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CICRA completes training for Suntel

CICRA Institute of Education completed five day project management training program for Suntel.

The training was conducted by initiator and first President of the PMI Chapter in Sri Lanka. Dr. Madhu - widely regarded corporate trainer - is the head of CICRA Centre for Project Management Excellence and has trained more than 2,000 students to sit for the PMI, USA exams.

“PMI, USA approved training programs are the world’s most recognized project management credential, Project Management Professional PMP Certification training,” Dr. Madhu said. “PMI’s PMP credential demonstrates that a project manager or a project contributor has the experience, education and competency required to successfully lead and direct projects, and is accepted as the most recognized project management qualification in more than 125 countries in the world,” she said.

“Project Management is something everyone should excel as it provides the foundation for all the other disciplines. Everything has to be planned, monitored and controlled.

Project Management provides the right foundation for the success of any project that we undertake,” CICRA Director/CEO Boshan Dayaratne said.

A 100% passing rate is guaranteed to participants at their first attempt with regular feedback sessions and revision sessions, until they sit for the exam. Number of participants will be strictly limited to ensure the expected quality of the program,” Dayaratne said.

The Centre for Project Management Excellence at CICRA Institute of Education delivers the Project Management programs approved by Project Management Institute (PMI), USA that aligns with the US standard quality requirements including ISO and ANSI standards. Its training programs are designed according to the required quality standards and delivered by PMI, USA Registered Global Education Provider Innova Strategies.

Setting standards in gold financing the ETI way

Edirisinghe Trust Investments (ETI), one of the largest finance companies registered with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, enjoys an enviable position as the market leader in gold financing. In the company’s 42 years of operations, it has built a reputation for speed, flexibility and personalised service that has earned the trust of customers over the years. The company was founded by Mr. E.A.P Edirisinghe.

‘Our customers choose us over other gold financing service providers because we provide a modern, authoritative service that stretches back four decades’, said Mr. Sandun Kumarasiri, General Manager - Gold Financing and Sales. ‘We are the only Registered Finance Company (RFC) with the technical knowhow, equipment and skills to accurately assess gold.

Having the ability to accurately assess gold means that we are in a position to offer the highest price for gold as well as identify imitation gold. In the long run, this allows us to eradicate risk such as Non-Performing Loans (NPL).’ The division’s NPL is currently at 0%.

This technical know how is a facet that ETI is rightly proud of. ‘Our staff are continuously trained in modern techniques to accurately assess any gold item - and consequently are some of the most sought after human resources in the gold financing industry. Our staff members are also able to assess gem stones’, continued Mr Kumarasiri. He added that ETI issued valuation certifications to stone-studded jewellery.

Today, the modern operations of ETI’s Gold Financing Division, overseen by Mr. Kumarasiri, is the first port of call for customers who are in need of urgent cash.

The company serves 495,000 long standing customers annually through 46 dedicated centres across the island (up from 20 branches in 2004). The company plans to open 11 Gold Financing service centres during 2012/13. Already, three of its service centres, located in Bambalapitya, Mount Lavinia and Pettah operate 24 hours a day - a service that no other finance company provides. In 2010/11, ETI advanced Rs. 18 billion worth of Gold Financing advances.

Mr. Kumarasiri pointed out the customer-centric approach to ETI’s business which has resulted in customer loyalty. ‘At the heart of our operations is an empathetic, professional approach to our customers’ financing needs. Our staff members go beyond servicing customers by building long standing relationships with them in order to provide a truly satisfying experience for customers.’

That customer-centric approach has clearly been recognized by the customers themselves: ETI’s gold stocks stand at an impressive Rs 6.2 billion up from Rs 952 million in 2006. The Gold Financing Division accounted for Rs.1.7 billion of ETI’s Rs. 2.54 billion income for the year 2010/2011, eventually contributing Rs. 900 million of ETI’s profits for 2010/11.

It is also this deep desire to continually deliver the best to customers that prompted ETI to build the cutting-edge E Gold Enterprise System software that allows them to keep track of their operations. E Gold Enterprise System was recently certified by the British Computer Society and was feted at the recent National Best Quality Software Awards.

In addition to its gold financing operations, Mr Kumarasiri also oversees the sale of gold. ‘Our technicians have the skills and equipment needed to polish gold, clean out scratches and then resell it at our sales offices at a reduced price for customers. In addition, we provide free storage facilities for our clients’ jewellery.’

Unilever pioneers change in domestic water habits in SL

Unilever, the FMCG market leader in Sri Lanka, unveiled a domestic water purification device designed to change water purification habits of Sri Lankan households, at the recently concluded Singer Lifestyle Fiesta.

Another breakthrough home-care product from Unilever, “Pureit’, was first introduced in 2004 in India. Since its launch, Pureit has been credited with changing the domestic water purification habits in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil. Following Pureit’s global success, Unilever, in keeping with its commitment to meeting the consumers’ needs, has made the device available to the Sri Lankan consumer. Unilever Pureit has been ideally designed to eliminate the usual time, money and inconvenience involved in boiling water using gas, electricity or firewood. The cutting-edge patented technology ensures that water purified through the device is ‘as safe as boiled water’. Pureit’s 4-step purification process ensures that the water that passes through the device is free of visible impurities such as dirt, parasites and invisible impurities such as pesticides as well as disease causing viruses and bacteria. Due to its germ killing capability, Unilever Pureit is incomparable to any other filter available in the market today.

