ADVERTORIAL

Side-by-side refrigerator from Singer

Singer Sri Lanka launched its side-by-side refrigerator for Sri Lankan consumers. The launch coincides with Singer's 160 year of operations and is testament to the company's reputation of always striving to meet its customers' ever-changing needs.

The refrigerator possesses a host of cutting edge features which would be ideally suited to a modern society rapidly progressing on the economic front such as Sri Lanka, further underscoring the company's leadership position in introducing technological innovations for Sri Lankan consumers.

Singer Marketing Director Nasser Majeed said, 'The side-by-side refrigerator is manufactured in Korea and assembled at Singer's factory in Ratmalana which has been manufacturing refrigerators since 1986, earning an enviable reputation for quality, workmanship and durability over the years. The availability of technical knowledge and know-how is an advantage that will cascade down to our customers, resulting in faster customer service and technical assistance'.

The refrigerator is available in two models, CRN-Y22E2 and CRN-X22B2, and incorporates a number of unique features. Chief among these include Turbo X-Cooling, Perfect No Frost, Energy Class A+/A, LED and Touch Bottom Display, a highly compartmentalized interior that allows users to segregate food according to their type ensuring odour-free freshness, and the two-door Side-by-Side configuration that will save energy for consumers.

The side-by-side refrigerator was built using Korean raw materials and technology.

Millennium Housing sells record 100 houses in nine months

Millennium Housing a subsidiary of Nations Lanka Finance Plc sold more than 100 housing units in Athurugiriya and Ja-ela within the first nine months of 2011 which is indeed a great achievement. From the inception the company has sold and built over 2500 housing units in these Millennium City Projects.

MHDL offers an attractive range of houses starting from a price range of Rs.2.9 million to 22 million. The well-laid infrastructure facilities together with beautifully landscaped parks, charming Lakes, wide access roads , swimming pools, club house facilities offer home buyers the sort after convenience and ease.

A well-planned neighborhood concept is another aspect in Millennium City projects that makes them unique to other small-scale housing solutions in the market.

The construction of houses are done with the direct supervision of MHDL staff, for quality construction.

Home buyers are given an unique opportunity for supervision of the construction work and materials used in their house construction.

Millennium City is proud about the fact that it has contributed to cater to the large housing requirement of the nation while creating employment opportunities.

The Company has plans to launch many new projects in the near future to meet and cater to the ever growing housing demand.

In March this year a consortium of investors, Access Equity Investors comprising Asanga Seneviratne, John Rudra and Nawaloka Holdings (Pvt) Ltd headed by Jayantha Dharmadasa, took over the controlling interest of the company. This take over has enhanced public image and confidence.

One can observe that there is clear demand for housing at present.

The demand can be attributed mostly to the lower interest rates offered by banks for housing loans and the massive infrastructure development which is in progress in the country at present.

MHDL's plan is to join in this development by providing quality affordable housing solutions.

Sampath Bank partners with CIBF

The Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF) has become the most calendared event in the diaries at this time of the year among the young and old book lovers alike.

The much celebrated event falls in time with the National Literary Month and is patronized by local and foreign literati. Each year hundreds of international and local publishing companies take part giving the event a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

This year too CIBF was held from the September 17 to 25, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

Due to the high demand a special book fair was organized for the last two years in Kandy prior to the main event in Colombo, catering to the large numbers who are unable to travel the distance to be at CIBF.

It was indeed a prestige to be the official banking partner for such an esteemed literary event and Sampath Bank has been supporting the work of Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association who are the organizers of this event for the last seven years.

Apart from exhibiting and selling books, the event also provides a platform for the visitors to meet and interact with like-minded intellectuals, enjoy cultural and educational activities, try out their skill and luck and creative competitions, making it fun and eventful for the entire family.

This year too Sampath Bank sponsored the KetapathPawura which is an arterial wall named after the legendary stone wall of poetry in Sigiriya - Lion's Rock.

The wall was an open invitation to the artistic geniuses to doodle and squiggle their thoughts on.

And the best poem, rhyme, ode or limerick was rewarded by Sampath Bank with valuable gifts at the end of each day.

In addition, Sampath Bank was also the sponsor to the Swarna Pusthaka Award, which is the most esteemed national honour that is given to an author of a Sinhalese novel.

The award was presented at a literary event at the BMICH on September 09, 2011, with Lalith Weeratunge, Presidential Secretary attending as guest of honour. Veteran writers, book critiques and intellects of the literary world took part in this event.

