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Katrina Kaif Titan Raga Brand Ambassador

Titan Raga aiming to widen its appeal amongst women, Titan, the world's fifth largest watch - marketeer, announced their association with bollywood's most beautiful and charming diva, Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for their exclusive women's watch brand, Titan Raga.

Incepted in 1992, Titan Raga has won the hearts of millions. Designed exclusively for women, these exquisite and elegant timepieces perfectly capture the essence of beauty, femininity and sensuality. The brand has grown over a period of time in sync with the evolving tastes of the contemporary woman.

Talking on their association with Katrina, Global Business Head - Titan and Retail Ajoy Chawla said, "Titan Raga stands for beauty, femininity and sensuous self expression. While embodying these core values, Katrina also symbolizes the changing face of the successful, graceful and contemporary woman today." A smiling Katrina Kaif said, "Titan needs no introduction, this vibrant and 'up-to-the-minute' brand has been touching our daily lives in the most beautiful way possible. It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction to be associated with the most popular women's watch brand in the country. Besides being a timekeeper that helps me keep up with my busy schedules, it also adds to my style quotient. I feel watch designs from Titan Raga are truly exclusive and contemporary.

I am really looking forward to the exciting days ahead with the iconic brand 'Raga', which embodies beauty, sensuality and femininity with great creativity."

As a brand ambassador of Titan Raga, the renowned actress will play a key role in shaping brand communication on television, print, outdoor and other media.

Titan Industries Limited is part of the US$70 billion global conglomerate. The Tata Group, with business interests spanning steel, automobiles, software, retail and telecommunications. The Tata Group owns iconic global brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover in automobiles, NatSteel and Corus in steel, Daewoo in commercial vehicles, Taj Group of Luxury Hotels, Tetley Tea and Eight O'clock Coffee.

With innovation as its core strategy, Titan has continuously come up with trendsetting and distinctive collections to sustain its stand as a fashion accessory.

Titan is the creator of EDGE, the slimmest watch in the world with a movement thickness of 1.15mm.

Abans is proud to be associated with Titan, as the local agent for their exclusive range of watches which are very reasonably priced for quality and excellent value for money. A wide range of attractive Titan watches is on display at Abans Elite Showrooms in Kollupitiya, Rajagiriya, Mt.Lavinia, Maharagama, Gampaha and at Abstract Welisara (formerly A-World).

Cyber Security Week, a success - Prof. P. W. Epasinghe

The Cyber Security Week (CSW) 2011, was conducted in mid-October featuring many activities, some of them introduced for the first time, and was a tremendous success.

In a glowing tribute to CSW 2011, the Professor stated the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Team Coordination Centre (Sri Lanka CERT:CC) had been conducted successfully.

This was stated by Presidential Advisor and ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Chairman, Professor P. W. Epasinghe.

Set up in 2006, as a subsidiary of ICTA, Sri Lanka CERT:CC is 'the single trusted source of advice regarding the latest threats and vulnerabilities affecting computer systems and networks.'

Their various activities being 'expanded or contracted each year based on the perceived needs and lessons learned from previous years'.

This time too the activities of CSW, were carefully prepared and tailored to the needs of today which are determined by the growing enormity of the problems of cyber security. The activities of CSW 2011 including Hacking Challenge, Cyber Security Quiz, CISSP Per-examination Briefing, the Fourth Annual National Conference on Cyber Security, the Workshop achieved its intended purpose, the Professor affirmed.

Welcoming the participants at the Fourth Annual National Conference on Cyber Security which was held in Colombo, ICTA Programme Director / Legal Advisor, Jayantha Fernando explained the significance of CSW.

With the widespread use of ICT, which provides a breeding ground for its abusers.

This is where the subject of cyber security becomes relevant. In spite of enactments such as the Computer Crimes Act No. 24 of 2007, 'significant concern had been raised about the availability of institutional measures to combat and prevent cybercrimes'.

DHL Express expands services to Jaffna

World's leading international express services provider, DHL Express opened its DHL Service Point in Jaffna recently, offering DHL services for express shipping needs for all its customers in the North. DHL Express has been in operation for over 30 years in Sri Lanka and its Service Point counter in Jaffna is the first within the North and East of the country.

DHL Service Point will offer the convenience of DHL's fast, reliable delivery services to send and receive documents and packages, to and from destinations in DHL's global network of more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The DHL Service Point will also offer special services for time sensitive and specific business needs as well as free packaging options such as DHL Express Easy boxes and flyers.

Country Manager, DHL Express Manish Patel said, "In our pioneering effort to be close to our customers, our DHL Service Point in Jaffna is the next step. Reliability of delivery, shorter lead times and flexibility are highly important for our customers and we hope they will be able to make use of our robust portfolio with greater convenience, through this new outlet."

'Techno 2011':

SLPA wins Silver

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) won the Silver Award for the stall with the best demonstration at the 'TECHNO 2011' - National Engineering and Technology Exhibition.

The award ceremony was held recently at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo under the initiative of Constructions and Engineering Services Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayarathne.

