ADVERTORIAL

SLT Broadband improves in quality

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the number one integrated telecommunications service provider and the leading broadband services provider in the country has made significant enhancements in the quality of Broadband for existing customers.

The company has successfully improved the quality of Broadband and data speeds resulting from changes in bandwidth control and from substantial upgrades in international internet capacity.

The International internet backbone capacity serving SLT broadband customers has been increased by 30 percent and now totals 8+Gbps, which is unmatched by other local ISPs.

SLT has improved its direct connectivity to Global ISPs in Asia, Europe and the USA as well as to the high rating social networking, web application and video service providers to offer improved internet and broadband experience to Sri Lankan customers. ]The changes in bandwidth control have increased the average data rates enjoyed by customers by more than 200 percent, resulting in vast improvements in access to information and application performance.

As a result of these changes SLT’s total internet traffic volume has increased by more than 30 percent in one month, clear evidence of the positive benefit to customers.

“Our customers have told us that they wanted improvements and we have responded positively with significant speed and quality improvements to cater to the exploding broadband demand for faster data speeds” said SLT CEO Greg Young.

In addition to changes for existing customers, SLT has introduced broadband ‘plus’ packages to its volume based product line, becoming the only Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country to provide dedicated (free of bandwidth contention) broadband for its customers.

By improving the quality of the access network (copper network) around the country, SLT has succeeded in improving the digital quality even outside the main cities.

As a result, the company added more than 80,000 new Broadband (ADSL) customers during this year, connecting people from all parts of the Country.

With SLT’s expanding broadband product portfolio, customers have the freedom and flexibility to choose from a wide selection of broadband plans at affordable prices to meet their individual needs.

Services include downstream speeds of up to four Mbps for SLT Broadband internet customers. Broadband customers can also switch between different packages when the need arises, especially in upgrading downstream speed levels to higher speeds such as two Mbps and four Mbps.

For customers with a wireline home or business telephone, SLT provides a broadband connection starting at the lowest monthly fee of Rs 500. With such benefits, SLT customers can enjoy a wider choice of value added services such as VoIP services, IPTV, Time Shift TV (TSTV), Video on Demand (VoD), e-learning as well as gaming.

Multilac offers ‘Singapore Sawari’

Multilac launched “Dollar Samaga Singapore Sawari - Weekly Draw” Promotion in July this year - the promotion that offered two return air tickets to Singapore every week became so popular that the company has decided to enable more customers to win more frequently. The promotion, now offers customers the opportunity to win two return air tickets to Singapore every day, said Business Development Head, Nilrukshi De Silva.

“The promotion also offers US $ 500 as shopping money along with food and lodging. It is a wonderful opportunity for our customers who can benefit from it during the festive season,” she said.

Daily draws are being held from November 25 to December 24. Multilac customers who purchase four litres or more of Multilac Premium Emulsion, Multilac Weather Guard or Multilac Non Yellowing Brilliant White Enamel Paint during this period are entitled for the draw. They can fill the coupon given by the dealer and post it to Multilac. “The more you buy, the more chances you have of winning an exciting trip for two to the shopping capital of the world, Singapore,” said De Silva.

“The customer response to the promotion is excellent. We want more customers to be able to stand a better chance of winning. We want them to understand that we value their patronage and want to share the joy and giving at festive occasions that are important to our customers,” de Silva said.

Held throughout the island during the approaching festive season, the promotion is conducted through Multilac dealers and the large Colour bank network located islandwide.

With their unique and innovative Colour Bank, Multilac Paints offers customers the ultimate palate containing an array of colours to choose from.

As a brand conscious of environmentally sound practices, Multilac adheres to such practices at their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. Having pioneered many innovative solutions such as the Multilac Water Proofing Sealer and the Multilac Non Yellowing Enamel Brilliant White, Multilac remains focused on research and development on a consistent basis.

National Business Excellence Award:

CEAT-Kelani wins

CEAT-Kelani Holdings, an indo-Sri Lanka Joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Kelani Tyres PLC and India’s CEAT Ltd, was honoured for outstanding performance in business at the prestigious National Business Excellence Awards presented by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

CEAT-Kelani Holdings emerged as the winner in the Manufacturing - Large Scale (Others) category at the 2010 edition of this annual event.

The company’s strong business performance amidst trying economic conditions in the financial year 2009 - 10 was a key factor that enabled it to outshine many other contenders in the category.

The company increased its profits by a striking 419 percent in the last financial year, mainly due to a 96 percent improvement in export sales achieved through increased export-market penetration.

Advancements in other important areas including enhanced quality standards and product range, process development, employee empowerment and technology also earned CEAT Kelani Holdings additional points to secure the award.

The company spent Rs 15 million on research and development in 2009 and Rs 360 million on capital investments in 2007 - 09 with the objective of improving quality, productivity and sustainability.

