ADVERTORIAL

LOFC opens in Kohuwala

LOLC Group Managing Director Kapila Jayawardena at the opening ceremony

A member company of the LOLC Group, Lanka ORIX Finance Company Ltd. (LOFC) opened its newest branch in Kohuwala recently at No. 184, Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwala. The new facility is uniquely designed and is opened seven days a week from 9.15 am to 7.00 pm to cater to the financial requirements of the vibrant business community of this region. The new LOFC branch was opened by the LOLC Group, Group Managing Director, Kapila Jayawardena who participated as chief guest.

Jayawardena said, “Since commencing commercial operations in 2003, the company gradually spread its wings to establish itself as the fastest developing registered finance company in the country, whose footprint covers a wide network of strategic locations throughout the island.”

“The new branch in Kohuwala is unique, in that we have allocated a special time frame for our business operations. We have identified a requirement for extended business hours in this region and have made arrangements to offer our services beyond the conventional working hours. This is to bring more convenience to the people and the business community of this region,” he said.

LOFC is expected to open more branches in the coming months with plans to upgrade the existing branches to accommodate and expanding business portfolio and a growing number of customers.

Softlogic Finance comes to Negombo

With a new brand that offers financial products, Softlogic Finance made its latest stop-over in Negombo, opening a fully-fledged branch as the company’s aggressive expansion drive moved into top gear. In existence for over a decade as Capital Reach, the company was acquired by the Softlogic Group this year, giving it a complete overhaul. The result was immediate as Softlogic Finance recorded a remarkable transformation. In Negombo, the company believes, it is ready to offer its customers a financial spread on the cutting-edge.

“We are very happy to be opening our newest Softlogic Finance branch in Negombo,” said Softlogic Finance CEO Mayura Fernando. “Negombo is the perfect bustling locale to enter and we are looking forward to building great relationships with the local community. We are aggressively pushing forward with our expansion plans, and are looking towards playing our part in the fast-moving financial services arena as the national economy surges forward. Our branch expansion is in fast-forward mode as we seek new locations to set-up and revamp our existing branches. This new branch in Negombo is a further step towards spreading our reach along the west of the country and will offer the full range of our services,” he said.

Softlogic Finance is backed by the support of its dynamic holding company, the Softlogic Group, which is one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified and fastest-growing conglomerates. The involvement of this dynamic retail group has brought a powerful dimension to Softlogic Finance that will work in tandem with the Group, ramping up its presence in the consumer lifestyle arena. With the Group having its foundations in the IT field, the company is leveraging technology to present a competitively-priced collection of financial products and services to its customers.

“Convenience and benchmark service standards are the fundamental elements that drive us,” said Fernando. “Our product offering currently comprise leasing, hire-purchase, fixed deposits, savings accounts, business loans and finance, personal finance and gold loans. We now have nine branches in provincial towns around the country, and we are looking at expanding our network that will include our presence in the northern and eastern arenas,” he said.

A foothold in the financial industry adds a new facet to the group’s portfolio and the entry of the group into the financial services sector is the ideal strategic fit in offering the retail and SME customer both personal and business financial solutions through the Softlogic Finance branch network, as well as the Softlogic stores that will soon expand islandwide. The Softlogic Finance Negombo branch was opened on May 12, at No. 121, St. Joseph’s Street, Negombo.

ODEL rewards outstanding sales staff

Top fashion retailer ODEL has recognized the outstanding contributions of 10 members of its sales team at the company’s Retail Sales Personality and Retail Supervisor of the Year awards for 2010.

ODEL’s retail sales personality of the year, Nishanthi Udayangani and retail supervisor of the year, V. P Parakramasiri with ODEL CEO Otara Gunewardene.

Five employees were rewarded in each of the two categories at the 10th edition of this annual event, one of the several initiatives of ODEL to reward its sales staff.

The Retail Sales Personality of the Year award was won by Nishanthi Udayangani of the Men’s Department, who was rewarded with a three day trip to Bangkok inclusive of star class accommodation and travelling expenses.

The winner of the Retail Supervisor of the Year award, V. P Parakramasiri of the Stores Department, was rewarded with a weekend package for two nights at a star class hotel in Sri Lanka in recognition of his efforts.

V. P Parakramasiri has served at ODEL for 10 years. Both he and Nishanthi Udayangani, who has served at ODEL for five years, have been previously commended for their diligence and are past winners of the company’s Employee of the Month programme.

The two winners and the first four runners-up in both categories received certificates and plaques from ODEL founder and CEO Otara Gunewardene at the event at ODEL’s flagship store at Alexandra Place.

“I am greatly honoured to have received this award which is very highly regarded by everyone at the sales department of ODEL,” said Nishanthi Udayangani. “We are fortunate to work for an organization that appreciates and acknowledges our commitment,” he said.

ODEL Human Resources Manager Thilanka Kiriporuwa said that the company commends the exemplary contributions of its staff members on a consistent basis through various initiatives including its Employee of the Year awards programmes, in addition to the Retail Sales Personality, Retail Supervisor of the year and Employee of the Month awards.

“Recognising and rewarding merit is an important aspect of the corporate culture of ODEL,” he said.

The ODEL chain comprises stores at Alexandra Place, Kohuwala, Maharagama, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Panadura, Nugegoda (Warehouse), Dickman’s Road, Ja-ela, Majestic City, Crescat (Backstage), Battaramulla, Kiribathgoda and at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The ODEL website www.odel.lk offers online shoppers the same ODEL experience from the comfort of their homes or offices, with sophisticated, seamless e-commerce functionality.

 HNB conducts village level awareness programme

At the awareness programme

The farmers and fishermen who were affected by the war for the past two decades are returning to their native places to restart their livelihood. The Hatton National Bank - Development Banking division headed by - Senior Manager Viswa Gunawardana, Eastern Region Regional Head A V Beadle, Trincomalee Manager S Sunthereeswaran conducted series of village level meetings in various places such as, Thirukadaloor, Pallathoddam, Salli, Thampalakamam on May 5 and 6. The officials were able to meet a large gathering of farmers and fishermen of the area who have resettled in the Trincomalee District.

These entrepreneurs need working capital to restart their livelihood projects to continue their day to day activities as they have lost most of their belongings. As such the Hatton National Bank has commenced granting loan facilities for the farmers and fishermen under NCRCS and HNB GPU Loan schemes.

Further, the bank was pleased to observe during these meetings, that many farmers who have obtained loan facilities and could not repay their loans due to the uncertain situation that prevailed in the area have come forward to settle their dues.

The paddy farmers who were recently affected by the heavy floods and could not repay their loans were offered fresh cultivation loan facilities.

The HNB has come forward to grant loan facilities to purchase farm machinery and new fishing equipment for the resettled farmers and fishermen.