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LOLC honoured with six accolades

Premier Conglomerate LOLC became the triumphant Silver Award winner in the “Overall Winner” category at the recently concluded National Business Excellence Awards 2011, organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL).

Other accolades won by LOLC includes winner in the “Best Capacity Builder”, First runner up in the “Extra Large Category”, runner up in the “Diversified Group of Companies Sector”, runner up in the “Excellence in Business and Financial Performance” and runner up in the “Hospitality Sector” for Eden Hotel Lanka PLC. This is the first time that LOLC, in its third year of participation, has bagged an overall performer accolade.

LOLC’s past wins in the National Business Excellence Awards include winner in the “Diversified Group of Companies Sector” (2010), runner up in the Best “Capacity Builder” (2010), second runner up in the “Extra Large Sector” (2010) and winner in the “Specialized Banking Sector” (2009). In addition, LOLC’s associate company LOLC Leisure Ltd was awarded runner up at the “Hospitality” category for its hotel, Eden Resort and Spa, at the 2010 awards ceremony.

LOLC Group Managing Director/CEO Kapila Jayawardena said; “As a highly diversified newly emerged conglomerate, these prestigious achievements exemplify our group’s rapid progress in the financial and non-financial services sector in the recent years. I am extremely proud that in a short span of three years since taking part in the National Business Excellence Awards, LOLC has climbed to the top levels of the awards categories itself. I commend the untiring efforts taken by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka during these past eight years to felicitate national enterprises who contribute towards the uplift of both country and economy.”

The National Business Excellence Awards evaluates and recognizes business organizations that contribute towards the economic development of the country under a strict evaluation criteria.

These are; Business and Financial Performance, Global Reach, Knowledge Integration, Technological Investment, Capacity Building, Performance Management, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility.

In conclusion, Jayawardena said, “I would especially like to extend my thanks to our Board of Directors for their visionary guidance and the staff members of the LOLC group for their untiring efforts which enabled us to win these awards.”

Swadeshi lights up Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, sponsored the Aloka Poojawa of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya for the 13th successive year through the company’s flagship brand Kohomba. The Aloka Pooja was held from January 5 to 8.

“We are honoured to have supported this event for two decades.

“Being a truly Sri Lankan brand, we will continue to be a part of this blessed path, which I believe would also bring righteous blessings to whole of Sri Lanka,” said Swadeshi Industrial Works Managing Director and Chairperson Amari Wijewardene.

Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC complies with the ISO 9001:2008 International Standards for Quality Management Systems and produces a portfolio of brands in a range of categories that include Rani Sandalwood soap, Khomba herbal beauty soap, Khomba baby range, Khomba herbal shampoos, herbal liquid soaps, herbal facial wash, herbal creams, floral perfumes, laundry soaps, - liquid detergents and cleaners.

In an effort to strengthen the local manufacturing and to cater to the local market needs.

Among the product portfolio Apsara Venivel, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Lady Perfume and Black Eagle Gents Cologne Spray and After Shave are strongly perceived amongst the mass. Swadeshi plays a pivotal role in developing the Sri Lankan economy through promoting “Be Sri Lankan, Buy Sri Lankan” concept.

The company laboratory performs extensive research and development and Safe Plus is a result to a growing consumer need. As a company, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC has made rapid progress by constantly upgrading its manufacturing process, investing in new technology and infrastructure.

Today Swadeshi operates a large modern factory equipped with the latest soap finishing equipment, resulting in very high quality finished soaps and personal care products.

Union Bank unveils new state-of-the-art head office

Union Bank unveiled its new state-of-the-art head office last Friday Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal opened the premises located on Galle Road, Colombo 3. The new head office marks another momentous occasion for Union Bank, bringing together a combination of state of-the-art technology, competitive financial solutions and superior service delivery under one roof. As the preferred bank for the small and medium enterprises, Union Bank continues to add value in strengthening the sector and the opening of the new head office further signifies its pledge in delivering flexibility and efficiency to the bank’s customers to fuel their growth to greater heights. The new head office will also house the bank’s subsidiary companies including National Asset Management Limited, offering customers easy access to a wider portfolio of value added products and services.

With the predicted high economic growth rates, the banking and finance sector will contribute positively in driving the country’s way forward. In this context, Union Bank has leveraged on its strong financial position and has comfortably surpassed the regulatory requirements on capital adequacy placed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and is already nearing the five billion mark required by 2015 enabling more space to continue bank operations safely and to remain steady and resilient.

With the bank’s new strategic direction and expansion plans taking positives strides in a short period of time, 2011 highlighted several significant events for Union Bank with its IPO receiving the highest over subscription and its diversification plans being consequential with the acquisition of National Asset Management Ltd and The Finance and Guarantee Company limited.

The opening of the new head office earmarks a stepping stone to 2012, a new year that holds many plans to further strengthen the bank’s position as the preferred bank for the small and medium Enterprises.

The bank’s strong finan cial position and investor portfolio continues to support Union Bank to emerge even stronger in a challenging environment.

Union Bank is one of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing banks and is continuously innovating and adding value to its product portfolio hence the bank offers a comprehensive SME and retail product portfolio to customers. Union Bank has a branch network of 30 branches including seven branches in the North and the East.

New food court at WTC

A new food court recently opened at the World Trade Center, Colombo. The food court ‘Cafe De World’ is serving a variety of foods with multiple cuisines ranging from Sri Lankan, Indian Chinese, Thai and Continental with a choice between set menus as well as a la carte.

