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Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010:

Azmaara Spa wins best Host Hotel Spa

The Azmaara Spa won the Sri Lanka Tourism Award in the Best Host Hotel Spa category, at the recently held Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010 ceremony. The grand event was organized by Sri Lanka Tourism at Water’s Edge Battaramula. This proves a great achievement given that Azmaara Spa has been in operation only since November, 2009.

Chairman Peter Arendstz said, “we are proud to be the winner in this category for 2010. This award further reinforces our commitment to excellence as a star class service provider.”

Nominees were evaluated on their commitment to excellence, investment in staff training and development, innovative marketing, accessibility and care for the environment amongst other criteira.

Azamaara Spa is a 100 percent locally owned company which commenced operations in the Maldives, branching into Sri Lanka in November, 2009, currently operating spas in four locations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Azmaara Spa upholds the importance of well-being and the promotion of good health. The core essence of the company’s offering is its humanistic and non-invasive approach to healing. Their very own training institute in Bali, Indonesia ensures that every therapist is at the projected standard to administer a scientific and professional treatment.

Azmaara Spa is committed to promoting preventive care and preventive practices, which go naturally with pampering. Prevention is proactive care, and what better setting than an idyllic spa. Whilst many are familiar with the pursuit of spas for stress relief and relaxation and slowing down the process of ageing, scientfic findings have brought a new level of legitimacy to the healthcare industry.

With its research wing, Azmaara Spa will be at the helm of this breakthrough in Sri Lanka, to promote an evidence-based development, directed towards measurable benefits that will demand greater transparency and tighter industry standards. Azmaara Spa Management Company, Chairman Peter Arendtsz, said “Azmaara is made up of nurturers and people with a giving spirit. We have started small, but greater things are coming our way.

We are in business, but its purpose is not for profits alone, but the ability it crates to make people one with themselves, and then one with their community.

This is a tremendous deficiency suffered by modern society.” With research and develolpment complimenting its expansions, Azmaara Spa will secure a minimum of 15 properties in Sri Lanka and abroad by 2012, progressing to be the first Sri Lankan owned spa management company to establish its presence in Sri Lanka and overseas.

At London Stock Exchange Capital Market Day:

MTD Walkers represents Sri Lanka

Representing Sri Lanka Capital Market Day, MTD Walkers was the only infrastructure company amongst 10 other blue chip companies selected to make a presentation at this prestigious event.

Addressing the audience, MTD Walkers Chief Financial Officer Viraj De Silva said, “Following the end of the three-decade long war, Sri Lanka is in ‘build mode’ with US $7 billion projects in the pipeline for the company in 2011-2015.” These projects, he pointed out, were all backed by the government and is a reflection of the country’s economic resurgence.

In the construction and piling sector, MTD Walkers is a top-ranked, only listed C-1 grade contractor to undertake projects for highways, bridges, ports and harbours, irrigation and water supply. The company is backed by a multi-national construction company with prior experience in large scale infrastructure development in an emerging economy.

MTD Walkers subsidiary, Northern Power plant is one of two IPPs operating in the North. With parts of the recently liberated North operating with less than 15 percent in electricity distribution, Northern Power is in the process of expanding its capacity, from 30mw to 50mw through 2021, implying an Internal Return on Revenue (IRR) of 25 percent.

With a full spectrum of engineering services, MTD Walkers recently signed a joint venture contract with China Shipbuilding to operate a floating dock at a cost of US $ 100 million in the new Hambantota port in Southern Sri Lanka. The company is also a principle sub-contractor to upgrade 200 telecommunication towers in Sri Lanka with a further 800 towers expected to be upgraded in the future.

Envisaging an exciting future, De Silva highlighted a joint venture with China-listed Anhui to build a 75km highway in southern Sri Lanka with an expected revenue of US $ 250 million. The Company is also studying a proposal to construct Sri Lanka’s first toll road (US $ 850 million Colombo-Kandy expressway) as well as piling related projects to construct low cost housing for 40,000 families. Additionally, a US $ 200 million worth of water treatment project is under consideration.

De Silva said that with the government’s fast-tracked infrastructure development programmes including airports, ports, highways, land reclamation within Colombo, water and sanitation, railways, as well as tourism related, mixed development and power generation projects encapsulates the growth of the country and the vast opportunities available for MTD Walkers.

Sing your heart out:

IAA - Sun FM Karaoke Challenge

The IAA International Advertising Association, Sri Lanka Chapter in association with Sun FM is gearing up to showcase the musical talents of the advertising, marketing and media industries by organizing the Sun FM Karaoke Challenge.

On June 14 the Park Street Mews ‘Warehouse D’ will be transformed into a site of fun and celebration. The competition is open to individuals from these three industries and those who take on this opportunity to display their musical talents will be judged by a panel of well-known musical personalities, Bhatiya, Santush and Natasha.

An award and several cash prizes will be on offer for those judged as the challenge winners.

With the opportunity to network, the Sun FM Karaoke Challenge is guaranteed to be an event of fellowship and fun. Those keen on participating are required to register at the IAA secretariat with their nominations and song selections.

