ADVERTORIAL

Mobitel presents ‘Any 8 IDD’

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, launched ‘Any 8 IDD’ for Mobitel users. ‘Any 8 IDD’ is a breakthrough innovation, giving Mobitel users the opportunity to enjoy the lowest IDD call rates for upto eight nominated IDD numbers while delivering crystal clear call clarity.

Any 8 IDD can be activated by any customer on SMART Pre Paid or any Mobitel Post Paid tariff plan and this feature is provided free of rental. SMART Pre Paid customers can nominate their preferred Any 8 IDD numbers by calling the self help number 141 and selecting option four on their Pre Paid handset and follow the voice instructions. Users on Upahara or any other Post Paid plan can SMS the keyword any8IDD to 433 and obtain the activation codes for Any 8 IDD.

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel CEO Suren J. Amarasekera said “We are proud to enable the families of those whose loved ones are overseas to enjoy crystal clear call quality at the lowest IDD rates in the country. Any 8 IDD is a key feature that reinforces the fact that Mobitel always will continue to offer value enriching services which are truly relevant to our valued customers”.

SLT introduces QuickMeet

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), launched SLT QuickMeet, an audio conferencing service with the latest features, enabling business meetings to be conducted through teleconferencing facilities with ease and at reasonable prices, devoid of hassles such as delays, waiting or even rescheduling physical meetings. Members, who can be nominated as wished by the meeting convenor, are able to “call-in” at any time, from anywhere, any network and join into the conference.

The traditional audio conferencing services involve a scenario where the calls have to be originated by the person conducting the meeting. SLT QuickMeet provides the facility where participants are provided with access codes that allow them to “call-in” and join the meeting. SLT QuickMeet provides two categories: On demand and Scheduled.

The On-demand option allows a person to host a teleconference with a fixed set of people who are provided with fixed access codes. A host access code and a special number are provided for the host.

The participants can be informed of the date and time of the meeting via sms or email by the host, and the meeting will begin the minute the participants dial-in the call up number.

The Scheduled option, provides access codes for the participants which will be valid only for a single meeting.

Thus the host will enjoy the flexibility of teleconferencing with any number of people at a time. The meeting has to be scheduled through SLT’s user friendly automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system which will then inform of the access codes. The meeting can start once the participants dial in the call up number and enter their individual access codes. Four different packages are available, depending on the number of participants for the meeting: upto five participants, upto 10 participants, upto 20 participants and over 20 participants. The amount of monthly rental varies depending on the package.

SLT QuickMeet provides several key features including introduction of all participants to everyone at the meeting as well as locking the meeting to prevent other persons from gaining access; automatic announcement of participants as they enter or leave the meeting or the ability to disable announcements as necessary; ability to record the meetings which can be later downloaded by the host.

The facility offers numerous benefits for people and organizations.

Tiniest touchscreen phone:

LG launches ‘Mini’

The saying “Good things come in small packages” is only too evident with the new LG Mini GD880, known as the “Pocket Rocket”. LG Electronics of Korea, a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, recently launched the LG Mini, the tiny pocket phone that accentuates its trendsetting design with a full complement of features. Its elegant and minimalistic design won both the iF Product Design Award and the Red Dot Award.

The easily pocketable LG Mini delivers great looks, performance, and functionality along with trendy features that people want.

LG Mini GD880

It is the smallest and slimmest 3.2-inch full touchscreen phone in the market, making it the perfect handset for people who want all the communication features that today’s technology has to offer without the bulk and weight of a traditional fully-loaded handset.

The LG Mini is the first phone to incorporate LG’s HTML 5-compatible Phantom Browser, using the latest Webkit standards which offers a much faster and more stable and on-the-go web experience without any limits. It is also fully compatible with today’s most popular websites.

It also includes special internet applications and social network connection features that make keeping in-touch with online friends on Facebook and Twitter easier than ever before. It also supports LG Air Sync, which wirelessly synchronizes information and data to a computer, the web and the phone. Its expanded memory allows for advanced multitasking; it is capable of supporting up to 10 browser windows open simultaneously.

Online applications on the LG Mini provide access to the latest information and entertainment news in real time.

Applications from BBC News and AccuWeather are pre installed and content from partners Amazon, CNN, New York Times, eBay and Fox News will be available through the LG Widget Gallery. It plays music and movies and includes FM Radio. It also offers push email, 5.0 MP camera, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and 7.2 Mbps HDSPA.

As the first HTML 5-compatible feature phone, the LG Mini fully supports Gmail, Calendar and Google Maps with the same functionality and speed as a desktop PC.

With improved JavaScript and Flash Performance, the LG Mini provides flawless video playback from sites such as YouTube. With navigation tools like Intelligent Zoom and Touch-to-Zoom, web pages load at a size optimized for reading on LG Mini’s screen.

With a slim, compact form factor made from the highest quality materials, the LG Mini easily slides into a shirt pocket or small handbag while still feeling reasonably solid to the touch.

Textured metal accents to the sides of the phone adds to its eye catching looks without detracting from its overall simplicity. On the front, a large 3.2 inch touchscreen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 extends all the way to the edge of the phone, giving it a finish that is smooth as ice. In addition, a button-free face keeps the LG Mini simple, sleek and uncluttered.

LG Mini GD880 is now available in Sri Lanka at Abans Office Automation showrooms.

Official Languages Commissioner, Sampath Bank Director and HR Committee Chairman Prashanthalal de Alwis speaking at the event.

Sampath initiates trilingual proficiency programs

The Sampath team identified the necessity of strengthening their members with trilingual proficiency as the means of bridging the communication gap that existed between the banks and the communities.

The bank initiated trilingual proficiency programs with immediate effect.