A salad bar and a choice of sandwiches, cakes and other baked goods are also on offer with a wide range of beverages and desserts.

The food court will further enhance the offerings at the best business address in Sri Lanka that houses over 200 companies and 10,000 employees while catering to over 5,000 visitors on a daily basis.

Located in the central business district, the multifaceted twin towers are complete with multiple F and B outlets, local and international banks, airlines and travel operators, telecommunication providers and on-site parking on nine levels making WTC a one-stop-shop for all its tenants and visitors alike.

The food court is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday through Friday and for breakfast and lunch on Saturdays.

Emirates launches Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires flights

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has extended its South American network by linking Dubai with Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, further broadening the airline’s reach across the Americas.

Emirates inaugural Flight 247 made its first landing at GaleAœo-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, where it was initiated by a traditional water cannon salute.

The flight, operated by Argentine Captain Marcos Medina, then departed for its first onwards connection to Buenos Aires, where government and airport officials led by the Argentinean Tourism Minister Enrique Meyer, welcomed the Emirates VIP delegation headed by Passenger Sales Worldwide Executive Vice President Thierry Antinori.

Other members of the VIP delegation aboard the flight included the Argentinean Ambassador to the UAE, Ruben E. Caro; UAE Ambassador Mohammed Eissa Al Zaabi; Abdulla Ali Al Saboosi, Director, Department American and Pacific Affairs, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Adnan Kazim, Divisional Senior Vice President, Planning and Research and Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, the Americas. “This new linked service to two of the most economically vibrant cities in South America will not only boost trade ties with the UAE, but will also introduce travellers to Emirates’ route network spanning points across the globe,” said Passenger Sales Worldwide Executive Vice President Thierry Antinori.

“Emirates will offer customers in Brazil and Argentina the most efficient and comfortable route to the Middle and Far East, including the airline’s four destinations in China and two gateways in Japan, which are key trading partners for both countries,” Antinori added.

The Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires flight is operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering eight First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class.

EK 247 leaves Dubai daily at 0710hrs and arrives at Rios AntA’nio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1537hrs. It departs Rio at 1723hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0123hrs the following day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0310hours, arriving in Dubai at 2250hrs.

Emirates has a fleet of 168 aircraft and is the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. With an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft placed at the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates now has 237 aircraft on order, worth over US $ 84 billion at list prices.

Emirates now flies to 118 destinations in 69 countries. Over the next two months, the airline will launch a further five destinations: Dublin, Lusaka, Harare, Seattle and Dallas.

GSK empowers 722 disabled people with Rs 39 m project

More than 700 people with disabilities have been empowered to lead more productive lives as a result of a three-year, Rs 39 million project in the south of Sri Lanka by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK), one of the leading pharmaceuticals and vaccines companies in the country.

The project, which concluded in December 2011, was executed on behalf of GSK by the Leonard Cheshire Disability Resource Centre (LCDRC) at Habaraduwa in Galle.

Comprising a series of multi-faceted programmes, the project has over the three years also benefitted more than 2,200 family members of the principal beneficiaries, and resulted in the Habaraduwa Divisional Secretary’s Division receiving praise as one of most inclusive and barrier-free divisions in the country for persons with disabilities.

Commenting on the achievements of the project, GSK Pharmaceuticals Managing Director in Sri Lanka Stuart Chapman, said: “This initiative was a perfect fit with GSK’s mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. It also supports the efforts by the government to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. We are pleased that this project will have a tangible, long-term impact in eliminating some of the attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers for disabled persons and their families.”

Conducted under the five principal focus areas of healthcare, rehabilitation, livelihoods, infrastructure and information, the programmes funded by GSK included structured health and rehabilitation initiatives to reduce the impact of disability; innovative community based services that

supported persons with disabilities to live inter-dependent lives with others; advocacy to promote disabled children’s right to meaningful education; and training and micro finance for sustainable livelihoods programmes that focused on economic empowerment and self reliance.

At its conclusion last month, the project had enabled 131 persons with locomotor impairment to improve their mobility, helped 62 persons with hearing and speech impairment to improve their communication abilities, developed the living skills of 51 children with disabilities and donated 81 assistive devices to persons with disabilities.

In addition, the project has been responsible for the establishment of mental health clinics in the Habaraduwa area, a legal support service to fight the violation of rights of disabled persons and an effective medical referral system. Nine Vocational Training Institutes now accept persons with disabilities for training; an IT training centre has been set up with funding from GSK and five schools have built access ramps for disabled students. One of these schools, the Martin Wickramasinghe Vidyalaya at Habaraduwa has been designated a model inclusive school.

The project has also provided micro finance to 56 persons with disabilities to set up their own businesses. Among these recipients, some have already achieved commercial success and economic independence, with ventures such as shoe manufacture, yoghurt making and retail shops.

The project to empower persons with disabilities was the second major community initiative of GSK to conclude in 2011. The other was a project to build 149 transitional shelters in the Polonnaruwa District for families that lost their homes in floods.

GSK and its predecessors have been doing business in Sri Lanka since the late 1930s. GSK also spent Rs. 29 million to help restore healthcare systems and improve service capacity in areas devastated by the 2004 tsunami and donated essential medications for those affected in the disaster.

Among other community initiatives by GSK are the donation of a fully equipped high dependency unit (HDU) to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital and the refurbishments of wards at the Welisara Chest Hospital and the Lunawa District Hospital.