ADVERTORIAL

A first in Sri Lanka’s banking industry:

Sampath opens ten branches on Friday

Sampath Bank will open ten new branches on the same day at different parts of the island on April 29. It is the first time a Sri Lankan bank has embarked on such a mission.

The 10 branches being opened in order are, Akuressa (179), Beliatta (180), Habaraduwa (181), Ahangama (182), Maradagahamula (183), Menikhinna (184), Ninthavur (185), Thirunelveli (186), Hettipola (187) and Rambukkana (188) completing 188 branches in the electronically linked islandwide network.

All branches are equipped with the latest technology such as internet facilities, ATMs and e-banking facilities to provide fast and easy service around the clock. A complete range of products and services are on offer for savings accounts, current accounts, fixed deposits, foreign currency accounts, business, personal and home loan facilities, leasing facilities, credit card services etc., Sampath Bank offers innovative savings schemes for children, teenagers, young executives and senior citizens with a host of facilities, which can be customized to suit the individual needs of the account holders.

Winning The Banker - “Bank of the Year” award presented by The Financial Times magazine in the UK consecutively in 2009 and 2010 bears ample testimony for the level of service and quality of products and services of Sampath Bank. Several other national and international accolades won by Sampath Bank such as the National Business Excellence Awards, Best Corporate Citizen Award, National HRM Awards are the proof to the continuous improvements the Sampath Team undertakes, challenging themselves to reach higher and higher levels of service surpassing the mediocre and the expected.

Taking on their role in social responsibility Sampath Bank will continue to play an active part in the development of the localities their branches are based in. While focusing on uplifting the lifestyles of the people by providing guidance in cottage businesses with suitable financial solutions though the bank, and encouraging thriftiness among the people through the various savings options which offer novel benefits and high interests.. Sampath Bank has emerged as a dynamic and fast growing bank with a solid financial stability, and a leading market share creating value for all stakeholders.

 ‘Master Class PA’:

AAP holds Annual Conference 2011

”Master Class PA”, the Academy for Administrative Professionals (AAP) Annual Conference with a seminar and a workshop was held at the Colombo Hilton recently to commemorate the International Administrative Professionals Week in April.

Group photo taken at the event, Seated from left: Director Kesarralal Gunasekera, Director Dr Ranjith Cabral, chief guest Prof Uditha Liyanage, Executive Director Sunethra Jayaratne, guest of honour Mark Disney, Administrative Secretary Shireen Mohideen, Manager PR Chitra Ekanayake, Manager IT Nadeeshani Pathirana and Office Manager Fazileth Vafoor.

The administrative professionals today are strategic partners and need to move on the fast track. Continuous training, in addition to a relaxed mind and a balanced life is the reply to the growing stress. The seminar formulated on numerous challenges that a PA faces in the present working environment, giving the opportunity to the participants to identify their strengths and weaknesses and the current demands in the profession.

PIM Director Prof Uditha Liyanage was the chief guest and keynote speaker and spoke on mastery and emphasized on mastering on people’s skills, accuracy and attitude. London Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer Mark Disney was the guest of honour. He discussed on the issue of continuous education and building up of international relations for a better productivity. SLT Rainbow Pages CEO Malraj Balapitiya presented the latest developments in telecommunication which is the best tool for a PA to save time. Shreapathy Attanayake elaborated on strategic partners and the workshop on competency building programme became very interactive and interesting.

AAP Executive Director Sunethra Jayaratne invited all PAs to widen the skills and contribute to the success of their own organizations. Education is a life long journey and the new era educational benefits would immensely contribute to acquire professional stability thus making the position indispensable in the corporate world specially to administrative professionals. AAP has become a leader in skills development and all courses are designed to suit international standards, she said. AAP membership is open for administrative professionals, free of charge, she said.

The gold sponsors for the event were LCCI and SLT Rainbow Pages.

Matara Regional Sales Manager Jagath Mendis handing over the claim settlement to L L Thilakasiri of Thilakasiri Textiles. Assistant General Manager-National Sales (General) Pubudu Wimalaratne and other officials from Sri Lanka Insurance Akuressa Branch look on.

SLI pays Rs 1.9 m claim in five days

Sri Lanka Insurance, the State owned insurance giant once again demonstrated its ability and absolute commitment of keeping its promises to customers, by paying the claim amounting to Rs 1.9 million within five days of intimation to Thilakasiri Textiles, Akuressa.

The claim was intimated by L L Thilakasiri as a result of a sudden fire to his clothing and footwear shop, Thilakasiri Textiles in the Akuressa World Market.

The insured had obtained a Business Club trade insurance policy from Sri Lanka Insurance which is specifically designed to meet the needs of shopkeepers and store owners in both retail and wholesale businesses.

Etisalat expands services

The most recent expansion of Etisalat saw three more Main Dealer Partners opened in Ambalantota, Trincomalee and Kurunegala, as the cities proceed to develop rapidly in today’s economic climate. Kurunegala partner being probably the biggest service outlet by any company has a larger agent force that is geared to meet their customer’s needs, providing similar services as their main branches.

The Ambalantota Main Dealer Branch, located on the bustling ‘Main Street’ (106b, Main Street, Ambalantota), is aligned with the Hambantota Deep South Project as the area is fast becoming a commercial hub with considerable growth and development. The Trincomalee Main Dealer Branch (27, Nc Road, Trincomalee) lies testament to Etisalat’s commitment to post war development considering the hub’s potential for significant economic, tourist and commercial activity. Meanwhile, Kurunegala Main Dealer Branch is located centrally in the town, which itself is a busy commercial and transport hub.

All these recent Main Dealer Outlets will offer a host of services such as Etisalat connections, customer services, bill payment, reload and scratch cards as well as a variety of phones and related accessories. This ace accession of networking presence comes at the heels of Etisalat’s recent massive expansion drive covering 480 new 2G sites; effectively taking Etisalat’s standing in the island to the top spot in 2G coverage, with a total of 1,580 sites, including all urban areas as well as steady expansion to the North East.

In addition, Etisalat continues to open Shop-in-Shop outlets designed exclusively for the convenience of their valued customers, the latest being the ones in Bandarawela, Moneragala and Kuliyapitiya. These outlets provide many customer personalized services such as pre-paid and post-pay connections, GPRS and E-mail settings, VAS activations, package transfers, bill payments and free browsing. Etisalat CEO Dumindra Ratnayaka said, “As our customer base continues to increase at a rapid pace, we shall continue to expand our outlets so that our service will be accessible to all islandwide.”

As one of the most powerful players in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications industry, Etisalat continues to discover new horizons and explore new possibilities in the domain.

Offering a variety of value added services, sales offerings, affinity packages and other service, they stand atop of the ladder in innovation, quality and customer service. Having passed an impressive 3.5 million subscribers in a record time since its launch, Etisalat remains dedicated to increasing its subscriber base and taking the company into greater heights.