ADVERTORIAL

Godrej ties-up with Abans

To provide safe locking systems:

Abans and Godrej Locks, a part of the Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. which is one of the largest privately held industrial corporations in India, will launch a range of Godrej locks, Access Control Devices & Solutions for the first time in Sri Lanka. Godrej Locks has tied up with Abans to promote and market their globally renowned brand of locks in Sri Lanka.

The launch will take place at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo on Sunday, November 13.

Established in 1897, the Godrej Group is one of India's leading industrial giants, comprising 7 major companies with interests in real estate, FMCG, industrial products, appliances, furniture, security and agri care to name a few, with their presence in over 60 countries.

Godrej Locks is a well known and leading manufacturer of innovative locking devices for the past 114 years. From the iconic 'Nav-tal' to hi-end access control systems, Godrej Locks have developed a diverse range of high quality products with proven safety standards. The range includes a variety of locks with all levels of security from mechanical to high end electronic solutions.

All products in the range can be used with a common key arrangement and most products can be used with master key arrangement. The company, with an annual turnover of approx. 65.10 million US$ and a dominance in the Indian market (with a market share of approx. 32% in the organized locks industry) has created several benchmarks - from the first spring-less lock developed in 1907, the iconic 'Nav-tal' in 1954, the Ultra Range in 1995, the revolutionary 3 Curve System (3KS) in 2007 and the 'i-Secure Mechatronix' (a lock with an unique hybrid of mechanical and electronic technologies), in 2011. Over the years Godrej Locks have changed in form, function and scope of application, but one thing has always remained constant - the solid stamp of trust and reliability.

Abans is a reputed household name in Sri Lanka, recognized for marketing quality, international brands with fair trading practices, affordable prices and terms, trusted guarantee and excellent after-sales service. Abans have a network of over 300 showrooms and authorized dealers all over the island through which they will make Godrej locks available to consumers islandwide.

The tie-up between Godrej Locks and Abans augurs well for Sri Lankan consumers, specially for those in the construction and house-building industry.

NDB Bank wins two awards

'Best Corporate Citizen Awards 2011' :

NDB Bank won two awards at the recently concluded Best Corporate Citizens Awards 2011, held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

The Bank emerged second Runner-up - under the second main category for the Best Corporate Citizen Award 2011 for CSR and Sustainable Business, and was also recognized for the Special CSR Project carried out in the North and the East, under the category of 'Best CSR Projets' The bank displayed exemplary performance as the 2011 awards unravelled, for its recognition as a brand journeying beyond contemporary business practices.

Hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the awards ceremony raises awareness on the importance of corporate social responsibility and strategic corporate sustainability to the business community, promoting and encouraging these practices amongst the corporate sector. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has incorporated international principles of the Global Reporting Initiative as part of the criteria.

NDB Bank's Chief Executive Officer, Russell De Mel said, "We consider it a great honour to have been awarded for demonstrating excellence in corporate sustainability.

As we continue to ensure corporate sustenance is vital, we simultaneously place importance on developing our society through many of our flagship sustainability initiatives. NDB Bank has partnered many success stories of Sri Lanka and firmly believes that a sustainable culture is essential for the development of a nation.

We will strive to maintain the highest standards while demonstrating excellence in corporate governance and social responsibility".

The awards are a true reflection of NDB Bank's commitment to sustainable development where it embraces environmental protection, economic development and social development. Building an entrepreneurial culture, fostering the savings habit and caring for the community, NDB Bank has over the years partnered many success stories of Sri Lanka.

Operating under the premise of "Changing Lives Everyday", NDB Bank has extended this theme to those affected by the conflict in the North and the East.

Focussing on sustainable livelihood development the Bank set up the IDP Empowerment Trust and partnered the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka which conducts a diverse range of vocational training programmes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, covering subjects such as electrical wiring, masonry, carpentry, dressmaking and tailoring, welding and aluminium fabrication.

NDB Bank also partnered with the Moratuwa University to create the country's first ever Endowed Chair- NDB Bank Endowed Professor in Entrepreneurship with the aim of providing entrepreneurship education to undergraduate and postgraduate students so that they become "job creators" and not "job seekers".

