prime Minister.

In second place was Nalin Chaminda from Hettipola and in third place was Aninda Weerasinghe from Hawa Eliya.

The winner received a FAW Truck, while the first runner-up received a two wheel tractor and the second runner-up a motor bike.

All three winners were provided with educational scholarships to Thailand.

American Express offers double win chance

American Express is offering Card members a chance to win from July 1 to August 31. by using their American Express Cards to pump fuel at any fuel station islandwide. They stand a chance to get their fuel bill wiped out on a daily basis. The winner of the grand draw gets to attend the F1 Grand Prix 2010 in Singapore.

American Express Cards DGM Priyantha Talwatte said, "We are delighted to offer our Cardmembers an experience of a lifetime. To be eligible to win, Cardmembers need to use their American Express Card each time they pump fuel.

With no surcharge and the widest acceptance of fuel stations in the country, every time the American Express Card is used to pump fuel a Card member stands a chance to get their fuel bill wiped out on a daily basis. Apart from that all Cardmembers get another chance at winning a trip for two to view the F1 Grand Prix live in Singapore with compliments from American Express."