The instalment of new bio mass boilers and improved IT facilities in plants were among the developments achieved through these investments.

CEAT-Kelani Holdings also launched comprehensive employee development programs under which over 300 employees received formal training while 177 long standing employees were rewarded. In-plant training was provided to undergraduates, diploma students and others following courses at advanced technical training institutions.

The applicants for the National Business Excellence Awards were judged on diverse aspects including business and financial performance, global reach, knowledge integration, technological investment, capacity building, performance management, corporate governance and social responsibility.

“Achieving the highest possible performance on a balanced scorecard is the job of corporate management,” CEAT-Kelani Holdings Managing Director Randeep Narang said.

“It is nevertheless pleasing to be chosen from one’s peer companies for a prestigious award of this nature.

We are proud to be acknowledged also as a contributor to the economic growth of the country,” he said.

He said a series of change management initiatives entailing buy-in and team work across all management and operational aspects of the company had generated unprecedented growth in the last financial year.

CEAT-Kelani Holdings had also contributed substantially to the community, Narang said. Besides many CSR projects including road safety programs, Foster Care programs and the Saksham initiative for career aspirants, the company is a major sponsor of sports in the country and supports cricket, motor racing and football.

Noritake products to local customers

The leader in supplying superior quality tableware to over 80 countries in the world, Noritake Porcelain has decided to give an opportunity to local customers of using top branded tableware for the new year.

This is following the huge demand for Noritake products at the recently held Promotion Camping at Noritake outlets in Wattala, Matale and Pannala.

A Noritake Marketing Official said that since the main factory in Matale is now the Noritake home for the world and Sri Lankan people can be proud of this locally manufactured valuable products.

The company heavily invested on the expansion of business in Pannala recently with a hand painted porcelain workshop which has attracted a large number of tourists.

All types of Noritake porcelain products including corporate gifts, elegant dining, casual dining, hand painted items, hotel and restaurant ware, souvenirs,value added items and other tableware is now available in all showrooms at Wattala, Matale, Pannala, Thalawatugoda (Cool Planet) and Katunayake BIA.

SLIC fetes top performers

‘Star Awards’ annual sales awards :

Star Awards, the annual sales awards to honour top-performers of Sri Lanka Insurance (SLIC) was held recently at the BMICH, with the participation of Chairman Gamini S Senarath, the Directors Board and the top management of Sri Lanka Insurance. International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama was the chief guest of the evening.

Over 700 sales personnel attended this year’s ceremony. The day belonged to the sales people who have outperformed and outshone the rest, to the men and women who have proved their mettle through sheer dedication, hard work and clear pursuit of their goals, the best in the Insurance Industry. The night was celebrated on a star studded theme with much glamour and grandeur, featuring many unique entertaining acts that kept the audience spell bound.

The Star Awards night saw 330 Insurance advisors and team leaders being awarded for their excellent sales performance. They were all awarded on the basis of achieving the set sales targets and standards. The second place achievers were also invited to witness this magnificent evening to applaud the achievements of their colleagues.

Best Regional Sales Managers, Team Leaders and Advisors were recognized under their respective business category that is Life and Non Life Insurance business, with special certificates and cash awards. The best of the best in this category was presented with an attractive plaque in addition to the cash awards and certificates. The Sri Lanka Insurance Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer Mohan de Alwis voiced his appreciation and gratitude to the Sales Force who are the backbone of the Company, for their dedication and commitment towards taking Sri Lanka Insurance to its vision of being the number one Insurer in the Country.

The chief guest for the evening, Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama in his keynote speech said that the President is steering the country forward to an economic boom and it’s not far off when Sri Lanka can stand up without foreign aid.

While commending the performance of the achievers he also added that Sri Lanka Insurance is a key player in the post war economic development of this country.

Etisalat dominates 2010 Effies

Etisalat Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. dominated the recently concluded Effies 2010 awards by becoming the overall winner across all categories, while winning three separate awards under the telco category. The ‘Blackberry for Everyone’ campaign, ‘The Big Bang Theory’ campaign and ‘Two Friends’ campaign managed to win two-silver awards and one-bronze award respectively.

The Etisalat, CEO Dumindra Ratnayaka said, ‘Launching Etisalat in Sri Lanka was a tremendous challenge, despite it being a strong global brand, due to the heavy competition that exists in the mobile service industry of Sri Lanka. Knowing very well the tricky journey we had to negotiate, Etisalat took calculated risks and executed a well-planned, holistic 360 degree communications strategy to arrest the challenges that lay ahead of us to become a force to reckon with in the highly competed mobile services market of Sri Lanka.’

According to Ratnayaka the collective efforts have been paid-off in winning the prestigious awards at the Effies. The ‘Blackberry’ for everyone campaign secured a silver award at the Effies.

