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NSB signs agreement with MGI

National Savings Bank (NSB) and MoneyGram International (NYSE: MGI), a leading global money transfer services company, have signed an agreement in that National Savings Bank will offer MoneyGram money transfer services in all 169 of its branch locations.

This agreement is beneficial for both companies as it expands MoneyGram’s brand and further enhances NSB’s market share in the remittance business in Sri Lanka. National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, said, “We as a bank constantly strive at providing a high level of convenience to the lives of our diverse clientele across all services we provide.

Our tie up with MoneyGram in offering global and quick money transfers has aided our mission to reach out to customers, enhance our accessibility to people of all strata and provide them the services they need.” NSB, will now be able to offer remitters the ability to receive funds quickly from over 200,000 MoneyGram agent locations in more than 190 countries. With MoneyGram service, remittances can be received in as little as 10 minutes and with 169 NSB locations across the country, consumers can receive funds close to where they live or work.

“MoneyGram’s growth in Sri Lanka is a vital part of our global expansion plans. We are proud to associate with National Savings Bank to offer our convenient, affordable and reliable international money transfer services to more people in more communities throughout Sri Lanka,” said MoneyGram’s South Asia Regional Director Harsh Lambah.

“Inward remittances is a thriving market in Sri Lanka. Over 1.5 million Sri Lankans living and working abroad sent home approximately Rs 370 billion last year, which accounted for about eight percent of the country’s GDP.

LOLC partners SEEDS, INGOs

LOLC in partnership with SEEDS and INGOs to disseminate business knowledge amongst remittance recipients

LOLC, one of the premier Total Financial Services providers in Sri Lanka has partnered with SEEDS, the ILO, UNDP, UNHCR and UNFPA to carry out a series of workshops islandwide for the benefit of the families of individuals who remit foreign currency to Sri Lanka. The program is carried out by LOLC through its education related CSR arm Viyapara Shilpa.

LOLC Viyapara Shilpa carried out similar programs for regional entrepreneurs a few years ago with the objective of giving them knowledge on how to improve their businesses and run them efficiently and effectively. This was very successful as there was a dire need for knowledge of this nature amongst the rural entrepreneurs and the programme was very well received.

The objective of the program is to disseminate business knowledge amongst remittance recipients to encourage them to save their foreign earnings and invest it in an income generating venture which will make them economically stable.

Sri Lanka receives a significant volume of remittances and quite a noteworthy percentage of this is used towards consumption and not invested in income generating activities. As per the statistics released by the Foreign Employment Bureau, the revenue generated by migrant workers has increased by 14 percent during 2009.

The revenue generated through these migrant workers in 2009 was USD 3.3 billion and a total number of 247,119 workers had migrated for foreign employment purposes this year. It continues to be the number one foreign exchange earner for the country.

Winning the fight against cancer

As cancer rates soar worldwide, a major new Australian cancer research centre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney is aiming to cure childhood cancer and help adult cancer sufferers lead long and productive lives.

The new Lowy Cancer Research Centre (LCRC) was opened in May by the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. Its 400 scientists are hoping to make the “leaps forward” in research needed to improve survival rates and quality of life by turning cancer into a manageable disease. ”The Lowy Cancer Research Centre is a critical step in supporting our world-leading cancer researchers, whose discoveries will directly translate into better patient care and carry the potential to save generations from cancer,” the Australian Prime Minister said.

The LCRC brings together leading Australian and international medical scientists in a $127 million dollar, purpose built facility. As a joint venture between UNSW’s Faculty of Medicine and the national leader in childhood cancer research, the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA), it will reap the research benefits of combining leading adult and childhood cancer researchers in a collaborative environment.

Global trends suggest cancer will soon overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death. The 2008 World Cancer Report projected cancer rates will more than double worldwide by 2030, with over 26 million new diagnoses a year, many of which will be in Asia. Cancer currently kills one in three Australians, with 114,000 patients – including 600 children – diagnosed every year.

Inaugural Lowy Cancer Research Centre Director Professor Phillip Hogg said “Over the next 10-20 years I believe we can turn cancer into a manageable disease like diabetes; which is serious but can be managed on a life long basis. Whether we will actually find a cure, I don’t know, but realistically we can expect to get to a point where cancer sufferers can lead long and productive lives.”

Of all cancers, only one percent strike children. However, in terms of the potential years of life lost and the emotional toll on families the loss of a child to cancer is devastating. Over the past 50 years extraordinary progress has been made in childhood cancer; a diagnosis was once a death sentence, now more than 70 percent of children with access to the best treatment survive.

CCIA, Executive Director Professor Michelle Haber, believes further significant progress is realistic and that the vision of “curing 100 percent of children with cancer” will be greatly advanced by the scientific collaboration and state-of-the-art facilities of the LCRC.

Globally, scientists have been making steady progress with cancer survival rates increasing in Australia, for example, by 30 percent over the past two decades and over 60 percent of Australian cancer patients now living more than five years after diagnosis. But, there is a long way to go, especially as the numbers of new diagnosis rise.

