Advertorial

Kahawatte Plantations celebrates Christmas

It's December again, and Christmas is around the corner. While most of us prepare for the big event, many of Sri Lanka's top corporate entities also celebrate in their own inimitable style. None more so special than the award winning tea exporters Kahawatte plantations, and celebrate in style they did. No expense was spared, no stone left unturned and the hiring of a professional Event Planner, namely the Bottom Line - Events, to put together the most memorable evening of celebration paid rich dividends.

The setting was the beautiful Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel poolside at sundown. The entire lawn was covered with a huge brilliant white marquee, with two additional marquees for the choir that sang Christmas Carols in angelic voices, and the other, for a magnificent dance act that had the guests spellbound. The marquees were decorated with Santa Claus cutouts, the table d,cor was in keeping with the theme and was of outstanding quality and workmanship.

The kids had plenty to cheer about, as there were fun bouncers for them to play in, and a candyfloss machine and a sweet corner to keep those appetites in check. Then just as the sun was setting, there was a hush among the crowd as the Emcee announced that Santa Claus had been spotted. This sent everyone present, young and old alike into frenzy. Try as they might, no one could see Santa. Then as if by magic, Santa is spotted, skimming the Beira Lake by boat, and arrived to rapturous applause of everyone present amidst the DJ's Christmas carols in the background.

Once the kids have had their special moments with Santa, the fun continues with special games for the kids as well as the teenagers. The Emcee announces dinner is ready, and what a magnificent spread it was, a meal in buffet style fit for a king.

The fun continued after dinner with another dance act, that got the guests involved and had them on the edge of their seats. The well-choreographed dance acts and overall atmosphere created by the tastefully done d,cor and the special effect lighting was a major contributor towards a fantastic evening meticulously planned and organized by The Bottom Line. The man that drives the engine that is Kahawatte Plantations, the effervescent CEO Roshan Rajadurai, capped off the evening with a vote of thanks. The staff present were left in no doubt as to the gratitude of the company when each and every single member was presented with a gift of appreciation for the hard work put in during the past year.

Kahawatte Plantations has long built a reputation as a very fair and generous employer and the faces of the staff members present spoke volumes and echoed these sentiments. Lastly in the most fitting finale, there was a special vote of thanks to the people who put the 'Magic' in this Christmas party, the ones that made it all happen, Shane and Yolande Gunawijeya, of The Bottom Line - Events, who have added yet another prestigious and most importantly happy and satisfied client to their ever growing portfolio, making them one of the most sought after event planners in the country.

ETI relocates Bandarawela branch

ETI Bandarawela branch has been re-located in a more prominent locality in Bandarawela, with a view to having more exposure, a spacious atmosphere and providing its customers service with extra vigour.

In this new setting, we have integrated our services to cater to our customers with more vitality. All services of ETI, namely pawning, sale of gold jewelry, leasing, real estate and trade finance can now be obtained by our customers at this new business center (ETI Mandira), which is a 'one stop shop', said ETI CEO Mahendra De Silva.

"With ETI's market development strategy and expansion program in progress, we have already opened branches in Ambilipitiya, Matara, Kurunegala and Moneragala in addition to the Colombo City Office and all these branches are doing tremendously well, despite ever increasing competition, he said.

The Bandarawela branch relocation was done with a grand ceremony and heavy branding in the vicinity, which gave wide exposure to the event. ETI Executive Director, Nalaka Edirisinghe, ETI CEO and all General Managers concerned opened the relocated branch office.

De Silva said that pawning is ETI's core business. This brand new multi-storey building will cater to all pawning needs of people in Bandarawela. A separate pawning business centre of ETI is currently functioning in Welimada too.

Slashing of vehicle import taxes by the Government has given a tremendous boost to imports of brand new and unregistered vehicles thus paving the way for leasing and hire purchase business to flourish.

ETI leasing and hire purchase business has shown a marked increase in volume in a very short period, due to this fact. Thus, ETI Mandira and all other ETI branches and business centres in the Island have now added more muscle to the leasing wing of ETI to cater to this need, he said.

