ADVERTORIAL

Sampath Bank re-launches ‘Pubudu’, ‘Sapiri’ schemes

Sampath Bank recently re-launched Pubudu and Sapiri Children’s Savings Schemes with more and better value added features, ensuring that the account holders and their parents are assured of a secure financial future under any contingency.

Understanding the financial burden borne by parents due to medical emergencies of their children, Sampath Bank has added a Healthcare and Accident Cover for the Child and Parents as a value added benefit for both Pubudu and Sapiri account holders.

A special Hospitalization cover of Rs 100,000 per annum is offered for the child and a separate Accident Cover of Rs 100,000 per annum each is offered for both child and parents.

This special benefit is made available along with several other value additions such as exciting gifts and foreign tours.

This exceptional value addition is offered in partnership with Sri Lanka’s premier Insurer Ceylinco Insurance PLC.

The signing of the MoU was done at a ceremony held at the Sampath Centre premises on May 16, with the attendance of senior officials of both organizations.

Mobitel rewards retailers selling Smart Reload

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel recently awarded the first segment of prizes to the winners of the SMART Retailer Reload Bonanza competition, an initiative to reward their retail partners engaged in selling Mobitel Reload.

The competition which commenced on March 15, 2011 and continues until June 15, 2011, offers retailers engaged in selling Mobitel Reload the opportunity to win 10 Bajaj Discover 100 cc Motorbikes, 20 Laptops inclusive of M3 Mobitel High Speed Internet Dongles each month.

The winners of the Bajaj Discover 100 cc motorbikes at the draw held for period March 15 to April 14 were V. A. Ajith of Udaya Communication Colombo 11, R. H. M. R. Y. M. Bandara Udurawana of Cell Connections Colombo 5, W. D. Nimal Darmapriya of Nimal Communication, Colombo 2, K. M. H. Janaka Bandara of Nimaco Com and Sencity Agency Post Office Anuradhapura, A. B. Susila of New Cha Enterprises Badalkumbura, S. I. Priyadarshani Rupage of Arundathi Communication Pelmadulla, U. Nuwan Mahawatta of Wijaya Hotel Ahangama, A. D. S. Gunawardena of Aqva Life and Com Aluthgama, R. D. Premasiri of New Communication Ja-ela, S. W. D. Jayasundara, Try and Buy Communication Pallekele.

The winners of the laptops inclusive of the M3 High Speed Internet dongles at the draw held for period March 15 to April 14 were: A. J. M. Danasiri of Thilina Communication Maharagama, R. S. W. B. Charith Lakshan of Kalyani Communication Avissawella, G. A. Sirisena of Jayasuriya Book Shop Homagama. S. A. Ruwan Wijethilake of Vithma Communication Colombo 5.

P. D. Ketagodage of Thilini Studio, Homagama, S. Nesarasa of City Video, Colombo-11. T.T. Jayasekara Gamage of Dharshana Phone Shop, Matara. H. T. P. Ariyasinghe of Ariyasinghe Stores, Kamburugamuwa, M. G. Silva of New Royal Traders, Lunugamwehera. H. R. K. Nandasena of Nandasiri Communication, Kataragama, S. M. Wimalanath of Vidushi Communication, Kuruwita, G. M. Sunil Gajanayake of Kesha Communication, Balangoda, Muralidaran Velumail of DVC Communication, Kahawatta, M. D. A. Nishantha Wijesinghe of Ranjayalanka Communication, Horana. M. A. M. M. Ishruk of Melano Communication, Beruwala. M. M. G. A. W. Rafan of Rafeeka Stores, Udathalawinna. Ganesan Rajeshwaran of Swasthi Communication, Kotagala, A.H. Deepthi Chandana of Millennium Communication, Hatton. M. I. M. Shamil of Samanala Communication, Kandy and A. A. A. C. Adikari of Amila Communication, Ja-Ela.

Ceylinco Insurance combines hearts and minds with

“In Sri Lanka, We Believe”

As Sri Lanka celebrates the second anniversary of defeating terrorism Ceylinco Insurance has initiated a new concept : ‘In Sri Lanka We Believe’.

A concept that captures the sentiments of all Sri Lankans in witnessing a fresh beginning for the nation, ‘In Sri Lanka We Believe’ reiterates the full potential of Sri Lanka.

Committed to being a catalyst for growth in the insurance industry, Ceylinco Insurance has always maintained a steady role of innovation and leadership.

As Sri Lanka embarks on an ambitious plan to become the ‘Wonder of Asia’ within the next few years, Ceylinco Insurance firmly believes that the corporate sector must play a vital role in resurging of the economy.

“I consider it more than appropriate to express our heartfelt gratitude to President and the Government for ensuring that Sri Lanka finally has peace and stability and an environment conducive for business, which augurs well for the future” - Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ajith Gunawardena commenting on ‘In Sri Lanka We Believe’, said.

