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New scholarships at 10th Pranama event:

Ceylinco Life to present Rs 8.4 m

Scholarships to the value of Rs 8.4 million will be on offer to high-achieving young Sri Lankans at the 10th annual Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships presentation in January 2011, a company media release said.

The company said it has commenced accepting applications from those eligible to receive these scholarships, which are presented in five categories to school children and young adults who excel in academics or at national or international level in sports, aesthetics, invention or creativity.

Applications close on November 30 for up to 164 scholarships, which will be awarded to selected recipients at a ceremony on January 29 2011 at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel, the company said.

Launched 10 years ago as policyholder rewards scheme, the Pranama scholarships program has to date disbursed more than Rs 41 million to 1,150 recipients.

"Pranama is truly an inimitable rewards scheme," Ceylinco Life's Managing Director and CEO R. Renganathan said. "Given the sheer size of our policyholder base, the program's island-wide reach and its longevity, the benefits of the scholarship scheme have now extended to a representative segment of the populace, making it more than a simple customer-rewards program," he said.

Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships are presented to policyholders' children who achieve the best results in their respective districts at the Year 5 scholarship examination and the GCE Ordinary Level examination; to those who achieve the four best results in each district at the GCE Advanced Level; to those who excel at the national level in sports, culture, arts, drama, invention or creative pursuits, and to the four students who achieve the highest marks island-wide in mathematics, biology, commerce and arts at the GCE (A/L) examinations, irrespective of whether or not they are the children of policyholders.

Emerald dresses National Cricket team

The Sri Lankan cricket team left Sri Lanka over the weekend to embark on their tour of Australia. This is the first time SLC has ventured out from the custom of wearing the traditional attire of plain white or light blue. The white background pin stripe shirts with the national lion embroidered on the pocket along with the two national flags embroidered in the cuff placket have made the cricketers look their best. The shirts have also been customized 'Sri Lanka tour of Australia 2010'. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara's optimism to launch 'Emerald International' as the 'Official Formal Wear Provider For Sri Lanka Cricket' has been proved.

"It is important that we look our best specially on overseas tours as we carry the national pride and this collaboration with Emerald is sure to bring out same," he said. It is a proud moment for Emerald.

New pest control solutions

Suren Cooke Agencies has finally introduced effective solutions that rid living spaces and properties of not only the termite menace but other equally harassing pests such as mosquitoes, snakes and rats etc.

Presently this company has established itself in the industry as genuine professionals, in pest management and counts for nearly 25 years of service in the industry. The company comprises of staff members who have serviced the company from its inception and who have contributed in many ways towards its progress.

Epson holds photography contest

Epson All Island Photography Contest 2010 organized for the first time by Debug Computer Peripherals, the authorized distributor for Epson in Sri Lanka concluded successfully.

This event was open to all photo lovers including professionals and amateurs and schoolchildren and was held at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7.

This event was followed by a prize giving in which valuable prizes were awarded for the best photographer of the event and best school photographer and a special award to the "Best Photo Printed on an Epson Printer and Best Photo of the event". Certificates were also awarded to all selected entries and selected photographs were exhibited at the National Art Gallery.

Singer launches Hitachi fridge range

As the sole agent for Hitachi products in Sri Lanka, Singer is a firm believer in Hitachi's dedication to pushing the frontiers of design, technology, and performance. Singer is now launching the latest range of world-class fridges from Hitachi, featuring a range of cutting-edge innovations such as "Minus Zero" cooling, Nano Titanium technology, and "Front Jet" freezing. The sleek, classy contours of the new Hitachi line of fridges can be found at all Singer Mega and Singer Duty-Free stores. The design innovations unveiled in the ultra-modern 'Best in Class' Hitachi fridges are a reflection of the company's desire to give customers the very best in food freshness and convenience. "Minus Zero" cooling is an advanced hybrid technology that combines the zero degree "Minus Zero" panel and the groundbreaking Cool Jet Wrap to preserve a food's moisture, nutrition, and flavour. Made out of high thermal conductivity aluminum, the "Minus Zero" panel ensures uniform radiation cooling, while the Cool Jet Wrap chills every corner of the refrigerator to maintain optimum cooling conditions.

Nano Titanium technology uses microscopic nano titanium particles to filter out harmful bacteria and mold, deodorizing and sanitizing the interiors of Hitachi fridges at no additional cost. This breakthrough technology makes it easier for consumers to ensure the peak performance of their Hitachi fridges, without requiring any additional energy.

In conventional freezers, chilled air flows only from the back, where it is often blocked by stored food items. To solve this design problem, Hitachi's new refrigerators use "Front Jet" freezing technology which ensures that chilled air is also provided from the front so that there is uniform cooling inside the freezer compartment.

