ADVERTORIAL

Uplifting livelihood of North East youth:

NDB Bank partners Mount Lavinia Hotel

NDB Bank entered into a MOU with the Mount Lavinia Hotel International Hotel School as the initial step towards implementing the ‘NDB Jeevana Livelihood Training/Loan Scheme’ with the vision of providing the required academic training for students in the North and the East to follow a course in hotel operations conducted by the School.

Under the Jeevana Livelihood Development Scheme, 35 selected candidates will be eligible to undergo training to follow six months of comprehensive tuition and practical training in hotel operations under the expertise of the International Hotel School. Specific areas covered in this course include international cookery, food and beverage service, housekeeping, reception, hygiene and English in a bid to provide sound knowledge in all aspects of the industry.

Practical on the job placements will be made with star class hotels within close proximity to Trincomalee for two months as an integral part of the training curriculum. NDB Bank Chief Executive Officer Russell De Mel said, “By identifying careers that play an important role in contributing to the development of Sri Lanka, it was our aim to enter into partnerships with significant industry leaders, to provide the academic training which will undoubtedly increase livelihood opportunities among the youth in the North and the East.

With this initial tie-up with the International Hotel School, students interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry are now able to follow a comprehensive course which will enable them to emerge as an asset to the hotel trade in Sri Lanka.

“As a bank that is focused towards developing entrepreneurial skills in youth, we strongly believe that the NDB Jeevana Livelihood Training/Loan Scheme’ will be the leap that will lead to many bright futures for the young in the North and the East,” he said.

Summer rush at A-World for genuine branded clothing

At A-World stocks the latest, trendiest designer clothing and accessories for ladies, gents and children. Original, branded designer clothing are available at very reasonable prices. Peter England, Van Heusen, Allan Solly, SF Jeans, Reid and Taylor, Louis Philippe, Triumph, Wrangler, Lee, and Arrow are some of the world famous brands which compliment local brands such as Emerald, Stone and String and much more.

How can you identify genuine branded clothing from fake ones? One way is to feel the soft, luxurious texture of the fabric and you will know at once that it has to be the genuine product. The other way is to visit A-World, the state-of-the-art department store in Welisara, because they only stock genuine branded clothing.

A-World answered the call of fashionable Sri Lankans by opening a state-of-the-art Department Store in Welisara which caters to all the fashion needs of stylish and elegant people of all ages. The concept of A-World is that of a Department Store where one can shop in comfort and style and buy almost anything and everything that stands for high quality at very affordable prices.

Now, there’s a special bonanza for shoppers at A-World, Welisara. If you join the ‘Summer Rush’ you will be entitled to a free gift worth 10 percent of your purchase value. So, the more you buy, the more you will get. Mind you, this offer is only valid during the month of August, so make way for A-World before its too late.

From garments and lingerie, electrical and electronic items, kitchenware, cookware, glassware and tableware, jewellery and ornaments, perfumes and toiletries, computers and accessories are all available under one roof at prices that will truly amaze you.

A-World has slashed its prices to make its products even more affordable than ever before. So don’t let the image of high fashion, elegance and style of imported designer wear and accessories frighten you.

You’ll be amazed at the down-to-earth prices and value for money you will get by shopping at A-World compared to prices at any other store. And what’s more, A-World always gives you something more than you bargained for. Discounts, free give-away gifts, guaranteed products and a shopping experience you’ll never forget with the ambience and comfort none can match.

So, if you want to know more about the latest trends in fashion, pick up a stylish dress or saree for yourself or a world class genuine branded shirt for your husband or boyfriend, a useful appliance for your kitchen or home from the world’s best brands, or just spend the day having fun with your family, visit A-World in Welisara and you won’t be disappointed. The ‘Summer Rush’ offer is valid at A-World - Welisara only till August 31, 2010.

HNB Pathum Vimana awards Toyota Yaris car

RO Mortier, a customer of the HNB Kotahena Customer Centre won the brand new Toyota Yaris car worth over Rs six million. The prize was handed over by HNB Marketing and Retail Banking Deputy General Manager Chandula Abeywickrema at a presentation held at HNB Towers recently. The HNB Pathum Vimana 2010 gifts more than Rs 100 million as prizes. The prizes include, four tractors from the October Harvest Draw, 135 Yamaha Gladiator Motor Cycles, 135 DVD players, 135 fridges, 135 TVs from the December Bonus Draw, four Suzuki Swift cars from the December Special Car Draw, a luxury house worth Rs 10 million or cash from the Year End Grand Draw and a luxury Mercedes Benz car from the Year End Premium Draw and air tickets to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong or Thailand from the weekly draws.