This initiative also resulted in the introduction of a Minor in Entrepreneurship into the curriculum as well as the launch of a special student's business programme where university undergraduates are trained on practical business, economics and entrepreneurships concepts, giving them an opportunity to set up and operate their own business ventures.

In addition to its external CSR activities, NDB Bank has made "Responsible Behaviour" an important element of the Bank where it promotes employee volunteerism through department-wise CSR initiatives.

Pro Vice Chancellor to launch UK university centre

Bolton University Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Rob Campbell, is coming to Sri Lanka in December to launch a new UK university centre.

The Bolton University is opening its Bolton Academic Centre in Colombo, in partnership with the KES Group of Institutions. The centre, offering British

university education, will be at the Western College for Management and Technology at Mt Lavinia and will open to students in February. PVC Prof Campbell will spend two days in Sri Lanka, from December 8-9. His visit will include meeting Government officials to discuss how the University can best contribute to Sri Lanka's growing economy and cultural life.

Courses to be offered at Bolton Academic Centre from February, subject to normal academic validation, will be BA (Hons) Business Management BA (Hons) Business Management - Top-Up (final year entry by part-time study) BSc (Hons) Computing BSc (Hons) Computing - Top-Up (final year entry by part-time study) and Postgraduate courses MBA Master of Business Administration and MSc Information Technology.

The University is also offering online learning in Sri Lanka, through BoltOnline, which is available now. BoltOnline offers validated programmes, at postgraduate and undergraduate levels, in business and computing. Students on these programmes receive local tutorial support provided by Western College for Management and Technology, in addition to the standard online tuition offered by BoltOnline.Prof Campbell said, 'Our University is delighted to be opening this academic centre and being a provider of British higher education in Sri Lanka. 'We are proud of the regard with which our country's university education is held across our globalised world. 'At Bolton we focus on preparing students for their professional lives and working with students juggling study with already-established careers.' The Bolton University, based near Manchester in the UK, has 13,000 students from more than 70 countries. A teaching-led University specialising in developing students for their professional futures, the Bolton University also carries out research which is recognised by the UK Government as world-leading, notably in advanced materials. The University already has one international campus, in the United Arab Emirates, which is a cornerstone of its 'internationalisation' ethos. The University aims to give its students, wherever possible, the opportunity to study at another of its education centres as part of their course studies.

Dr Zubair Hanslot, Provost, Off-Campus Division said, 'Our Bolton Academic Centre is an integral part of a strategy plan by the University and follows the development of our campus in the United Arab Emirates where we provide high-quality UK degrees to students from around the world. We have a policy of internationalization; where we can, giving students the opportunity to add to their career portfolio by studying in a different country for part of their degree. In a globalised economy, more and more employers are favouring graduates with real experience of studying within different cultures and we are focused on giving our students every professional advantage we can.'

Western College for Management and Technology is a Government of Sri Lanka Board of Investment approved institution. It is also part of the KES Group of Institutions which has significant experience in delivering trans-national further and higher education across India and the UAE and has eight further and higher education institutions. The Bolton University's UAE campus and BoltOnline have both been developed in association with the KES Group of Institutions.

Further details could be obtained by email at [email protected]

Munchee among top 10 best corporate citizens

Receiving the much coveted award and selected as being one among the 'Best Top Ten Corporate Citizens' of the business world for the fifth consecutive year by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) recognized as one of Sri Lanka's leading contributor towards Corporate Social Responsibility and for sustainable development that have benefited various communities in the country. CBL received the awards at the chamber's annual event held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

The latest CSR initiative of CBL, Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana was recognized at this year's awards ceremony as the best CSR Project under the category of Community Infrastructure Development.

The project has reached out to thousands living on the edge of poverty through a number of community development projects such as the provision of safe drinking water for schools, building of School Libraries, computer labs and community health centres.

The company's philosophy of enhancing the quality of life of its stakeholders is reflected in its long-term commitment and investment in community relationships and has been honoured with several national and International awards including the Presidential Export award, CMO Awards and the Award for Brand Excellence.

"CBL is proud to be ranked among these companies that represent the best in corporate citizenship" said Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. Group Director /Head of Sales Nanadana Wickramage.