The all new 'Best in Class' Hitachi range; Traditional Two Door Large Capacity Refrigerator, Wide Bodied Two Door Refrigerator and French Door Side by Side Refrigerator - deploys multiple electronic sensors and an advanced microcomputer to control temperature, ensuring optimal cooling and energy-saving operation, regardless of external conditions. The fridges also feature mold-proof door gaskets, tempered glass shelves and other top-shelf design details. For example, the new Hitachi French Door Fridge contains an automatic ice maker and a water dispenser light that makes night-time use more convenient.

Japanese venture into local education market

During a period when quality, cost effective and specialized education takes prominence in today's competitive and commercial world, a Japanese education group has collaborated with the OpenArc Educational Institute - Sri Lanka, to form OpenArc College of Business and Technology (OCBT) - a BOI approved company, to provide competent educational services to the local market.

OCBT Chairman Teruaki Ono shared his views on why Japanese Education Specialists chose Sri Lanka, the future outlook of education in the local market through OCBT and the reasons for collaborating with the OpenArc Educational Institute.

Sri Lanka is a country that has a literacy rate of over 90 percent and overall, comprises a very literate market.

Teruaki Ono explained, that the close ties Sri Lanka has with Japan over the years has enabled them to gain valuable insight to various aspects of the local education market, which has allowed them to form a clear vision for proficiently educating local students. Ono said that, as a whole OCBT foresee great scope for the provision of specialized educational services to the local education market.

Mentioning about their Japanese education group, Ono said "We are a long standing educational group operating in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, China and of course in Sri Lanka; through Open Arc Educational Institute, as Open Arc College of Business and Technology (OCBT). We selected Sri Lanka as a country with great scope for educational services and thus invested Rs. 50 million into further enhancing the facilities and infrastructure of Open Arc College of Business and Technology (OCBT) to facilitate advanced courses of study."

The Chairman further explained that within the next few years, they plan to further invest another Rs 50 million to conduct high tech courses of study in Sri Lanka through OCBT. "We aim to provide a larger group of students with the opportunity for internships and job placements during, as well as after their study programs at OCBT.

We have plans to unveil high tech courses such as Robotics, while continuing software development for the benefit of students in the Sri Lankan market to become theoretically and practically proficient professionals, with the scope to work anywhere in the world" said Teruaki Ono.

Nkar attends Global Summit

Participants of the global summit

As the exclusive Sri Lanka Partner in Global Specialist Markets (GSM), Nkar Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd., participated in the thriving network's fourth annual Global Summit, held September 22 - 24 in Hong Kong. GSM represents a unified network of leading travel management companies from over 40 key markets around the world. Together, they deliver unparalleled expertise in local markets while driving new and exciting opportunities globally. At this three day event, GSM Partners from around the globe celebrated the network's many achievements, set out aggressive plans for future growth, and reinforced its vision, unique operating philosophy, and ownership structure. Several key strategic supplier partners, sponsors and special guests including Amadeus, PhoCusWright, GDSX and ISOS, shared the latest research, ideas and trends with the GSM network in a very interactive series of workshops. "GSM plans to remain focused on delivering high-touch service through customized global programs that truly deliver locally", said GSM Chairman Michael Merrithew. "Driven by our unwavering commitment to clients, GSM will also move forward with exciting initiatives focused on traveller safety and security, sophisticated professional development programs for GSM staff, and a strong and dedicated focus on innovation through technology" he added.

GSK grant enables PSSL produce examination guide

A handy guide for students preparing for the External Pharmacists Examination conducted by the Ceylon Medical College Council has been produced by the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) under an educational grant provided by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

GSK Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Stuart Chapman (left) and PSSL President Chinta Abayawardana presenting the first copy of the book to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The first publication of its kind in Sri Lanka, the 176-page book contains past question papers from examinations conducted between March 2000 and July 2008, and a section containing 39 practical calculations and directions for preparations that are done at pharmacies.

The book is to be distributed by GSK free of charge to students registered for the External Pharmacists Examination, in an initiative that responds to an acknowledged need to raise the standard of pharmacy education in Sri Lanka and promote professionalism among pharmacists.

The first copy of the book was presented to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena recently, by GSK Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Stuart Chapman and PSSL President Chinta Abayawardana. It was presented to students at a ceremony in Colombo on October 19.

In a message in a preamble to the book, Chapman says: "As a responsible global pharmaceutical company and an industry leader, GSK makes a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in the country by supporting and encouraging professional development of those serving the industry.

GSK considers pharmacists to be an invaluable asset, essential to the development of a professional pharmaceutical industry."

In the preface to the book, PSSL President Chinta Abayawardana expressed the association's appreciation of GSK for its support to this initiative, and thanked Professor Tuley De Silva who initiated it during his tenure as president and for his guidance throughout the project. Students registered for the External Pharmacists Examination can obtain free copies of the book by contacting GlaxoWellcome Ceylon Ltd.