Laugfs Gas holds cricket tournament

Laugfs Gas held the ‘Laugfs Gas Invitation Cricket Tournament’ for its bulk customers at the Oval grounds in Colombo recently.

The tournament was organized by the management of Laugfs Gas, especially targeted at its industrial customer base in the ceramic industry, with the intention of creating stronger customer relationships and building better understanding.

Five teams from the ceramic industry, along with a team from Laugfs Gas stepped on to a level playing field to battle it out for the coveted Laugfs Gas Invitation Cricket Trophy.

Shopping season comes early for Commercial Bank cardholders

Mega promotion with Singer:

Discounts of up to 30 percent on an extensive array of products are on offer to Credit and Shopping Debit Cardholders of Commercial Bank under a new promotion launched with the consumer durables retail giant Singer.

Effective August 18 to end October, the promotion not only offers some of the largest discounts ever seen, but also enables cardholders to purchase items on zero-interest basis with repayment over 12 months and still be eligible for the discounts, the Bank said.

Available at all four of the Singer Group’s retail Channels, Singer Plus, Singer Mega, Singer Homes and Sisil World the discounts cover items ranging from home electronic appliances such as television sets, audio and video systems, home theatre systems, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, kitchen appliances and gas cookers to furniture, desktop and laptop computers, sewing machines, power generators, bicycles and even home security systems.

The full range of international brands marketed by Singer would be available to cardholders, and the panoramic width of the product range ensures that there would be something to interest every one of the Bank’s Credit and Shopping Debit Cardholders, Commercial Bank’s Card Centre Head Lakshman Perera said.

“This promotion illustrates the powerful proposition that the coming together of two giants of the stature of Commercial Bank and Singer can offer,” he said. “These amazing discounts are exclusively for Commercial Bank cardholders, and mean that they need not wait for the Christmas rush to buy their needs,” he said.

World Spice Food Festival 2010

New benchmark in culinary fiesta:

The World Spice Food Festival 2010 organized for the fifth consecutive year by the Sri Lanka Tourism with HSBC as the principal sponsor concluded successfully.

The pinnacle of the event was the ‘Hawkers Street’ food fiesta that attracted over 30,000 visitors to the Green Path, which was colourfully decorated and with live entertainment and cultural performances, to add to the festive atmosphere.

Food stalls teemed with foreign tourists and Sri Lankans who thronged to savour a variety of delectable cuisines catered by sixteen of the best hotels and restaurants in Colombo and 11 international master chefs from India, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippine, Italy, Vietnam, Egypt, Singapore, China, Korea, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Tourism Director General S. Kalaiselvam said, ‘The World Spice Food Festival was a tremendous success with experts from the culinary fraternity and hospitality industry joining hands to combine their culinary skills in preparing some of the finest cuisines from the South Asian continent. The event also helped promote Sri Lanka as a country that celebrates and welcomes diverse cultures with the offering of a variety of international cuisines.

The World Spice Food Festival promises to establish a bigger event next year, and hope the support of our sponsors and media partners will continue in the future to place Sri Lanka as not only a popular tourist destination, but a country that is well known for its authentic spice cuisine,” he said.

A special value addition, was the 50 percent discount offered to HSBC credit cardholders during the Hawker Street public event as well as special dining privileges with ‘HSBC’s Cardholder Dines Free’ promotion offered at all participating hotels and restaurants.

A and E supports Sri Lanka boxing

For fifth consecutive year :

Top notch sewing thread maker American and Efird Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, (A and E) will continue its support for boxing in Sri Lanka for the fifth consecutive year as the main sponsor of the Amateur Boxing Association.

The company recently presented a cheque to the value of Rs four million to the Amateur Boxing Association Sri Lanka (ABASL) as its sponsorship fee for 2010.

A and E CEO Janaka Gamage said: “The ABASL’s efforts to develop the sport in Sri Lanka are yielding tangible results, and A and E is happy to support the Association in the hope that these efforts will produce many Sri Lankan boxers who aspire to be world class.

As part of this sponsorship, A and E will support teams fielded by the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka at local and international events and receive naming rights at the main tournaments conducted by the ABASL in 2010.

After the presentation of the cheque, the former ABASL President and the Association’s Selection Committee and Sponsorship Committee current Chairman Dian Gomes visited A and E and conducted a seminar on ‘Leadership’ for the executives of the company.