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World Thrift Month:

NDB Bank launches savings drive

For most, saving is a task hard to imagine, given the diverse financial commitments of today’s modern pace. In a landmark initiative, NDB Bank proposes that saving is no longer a luxury accessible to a few, but indeed an option for everyone. This dynamic proposition will be put forward by the ‘ithiri karamu, api hademu,

rata hadamu’ savings drive, conducted by the Bank at a national scale.

To coincide with World Thrift Month that falls in October, NDB Bank heralds the path for saving to become a reality, where it was previously unimaginable. In driving this national level endeavour, NDB Bank announces a comprehensive communication campaign with a view to enlightening those who consider saving, but feel that it is impossible given their day to day expenses. In addition to the traditional mass communication, the Bank will be extending the initiative to numerous activities that will be conducted throughout its islandwide branch network, from events at public locations such as train stations to schools; thereby creating awareness of the importance of saving today for a better tomorrow. NDB Bank has published a handy ‘Saving Booklet’ that offers useful tips on how to optimize the benefits and minimize waste of common everyday essentials via the discounting of continuous unconscious wastage of national resources. From electricity and water, to telephone bills and fuel, this pocket-sized booklet contains useful tips that can be practiced on a day to day basis. In addition to healthy habits on conserving utilities, the booklet also provides valuable insights on saving to be made from efficiencies in time management and how simple steps in managing cash and the environment can also lead to higher levels of disposable income and thus, increased saving.

The first copy of this publication was handed over to Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal at a meeting held at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently, by the NDB Bank Chairman P M Nagahawatte.

HNB, ODEL tie-up for credit cards

Giving a major boost to its card operations, Hatton National Bank (HNB) in collaboration with ODEL has launched a co-branded credit cum loyalty card.

The ‘Odel- HNB Credit Card’, which is a gold card, comes under the VISA international brand.

The customers who shop at ODEL using their ‘Odel Credit Cards’ are entitled to a host of benefits apart from the regular perks an HNB Gold card holder is entitled to.

From additional ‘royalty points’ from HNB’s loyalty scheme, the co-branded credit card offers a wide range of overseas travel and medical insurances, when the card holders purchase travel tickets using the credit card.

Apart from that every transaction done using this co-branded credit card will be notified via a text message to the holder’s mobile and the issuance of supplementary cards would be free of charge.

The prospective card holders of Odel Credit Card can apply for it from any of the HNB customer centres, any of the 13 Odel stores or through www.odel.lk

EDEX 2011 in January

EDEX 2011, the premier national higher education and careers expo in Sri Lanka will be held on January 22, 23 and 24 at B.M.I.C.H. followed by its twin exhibition at Kandy City Centre on January 26 and 27.

Organized by the Royal College Union for the eighth consecutive year, EDEX is the largest platform for local and foreign post-secondary educational service providers, skills development and training institutions and prospective employers to showcase their services and career pathways to thousands of visitors, mostly aspiring youth.

The vision of EDEX, "To empower Sri Lankan youth to be globally competitive" remains vibrant, meeting the demands of students, school leavers, teachers, parents, first time job-seekers as well as those underemployed.

EDEX 2011 Chairman, Kamal Abeysinghe said, "Sri Lanka is aiming to increase the per capita income to US $ 4000 by 2015 and transform the economic landscape of the nation, to manufacturing and knowledge based services. In this backdrop one of the biggest challenges country faces will be to find competent Human Resources."

"It is natural for the youth with higher aspirations to seek out more lucrative economic opportunities, whilst the demand for a better educated workforce with market relevant skills is bound to grow in leaps and bounds. However, on the supply side, frustrations could be the inevitable outcome, if most of our youth lack the desired standards of education and skills to take up these new positions," he said.

World-class educational service providers from the West, Middle, South and Far East will be present to make spot admissions and facilitate pathways for eligible students to realize their dreams. While EDEX 2010 attracted representatives from 26 countries, the growing enthusiasm among local service providers (some with foreign collaboration) is bound to create an array of more affordable and competitive opportunities locally. Even full and partial scholarships will be on offer in limited numbers to deserving students.