Sri Lanka's premier engineering and technology exhibition - 'TECHNO 2011' being the annual flagship event of the Institution of Engineers. Sri Lanka (IESL) organized for the 26th consecutive year was held in October this year at the BMICH in Colombo. The Techno, based on its mission to uplift the people's living conditions and prosperity of Sri Lanka, has clearly indicated that engineering endeavours to create, maintain and develop the society's needs and desires with the application of technology.

During the years SLPA as a pioneer Government institution that contributes immensely to the national development has won the bronze and silver awards for the stall with the best demonstration at the 'TECHNO' exhibitions respectively in 2008 and 2009.

 

BoC Leasing goes online with OpenArc 'SkyLease' Software

Bank of Ceylon (BoC) went online with its leasing system after having successfully implemented the 'SkyLease' leasing software solution provided by OpenArc. BoC has now automated its leasing business connecting many branches across the Island through OpenArc "SkyLease" the latest leasing software solution offered by OpenArc. 'SkyLease' is a next generation software product introduced by OpenArc, which is Internet browser based, database independent software solution that comes as a sub module of OpenArc "SkyBank" core banking and finance software solution that is being developed by OpenArc.

'SkyLease' is a flagship software product which is now offered by the company as a migration solution to its users of previous version of leasing software namely 'ProLease' which is currently used by large number of banks and finance companies in Sri Lanka. OpenArc has successfully implemented 'SkyLease' at other banks such as DFCC and DFCC Vardhana Bank as well where the company has successfully migrated to this newest version of software for the handling of their leasing operations across the bank branch network. 'SkyLease' and the 'SkyBank' product suite is a next generation software solution developed by OpenArc using Open Technology and Java development platform and it runs on the Internet web browser and Android smart phones and other mobile devices. It is a platform and database independent software solution which makes it unique from the rest of the conventional software applications, the OpenArc Founder Chairman and CEO Daya Hettiarachchi said.

"Undoubtedly, we have made "SkyLease" the best leasing software solution available in the market place using the state-of-the-art, futuristic, Java based, Open technology tools. With our proven leasing industry knowledge gained over last two decades, we have made "SkyLease" very rich in features and management information delivered through dash boards etc., which is essential in any industrial software solution today. With this landmark achievement, we are now geared to move out of Sri Lanka and reach the global markets as well. This effort is now backed by our world class quality certifications such as CMMI level 3 software quality assessment that company successfully completed last month; said at the launching ceremony held at the BoC," Hettiarachchi said.

"As a long-term software solution partner, we are proud and honoured to be with BoC which is the largest state owned banking & finance institution in the country. We have made BoC leasing services 'online' with "SkyLease" which has now been configured and customized not only to bring efficiency of services to its existing business processes but also to position the company as a leasing business leader to achieve its future growth plans. "SkyLease" will provide BoC unique competitive advantage in the market place enabling the company to continue with Internet based direct marketing at a rapid pace of expansion while establishing proper business procedures and controls in place.

As the leader of merchant banking and finance software solution market place, enjoying 75% market share, OpenArc is determined to provide the best support services to its clientele with its life time guarantee. This has been possible with its very strong human resource pool that has been built up by OpenArc through its own IT Education arm; OpenArc School of Business and Technology. With the successful implementation of 'SkyLease', OpenArc, which is a company mastering Open Architecture software will launch their solutions under 'SaaS' (Software as a Service) model to all its customers and prospects who don't need to spend money on buying licensed software but use the software on the Internet cloud for a service fee. This is an ideal solution for small leasing companies," he said.

We are grateful to our valuable reputed clients; to name a few DFCC, DFCC Vardhana Bank, Peoples Leasing, HNB, Seylan bank etc who have been always advocating local talents and giving us the opportunity to prove the abilities locally so that we may achieve our vision to go global with world class software products well engineered in Sri Lanka. Especially someone in Sri Lanka must build a core banking solution that can be marketed worldwide," Hettiarachchi said.

Lanmed launches website

Lanmed launched its corporate website which was conceptualized for its segments of patients, prescribers, doctors and manufacturers.

Commenting on the launch, Managing Director Anil Nambuwasam said, "As a healthcare service provider, we at Lanmed believe that we should go the extra mile to make sure that essential healthcare products and services are made available to end users through distribution channels at affordable prices".

The website showcases the portfolio of products and services offered by Lanmed, such as medical marketing, supply chain and redistribution, retail sales, direct distribution, news items as well as products represented under the categories of cardiovascular, anti-ulcerant, antihistamine, antibiotic, antipyretic, cough remedies, nasal decongestants, antifungal and ENT classifications.

Nambuwasam further elaborated that www.lanmed.net was conceptualized to meet the need of engaging more closely with consumers by honouring their right to information and lifelong care. In being so, the company adopts an inclusive philosophy Ä even towards the countless patient associations Ä to extend its care and expertise to.

The launch of the website coincides with a breathing of new vigour of life Ä that focuses on Lanmed's philosophy of 'Cure with Care' Ä and renews a greater dedication towards the healthcare industry and its stakeholders.

