ADVERTORIAL

To mark 20th anniversary:

ODEL builds 20 houses

Top fashion retailer ODEL recently completed its 'ODEL 20-20 Build' program to construct 20 houses for needy families to mark the company's two decades in business, a milestone it achieved in 2010.

ODEL CEO Otara Gunewardene hands over the key to a recipient family

Ten of these houses were funded entirely by the ODEL Foundation, while ten teams of volunteers from ODEL worked for a day at each of the 10 sites where the other houses are located to help complete them.

Led by ODEL founder and CEO and Habitat for Humanity Ambassador Otara Gunewardene, the ODEL 20-20 Build project, which took over six months to complete, was implemented with Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka. The recipients of the houses were identified by the NGO.

This Christmas, Gunewardene personally handed over nine houses fully funded by the ODEL Foundation to recipient families in Bandaragama. The other house was built by the Foundation in Ampara.

The lands for the houses built with ODEL funds were bought by the YWCA Moratuwa.

The ten houses completed with the labour of ODEL volunteers including the CEO, members of the management team and staff were built under Habitat's 'Hands for Humanity' Program. These houses are located in Moratuwa, Ja-Ela and Galle.

Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka National Director Tony Seneviratne, said: "The commitment of ODEL and its volunteers to the cause of building decent houses for needy people is exemplified by this project. Efforts such as the ODEL 20-20 Build illustrate how caring corporates can meaningfully support Habitat for Humanity to improve the quality of lives of many deserving families."

In November 2009 Gunewardene was among global celebrities and volunteers from 32 countries who contributed labour to the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Chiang Mai. Titled 'Mekong Build 2009,' the project built or repaired 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos, all countries along the Mekong River.

Union Bank Deputy Chairman Alex Lovell, Director Ajith Wijeysekera and Chairman Ajita De Zoysa ceremonially opening the Union Bank Wattala Branch

Union Bank opens in Wattala

The Union Bank 21st branch was opened on December 28, in Wattala, bringing the convenience of banking and a range of advanced financial solutions that will be delivered through exceptional service delivery to the residents of Wattala.

The branch was opened by Union Bank Director Ajith Wijeyesekera, in the presence of Union Bank Chairman Ajita de Zoysa, Deputy Chairman Alex Lowell and Director/CEO Anil Amarasuriya. Members of the corporate management with religious dignitaries, representatives of Government authorities and invitees from the local community participated in the event. The expects to open 10 new branches in the coming months, with the next branch being in Batticaloa, which will open in January 2011.

Emirates SkyCargo completes longest flight

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline, has set new records by operating its longest ever non-stop flight - 17.5 hours from Sydney to New York. Emirates SkyCargo's new generation Boeing 777 Freighter operated the service, which arrived on December 28.

Emirates SkyCargo - using a Boeing 777F operated its longest ever non-stop flight - 17.5 hours from Sydney to New York - to carry a valuable consignment of horses.

"Since the Boeing 777F's introduction to our fleet in March 2009, we have been impressed by its range, as well as efficiency, and this milestone flight is testament to that," said Emirates' Cargo Divisional Senior Vice President Ram Menen. "The Boeing 777F boasts the longest range capability of all twin engine jets, is quieter and uses less fuel per tonne than other freighters, which are all increasingly important as the industry demands more environmentally sound practices globally.

"This freighter is part of our long-term investment for Emirates SkyCargo, we are excited about its performance so far and the future possibilities it brings to our services," said Menen.

Previously the longest flight undertaken by Emirates was a 16.8-hour passenger flight between Dubai and Houston International Airport. "This landmark flight is especially significant for operations in countries such as Australia," said Emirates' Australia Cargo Manager Greg Johnson. "Being located some distance from many of the world's key markets, a high importance is placed on range capability," he said.

The consignment of highly valuable horses on EK4931, potentially worth more than the aircraft itself, all arrived at Stewart International Airport safely.

Emirates is the largest operator of the Boeing 777 aircraft in the world. The airline currently has 86 Boeing 777s in its fleet, including two Boeing 777 freighters.

United Motors Lanka PLC Finance Manager Shanthakumar Ganesan (right) receives the award.

ICASL Annual Report Awards 2010:

United Motors wins gold

United Motors Lanka PLC (UML) won the gold award for the best annual report in the Motor Companies sector at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) awards ceremony 2010.

The awards ceremony to recognize and reward excellence in the presentation of annual reports took place for the 46th year at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel recently.