The passing out and awards ceremony for the maiden batch of Sampath team members from the language proficiency program was held last week at the Sampath Centre Main Auditorium.

Official Languages Commission Chairman and Colombo University Law Faculty Dean N. Selvakumaran was the chief guest.

Official Languages Commissioner, Sampath Bank Director and HR Committee Chairman Prashanthalal de Alwis was the guest of honour. Sampath Bank, Corporate Management and Senior Management members also attended the event.

Ceylinco Life’s ‘Family Savari 4’ sets sail

Over 250 head office and branch managers of Ceylinco Insurance were treated to a ‘Jetliner’ cruise in the waters off Colombo as the company unveiled plans for its biggest and most ambitious interactive promotion yet, one that the company says will reward more than 2,800 people.

Ceylinco Life managers about to board the Jetliner to launch ‘Family Savari 4’

Designed to promote mass-awareness of the value of life insurance and to reward new and existing policyholders for keeping their policies active, the 2010 Ceylinco Life Family Savari will offer significantly more prizes in four categories.

Among the prizes on offer are an all-expenses-paid holiday in Singapore for 200 people, two Colombo coast cruises on the Jetliner for 600 people and a full-day’s outing at the Leisure World theme park with transport included, for 2,000 people. Another 30,000 people who participate in the promotion will win consolation prizes.

In a concession to the era of instant news, Ceylinco Life has for the first time developed a ‘Family Savari Passport’ with a scratch panel that will enable participants to know instantly whether they are winners and what prizes they have won as the four-month promotion progresses, instead of having to wait for draws to be conducted at its conclusion.

The promotion covers policyholders whose policies are active as at December 31, 2010, new policyholders who purchase life insurance between September 1 and December 31 with a minimum of three monthly premiums, persons whose Ceylinco Retirement Accounts (CRAs) have a minimum balance of Rs 100,000 as at December 31, 2010, as well as those who purchase Ceylinco Life investment-linked insurance of Rs 200,000 or more during the four months of the promotion.

Arpico Privilege cardholders at Club Bentota

Arpico Privilege sends fifty families on holiday

Fifty families were sent on an all-expenses paid beach holiday, courtesy Arpico Supercentre. The Arpico Privilege Family Beach Holiday was Arpico’s way of thanking its loyal Privilege cardholders and took place on 4th & 5th of September 4 and 5 at the luxurious Club Bentota.

Occurring during the school holidays, this promotion was a welcome break for the 50 Arpico Privilege families who won, giving them an opportunity to reinvigorate their family ties while relaxing in an extravagantly comfortable setting.

Family bonding events, including tug-of-war, egg hunts, beach couple races, and fill-the-bucket, allowed the whole family to join in the fun. Kids and the young-at-heart were enthraled by a spectacular magic show and fun bouncers and face painting were also in the list of fun things to do.

Finagle launches cookie trio

Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., the first and only bakery to obtain the ISO 22000:2005 and HACCP certification in Sri Lanka, recently launched a range of new cookie products in three flavours, Finagle Cookies, Ginger Cookies and Coconut Cookies at the recently concluded Propack 2010 exhibition at the BMICH.

Made to a traditional Danish cookie recipe using imported ingredients from Denmark, Finagle Cookies is available in 125g packs. The cookie is prepared with a Belgium Jam centre giving a delightful experience to a consumer’s taste buds.

Finagle Lanka Pvt Ltd. Managing Director Mahinda Ranasinghe said, “Our company strives to produce nutrients of the highest standards for our consumers and the market.

The demand for the recently launched Multi Seed Health Bread is a testament of the trust and loyalty to our products.

The newly introduced cookies would also create a new dimension in the market without a doubt, adding a new experience to our consumers.”

KFC, Coca-Cola reward customers

KFC Sri Lanka Franchisee, Cargills Ceylon PLC and Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd (CCBSL) joined in July for a consumer promotion that delighted their consumers.

Any customer who ordered a Zinger Meal, Twister Meal or a 2pc Meal along with a Coca-Cola beverage, was issued a coupon that allowed them to be a part of a deal to win consumer durables.

Sri Lanka and Maldives, Coca-Cola Far East Limited Country Marketing Manager Chamara Lokupothagamage said “We consider this promotion to be a grand success. It means a lot to Coca-Cola to be able to give back to the customers who have been loyal to our product over the years.

We are also appreciative of KFC to let us partner with them on this promotion. We look forward to many such opportunities to reward our customers in the coming years.

A draw which took place on September 15 determined the winners of this competition. The winners were from many outlets throughout the country, ranging from Kandy to Kotahena to Nugegoda to Majestic City.

One lucky customer won a Side-by-Side Refrigerator with an in-built water dispenser; while another won a 42” LED Full High Definition Television set which includes everything from Bluetooth to a Wireless AV Link.

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd Country Manager Patrick Pech added that “Coca-Cola and happiness are synonymous with each other. This promotion has allowed us to add a lot of value to our consumers by giving them the chance to win some fantastic products.”

Dengue eradication:

Panadol continues mission

Launched in 2009 by leading consumer healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline, the ‘Panadol Sahana Balakaya’ a long term commitment to eradicate dengue, continues its mission to end the dengue menace in Sri Lanka. Panadol, a brand of paracetamol, and Rotary District 3220 - Sri Lanka, with the Colombo Municipal Council, continue their partnership to prevent dengue from raising its head again in Colombo.

This year alone 21,600 cases of dengue were detected islandwide while in Colombo 1,302 cases were reported, as both the have and have nots fell victim to this scourge. The number of deaths (over 150) as of July 15 has triggered a national initiative to help combat this virus as it threatens to spiral out of control.

The focus will be on gutters, water containers, tree holes, construction sites and abandoned lands that all play host to this deadly infliction.