Mobitel bags Gold award

National Engineering and Technology Awards:

Mobitel, the National Mobile Service Provider, clinched the Gold award for the 'Stall with Best Demonstration' at the National Engineering and Technology Awards 2011 organized by The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), held recently at Hotel Galadari. This is the fourth time Mobitel won this award since 2007.

The award was presented in recognition of Mobitel's official stall that facilitated the demonstration of some cutting-edge innovations and advancements in mobile technology and digital media at the recently concluded Techno 2011 exhibition.

In line with global trends, consumers in Sri Lanka are also shifting rapidly towards digital devices and platforms. Mobitel, already having established its prowess in the country's broadband and technological spheres also demonstrated its capabilities in the digital space by demonstrating Sri Lanka's first ever Virtual Shopping experience using QR Codes at its stall at the above exhibition.

QR Codes, also known, as Quick Response Codes are an emerging global phenomena, which is an inexpensive, and a highly versatile tool that is being used in mobile and digital marketing particularly in the developed world.

Visitors to the stall had the unique opportunity of trying out this novel feature for the first time in Sri Lanka by obtaining product descriptions and purchasing products on display on life-size virtual store shelves at the stall by scanning the corresponding QR codes.

Other innovations on display at the Mobitel stall included the mHome - demonstrating futuristic style of living, The Unified Office - demonstrating the latest in business communication solutions and the social media gaming - demonstrating the latest apps using networking and geo mapping.

Visitors also had the opportunity of experiencing 4G technology, which the company was first to demonstrate in South Asia. Also worth noting was the impressive theatre style demonstration facility of international standard adopted by the company, in presenting its 4G capability.

Techno exhibitions are conducted annually with the aim of creating a forum to bring out and unleash the country's multi-disciplinary engineering talents while the National Engineering and Technology Awards is conducted to award the country's top organizations that make a significant contribution towards leading Sri Lanka into technological excellence in uplifting people's living conditions and prosperity.

Mobitel is fully appreciative of the role of technology in improving the quality of life. Therefore for Mobitel, the proud recipients of many awards and accolades in excellence, the National Engineering and Technology Award is a valuable recognition of its drive to adopt and employ technology for the advancement of society. Mobitel is in the forefront of leading Sri Lanka towards an info com and knowledge rich society, and in its pursuit to reinvent and innovate for the future, Mobitel is at present transforming into a Next Generation Network, and this, it is confident, will influence Sri Lanka's emergence into its next phase of ICT powered growth.

HNB opens Customer Centres in Atchchuveli, Kodikamam

Hatton National Bank PLC opened the 225th and 226th Customer Centres in Atchchuveli and Kodikamam recently. The bank now has a total of 18 Customer Centres in the Jaffna peninsula. The chief guest for the occasion was Hatton National Bank Managing Director and CEO Rajendra Theagarajah. Human Resources and Administration Deputy General Manager J R P M Paiva and a large number of senior bank officials, government officials, local businessmen and customers were present at the event.

The chief guest HNB MD/CEO Rajendra Theagarajah said, "HNB has demonstrated its commitment to the people of the Northern Province since the 1970's through its main customer centre in Hospital Road, Jaffna.


 

ComBank opens branch in Giriulla

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has opened a branch in Giriulla, expanding the Bank's islandwide presence to 206 service points.

The new branch located on Main Street, Negombo Road, Giriulla is equipped with all facilities available at other Commercial Bank branches and is computer-linked to the other service points of the Bank islandwide, enabling online real-time banking. The two ATM machines at the new branch increase Commercial Bank's ATM network to 456 terminals, is the single largest automated cash dispensing system in the country.






 

Sritrims marks 15 years

Sritrims (Far East) Ltd which is a fully owned Hong Kong based company in Sri Lanka celebrated their 15th anniversary last week at their Colombo-05 Sri Lankan liaison office. Sritrims overseas offices in Chittagong and Dhaka in Bangladesh and China participated in this event through satellite video and significantly celebrated their 15th Anniversary at the same time across their global offices, through satellite video.

Sritrims (Far East) Ltd 15th year theme was white outfits with religious focus. Sritrims Colombo office observed three religions Hindu, Buddhist and Catholic while Bangladesh and China also participated with their religious observations via satellite. Sritrims is a company in the fashion industry and presently servicing the top brands in the world with its own manufacturing plants for belts and metal items.
 

ODEL expands 'Delight' at Alexandra Place

Mouth-watering confectionery, exotic condiments and a new range of products will assail the senses of shoppers at ODEL's Alexandra Place store, following the recent expansion of its 'Delight' section.

Exciting new arrivals to the section include a range of delicious sweets, renowned brands of chocolates, new candy and sugar-free sweets, as well as new product categories such as cook books, attractive Delight fruity magnets and newly launched Delight branded t-shirts with fun designs for ladies and children. Delicious Hamlet chocolates from Belgium will now be sold by the piece and priced by weight, making it convenient for every taste and every budget.

Young shoppers to the store can also appease their sweet cravings with an expanded offering of candy sold in bulk where they can mix and match all their favourites.

The expansion of the section entices shoppers to stop by to taste the new Delights and complete their holiday shopping lists.

Singer Homes relocates Negombo showroom