Career guidance and professional counselling will also be offered enabling most relevant selections to take place. With 'Green' becoming a rapid buzzword globally, the excitement initiated at the 2009 EDEX expo, in terms of green careers and jobs has grown exponentially. EDEX Think Green campaign aims to educate, activate and engage youth towards sustainable living. Judging by the remarkable response from Green-stakeholders of EDEX 2010, the organizers hope to showcase numerous green initiatives for students and entrepreneurs alike to cash-in from 2011 'Green-Zone'. The EDEX careers portal has always been the virtual one stop platform for the visitors who aspire to reach greater heights in their careers. Even a new job aspirant can log in and file his or her CV online @ www.edex.lk free of charge. The website is also a partnered link to the millions of urban and rural youth who are connected by 'Schoolnet'-the intranet of the Education Ministry and the 'Nenasala' of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka. (ICTA)

EDEX 2011- eighth Expo has received renewed endorsements from the Presidential Secretariat, The Education Ministry, The Higher Education Ministry, Youth Affairs Ministry and Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion Ministry. The strategic partners for EDEX 2011 will be the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce(CCC), AMCHAM, ICTA and SLASSCOM, signifying its' relevance to multiple industry chambers and employers.

Broadband Twenty20:

SLT launches islandwide promotion

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), has launched its islandwide campaign, SLT Broadband Twenty20. The promotion got under way on September 20 and will go on till October 20.

Under the promotion, SLT offers a broadband connection free of charge. Upon the acquisition of a broadband connection during the promotion period, the customer will stand a chance to win exciting prizes: this includes the chance to win a desktop computer daily, and laptops will also be awarded at the final draw. SLT broadband high-speed, internet solutions offer both volume based and unlimited internet usage for a fixed monthly subscription. Modems are on offer at SLT outlets while routers are also available at special discounted prices. Customers can contact SLT on its customer service hotline, 0112555555, for more information on the promotion and SLT products and services.

SLT's broadband internet products will be offered through SLT's copper based Megaline connectivity, which also provides access to Broadband internet services and the newest entertainment option, SLT PEO TV service through state-of-the-art IPTV technology. SLT has introduced its free-of-charge broadband offer to popularize the use of broadband internet amongst a cross-section of the people in Sri Lanka. Today, SLT dominates the broadband market with a market share of 70 percent.

With promotional offers of this nature, the company is looking forward to expanding the broadband market while increasing the country's broadband penetration levels. SLT's Broadband (ADSL), which is an 'always-on' connection to the Internet, is offered through seven different packages, designed to suit the varying needs of customers: Entrie, Home, Office, Office 1IP, Xcite, Xcel and Xcel 1IP. SLT offers its customers unparalleled services coupled with the unmatched reliability and robustness provided by its superior wireline technology.

With the range of different broadband packages on offer, SLT customers can enjoy a host of value added services such as high speed (broadband) internet, VoIP services, IPTV, Video on Demand (VoD), e-learning as well as gaming. SLT is experiencing high demand for its superior broadband connections, available to big corporates, small offices as well as individual home PC users.

The company also takes efforts to continuously upgrade and muscle up the international internet backbone of SLTnet (ISP) to better serve the entire nation.

The company has made the entire infrastructure ready to serve unhindered growth in the Broadband sector in the next few years.

Employability initiative:

Unilever joins EFC

Unilever Sri Lanka has collaborated with the Employer's Federation of Ceylon (EFC) to fulfil Unilever's Corporate Responsibility objective of increasing employability among the youth of the nation. Unemployment among entry level job seekers is an issue the EFC is actively attempting to address by offering a program that will introduce the soft skills which employers are seeking for in candidates.

The result is the EFC - Unilever Employability Initiative which is the first such venture to be inaugurated in Sri Lanka.

This initiative was launched yesterday, while the eight module program will begin on October 7, and run for eight weeks.

EFC Director General Ravi Peiris, expressed his concern for the lack of relevant information available to young job seekers about the actual nature of the workforce. "While the country presents youngsters a choice of many higher education institutions offering various paper qualifications, there is little information available regarding the soft skills such as work ethic and the right attitude employees should possess when attempting to enter the work force. The EFC - Unilever Initiative is in line with the International Labour Organization's Decent Work Agenda and a survey was conducted at the beginning of this year probing key employability criteria among the member organizations of the EFC, the findings of which were reported at today's launch".

The EFC ensured that this program will give participants a well rounded exposure to the expectations of the corporate world.

The topics of discussion will focus on the soft skills job seekers should develop to increase employability, the expectations of a prospective employer, and the rights and obligations of employees. There will also be an open discussion with company leaders so that participants gain firsthand knowledge of employers' aspirations.