The Sustainability Report of Ceylinco Insurance refers to 2009 as the year of Sri Lanka’s second independence and with good reason too.

A dynamic economy, free from the shackles of a 30-year-old conflict, is ready to bounce back with a newly found sense of vigour. Key sectors such as finance, insurance, tourism and leisure, investment, shipping and aviation, are today experiencing the kind of surge previously unseen.

Since 2009, Sri Lanka’s status as a growth hub has grown with tremendous potential. In this scenario, Ceylinco Insurance General is confident of a future of outstanding growth and stability.

Having emerged the clear leader with a vision in the Sri Lankan insurance industry, the company is set to take on new opportunities in a landscape of outstanding corporate success.

New markets in the North and the East have opened up, taking the concept of VIP On the Spot insurance to the people there, enabling them to experience unparalleled service, delivered with a customer commitment unseen before.

Ceylinco Insurance General, a Sri Lankan company, with roots planted within the Sri Lankan soil, is confident that as a nation Sri Lanka stands on the threshold of a fresh beginning. This is, undoubtedly, a new era that will see a resurgence of the national spirit, one that makes everyone proud to be a Sri Lankan, ready to take on the challenges of a competitive global market place.

People’s Bank helps 42,000 entrepreneurs

Celebrates 50th anniversary:

Central Bank Governer Ajith Nivad Cabraal commended People’s Bank for its contribution towards the nation’s economic development through its initiatives which have given hand to 42,000 upcoming entrepreneurs last year alone at a staff, Co-operative and Entrepreneurial Award Ceremony held at the People’s Bank auditorium recently.

Standing by its credo that the Bank always understands the pulse of the people and therefore provides its services for the betterment of the community at large, the best 24 out of all the regional entrepreneurs who were empowered by the Bank’s Development and Micro Finance department in 2010, along with the best dedicated PB branches and the best 24 regional offices as well the best 10 co-operatives were honoured at the event.

Organized to commemorate the milestone of the 50th Anniversary of the Bank, the Central Bank Governor who was the chief guest for the event stated that a revolution has taken place in the economic system of the country and the entrepreneurial programmes of the state banks have contributed highly towards it.

He also stated that the financial support and service that People’s Bank has provided towards uplifting the agricultural, livestock development, fisheries and other small and medium scale enterprises as well as self employed personnel without restricting to the western and southern regions is highly commendable.

“The main responsibility of the Central Bank is to create financial stability. We now try to provide our services beyond our main responsibility in line with the vision of the new Government. We need to wide spread economic activities and as such the Central Bank is providing consultancy to both the state as well as licensed commercial banks and registered finance companies to complete this mission,” he said.

“The priceless service People’s Bank provides in complying with the requirements of the Central Bank to spread the new vision is greatly appreciated,” the Governor said.

The Governor went on to make special mention of the efforts of Peoples’ Bank to facilitate regional development through its Saubagya, Viskam, the Environmentally Friendly Solutions Cycle Fund and Self Employment Loan schemes. “People’s Bank has done an immense service to develop an entrepreneurial ability in the country through quickly dispensing loans at lower interest rates with easy collateral schemes for the past five decades,” he added.

The bank has implemented these entrepreneurial loan schemes in order on diversify agro businesses, add value to agro production, improve the production and productivity, improve quality and improve market opportunities of the farmers.

The People’s Bank Chairman W. Karunajeewa addressing entrepreneurs who achieved success through the helping hand of the bank stated that People’s Bank was initially established with the support of the Co-operative movement and today has achieved high levels of success for the people in the country.

“We have been hand-in-hand with the people of this country who have worked hard to make their dreams come true. We, as a reputed state bank, will always be responsible for the well being and the upliftment of living standards of the public of this country,” he said.

He appreciated the efforts of the co-operative officers, entrepreneurs, and the staff of the bank who worked hard to make the event a success.

TRAIL: walks to raise funds for cancer ward in North

The Colours of Courage Trust, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to uplifting cancer treatment facilities in Sri Lanka, together with like-minded partners, announced the launch of a historic journey from the South to the North of Sri Lanka in the hope of raising US $ 2 million to build a paediatric cancer ward at the Jaffna General Hospital.

TRAIL, “A journey by the living, for life”, commencing on July 01, 2011 from the southernmost point of Dondra will reach Point Pedro in the Northern tip of the island covering a distance of 670km in the span of 24 days.

In line with the policy of the Government of Sri Lanka to build multiple regional cancer care centres, TRAIL aims to build a Cancer treatment facility in Jaffna, which will immensely benefit patients in the Northern, North Western, North Central and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

Since currently the only facility dedicated to cancer care in Sri Lanka is the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama, patients and families from other parts of the country must travel to Colombo for treatment enduring immense hardship and additional health complications.

