ADVERTORIAL

BoC to issue new debit cards

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) will issue seven and a half million new debit cards by 2015 apart from the 1.4 million cards already issued. Another six hundred credit cards also will be issued by 2013. This will be implemented by mid October, BoC Deputy General Manager, Sam Samarasinghe said at a media briefing held at BoC Head Office yesterday.

He said that the bank is planning to sign a joint venture agreement with Sri Lanka Insurance to promote insurance policies among BoC customers.

BoC Chairman Dr Gamini Wickramasinghe said that the bank will launch an island wide awareness campaign to inculcate the savings habit among people to coincide with its 70th anniversary this year. He said that the savings habit in the country is decreasing at present which is around 18 percent. But in developing countries it is around 30 percent.

As a national bank the BoC will support the efforts of Government to complete its development projects.

Accordingly all banking staff will go voluntarily from door to door on August 14 to meet people and educate them on the benefits of savings . He hoped that other banks also will follow suit for the development of national economy.

The BoC has 102 branches island wide and 90 percent of them are out of the Western Province. There are 38 branches in the North and 41 in the East. The bank has provided Rs 5,000 million worth of loans to people last year and the same will be implemented this year.

Offers Rs five million worth prizes:

Dialog launches ‘exSTARvaganza’

Dialog is offering Rs five million worth of prizes with ‘exSTARvaganza’, the new promotion with Star Points.

Customers who have more than 10 Star Points to their credit can now try their luck by typing WIN and sending it to 141.

One winner will be chosen every day and will win a 32” LCD TV. In addition, 20 other lucky winners will receive Dialog Reloads worth Rs 1,000 daily.

All entries received will be eligible for the grand draw in September, with a prize of Rs one million on offer. Added to this are several consolation prizes including 20 DVD players, 20 iPods, 05 microwave ovens, 10 rice cookers and blenders, 20 DTV connections and 20 USB Modems.

The Star Points ‘exSTARvaganza’ promotion ends on September 5.

Home loans:

Commercial Bank reduces rates

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reduced the interest rate on its home loan product, offering a floating rate of 12.5 percent per annum or a fixed rate of 13.5 per cent per annum.

Commercial Bank Personal Banking DGM Nimal Luxshman said, “The demand for housing in Sri Lanka is increasing substantially and there is a proportionate increase in the demand for home loans. The bank’s intention is to promote the growth of housing in the country which provides social security and increases employment in multiple sectors.”

Commercial Bank’s home loans are available for purchase of a house or construction of a house, purchase of a condominium apartment, purchasing land and construction of a house, for renovations, extensions or completion or for repayment of a Home loan obtained from another institution.

There are two methods of repayment available. The borrower can either pay equated monthly instalments where the capital and interest is a fixed sum, or pay back the capital with a fixed monthly instalment plus interest on the reducing balance.

Applicants must have a regular monthly income (individually or jointly with spouse) that is sufficient to meet the monthly loan instalments and other living expenses, the bank said.

Philips lighting focuses on green, energy efficiency

Vidulka Energy Exhibition 2010:

Hayleys Lighting partnering with Philips joined the Vidulka exhibition organized by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority to showcase their range of ‘green’ lighting.

This eco-friendly range of Philips lighting focuses on energy efficiency that combines design for purpose driven specialty needs of a wide range of industries.

On display were luminaires for commercial, industrial and architectural applications.

Philips Green lighting and solutions reduce running costs and provide a better quality of light. Having better light quality has been proven to energise bodies and rejuvenate minds due to less eye fatigue and in turn improve the performance levels of workers and students. In a commercial establishment appropriate lighting can also add a new dimension by defining and enhancing the identity and image of the company.

Good lighting has the power to make a statement and create first impressions that last; a new aspect that lighting experts factor into their designs.

Philips aim is to inspire everyone to lead a greener life.

Lighting is one of the most attractive and easiest ways to conserve energy. Approximately two thirds of all lighting installed around the world is based on older, less energy efficient lighting.

Therefore simple changes can have profound results, as efficient lighting saves money, reduces energy consumption, and carbon emissions into the environment.

Energy efficient general lighting has the potential to achieve an average energy saving of 40 percent.

Barcode Systems brings Hanvon Face ID

Hanvon Face ID, the latest time and attendance technology, has been introduced to Sri Lanka by Barcode Systems Lanka (Pvt) Limited. Face ID is a more accurate and reliable device than fingerprint technology as it detects faces even with spectacles, make-up and shaven and unshaven.

In fingerprint technology, some fingers cannot be programmed due to weakness of fingers but Face ID does not have any problem with programming and detecting the face.

Face ID is now recognized as being a better time and attendance device.

Keells introduces fish sausages

Keells Food Products PLC launched the new Keells fish sausage to its portfolio of processed meat products. The new Keells fish sausage is enriched with Omega 3.

A number of key positives for the new product include the fact that its fish content amounts to nearly 60 percent of the product and is made of Sword Fish, a nutritious sea fish containing approximately 5.4 percent fat and 26 percent protein and is a rich source of essential amino acids; is fortified with Omega 3 fatty acids, known to regulate the biological functions of the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and nervous systems.