According to Makshoodh Meerasaibu, Marketing Manager, Unilever Sri Lanka, “Pureit is designed to relieve the consumer from the burden of boiling water. In addition this also results in a reduction in costs and consumption of energy sources in the household. Besides this, the most important factor is that it relieves the consumer of any fears of contacting waterborne diseases, at a price that is affordable.”

“Inspiring consumers to adopt sustainable lifestyles is fundamental to achieving Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan. Due to its zero energy consumption, Pureit becomes an eco-friendly consumer product, thus playing a vital role in achieving Unilever’s sustainability goal of halving its environmental impact while realizing its business ambitions” said Asanga Ranasinghe, Marketing Director, Unilever Sri Lanka.

Since its introduction in 2004, Pureit has managed to quickly prove its credentials within the scientific, medical and public health communities worldwide, and convince medical practitioners of its efficacy. According to Chrishantha Perera, Development Manager, Unilever Sri Lanka, Pureit meets the stringent criteria of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a regulatory body for drinking water in the United States. It is also endorsed locally by SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd following a comprehensive study concluding that ‘the water passed through the unit complies with SLS 614: Part 2: 1983 Potable Water Standards with respect to Bacteriological Requirements’.

In addition to its performance certifications, the product has received numerous awards including the 2008 UK Trade and Investment Awards, India Business Award for innovation, the UNESCO Water Digest Water Award 2008/09 for the best domestic non-electrical purifier, and the 2008 Golden Peacock Product/Service Innovation Award.

Through this latest breakthrough product, Unilever is confident that it will revolutionize the drinking water habits of Sri Lankan consumer while improving their overall health and wellbeing.

Launch of The Finance & Seylan Bank Visa Debit Card

The Finance Company, the 71 year old pioneering financial firm along with Seylan Bank PLC, one of the largest state banks in the country, have come together to

launch a debit card at a ceremony held at the Galadari Hotel. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka graced the event at the exchanging of the MOU between Preethi Jayawardena, Chairman of The Finance Company PLC and R. Nadarajah, Executive Director of Seylan Bank, with directors of both firms being present.

The agreement was signed by Kapila Ariyaratne, GM/ CEO of Seylan Bank PLC and Kamal J. Yatawara Director/ CEO of The Finance Company PLC. The partnership between The Finance Co. PLC and Seylan Bank PLC will enable visa debit cards to be issued to The Finance savings account holders through Seylan Bank.

Now customers will have even more convenient access to their cash 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a large number of visa enabled ATMs located islandwide.

Alternatively, the card can be used at many outlets for purchases. The use of debit cards has seen a significant rise in recent times since they offer the convenience of ready cash without the hassle and risk.

Additionally, a host of value additions and benefits will be made available to the card holders throughout the year. Existing The Finance savings account holders and new applicants will soon be able to apply for their new Visa debit cards from any of the 60 The Finance branches located islandwide.

The Finance Company PLC has over 7 decades of unmatched experience in the non banking finance industry. It is also the custodian of the highest savings deposit base in the sector of the country.

In addition to savings deposits, the company’s extensive service/ product portfolio includes fixed deposits, land sales, pawning, hire purchase, leasing and special speed loans.

Pan Asia Bank at Akkaraipattu

M.A. Phakurdeen - Addalaichenai group corr

With peace restoring in the East not only the government banks but many private banks too have started establishing their branches providing all services to the common masses at their foot steps. Those who have hitherto been travelling down to Colombo to obtain their services are now enjoying all the facilities in this part of the Island.

Pan Asia Bank expanded its 60th Branch which is 5th in the East in Akkaraipattu Municipal Council area with the view to enjoy their services in the East. Akkaraipattu which is fast developing area which takes pride of place in the field of agricultural consists of a good number of very enthusiastic and energetic business men with all potential and innovation motivations after the Mahinda Chintana.

The Chairman of the Bank A G Weerasinghe, the Chief Guest on this occasion ceremonially declared open the Branch at Kaiyoom Complex building in the Main Street of Akkaraipattu after lighting the traditional oil lamp. Chief Executive Officer of Pan Asia Bank Claude Peries and other higher ranking officials too associated.

Speaking at this occasions the Chairman Weerasinghe said he was happy to expand its services in the East and provide all assistance and support to the people of the area who were deprived of services in the past. It’s an opportunity for them to make use of the services of our Bank. Hence, I make an appeal to the people of this area from all trades to come forward and join us in our modern banking activities. The Proprietor of the Kaiyoom Complex Building Desamanya Dr A B Abdul Kaiyoom made the first deposit to the Chairman Weerasinghe and this was followed by the prominent business men and other Proprietors of the other ventures. Akkaraipattu Branch Head S. Shanmugarajah proposed the vote of thanks.