Commenting on this achievement, UML Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Chanaka Yatawara said that it was indeed an honour to receive this award. He said that this award reflects the transparency, social accountability and good governance adopted by UML and that the group will continue to improve its efforts in these critical areas in the coming years.

Gateway offers 'Conversion Course'

This Conversion Course program of study is specially designed for students who have sat the Sri Lanka GCE O'level in December 2010 providing them with the opportunity to make a head start to be ahead of the late starters and be better prepared to take courses of further study. Students completing the conversion course have the option of joining the June 2013 GCE London Advanced Level program of study at Gateway College.

During this program, in the first phase the student will be coached for the London IGCSE May 2011 examination in English, Mathematics and two other subjects. Students intending to follow the Science stream will be afforded with the opportunity of doing Physics and Chemistry. Students who are to pursue studies in the Business stream will do Business Studies and Accounting. They could also have a combination of Physics and Business Studies or Chemistry and Accounting. Practical work too will be included in the Science subjects.

A comprehensive computer training program is also included in this course to enable the student to qualify for the prestigious International Computer Driving License issued by the ECDL Foundation at the end of the course.

The course also includes the Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme (ASAP) that focuses on Career Success Skills that is designed to help young people reinforce a number of soft skills that they would seldom acquire in the school system.

In the second phase, following the completion of the Conversion course, students will be coached for the London GCE AS and A2 examinations.

Students entering Year 12 GCE (Advanced Level) in June 2011 will have three options:

Offer four GCE A Level subjects

Offer three GCE A Level subjects and International Diploma in IT

Offer three GCE A Level subjects and International Diploma in Business

Students taking four A/L subjects will be coached to do the GCE A/S in June 2012 and GCE A/L in June 2013 in the four selected subjects. Students have a range of subjects in Science, Mathematics, Business, IT and Humanities streams to select from. Students taking three GCE A/L subjects and the Diploma will be coached to do the GCE A/S in June 2012 and GCE A/L in June 2013 in the three selected subjects and coached for two years for the International Diploma which they would obtain in 2013. This Diploma is the first year of a UK Degree. The second and third years of the degree could be completed at Gateway or in UK, USA or Australia according to the wishes of the student.

Mortein 'Stop Diseases' combats Dengue Islandwide

Mortein, recently concluded the National dengue education and awareness program, Mortein Stop Diseases for the fourth consecutive year reaching over a million individuals in 200 cities. Mortein Stop Diseases awareness campaign was initiated in early June this year, with the escalating impact and increase of the dengue battle, the company devised a cohesive implementation campaign in creating a Dengue free environment in the country.

The campaign covered the Western, the Central, the Southern and the North Central provinces covering over 200 main towns across the country. This was a collaborative effort by the Provincial Council, Municipal Council, Urban Council and the voluntary police units, through multiple communication avenues and awareness building plus environment cleaning campaigns.

The Reckitt Benckiser Managing Director, Reazul Chowdhury said, "We initiated the project during a period in which there was an escalation and spread of the disease.

Strong and stable year for MBSL

The MBSL Savings Bank head office

The post war era witnessed economic prosperity in most regions of the country due to the renewed confidence displayed by both businesses and investors. In response to this, MBSL Savings Bank has geared themselves to play an influential role in the new economic order being experienced by the country. MBSL Savings Bank has been serving their clientele for the past eight years and has built confidence among their customers as a bank that listens and caters to their suggestions and needs. The faith and trust that customers had in the bank was proved during the year 2010 where the bank attracted over one billion deposits.

With many incentives and concessions given to the private sector in the new budget potential for banks to increase businesses, especially their lending portfolios, MBSL Savings Bank will take priority in the year ahead to concentrate on new product developments, which will aim at delivering and catering to the diverse needs of customers.

The bank is positioned to expand its activities aggressively in its core banking operations over the ensuing year, with its current network of 13 offices in main cities throughout the country and supported by its talented and committed team. Having achieved a steady progress and growth within the last year the bank offers a range of innovative products which are in keeping with market expectations and standards. They include a large product line from savings deposits such as children's savings accounts, exclusive family savings accounts, bonus savings accounts as well as special fixed deposit for ladies and senior citizens all of which gives the customer high returns and security for their deposits.

Leema Creations wins Bronze

Leema Creations Managing Director Channa Wijesekera accepting the award

Leema Creations won a Bronze award at the Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 competition organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). Leema Creations, a company engaged in interior designing of houses, offices, hotels, restaurants, shopping complexes and exhibition stalls, secured this award for the excellence of their products and services.

Leema Creations designs the interiors of houses, offices, hotels, restaurants, shopping complexes, exhibition stalls and other buildings using modern furniture.