Janashakthi tops 1,800 payment points across Sri Lanka

Janashakthi Insurance PLC recently tied up with eight major Sri Lankan banks in a far-reaching gesture to give its thousands of life policy holders across the country greater flexibility when paying their monthly premiums.

Payments can now be made at branches of the Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, HSBC, National Savings Bank, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank and Union Bank all over the country.

Apart from these major banks, customers also have the option of paying their premiums through the Janashakthi branch network which exceeds more than 100 branches.

This totals the islandwide payment points to more than 1800, thus making Janashakthi the first-ever insurance company to offers its customer base the highest number of payment points to date’.

Janashakthi Insurance Marketing Head Paddy Weerasekera said “Insurance is not confined to those living in the major towns only.

“We touch the lives of over a million people across the geographical divide and share with them the multiple benefits of insurance.

“Offering them the maximum number of payments points is thus a logical move. Needless to say we’re delighted to be the first-ever insurance company to offer its customer base the highest number of payment points to date in our pursuit of excellence”.

Giving customers even more flexibility is the facility of paying online through the Janashakthi website using credit cards, credit card payments through the branch network, through bank standing orders, credit card standing orders as well as through salary deductions.

Creating a paradigm of excellence necessitates pursuing new initiatives and opportunities, and building on core competencies, which Janashakthi embraces by pushing boundaries to new heights and raising standards each year.

This striving for excellence has reaped rich results.

It has firmly positioned Janashakthi as a company which creates and markets some of Sri Lanka’s most recognized and innovative brands within a value system that goes beyond mere business objectives to embrace transparency, trustworthiness, dynamism and dependability, which are the very essence of the Janashakthi brand.

BMW to unveil F10 M5

In less than six weeks BMW will unveil the production version of the new F10 M5. The M5 concept was unveiled last month in Garching, Germany, but many details around the car remain a secret.

While not officially announced, the new M5 will come with both manual and a seven speed M double-clutch transmission.

At the M5 Concept unveiling, ex-BMW M CEO, Dr Segler has refrained from revealing the official power output numbers, but some new details around the engine and transmission were made available The F10 M5 is powered by new high-rewing V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology that delivers both performance and efficiency significantly increased in comparison to the previous engine. Numerous drivetrain innovations and other enhancements have lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 percent.

Design wise, the new M5 builds atop the safer, more appealing design lines of the F10 5 Series. Using softer lines, yet elegant, the new 5 Series has proven to be a success for BMW so far. The F10 M5 delivers what one expects from an M car aggressiveness, sportiness and elegance.

The front spoiler takes the M5 a step further than the 5 Series models with the popular M-package, three large air intakes, blacked out grille and discreet rear spoiler located on the boot lid serves to optimize the car’s aerodynamics. The public debut will occur at the Frankfurt auto show this fall.

Hameedia launches ‘CEO Studio’

To mark marketing guru Philip Kotler’s visit to Sri Lanka:

In celebration of the forthcoming visit by world marketing guru Prof Philip Kotler, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist Hameedia will launch its exclusive ‘CEO Studio’.

Managing Director Fouzul Hameed said, “This is Prof Kotler’s first-ever visit to Sri Lanka. Just as much as he is acclaimed as the Father of Modern Marketing, this event is parallely regarded as one of the most significant events in the history of marketing in Sri Lanka. As the benchmarked national menswear specialist we are proud to partner with SLIM on this landmark event.”

As its name suggests, the ‘CEO Studio’ will be a specially created enclave at Prof Kotler’s seminar at the Water’s Edge, focusing entirely on the CEO and his sartorial and overall grooming needs.

Taking pride of place at the CEO Studio will be Hameedia’s exclusive ‘Envoy London Collection’ which is undoubtedly the benchmarked choice of Sri Lankan CEOs.

As Sri Lanka’s truly global brand, Envoy brings with it an unmistakable aura of distinction and class its wearers can savour and revel in. Visitors can ‘experience’ the products and the collection at the ‘CEO Studio’. They are invited to touch and feel the fabrics, the suits, the shirts, the cut, fit and style etc.

In fact all CEOs at Prof Kotler’s seminar will also enjoy a special launch offer when purchasing products from the ‘Envoy London Collection’.

Soon after, the CEO Studio will be transferred to the Hameedia flagship store at Galle Road in Wellawatte for the continued convenience of CEOs and Sri Lanka’s large marketing fraternity. Trained fashion guides will be at hand to advise them on the finer points of power dressing, help them ‘re-define’ their grooming and thus take them to the next level in terms of overall appearance. In the past too, Hameedia has teamed with several local and international celebrities and sports icons. Among them were Sri Lankan Heads of State, Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tony Greig, Rameez Raja, and Dr. Peter Hayes.

Sampath opens in Nintavur

Sampath Bank opened its 185th branch at Nintavur in the Ampara District recently in the presence of a large gathering. This is one of the 10 branches opened on the same day Island-wide and this is the 14th branch in the District.

