ADVERTORIAL

Spreading happiness in Galle Face Green

Coca-Cola, SLPA to open kiosks:

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited recently teamed up with Nidahas Sevaka Waraya (Pvt) Limited, which falls under the governance of the Sri Lankan Ports Authority (SLPA) to open 30 "Happiness Kiosks" at the Galle Face Green area.

The initiative is part of a five year agreement with the Nidahas Sevaka Waraya (Pvt) Limited.

This landmark project is a part of the company's global 'Open Happiness campaign" encouraging people to enjoy small moments of joy and happiness with a bottle of Coca -Cola. In addition to that, Coca-Cola is committed to revive the lost food culture in the Galle Face Green area.

The initiative involves sponsoring and branding of over 30 kiosks around the Galle Face Green area. The project has been rendering immense service to the local traders, whose livelihoods were severely affected during the war, when Galle Face Green ceased to function.

Coca-Cola is also committed to provide skills development programs to these traders to become entrepreneurs in the country.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Director Prasanna Kalutarage said traders were using carts to do their business in the Galle Face Green and they were not allowed to keep the carts at the Galle Face area after their business is over due to security concerns in the country during the time of war.

With the inauguration of these kiosks, traders are now free of difficulties and are able to earn more daily income.

Traders had to face various difficulties during the war and had no way of making money. Country needs to expand the services to the foreigners as well as locals who wish to have a good time at Galle Face Green.

He said that people are now able to buy hygienic products from these kiosks and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority plans to set up floating kiosks in the Beira Lake in the future.

The cultural shows which depict Sri Lankan traditions and cultural values will be staged in the Galle Face Green in the near future with the assistance of Colombo University students.

In addition, Galle Face Green has been reserved to hold many entertainment events. IH

John Keells partners AMW

Introducing 106 Nissan cars to tourism industry:

John Keells ( JKH) and Associated Motorways ( AMW) have come together to provide luxury Nissan cars to senior chauffeurs in Sri Lanka to uplift the SME's and cater to the increasing demand of transportation in the country.

AMW has introduced 106 cars which JKH will offer to senior chauffeurs who will use them for luxury transportation for tourists.

Chauffeurs from Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lake and Walkers Tours will be provided with the cars while JKH will negotiate with agents and leasing companies to provide them the best possible payback options.

JKH Leisure Inbound Sector Head Wasantha Leelananda- said "This year saw 600,000 tourists arriving in Sri Lanka. Tourism is now booming and the future is looking bright. Next year 700,000 tourists are expected. We now need to provide a quality service by adding value to our key services such as transport.

"We have chosen the seniormost chauffeurs who have been with us for as long as 25 years through the good times and the bad- those who had believed in us and have been loyal to the industry. In appreciation we now give them the opportunity to own the vehicle while also contributing to the tourism sector. "JKH will guarantee to provide proper leasing and insurance facilities and the much needed mileage for the chauffeurs to cover the cost to pay the monthly lease and eventually own the vehicle in five years.

"We need to create a high benchmark and improve our service standards to become the best in the region in terms of quality standards," Leelananda said.

AMW and JKH have had a long standing relationship and the trust and value provided by AMW have resulted in this business partnership.

AMW President Tilak de Zoysa said "We are proud to be a part of this initiative and contribute towards the tourism industry. AMW promises to provide a good service and maintenance for the 106 cars."

Budget tax proposals - 2011:

NTB hosts seminar

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) recently conducted a seminar for business customers which included traders, importers, exporters, manufactures and distributors with the objective of discussing the tax proposals in the 2011 budget and its impact on their businesses.

The invitees were given an opportunity to interact with the panel to discuss and clarify specifics on the 2011 budget tax proposals relating to different businesses. The panel encouraged businessmen to take advantages of the benefits offered by the 2011 Tax Proposals and further grow their specific business segments.

NTB Retail Banking DGM Renuka Fernando said "The business customers are an important segment for us and we will do our best to keep adding value to their businesses in whatever ways possible. You can look forward to more of these forums being organized for business customers on varied topics of interest in the future."



 

High tech toys for today's children

Children of today's era are set to be far more intelligent than the previous generations. Children today are looking for far more advanced toys than in the past. Parents are also keen on investing on toys that help children improve their comprehension skills and creativity. It is in line with these requirements that City Cycle Trading Company (CCTC) has forged ahead in the last decade in this high tech toy industry. With the brand name Nikki they have successfully marketed toys islandwide. CCTC's trading office is based in Singapore and are presently importing from China, Indonesia and Taiwan.

High tech toys such as radio controlled helicopters that can fly around up to 30 feet, talking baby dolls that can respond to a variety of questions asked by children, radio controlled submarines that can submerge underwater, high tech educational laptops with voice prompts are among a large range of high tech toys available with CCTC.

According to CCTC's Hisham Hussain they are looking at high quality- high value products with an emphasis on child safety, education and fun. All their products adhere to international child safety standards, imported from credible suppliers with internationally acclaimed quality certifications and decades of experience in the industry. All products are manufactured using food grade materials. All radio controlled toys are imported with the license and approval of the Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (TRC).

CCTC's flagship store is based at No 100, Front Street, Pettah. CCTC's Nakeer said that the purpose of the Pettah store is to provide customers with unique items that are not available elsewhere while also using it as a contact point to understand the customer requirements. Showrooms are also located at Pettah's Dam Street, Nugegoda and Moratuwa for customer convenience.

CCTC is also looking into the possibility of developing Sri Lanka as the toy trading hub for the South Asian region. CCTC has also ventured into many other areas such as electrical household appliances, giftware, bottled water and domestic water purification systems.