HNB opens in Medirigiriya

Hatton National Bank opened the 220th Customer Centre in Medirigiriya recently. The chief guest for the occasion was Hatton National Bank Deputy General Manager (Services) Piyal Hennayake and the guest of honour was Sampath C Nilantha, Chairman Pradeshiya Sabhawa, Medirigiriya. Milroy Perera - Senior Manager North Central Region also represented the bank at the event. A large number of senior bank officials, government officials, local businessmen and customers were present at the event. Deputy General Manager (Services) of HNB Piyal Hennayake accepting the first deposit. Medirigiriya customer centre Manager Damith Wickramasinghe is also in the picture.

LG showcases new smart appliances at IFA 2011

LG Electronics (LG) of Korea said that it will showcase its wide range of smart home appliances for the first time in Europe at IFA 2011. With its smart refrigerator, smart washing machine, smart oven and smart robotic vacuum cleaner, LG will demonstrate how it can bring enhanced savings and convenience to customers' daily lives.

LG's smart appliances are underpinned by the company's four Core Technologies - the Linear Compressor, Inverter Direct Drive, Lightwave Technology and KOMPRESSOR Technology - and its Smart ThinQ Technology, comprising Smart Manager, Smart Diagnosis, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid.

These unique technologies combine in LG's products to deliver an eco-friendly performance with extra efficiency in energy, effort and time.

The energy-efficient smart refrigerator comes with the ingenious Smart Manager, which displays the location, expiration dates, quantity, and nutritional information of foods inside the fridge. With Smart Manager, customers can efficiently keep track of the fridge contents, or check, via their smartphones, what's in the refrigerator while they are grocery shopping.

The fridge also recommends tasty dishes that can be made using ingredients left over in the fridge, and is even equipped with entertainment functions such as news updates, music and social media services. LG's smart refrigerator includes the world's first Door-in - Door System, known as the Smart Eco Door.

A smaller door attached to the fridge door provides easier access to frequently sought after items in the refrigerator, thereby helping reduce electricity usage.

LG will also be showcasing its smart appliances Smart Diagnosis function, which helps customers quickly and efficiently troubleshoot mechanical issues over the phone as well as through a smartphone application, thereby limiting costly, inconvenient service calls and home visits. In addition, the smart access feature adds even greater convenience by letting users control their appliances by remote control via their smartphones. For example, users can turn their smart robotic vacuum cleaners on and off, and also monitor the machine while they are away from home, saving time on cleaning chores.

Smart Adapt lets users download new, advanced programmes and software updates for their appliances. Users of LG smart washing machines, for instance, can download new customized wash cycles such as Super Rinse or Baby Sanitize.

Smart Adapt provides users with all the benefits of LG's newest technological developments without having to buy a new product. In this way, customers can keep their appliances completely up-to-date throughout the machine's lifetime.

In addition to the smart appliances, LG will be demonstrating its super energy-efficient A+++ rated Bottom Freezer, the first 385-litre capacity bottom freezer to receive such a high energy rating.

Equipped with LG's 6 Motion Direct Drive and TrueSteam technologies, the 12kg Front Load Washing Machine combines the largest capacity of a washer in a standard size with 20 percent increase in energy efficiency compared to the usual A+++ washing machine. The new LG washing machine is also highly durable and eco-friendly.

Also on show will be LG's revolutionary Vacuum Cleaner which offers thorough and effortless cleaning with Smart Sensors, in which the vacuum automatically follows the user when vacuuming.

The award-winning Lightwave Convection Oven uses the world's-first Charcoal Lighting Heater, a purely natural element, that cooks gourmet dishes naturally, healthy and easily.

The LG Styler is a new concept clothing manager caring for clothes fresher by reducing everyday wrinkles and unpleasant odours, while also sterilizing them with steam. Finally, LG's stylish, harmonious built-in appliances, which are the culmination of the four Core Technologies, will also be on display.

A spokesperson for Abans, sole agent for LG home appliances in Sri Lanka, said that Sri Lankan consumers could look forward to the new LG Smart Range of products to be available here very soon. Abans offer very exciting offers and easy payment terms to their customers, making new high end and innovative products affordable to every household in Sri Lanka.

Toshiba launches new breakthrough technology notebook PCs

Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd through its Toshiba Mobile Computing Partner in Sri Lanka, John Keells Office Automation launched its new high-performance TECRA R840 business notebooks on Wednesday.

Powered by Intel Core 2nd Generation processors, the new TECRA R840 redefines mobility for business professionals, offering full performance and amazing connectivity, all within a thin, light and durable chassis. The performance packed laptop is equipped with Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors and high-speed 7200 RPM hard drives, delivering the maximum performance. The unique feature of the R840 compared with any other laptop is the Visual experience enhanced with the AMD Radeon graphics, with 1GB of dedicated graphics which is powerful enough to display up to four screens at once.

"We focused on delivering what our customers asked for by reducing weight, increasing battery life and without sacrificing performance," Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd. Product Marketing Manager Siow E. Hunt stated.