A campaign that was all about achieving a significant perception shift about ‘Blackberry’ that was considered as a dreary communication gadget of the CEO. The breakthrough was that Etisalat positioned the Blackberry to be more than just an office device, but rather a device that entertained, built relationships, a boredom buster, a social media tool, a means of broadcasting yourself to the world...in short it was communicated as a means to enjoying the best bits of life a device which is accessible to the solemn executive as well as the ebullient youngster. The ‘Big Bang Theory’ campaign was solely about re-launching Tigo under the giant international brand name Etisalat, which had to undergo a re-launch twice within a three-year period. This placed a heavy load on the communication discipline of the organization. The forceful marketing communications of Etisalat not only managed to achieve this within a very short period of time, but also ensured that it won a Silver award at the Effies this year for the campaign.

The communications campaign was so dynamic that it managed to achieve a 4.7 ranking (out of five) for spontaneous visual recognition of Etisalat brand.

The Brand Marketing Senior Manager Sunjeewa Perera said, ‘Etisalat not only had to reposition the brand as a sophisticated, ambitious, international and tech savvy one, but also had to re-invent it for the second time in just less than three years.

It was not only a change in its brand signage but also to rise above and appeal to a sophisticated consumer amidst the noise and clutter of a very aggressive competitive environment.’ Perera said, ‘The communication objectives were meticulously planned with the assistance of renowned marketing communications, advertising and research agencies in Sri Lanka and appreciated them for the yeoman support extended by them in elevating Etisalat to its current position’.

Etisalat also won a bronze award for its ‘Two Friends’ campaign, a campaign that communicated a new product, where a consumer collects his previous months calling minutes, which is collected and carried forward to the next month enabling him to call two nominated Etisalat numbers of his choice free.

Chilaw Finance goes to Kuliyapitiya

Chilaw Finance Ltd, (CFL) established 30-years ago in the heart of the coconut triangle in Chilaw will open its first fully-fledged branch office in Kuliyapitiya.

The new branch office will offer the public traditional asset products such as financial leasing, hire purchase advances, pawn brokering, micro-financing and a range of other popular financial facilities marketed by the Company.

Chilaw Finance Limited is a non-banking financial institution registered with the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under section two of the Finance Companies Act No: 78 of 1988 and a well capitalized deposit accepting institution. The Company has won the absolute confidence of its depositors, shareholders and other stakeholders, thereby has slowly but steadily grown into a leading and stable financial organisation in the country. During its three decades of history, CFL has been in the forefront of the social and economic development of the Wayamba Province, long before other financial players realised the potential and importance of catering to areas outside the capital and commercial cities of the island.

Accordingly, the company’s first branch office conveniently located on Madampe Road, Kuliyapitiya town will be opened by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal at 9.45 am on December 10.

People’s Bank hosts scholarship awards

Sisu Udana Kusalatha Pranama:

People’s Bank recently organized the Sisu Udana Kusalatha Pranama scholarship awards for the 18th time at People’s Bank Staff Training College Auditorium.

People’s Bank launched this program in 1993 as a part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

During the program scholarships were granted to 56 students who excelled at the 2009 G.C.E. O level examination.

The group comprised the students who obtained the highest marks in national and district levels at the exam. Their results were certified by the Examinations Department. They will be granted this scholarship for two years to continue their higher studies.

People’s Bank Senior Deputy General Managers Sabry Ebrahim and Wasantha Kumar with other invitees awarded the scholarships at the event.

The People’s Bank corporate management, the parents of scholarship recipients and the principals of the respective schools attended the occasion.

Singer launches e-waste management project

Sri Lanka has partnered with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to battle the growth of e-waste, or electronic waste, an increasingly serious problem in the country. As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Singer began its e-waste collections within two weeks of signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the CEA, becoming the first out of the 14 companies involved in the Electronic Waste Management Project to implement the project.

The Electronic Waste Management Project, which is aimed at developing the infrastructure necessary to responsibly manage e-waste, enables the general public to dispose of their e-waste at any one of Singer’s retail outlets islandwide. The company collects the waste, which includes televisions, refrigerators, computers and other electronic items, and hands it over to a recycling organization that processes the used materials in an environmentally-friendly manner, thereby reducing energy usage, air pollution, water pollution, and the consumption of fresh raw materials.

Singer’s responsibilities under the Electronic Waste Management Project also include undertaking regular audits to ensure effective and sustainable operations. To accomplish its goals, the company will be carrying out a public awareness program, aimed at teaching Sri Lankans the role they play in protecting the society and the environment against harmful elements.

Underlining the importance of involving the community in its environmental protection efforts, Singer is committed to spreading awareness of environmental issues by educating internal staff who then instruct customers on proper e-waste disposal.

The company has done this by incorporating the e-waste management project into the Singer Retail Academy’s theme of the week program. The program, which educates the Company’s retail employees about a different topic every week, covers areas as diverse as environmentally sustainable operations and customer care.