"It is a reflection of our commitment to social responsibility, which to all of us at CBL, is a way of life and is an honour to all our employees," he said. The Best Corporate Citizen's Awards, which has come to be an annual event by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, highlights and raises awareness on the importance of CSR to the business community, promotes and encourages social responsibility practices and selects the crŠme de la crŠme from among the duty responsive corporate sector.

CSR awards calibrate the yardstick of the services of a corporate entity to its stakeholders, customers, employees, business partners and the larger community.

PCH provides IT Help Desk for Sabaragamuwa University

PC House PLC (PCH) opened a free service and repair help desk at the Sabaragamuwa University in Belihuloya. The help desk which serves over 2,000 students and the faculty provides free maintenance for all the computer labs, and offers training along with free demonstrations of hardware and software for all students.

PCH Chairman S H M Rishan said, "This pilot project in the Sabaragamuwa University is the beginning of what we are planning for universities across the island.

Our long-term objective is to provide IT assistance and services and to empower the future generations of our nation with tools and services such as this. We will build a foundation in ICT that will give the very best to our customers and drive this nation towards IT dependency in the years to come."

The PC House coordinated help desk will offer hotline services to the university and technicians to repair and service computers on demand. In addition, students and faculty can bring their personal computers, laptops and other IT devices for service and repair while all part replacements under PCH warranty can be performed at the help desk.

Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Mahinda S Rupasinghe said, "This service offered by PC House is a great service to our institution, and coincides with our mission of disseminating knowledge to produce individuals proficient in their disciplines who will contribute to the growth of this nation.

In addition to this, the training and occupational services that the help desk will offer will provide invaluable hands on experience to our students and give them a taste of work in the ICT field which they will find beneficial in the years to come as they enter the work place."

The services offered by the help desk are not merely restricted to the basic repair and maintenance of the universities' PCs but will offer a paid position to a student of the university where he or she will be working under a trained PCH technician and gain invaluable insights into the field, along with hands on experience in hardware and software repairs which will be invaluable for the future.

PC House Retail and Regional Head Thufail Musadeen said, "Our main objective for implementing this project is to empower the graduates, the future of the Sri Lankan economy and labour force, with a higher standard of ICT infrastructure.

This is another example of why PC House is a market leader in ICT, and how we drive change in the nation.

Projects like this in their simplicity and effectiveness will undoubtedly bring lasting change, and bring us even closer to our customers and towards the nation's vision of becoming an IT hub of the region."

Seylan Bank partners with Bank Albilad, Enjaz, Saudi Arabia

Seylan Bank, in partnership with Bank Al Bilad, has commenced a Remittance service to Sri Lanka enabling the Sri Lankan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia to remit funds to their loved ones in Sri Lanka as well as remit funds to any account at Seylan Bank or any bank in Sri Lanka.

Enjaz Banking Service, the remittance arm of the Al Bilad Bank, Saudi Arabia, through its network of 110 remittance centres in Saudi Arabia operates 12 hours a day/365 days a year catering to the remittance needs of the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom.

Seylan Bank's strategically located network of 131 banking centres are geared to service the money recipients who call over to pick up funds (payment on identification) while all Seylan Bank account holders are provided with a Visa debit card to draw money from the islandwide ATM network or to purchase goods and services through any Visa merchant.

Enjaz fund recipients could also take advantage of Seylan Bank's extended Banking service at all branches, Saturday and Sunday banking service at designated branches or the 24 x 7x 365 days service offered by Seylan Bank, Millennium Branch located at the Seylan Towers, Colombo 3.

Autogrill Lanka Duty Free recognizes 'Staff Champions'

Autogrill Lanka Duty Free at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) introduced 'Staff Champions', a new staff recognition programme in June 2011. The four sales teams will compete with each other on a quarterly basis to win the prestigious accolade. The first batch of winners was recognized at a function held at the BIA recently.

'Being the trend setter in the duty free industry in Sri Lanka, Autogrill Lanka takes customer service very seriously. As a result, we have been able to provide a high standard of customer service to our patrons.

I am confident the newly introduced 'Staff Champions' programme and continued product and service training programmes will make the Autogrill staff go the extra mile day in day out to make our customers happy', Autogrill Lanka Limited Chief Executive Officer Dimantha Kinigama commented at the Awards Ceremony.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited Head of Commercial and Properties Geeth Karunaratne was also present representing the Airport Authority and appreciated the initiatives taken by Autogrill Lanka.