After A-Levels:

World recognized qualification from ACBT

ACBT which works in association with the Edith Cowan University (ECU), which is an Australian Government owned University, offers students who have completed their advanced level examinations, an opportunity to receive a world recognized Australian degree qualification in Sri Lanka.

The Edith Cowan University is listed in the Commonwealth Universities yearbook and the International Handbook of Universities. Their outstanding achievements have been recognized internationally. ACBT is a member of the Navitas group which is one of the world's most leading providers of pathway programs with university pathway colleges in Australia, Sri Lanka the UK, Canada, Africa and Australia and is an internationally renowned leader in global education.

It provides opportunities for students to choose a Navitas Pathway Program and university programs every year for accessing higher studies and preparing for their future careers through an extensive global network of colleges and institutes, most located in campuses and operating in association with leading partner universities, around the world.

ACBT offers degree programs in business, marketing management, computer science and software engineering, where students have the advantage of completing the entire degree in Sri Lanka for half the cost of studying in Australia. Students who are interested in obtaining degrees in accounting, international business. finance, mobile computing, tourism or human resource management, may follow the first year at ACBT and complete the rest of their degree in many Australian or UK Universities.

AT ACBT when students complete their first year, they can obtain a Diploma and when they complete all three years they will hold a degree in business or Computer Science. Students are also presented with stage level qualifications during their course of study which is an added advantage for the students, as they will be awarded a qualification according to the stages completed. Students who are weak in English language and Mathematics are offered assistance and free Maths and English programs to enhance their skills.

Students who have completed their A/L's can enter into the undergraduate programs at ACBT. Those who do not have the required Advanced Level qualifications and those who have completed their O/Levels, have the opportunity to sit for the Foundation Program which is an eight month program, that offers students direct access to the degree programs.

The Foundation program is equivalent to the Advanced Level and student can now join the Foundation programs in Business or IT for the January intake which will in turn lead to a wide variety of degree programs from many well recognized Australian and UK Universities.

Many companies are visiting ACBT to recruit their graduates, because the degrees are designed in collaboration with industry and professional bodies to produce graduates with practical skills highly sought after in the job market. Many ACBT students have already gained employment in leading companies globally. ACBT has also attracted many international students from countries such as the Maldives, China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Africa. Many of the Maldivian students have now been employed in the Government sector, Defence and Finance Ministries in Maldives.

ACBT students are also given the opportunity to involve themselves in many extra curricular activities. The institution has an active Students Council and has teams for Cricket, Rugby and Basketball. The Institute also has an ICT council, which is involved in many IT related programs.

Peoples' Bank to mark fifty years

The People's Bank which was established on July one, 1961 completes 50 years of invaluable service to the nation this year. The bank has made arrangements to hold many programs with respect to the commemoration. To obtain blessings to the bank and its employees religious ceremonies were conducted on January one at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and the Kataragama Kiri Vehera.

A special Muruten Pooja and an Alms giving was held in Dalada Maligawa under the patronage of Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiri chapter Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Thera and the Anunayaka Thera of the Malwatu Chapter Ven Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thera. The Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Badara and People's Bank Chairman W Karunajeewa attended the occasion with the corporate and executive management of the bank.

The Ashirwada Pooja at Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya was held under the patronage of the Head Thera of the Atamasthanaya Ven Dr Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera. The Head Thera of the Ruwanmeli Seya Temple Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Thera and other leading Buddhist clergy of Anuradhapura attended the occasion. The People's Bank CEO and General Manager H S Dharmasiri attended the occasion with the other senior staff members of the bank.

The Kapruk Pooja at Kataragama Kirivehra was conducted under the patronage of the Head Thera of the Temple and the Uva University Chancellor Ven Dr Aluthwewa Soratha Thera. The People's Bank DGM T A Ariapala attended the occasion along with the other officials of the bank.

On January one all the branches and service centres of People's Bank including the head office were open to the customers and at many branches religious ceremonies were held pertaining to all religions. On this day the bank launched a promotion giving its current account holders the opportunity of winning motor cars.