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Walkers Piling wins Rs 400 m contracts

Walkers’ Piling (Pvt) Ltd, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of MTD Walkers and one of the largest piling contractors in Sri Lanka has secured contracts amounting to Rs 400 m to carry out piling work on two major projects, the Labour and the Census and Statistics Department buildings in Colombo. These sites have already been mobilized and piling work has already commenced on the sites and is expected to be completed within the next three months on the 35-storey building for the Labour Department and 10-storey Census and Statistics buildings.

MTD Walkers Piling COO Lal Perera said, “We are delighted to have secured this important contract which is the largest piling contract tendered by the GOSL for this year. This proves that our reputation as a dependable piling company is underpinned by its track record of delivering challenging and complex projects.”

Walkers Piling (Pvt) Ltd. the pioneer Pile Foundation company in Sri Lanka specializes in constructing bored cast in-situ reinforced concrete pile foundations for the past 30 years.

The company was incorporated in the year 1981 along with India’s Voltas International Limited as a joint venture with approvals from the Sri Lanka Foreign Investment Advisory Committee. In 2008, the Company was acquired by MTD Walkers PLC. With the boom in the construction of roadways, bridges and other infrastructure across the island, the piling industry is slated to hit the Rs four billion mark in the coming year with Walkers Piling already claiming a 40 percent market share of the business.

Meanwhile, the Company posted a ‘best performance’ year for 2010 with expectations for a better year ahead. Wijemanne said that the company aims to purchase two more piling rigs as a part of the company’s strategy to cope with the heavy demands for contracting services due to the surge in islandwide infrastructure development. The purchase of these two rigs will bring the total number of piling machines in the company’s fleet to six, substantially increasing the company’s delivery capacity and expediting the piling process overall.

GSK fetes long-serving staff

Long-serving staff of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the leading pharmaceuticals and vaccines companies in Sri Lanka, have been felicitated by the company for their dedicated service.

The 2010 edition of GSK’s Annual Long Service Awards ceremony honoured 15 employees who have completed 30, 25, 20, 15 and ten years of service with the company.

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Stuart Chapman said: “GSK has a well balanced team of young as well as experienced talent contributing to the success of its mission.

We are delighted to recognize today, our experienced talent for their long and dedicated years of service with the company.”

“We are thankful to them not just for the service they have rendered over many years to GSK, but also for the contribution they have made towards our noble quest of ensuring the quality of life of the people of Sri Lanka, by enabling them to do more, feel better and live longer.

We also say a big ‘thank you’ to their families, who have been a wonderful source of encouragement in helping them to fulfill their responsibilities towards GSK and society,” he said. Employees who were recognized for their long service received handsome commemorative plaques and other rewards.

Panasonic launches Lumix cameras

Panasonic, introduced the new entry level 4x optical zoom digital still camera with 12.1-megapixel, the DMC-F3 and with 10.1-megapixel, the DMC-F2 models to the market recently.

Both models feature Auto Scene Mode to take pictures beautifully and easily, with which the camera activates three shooting-assist functions; Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector. The Intelligent ISO control prevents moving subjects from being blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO setting, to render sharp, clear images. Human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection. Unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected (F3 only) and backlight compensation automatically activates if this happens. Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of five scene modes — Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait and Night Scenery - that best suits the shooting situation. Plus, F3 has a Digital Image Stabilizer that helps suppress hand-shake.

The entire line-up of Panasonic Lumix cameras are available with the authorised distributor, Softlogic, in all Softlogic Max and Softlogic stores located islandwide at different price ranges. It also comes with a easy payment scheme and the Softlogic warranty. All HSBC, AMEX and Standard Chartered Bank card holders can opt for the 60 months 0 percent Easy payment scheme.

The 28mm wide-angle 4x optical zoom (28-112mm) high quality LUMIX DC VARIO lens is equipped with F3 and the same quality of 33mm 4x optical zoom (33-132mm) lens is with F2. The 12.1-megapixel(F3) and 10.1-megapixel(F2) high resolution, high sensitivity CCD makes it possible to record max.ISO 1600 image in full resolution and even ISO6400 image using High Sensitivity Mode. With the Extra Optical Zoom function, the zoom power is extended to 7.8x(F3) /7.1x(F2) using the centre part of the CCD.

Easy-to-see, large, 2.7-inch(F3)/2.5-inch(F2) 230,000-dot LCD is incorporated for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The auto power LCD function for F3 detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by Max. 40 percent when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine to secure clarity and visibility of the monitor. The new DMC- F3 records dynamic HD movie in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). Also, the DMC-F2 is superior in its energy efficiency to feature a longer battery life of up to 300 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC memory card, the DMC-F3 accepts next-generation SD format SDXC(SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-FS3 is compatible with Windows 7.