Having competed for three months, the team led by Sales Manager, Dileepa Perera emerged victorious. Accordingly Dileepa Perera, and his two Supervisors, namely, Resiri Fernandopulle and Chamli Ranasinghe were selected as the Staff Champions under the categories of Duty Manager and Supervisor respectively.

In addition W.K.N.S.Malkanthi, was adjudged the Staff Champion under the 'Beauty Advisor and Brand Ambassador' category; Malaka Fernando as the Staff Champion under the 'Customer Service Assistant' category and Amila Saparamadu as the Staff Champion under the 'Stock Checker and Store Assistant' category.

Malaka Fernando was selected as the 'Overall Staff Champion' for the third quarter for 2011. The selection criteria involved both quantitative and qualitative matrixes which were monitored and summed up for the three month period.

The winners were awarded a certificate, a letter of appreciation personally written by the Chief Executive Officer and a gift voucher.

Moreover, the overall winner was offered an all expense paid chauffer driven high end four wheel drive vehicle to travel anywhere within Sri Lanka over the weekend with his family and friends.

Each member of the winning team was also given a gift voucher each, for their effort in coming out as the winning team.

Autogrill Lanka Limited (formerly Alpha Orient Lanka Ltd) is owned by 'World Duty Free Group', a subsidiary of Autogrill, the world's largest duty free retail group offering a range of categories including perfume and confectionery.

Vardhana Prabhu opens in Jaffna

DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB), the everyday banking unit of DFCC Bank recently opened the bank's priority banking unit, named Vardhana Prabhu in Jaffna.

The Bank's Vardhana Prabhu clientele will be provided with a dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and a team of experts who will take personalized care of all financial needs. Vardhana Prabhu clients are also entitled to a multitude of exclusive privileges including preferential interest rates, waivers, extended banking hours and concessions on banking transactions.

DFCC Vardhana Bank also plans to extend Vardhana Prabhu to the bank's other branches located in the country's key business cities.

Etisalat ties up with D S Senanayake College OBA

Etisalat and the D. S. Senanayake College Old Boys Association (DSSC OBA) have tied-up with an affinity package to strengthen the ties between the two organizations. The package will see members of the DSSC OBA, offered special Etisalat packages while also sharing in the revenue that comes from each signing the OBA drives.

Opens shop in Kandy:

‘ABSTRACT’ - formerly A-World celebrates new brand image

Spurred by positive response from a multitude of satisfied customers, today, Welisara’s leading Fashion and Lifestyle department store takes on a ‘new skin’ - ‘ABSTRACT’, as they open shop in the fashion conscious city of Kandy, at the bustling Kandy City Centre, offering their customers a host of exciting giveaways and sizzling value added offers.

A spokesperson for ‘ABSTRACT’, which is a part of the prestigious Abans Group of Companies, said ‘Not only are we offering the latest fashions, trends and accessories, with the new image we are introducing a whole new collection, which is inspired by the colours of life and free thinking - the essence of ‘ABSTRACT’.

We possess a pro-active team of creative and experienced in-house designers, both foreign and local.

Each design is precisely crafted, giving us an edge over other fashion houses in the country and this enables us to offer more variety and exclusivity to our customers.’ The attention to details infused into the brand new Kandy store is very unique and eye-catching. The exquisite interior decor of the store was designed by award winning architect, Nela de Zoysa. With the assistance of the friendly and attentive staff, the convenience of ample parking facilities for leisurely shoppers - the ‘ABSTRACT’ shopping experience in Kandy has quite a bundle of surprises in store for all.

‘ABSTRACT’ also houses several lifestyle products; a top favourite of the range being their gorgeous Home Decor Collection.

Whether it is lounge sets, fine bed linen or stylish home accessories, ‘ABSTRACT’ offers wonderful choices.

‘ABSTRACT’ opens in Kandy today at 6:30 pm.

There will be glamorous opening day activities, with a special offer of 20% off from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Welisara Showroom and 6:30 pm onwards at the Kandy Showroom.