Sampath Bank’s Director Denzil Goonaratne who participated as chief-guest opened the branch while Assistant General Manager-Branch Credit-11 M Najil Farouk, the Guest of honour inaugurated the business by accepting the first deposit. Assistant General Manager S Sudharshan and other higher ranking officials of the bank also participated.

Farouk said Sampath Bank has been rendering its valuable services all over the island in keeping to the welfare of its customers, specially the business and farming community and extending a helping hand to the masses to uplift the standard of their living conditions.

“Service to the mankind is our motto and we always take greater interest to listen to the grievances of all sectors of the people and work for the common masses”, he said.

Regional Manager (East 11) M A Adhnan and other Branch Managers of the District participated in the ceremony.

The branch which is well equipped with all latest technology such as Internet facilities, ATMs and E banking facilities.

Sri Lanka Tourism awards

Nihal Perera

Nihal Perera received the prestigious “Tourism Pioneer Award” at the recently held Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010.

Nihal Perera started his career in travel and tourism in 1966, when he joined the Ceylon Tourist Board as an Assistant Director Development.

During his career in travel and tourism spanning over 40 years, his contribution in the development of travel and tourism as a pioneer is very significant.

During the period he served the Ceylon Tourist Board, he was Director Planning and Development and subsequently Director Publicity and Promotions and developed domestic tourism by helping to establish resorts for the welfare and service of Sri Lankans, and also made a significant contribution towards developing the hotel industry.

After resigning from the Ceylon Tourist Board, he established Sparklink Travels (Pvt) Ltd in 1979, and has won awards from several airlines for travel performance.

He has also served in several tourism development committees, and is also a Member of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for three years from 2007. He has also been dealing with China, and was appointed as Consultant of Lincang Travel Development by Lincang Municipal Government Mayor, China, Kunming. He has served as President Travel Agents Associations in Sri Lanka and International Air Transport Association Sri Lanka in the past years and has made a valuable contribution towards the development and promotion of Sri Lanka, and also at international forums.

He also served as Chairman, Airline Services (Pvt) Ltd, GSA British Airways, subsidiary of Ceylon Hotels Corporation.

SLT Logos Hope work together

To bring knowledge, help and hope to multitudes in Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) sponsored Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, on its visit to Sri Lanka. With the vision of sharing knowledge, help and hope with the people of the world, the ship carried on board approximately 6000 different titles on a wide variety of subjects including parenting and relationships, leadership, travel, spiritual as well as a profusion of books for children of all ages. Most of these books were obtained from the UK and US and were sold at extremely affordable prices providing valuable knowledge and insight for children and people of all ages ranging from pre-school and primary school kids to adults and professionals.

Two book fairs were held in Colombo from March 19 to April 3 and May 13 to 21, which were visited by a large number of people. Other book fairs will be held when the ship visits Galle between June 30 and July 18 and in Hambantota from July 19 to 22.

The various educational projects carried out by Logos Hope in partnership with SLT include islandwide book donation programmes, a library training workshop for three Colombo schools as well a community service programme for St. Matthews College, Colombo.

Working hand in hand with SLT, the volunteers at Logos Hope shared knowledge, help and hope through the provision of good quality books at affordable prices, while also sharing their lives with the Sri Lankan people to make a difference in their lives and leave a mark of hope and transformation.

Islandwide book donation programmes

SLT was instrumental in identifying schools around the country that were in urgent need of proper library facilities and educational material. Ten schools were selected to be beneficiaries of the book donations including five schools in Anuradhapura, two schools in Mallavi and three schools in Colombo and the suburbs.

Having identified eligible schools, the number of students and their age ranges, enabled the Logos Hope team to provide the right kind of books to each school, based on their needs. Two teams from SLT and Logos Hope visited the ten schools to distribute the books and Sri Lanka Army was instrumental in providing assistance and facilitating the book distribution programmes in the Anuradhapura and Mallavi districts.

During these visits, the group not only distributed books, but also spoke and encouraged the teachers and students, opening their eyes to a wider world beyond the shores of Sri Lanka, and also leaving behind a promise of hope for a brighter future. Books amounting to Rs. 2.5 million worth were donated via these programmes.

Library training workshop

A two and a half day library training workshop was organized at SLT Havelock Town Library for the librarians of the three schools in Colombo which included St. Matthews College, Colombo, Arawwala Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya and Depanama Dharmapala Kanishta Vidyalaya and also six employees from SLT. The SLT employees were trained along with the school librarians so that having received firsthand experience from the Logos Hope team on library training, these employees will be equipped to train the librarians of other schools in the future.

The training programme opened the eyes of the audience to the hugely important and wide role played by librarians which has often been overlooked and not much importance given in our culture.

It also imparted valuable insights on how to maintain a library that is not only useful but also is attractive and which will encourage students or the target group of readers to come in and enjoy and make use of the wealth of knowledge and information the library has to offer.

They were also introduced to the systems involved in categorizing and labeling books according to widely accepted world standards, such as the Dewey Decimal Classification/ System etc. to help to better manage and maintain their own libraries.