Under this promotion any customer who maintains a minimum balance amount of Rs. 50,000/- over a period of three months will be entitled to win a motor car once in every three months. In addition to this People's Bank has planned to offer numerous benefits to its current account holders during the new year.

Oman Air CEO speaks on future of IFEC

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Peter Hill, spoke of the wealth of opportunities offered to both airlines and their customers by the integration of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and in-flight connectivity systems at Marketforce and the IEA's The Future of Air Transport 2010 conference, held in London recently.

Hill said, "Having been the first airline to introduce in-flight mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity, Oman Air has proved that the technology works. Over the next year or two, many other carriers will offer connectivity to their customers and the speed of technological development will see enormous possibilities open up." "The convenience of staying connected in-flight is clear. Making mobile phone calls, sending text messages, checking email and surfing the internet are all taken for granted on the ground and are now available in the air.

The next step will be for airlines to make the most of the technology. In-flight broadband already gives us the opportunity to shop whilst we fly, but carriers and their technology partners will be working together to develop a greater range of options, tailored to the needs of customers and offering opportunities to deliver new revenue streams," he said.

"Those new income streams will be complemented by savings, as we see more airlines provide in-flight magazines, menus and other publications via seatback IFE monitors, thereby cutting down on the costs of production and making weight savings," Hill said.

Hill's comments followed his presentation, titled "In-flight entertainment: Fees or free", during which he said that in-flight entertainment should be referred to as in-flight entertainment and connectivity, as the technologies become increasingly integrated.

He said that there was no such thing as 'free' connectivity, as the technology has to be paid for at some point.

"Those who say that airlines should offer "free" connectivity and point to the Wi-Fi hotspots provided by coffee shops as a precedent, miss the point that the cost of that service is included in the price of the coffee - it is not, in fact, provided free. With the advent of in-flight connectivity, airlines are now engaged with the issue of how best to charge, and at what levels, and a range of pricing models will emerge," he said.

Hill was invited to speak at The Future of Air Transport 2010 following Oman Air's recent introduction of a new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft which features the world's first combined mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity package, as well as audio and video on demand and live satellite TV. Peter Hill, who was appointed as Oman Air's CEO in 2008 and has since led the transformation of the airline, successfully positioning it as a widely-acclaimed luxury international carrier.

Now in its 18th year, Marketforce and the IEA's The Future of Air Transport has grown in size and reputation, attracting many senior-level delegates to discuss key industry issues and the future direction of the sector.

Colombo University BIT degree program:

OpenArc begins student recruitment

The OpenArc School of Business and Technology has opened student recruitment for the Colombo University BIT external degree program. OpenArc, an institution that has constantly produced exceptional results for over 10 years since the inception of the Colombo University BIT external degree program, has made arrangements to grant several special privileges to this intake of students.

Some of the privileges the students that are registering with OpenArc for the Colombo University BIT external degree program will be able to enjoy are superior quality class room and laboratory facilities, practical training while following the degree program and employment opportunities for bright students who complete the program. Another speciality of the OpenArc BIT external degree program is that the students are getting the opportunity of studying under a friendly panel of teachers having over ten years experience in technical, professional and educational fields. Students can join the part-time program with classes being held one day per week (Saturday, Sunday or Tuesday) or the full time program with classes being held on all five days of the week as per their preference.

The OpenArc School of Business and Technology conducts information technology, business management, and marketing and project management courses from diploma level to degree level.

Being a pioneering institute holding classes for the BIT external degree program introduced by the Colombo University from its inception, the OpenArc School of Business and Technology has produced exceptional results right throughout the history of the BIT external degree.

More details of the BIT external degree program could be obtained from OpenArc School of Business and Technology, No.120, High Level Road, Kirulapona, Colombo-6 or their e-mail [email protected] Their website is www.openarc.edu.lk

SLAHAB organizes workshops

Renowned Bollywood makeup artist and hairstylist Cory Wallia will be visiting Colombo on the invitation of SLAHAB (Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians) to conduct a special workshop for Sri Lankan talent focused on grooming their skills for the National Awards 2011 to be held in February.