The next “leaps forward” anticipated at the LCRC will be achieved by re-configuring teams to build a collaborative critical mass of researchers, by bringing together adult and child cancer specialists for the first time and through the provision of the cutting-edge equipment and facilities. Research will also cover the entire spectrum, from the basic science of the disease to clinical trials of new treatments, drugs and diagnostic tools. This vital “bench to the bedside” chain will allow breakthrough therapies to be developed locally and will benefit from the LCRC’s location within one of Sydney’s “medical precincts” of three major teaching hospitals.

LCRC Director, Professor Hogg, has already been able to move clinical trials of one of his new cancer fighting drugs back to Australia from the UK. Professor Hogg, NSW Cancer Researcher of the Year 2009, is using novel mitochondrial toxins to “starve” tumours to death by cutting of their blood supply. A first generation drug compound is being used to treat cancer in the UK. Trials of an even more promising second-generation compound begin in Sydney this year, following the opening of the LCRC.

IIAT signs agreement with Galileo

The Institute of International Air Transport (IIAT) the airline training academy now in Sri Lanka, offers an international certification with a global recognition that will help them secure jobs in the travel industry, both at home and overseas.

A recent training partnership agreement between IIAT and the international award winning Global Distribution System (GDS) ‘Galileo’, will offer Galileo System Training Certifications for the first time at IIAT. “Travelport GDS combines the strengths and unparalleled reach of two of the world’s leading global distribution systems, Galileo by Travelport and Worldspan by Travelport.

Our specialized travel technology solutions meet the diverse travel planning and management needs of 63,000 travel agencies, and the strategic distribution requirements of more than 1,150 travel suppliers worldwide, representing 450 airlines, 83,000 hotel properties, 25 car rental companies, over 400 cruise and tour operators, and 13 major rail networks,” said Galileo operation in Sri Lanka Country Head Mahendra Balasuriya.

“A large number of employers will be looking for competent youth with the Galileo system capability, and it is our desire to help the Sri Lankan youth by offering this globally marketable technical-skills certification,” said IIAT’s Managing Director Ranjeewa Kulatunga.

“IIAT (an IATA accredited training institute) recently entered into a partnership with the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) for Airline Ticketing Training with on the-job training guarantees with TAASL member companies. We also offer Diplomas in Cabin-Crew, Air Cargo, Airport Handling and Personality Development and Grooming and especially ‘How to win at job interviews’ – all of which are facilitated by former Senior Managers who handled and managed such responsible roles in leading airlines,” said IIAT Director Nadee Abeykoon.

Hemas Hospitals launches MICS

Hemas Hospital, Wattala is now equipped to perform cataract surgery using the latest available technique known as ‘Micro incision’ cataract surgery (MICS). This revolutionary surgery is done with state-of-the-art equipment called Stellaris Vision Enhancement System.

“It is a super safe, painless, speedy and super accurate technique of performing cataract surgery”, said Consultant Eye Surgeon Dr Shamintha Amarathunga. “The recovery after the surgery is instantaneous. There’s no use of pad or bandage and the patient can resume work in one day.

The incision made on the eye is 50 percent smaller than the regular surgery which makes it easy to heal. MICS results in less astigmatism and lesser requirement of post operative Spectacles. It offers enhanced quality of postoperative vision and with improved IOLs one enjoys an enhanced vision contrast,” Amaratunga said.

“We are glad to become the first private hospital in Sri Lanka to introduce this safe and advanced technique of cataract surgery at a very affordable price”, said Hemas Hospital Wattala Medical Services Director Dr. Aruna Rabel, “Since it is very beneficial for diabetic patients and as minimal restrictions are imposed following surgery, we see a significant increase in the demand for MICS,” he said.

He said that Hemas Hospitals is keeping to the promise that the services would be continuously improved by introducing the latest technology available in the world coupled with the best medical professionalism. “We have also strengthened our eye unit with a latest OCT eye scanner,” he said.

Rab 9 Channel joins Stream Media

A delegation from Malaysia’s Rab 9 Channel arrived last week on a two-day visit for discussions with leading advertising agencies to produce TV commercials, documentaries, films and tele dramas.

Rab 9 Channel Managing Director Roslan Abubaker signed a MoU with Sri Lanka’s Stream Media Network and Max Television Managing Director Janaka Ramanayake in Malaysia for the production of TV commercials, tele dramas and films both in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The two companies also consented to the exchange of manpower and commercial resources. The production house Stream Media Network is a subsidiary of Max Television.

Among those who arrived in Sri Lanka were Rab 9 Channel MD Roslan Abubaker, Marketing and Corporate Chief Ahamed Azizi Ramadan and Stream Media Network International Media Operations Director Elina Mohamed Nor.

Convenience Foods Lanka PLC (CFL), a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Limited recently launched a 22g pack of Rasa Harai Quick Soup offering Sri Lankan consumers convenience, affordability, Halal certification and choice of three flavours. CFL, DGM, Shammi Karunarthne handing over the first sale to Bandaragama, PAS Distributors, Sanjeewa Alagalle. CFL, CEO, Tilanka de Zoysa, CFL, Senior Sales Administration Executive, Dhammika Jayasinghe and CFL, FSM/South, Mano Namonathan look on.