TRAIL will travel a distance of 25-30km each day and is open to the public of Sri Lanka. Volunteers of the walk can join for either a 3 day period, a single day or through a city or town depending on their capabilities. Volunteers can also walk the complete distance, but the logistical facilities will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Any walker wishing to participate should register at the TRAIL website at www.trailsl.com or by calling on 071 3827025.

Many leading sports personalities and local icons such as T.M. Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Damayanthi Darsha have pledged their support as Journey Ambassadors of TRAIL and have committed to join the walk at various stages.

Speaking on the importance of the walk, a Trustee of the Colours of Courage Trust and Group Director of MAS Holdings Dian Gomes said “We are coming together as one country, devoid of any divisions to raise the money. People from different parts of Sri Lanka, from different ethnic and social backgrounds will come together to make this project successful. That in itself is also a remarkable achievement.”

All volunteer walkers will help towards raising funds for the cause. The organisers expect the walkers travelling the full distance to pledge to raise Rs 200,000.00, a segment walker to raise Rs 30,000.00 and a single day walker to raise Rs 5000.00. The project also allows volunteers who are unable to physically join the cause to participate in the journey as virtual walkers by donating Rs 10,000.00 online at www.trailsl.com.

All funds collected will cover logistical expenses and further add to the overall fund to build the cancer ward. Additional events will be held in selected cities and towns as the journey makes its way across the country.

Sarinda Unamboowe, one of the initiators of TRAIL said “This initiative fills a vital missing piece in the country’s National Healthcare Infrastructure. We are committed to enhance the cancer treatment facilities in Sri Lanka, and this walk will build the awareness and funding for it.”

Ceylinco Life helps over 16,000 people

The lives of more than 16,000 Sri Lankans have been enriched by a series of multifaceted healthcare and education related social responsibility initiatives implemented by life insurance leader Ceylinco Life in 2010.

The company’s flagship project, Waidya Hamuwa (Meet the Doctor) in its seventh year, provided access to free physical examinations and medical advice to 11,411 people at 40 camps in many rural areas of the country including Batticaloa, Tissamaharama and Anuradhapura. Each participant was provided with a medical report containing the doctor’s findings and recommendations after undergoing comprehensive structured examinations at these camps.

In addition, the company educated 1,721 people on pre and post natal care through its Senehasaka Udanaya (the birth of love) programme designed to educate expectant mothers of how the health and wellbeing of their children can be influenced even before they are born. Ceylinco Life conducted eight Senehasaka Udanaya workshops in the concluded financial year.

Meanwhile over 1,000 pints of blood was collected by the National Blood Transfusion Service within the year, at 12 blood donation camps organised by the company.

The company also continued with its commitment to the development of educational infrastructure of underprivileged schools by spending more than Rs 4.1 million in 2010 for the construction and renovation of classrooms at 11 underprivileged schools in rural areas such as Kahatagasdigiliya, Jaffna, Moneragala and Embilipitiya. This included the construction of 10 classrooms, five of which was completed within the year. The construction of the other five classrooms is nearing completion, the company said.

“Ceylinco Life’s enduring commitment to projects that have a tangible impact in improving lives, especially in rural areas, is a defining feature of the company’s ethos,” said the company’s Managing Director and CEO R Renganathan.

“These projects have been supported over several years to ensure that they have a lasting impact.”

It also contributed to the construction of four houses for disabled soldiers in 2010 in collaboration with the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Army.

Ceylinco Life defines its Corporate Social Responsibility as ‘The continuing commitment of the company to create a sustainable business environment even in the remotest areas of the country through meaningful interventions in areas such as healthcare and education for needy people, while providing protection and financial security of the highest quality.’

The company has more than 750,000 lives covered by active policies and has been the market leader in long-term insurance for the past seven years.

ICASL exemptions for Australian MBA

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is offering four exemptions for Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification to follow the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is currently offered in the country through the Business School of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Thus with these four exemptions, students can sit for only eight subjects instead of the required 12 subjects while studying for the MBA and complete the course within a period of one year or one and a half years.

Students with the respective exemptions will also have the opportunity of saving around Rs 300,000, due to the reduced number of subjects they have to undertake. USQ is an international university of repute in distance learning and was the first accredited ‘institution of best practice’ for external higher education in Australia. The ICASL is the premier National Accounting Institute responsible for the education of students, professional development of members and serving to the business community in auditing, taxation, financial management and business consultancy.

As one of its initiatives to be equipped to meet the challenge of the knowledge economy, ICASL came into an alliance with USQ, to offer the MBA programme.

The ICASL, which is also the largest tertiary education establishment in the country, outside the university system with a student base of over 36,000 and a membership of over 42,000 partnered with the USQ to offer two world class recognized Masters Degree courses, namely the MBA and the Master of Project Management (MPM) in its continuing strive to provide professional both in accountancy and outside the accountancy sphere the best of foreign professional qualifications in Sri Lanka.