The National Awards 2011 organized by SLAHAB for the 13th time, will be held on February 27 and 28, and as one of the largest events in Sri Lanka for hairdressers and beauticians it will bring together professionals from all regions of the island on a united competitive platform.

Wisdom from the Guru himself, famous for Bollywood movie makeup, fashion shows and bridal makeup will be imparted to the participants at three workshops sponsored by 7th Avenue Cosmetics Pvt Ltd - the sole agents of 'L.A. Girl' brand in Sri Lanka. Specialized focus will be on bridal makeup and its differing techniques while also including techniques in varying skin tone makeup, modern techniques, preserving makeup and much more.

The first will be a 'look and learn seminar' at the Bishops College on January 31. The February 01 and 02 will be hands-on workshops for a limited number of participants.

SLAHAB President Rayaka Jayasuriya said, "Every year we train our hairdressers and beauticians prior to the National Awards.

We invite international experts so that our members can get exposure and help to build their confidence to compete at the National Awards."

As an internationally acclaimed makeup artist, Cory Wallia has done up Bollywood superstars from Aishwarya Rai to Katrina Kaif. Bridal makeup is a very popular segment in the beauty industry of Sri Lanka and being an artist who travels the world over doing bridal makeup, Cory Wallia will impart valuable knowledge on colour coordination and general tips to improve the knowledge of members.

The 'look and learn' seminar will be held on January 31 at Bishop's College Auditorium from 10am to 4pm followed by the two special hands-on workshops on the February one and two at Image Academy from 9.30am to 4pm. Each of the sessions will have a limited capacity.

Emirates sponsors popular authors

Galle Literary Festival:

Two award-winning African writers and a popular Sri Lanka born novelist will be among the eminent authors participating in the 2011 Galle Literary Festival (GLF), sponsored by Emirates, a fourth-time sponsor of this annual event.

South African Damon Galgut, Nigerian Chimamanda Adichie and Karen Roberts, now resident in California, have been provided with travel sponsorship to the festival by the award-winning Dubai-based international airline.

"Emirates is happy to support the Galle Literary Festival once again," said the airline's Sri Lanka and Maldives Area Manager Chandana De Silva. "The festival continues to gain in stature and has become a significant event on the country's events calendar. It has also helped to generate visibility for Sri Lanka among an important segment of international travellers - writers and literature enthusiasts," he said.

Popular authors sponsored by Emirates at previous editions of the Galle Literary Festival include Michelle de Kretser, Ru Freeman, Vasugi V Ganeshananthan and Germaine Greer.

The fifth Galle Literary Festival takes place in the southern fortress city after which it is named, from January 26 to 30.

The winner of more than 400 major international awards, Emirates has served Sri Lanka since April 1986 and now operates 21 services a week between Colombo and Dubai, and daily flights to Singapore, making a total of 28 flights a week to and from the country.

Samsung, American Express promotion

American Express, in partnership with Samsung Mobiles announced the winners of the recently concluded Win a Samsung Phone Daily promotion. This promotion was conducted at three of Colombo's premier shopping malls, Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City and Liberty Plaza during the festive season. Cardmembers had to use their American Express Card for purchases at the partnering malls, fill in the coupon and drop it at the American Express booth to stand a chance to win a Samsung Phone daily and three Samsung Galaxy Tabs at the Grand Draw.

‘Site Acquisition’:

Dialog awards contract to Sierra Global

Dialog Axiata PLC, one of the leading mobile communications operators has awarded the contract for provision of site acquisition services to Sierra Global Network Pvt Ltd, one of the leading Telecommunication Infrastructure Development and Managed Services (MS) companies in Sri Lanka.

Director and CEO Dr Arosha Fernando said, “Sierra Global has been holding the market leader position in the site acquisition segment very strongly over past 6 years, and the awarding of the recent contract by Dialog has further strengthened the company’s ability to demonstrate its capabilities utilizing the 52 regional offices set up across the country. Up to date we have acquired almost 25 percent of the sites in Sri Lanka which has been deployed by all the telecommunication operators both fixed and wireless.”