Almost 25 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than its predecessor, the Tecra R840 comes with High Stiffness Resin, reinforced casing, together with chassis pillars embedded into the laptop's interior, making the system highly robust. A test conducted by the independent German test institute TšV Rheinland, confirms that it can withstand a drop from a height of 76cm, and resistant against spills up to a volume of 30ml on the keyboard without impact on the data stored on the device.

Other business products supported with the launch is the 13" inch Toshiba PORT�G� R830, a 1.4kg light notebook with features such as an inbuilt robust magnesium alloy casing along with an optimized heat removal technology. Also being launched is the all new Toshiba Qosmio F750 3D, the world's first, glasses-free, 3D notebook PC which is able to display 3D and 2D content at the same time on one screen.

"We are proud to launch the Tecra R840 Notebook which takes mobile computing to a next level with high performance graphics, increased battery life and many features packed in a slim and light device. JKOA is dedicated in introducing the newest technology at the most affordable prices'', said JKOA Chief Executive Officer Janoda Thoradeniya.

JKOA is the sole authorized distributor (and mobile computing partner of Toshiba) and services a broad range of Toshiba business solutions with Netbooks, Multi-Functional All in one E-studio printers, and contractual copier rental services. JKOA, the market leader in office automation solutions business in Sri Lanka is a fully owned subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC. Other globally renowned products marketed and distributed include Hitachi multimedia projectors, RIZO digital duplicators, FEC POS Solutions, Samsung multifunctional printers, Samsung mobiles and Samsung LED and LFD for hospitals and entertainment segments.

Debug Auto Exclusive appoints champion wind surfer as Brand Ambassador

Debug Auto Exclusive (Pvt) Ltd, a part of the Debug Group made their mark in the recreational sports sector recently. The group appointed popular Champion wind-surfer Thusal Gunawardena, as the Brand Ambassador for the popular Sea Doo Personal Water Crafts and Sea Doo Sports Boats and Evinrude Outboard Motors. The Champion wind-surfer said, "I am proud to be associated and promote Sea Doo and Evinrude products."

Debug are the agents for these high quality recreational products which are designed for speed and ultimate thrills with equally exceptional safety standards. Further, they are manufactured to top quality and built for maximum reliability with convenient features and award winning innovations. "Our goal is to be the first choice in water sports and recreation among outdoor sports enthusiasts and to provide our customers with safe and quality world renown products," Debug Auto Exclusive, Automotive Marketing Division Head Manjula Premarathna said.

Ceylinco Life to present Rs 8.4 m as Pranama scholarships

A batch of 164 high achieving young Sri Lankans is to be recognised and rewarded with scholarships totalling Rs 8.4 million at the 11th annual edition of the Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships programme, the life insurance leader has announced.

The company has now commenced accepting applications from eligible candidates for the scholarships which are presented in five categories to schoolchildren and young adults who excel in academics or at national or international level in sports, drama, invention or creativity.

Applications for the next round of scholarships close on November 30, 2011 and selected recipients are to be awarded their scholarships at a gala ceremony at the Ceylon Continental Hotel on January 28, 2012. To date Ceylinco Life has assisted 1,152 students and young adults with Rs 37 million in scholarships under the initiative.

"By rewarding young people in different spheres through Pranama, Ceylinco Life has motivated many versatile young leaders to reach their potential," Ceylinco Life's Director and Deputy CEO T. Ranasinghe said.

"The initiative has begun to have an enduring impact on the community, as many scholarship recipients are now playing important roles in society as doctors, engineers and teachers," he said. Ceylinco Life Pranama scholarships are presented to policyholders' children who achieve the best results in their respective districts at the Year 5 scholarship examination and the GCE Ordinary Level examination; to those who achieve the four best results in each district at the GCE Advanced Level; to those who excel at the national level in sports, drama, invention or creative pursuits, and to the four students who achieve the highest marks islandwide in mathematics, biology, commerce and arts at the GCE (A/L) examinations, irrespective of whether or not they are the children of policyholders.

For the next round of scholarships, applications would be accepted from students who sat the Year 5 scholarship examination in 2011 and from GCE (O/L) and GCE (A/L) students who completed their examinations in 2010, the company said.

All examination results submitted by applicants are checked and certified by the Department of Examinations. The National Merit scholarships ten of which are to be awarded next year consider achievements in 2009 and 2010.

The values of the scholarships range from Rs 25,000 each for the best results islandwide at the GCE (A/L), Rs 35,000 each for national merit award recipients, Rs 90,000 each for Year 5 scholarship winners, Rs 72,000 each for GCE (O/L) winners, and Rs 126,000 each for GCE (A/L) district winners.