ANCL ready to face any challenge - Chairman

Suraj A. Bandara

"Lake House (ANCL) which was established on a solid foundation with the far sighted vision of late D.R Wijewardene is always ready to face any competition in the media field. We have overcome many challenges to make ANCL a profitable institution," said Lake House Chairman, Managing Director and veteran journalist Bandula Padmakumara, at the Lake House long service awards ceremony held at the Taj Samudra Hotel yesterday.

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) held its Long Service Awards ceremony yesterday to felicitate employees who have completed 35 years and 25 years service respectively to the company. Here, ANCL Chairman and Managing Director and veteran journalist Bandula Padmakumara presenting a special award to Dinamina Associate Editor Pushpa Rowell for completing 35 years service with the company. Picture by Sumanchandra Ariyawansa

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL), the leading print media institution in Sri Lanka paid tribute to its long serving employees for their loyalty and commendable service to Lake House on its path to development.

Eleven employees who completed 35 years service and 19 employees who completed 25 years service received gold medals, cash awards and certificates at the ceremony which constitutes a key component of the ANCL's employee recognition programme, which takes place annually.

The ANCL Chairman further said: "the ANCL is grateful to you for the many years through which you have delivered results, for being the most dedicated group of people who painstakingly contributed to the development of the company.

"Most of the faces that receive awards today are the people who have dedicated themselves to the company treating Lake House like own. So, I admire and appreciate the support you have given to Lake House during your long service," he said.

"ANCL achieved a milestone last year, which was a great relief to all. The institution recorded a substantial profit," ANCL Chairman Padmakumara said.

"I was able to make Lake House, which was running at a loss, when I assumed duties a profitable institution. The number of employees which stood at 3,200 was reduced to 1,950 by introducing a Volunteer Retirement Scheme(VRS). We have identified that the company can be run with 1,500 employees and hope to introduce another VRS soon to reduce the number to 1,500," he said.

"We are considering the financial aspects of another VRS and several rounds of discussions have been made to make this plan a reality, he added. "The restructuring process at Lake House is being carried out to suit the present day demands in the media field, such as the installation of latest technology and equipment worth millions. A four colour printing machine valued at Rs 66 million and a printing tower which costs Rs 70 million have been brought. This will make Lake House a fully fledged media institution, in keeping with the times in meeting with the growing demands," he said.

The ADz magazine distributed with the Sunday Observer has also been increased up to 100 pages.Though we receive a large number of advertisements to be placed in the ADz magazine, we need to improve the facilities to meet the requirements. So, new arrangements are being made to increase the number of pages of the ADz magazine in keeping with the demands, the ANCL Chairman said.

Lake House entered the challenging Digital Printing field two months ago which has brought a significant income to the company. In addition to the introduction of machinery and equipment, we have introduced new software in many departments. The new software helps us make redundant the services of proof readers and type setters in the Editorial, Financial, HR and Transport departments of ANCL. "In a bid to boost the readership, we have launched 19 periodicals to give our readers more variety and encourage a new readership." I am very glad to say that theses periodicals have become very popular among the public bringing good profits, the ANCL Chairman said

The ANCL Chairman with a sense of optimism predicted that Lake House news papers, magazines and periodicals will find new readers and increased circulation being the biggest challenge to other media institutions.

He said the Dinamina supplements which turned a revolutionary chapter in the history of news papers have also become earners now.

"As a result of these changes, the Commercial Printing Department recorded the largest profit of Rs 747 million, which is a first in the history of Lake House," he explained.

The ANCL Chairman yesterday introduced the latest ANCL business magazine named "Business.lk" at the function. The magazine under the editorship of senior journalist and former Editor Pramod de Silva has earned an income of Rs 3 million in its first issue alone. All these developments and profits were recorded with the untiring efforts of ANCL employees. ANCL General Manager Abhaya Amaradasa also spoke on the occasion.

ANCL Director Operations Upul Dissanayaka, Director Legal Rasanga Harischandra, Editors, managers and family members of ANCL employees were also present.