ADVERTORIAL

‘I am Sri Lanka’

Mobitel, strode ahead towards realising its vision of developing Sri Lanka into an Info-com and Knowledge Rich Society. In a market that is fast becoming homogenous with little to choose between telephony operators, the company plunged into offering super high-speed broadband services, that once was thought to be the preserve of the sophisticated mobile telephony user, to all.

Mobitel believes that access to the best and latest information and communication technology by an entire nation consisting of people with disparate wants and aspirations is a sure way to linking Sri Lanka to a progressive world.

Having learnt from its experience and success, as a body corporate with the country at heart, Mobitel is reaching out to all Sri Lankans to unleash their potential towards personal as well as national prosperity. The call is loud to stop lingering in the past, but release that pent-up energy and talent to lunge into the future. Mobitel, realizing that Sri Lanka does not merely encompass of buildings, roads, forests, trees and other physical infrastructure that one sees but rather it is in essence about its people, like you and I.

It is you and I who can make a difference between the past and future, and build a greater nation. Today, we may be small, but tomorrow our nation can and will be a great one. That responsibility however lies with each one of us. It is you and I that make this nation great. And our actions however small will help shape our world tomorrow.

We must look inward as responsible and accountable citizens, and believe that one small step by each of us is all that it takes to begin that journey of promise. Today, a little spark of technology from Mobitel will be our bridge to the world. Mobitel Broadband, will make even our small steps count for Sri Lanka. Because, we are responsible for Sri Lanka. Because, only then can each of us say, I am Sri Lanka!

Leaping into a future of prosperity is not insurmountable, but only if we realize the importance of doing what must be done, no matter how small a deed it is.

Sri Lanka is a country with a rich heritage, and one that out-did many and proved wrong all who scoffed and belittled our courage to overcome adversity -an accomplishment of collective resolve.

The time is ripe to now transform that accomplishment into something greater, like a wider unity in action to emerge as an economic powerhouse and a marvel of the modern world. This is possible if we each make our contribution in action.

Alone, our actions may seem small, but the tiniest spark can start a fire. A single spark joined by hundreds, or for that matter millions, of more sparks can burn bright enough to illuminate our nation and be seen and followed by an entire world.

It is time to stop thinking about what we should do, but do something about what we are thinking. Change is already here, and you and I hold the key to it.

We can make a difference to our lives and build a great nation of people. Mobitel is powering Sri Lanka into action, transforming our small nation into a great nation, making a call to start with I am Sri Lanka!

Issuing a statement on Mobitel’s I am Sri Lanka campaign, Author and Professor of Leadership at Warwick University Business School David Taylor who visited Sri Lanka for the recently concluded 2010 Business Leaders Summit organized by CIMA, said “Mobitel’s I AM SRI LANKA idea and program is brilliant, relevant and world-class. Sri Lanka are fortunate to have such a forward thinking company.”

Education Ministry, Intel felicitates ISEF award recipient

At a ceremony held recently at the Education Ministry Auditorium, Ganindu Nanayakkara was felicitated by the Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, and Intel Corporation, Intel World Ahead Program General Manager and Sales and Marketing Group Vice President John Davies for his outstanding achievements at this year’s 61st Intel International Science and Exhibition Fair which was held in San Jose, California.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by leading officials from the Education Ministry and Intel.

Ganindu Nanayakkara who was part of the five-member team that represented Sri Lanka at the Intel ISEF performed exceptionally well to pick up four awards under the theme “Computer Controlling Wireless Device for Handicapped People.” Ganindu was successful in taking top honours when he won the Intel ISEF Grand Award for Computer Science. This was followed by yet another top notch performance when he came in first and was presented with an award from the China Association for Science and Technology. Symantec Corporation then gave away a runners-up award to Ganindu. In addition Nanayakkara was presented with a special award of repute from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance/ The Lemelson Foundation.

Ganindu is a student of Ananda College, Colombo 10 who represented the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition of IESL at the Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair (SLSEF).

The SLSEF is a partnership of the Ministry of Education, National Science Foundation, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) and Intel since 2007.

Sampath Bank opens in Buttala, Passara

Buttala and Passara are two developing towns in the Uva province renowned for historical and cultural tourist attractions, paddy cultivations, sugar cane plantations, maize and peanut crops, dairy farming and pottery industry.

A majority of people in these areas are engaged in these enterprises that contribute to the national economy.

Having understood the vacuum that existed in these areas for easy, flexible and comprehensive banking and financial services, Sampath Bank opened two branches in Buttala and Passara.

The 145th branch was opened this week at Madurapperuma Building, Kataragama Road, Buttala while the 146th branch was opened on the same day at No 187/1, Badulla Road, Passara. Both branches are equipped with the latest technologies to support any simple or complex banking requirement while ATM and On-Line banking services allow 24 hour access to bank accounts. Sampath Bank offers flexible lease options, trade and personal loan schemes, savings and current accounts, fixed term deposits, foreign currency transactions, pawn facilities, credit card services among a host of other financial solutions which can be customized to suit customers’ needs.

Alpha celebrates Alpha Day

Alpha Industries, whose main forte is the manufacture of world class security safes and light metal office furniture have firmly established themselves in these categories in Sri Lanka.

August 14 is ‘Alpha Day’, and this year Alpha celebrated 47 years of dedicated service to all Sri Lankans far and wide. Paying tribute to all staff at Alpha, Managing Director, Priyanjith Weerasooriya said that the most treasured asset of the company was its loyal and committed staff, most of whom have been with the company for the long haul, through the good times and bad.

Director/COO Deshantha Silva attributed the company’s commitment to providing top class products in a competitive environment has been a major challenge and is one of Alpha’s main strengths.

He said that the company is aggressively looking at branching out its manufacturing capabilities in to the other parts of the country to make use of Sri Lanka’s logistical resources while ensuring that Alpha’s total Sri Lankan manufacturing capability can be spread across all spheres of the country.

General Manager - Marketing Jeremy David said that although manufacturing safes was not an easy job, the business had proved to be a growth based category for them right throughout.

“Manufacturing safes is not an easy task. It’s a process that we have mastered over the years which basically requires constant upgrading, which we do and because of this and the security features we offer, no other company in Sri Lanka comes close to it,” he said.

People’s Bank renovates Dharma Shaala Mandiraya

Parallel to the religious and social activities planned in view of the 49th anniversary celebrations of People’s Bank, the Lankarama Vihara Dharma Shaala Mandiraya in Anuradhapura renovated in remembrance of People’s Bank founding Chairman Winston Subasinghe, was opened recently.

The ceremony was led by the Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Prof Pallegama Siri Nivasa Dharmarakkitha Thera while that Lankarama Chief Priest Ven Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera and other religious dignitaries were present.

Save at Abans elite with American Express

American Express is offering Card members super savings at all Abans Elite showrooms from July 15 to August 31. American Express Card members are eligible to receive a 15 percent saving on all products above Rs 5,000 and a 10 percent saving on purchases made on the 12 month 0 percent instalment plan.

Abans Director Tito Pestonjee said, “We are very happy and privileged to tie up with Nations Trust Bank and American Express which is an internationally reputed and accepted credit card. We extend a special warm invitation to all American Express Card members to visit our Elite showrooms and enjoy this special offer extended exclusively for American Express Card members.”

The American Express card is issued and acquired in Sri Lanka solely by Nations Trust Bank PLC.