Leisure

Hamilton Canal boosts tourism and community welfare

The Hamilton Canal from which a foul smell was emanating due to polluted water has today become an attractive and environmental friendly water way, thanks to the Hamilton Canal Development project the Economic Development Ministry launched under its tourism promotion programme. This covers a 22-kilometre stretch from Ma Oya to the mouth of the Kelani River.

For a long time the natural environment and the health of residents in the vicinity of Hamilton Canal were seriously affected by waste from nearby houses and animal farms in the area. As a result the new project has drawn the wholehearted supported support of the community.

The Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation are carrying out the work under Minister Basil Rajapaksa's direction. Already the first stage has been completed following the development of a nine kilometre-stretch from Ma Oya to Negombo. Work on the second stage - 14 km-distance from Negombo Lagoon to the mouth of the Kelani River at Hekiththa - commenced on February 20. The first two kilometres of it is expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa has secured the cooperation of a number of state institutions in this project on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's advice. Parallel to this project tourism promotion activity in the Negombo Lagoon and Muthrajawela are also in progress.

Under the project a new bridge is being constructed at Palliyawatte to solve the problems people faced in crossing the canal. In addition four foot bridges and nine main bridges which were in a dilapidated condition are now being repaired so that residents would not have to face any risks when crossing the canal.

The Canal in its present form was completed during the early British period in 1802.

The current project is aimed at not only tourism promotion but also protecting the canal banks, fauna and flora, marine life and biodiversity in the area. Improving the livelihood of residents and providing them with the infrastructure they need are part of the project.

After meeting the requirements of tourists visiting the area, facilities for fishermen such as marketing stalls and jetties for boats will be constructed. After the entire project is completed the Western Province Tourism Ministry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) with the assistance of the people of the area will jointly supervise the canal's functions.

IAG Cargo relaunches Cargo operations

Sri Lankan Business to benefit from connection to IAG Cargo's extensive Global Network

IAG Cargo will be offering a full range of cargo services on its new passenger flights operating out of Colombo. IAG's return to Sri Lanka comes after a 15-year absence. By extending its operations in Sri Lanka, IAG Cargo hopes to better support business in the region by opening up trade routes on the rest of the world.

Pravin Singh with Rashmi, Karnad, Commercial Manager, Radhika, Marketing Manager Anil  Wijesinghe, Director Sri Lanka and Maldives, IAG Cargo in Colombo. Pic by Saliya Rupasinghe

The new route, which includes a stopover in the Maldives, will be operated three times per week using a Boeing 777 aircraft. The belly-hold capacity will benefit Sri Lankan business by providing global connectivity to the more than 350 destinations served by the IAG Cargo network.

Sri Lanka is an important centre of manufacturing for a wide range of goods including high-end retail, fruits and vegetables and rubber amongst others. Business in the country will now have complete access to the entire IAG Cargo product portfolio, enabling the rapid transit of a wide range of commodities including garments, perishables, valuables and other specialist cargo. The new flights will build on IAG Cargo's existing cargo operations in Sri Lanka.

Pravin Singh, the new Area Commercial Manager South Asia at IAG Cargo, commented: "We have always had a strong bond with the Sri Lankan market and our announcement to return to the country has been met with excitement and warmth that is symbolic of the country. Our flights will provide the much needed direct lift into the United Kingdom with quick access to our vast network via our bespoke product portfolio." Due to the airline being on line we now able to have more business from Sri Lanka, he said.

IAG Cargo is the single business created following the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo in April 2011. In April 2012, IAG completed the purchase of bmi, including bmi Cargo.

In 2012 the operations of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo had joint turnover of 1,217 million Sterling Pounds. They have a combined workforce of more than 2,700 people covering a global network of over 350 destinations.

Pravin Singh takes on this role having previously served as regional cargo manager for the Middle East, Pakistan and Bangladesh where he oversaw the commercial activities in these regions. Prior to that, Pravin has held responsibilities as a key account manager and commercial manager for the Middle East and Africa region, bringing with him strong customer service and commercial expertise.

British Airways announces Airbus order worth $12 bn

British Airways on Monday announced a deal to buy up to 36 long-haul Airbus A350 passenger planes worth almost $12.0 billion at list prices.

BA said parent group IAG, which owns also Spanish carrier Iberia, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to buy 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft with an option to purchase 18 more.

Each plane has a catalogue price of $332.1 million, according to European planemaker Airbus' website, though airlines tend to receive significant discounts on bulk orders. "After a thorough selection process, International Airlines Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as part of the airline's on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy," a statement said.

"IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots that could lead to firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is in a position to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base," it added.

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said adding the A350-1000 to BA's fleet would "bring many benefits." He added: "Its size and range will be an excellent fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there is an opportunity to operate a new range of destinations profitably. This will not only bring greater flexibility to our network but also more choice for our customers." Earlier this month, IAG said it had reached an agreement with Airbus' US rival Boeing to buy 18 of its 787 Dreamliners. The move is a show of confidence in the plane, which was grounded around the world in January owing to problems with its battery system.

IAG meanwhile plunged into an annual net loss of 943 million euros in 2012 on severe financial strains at its Spanish arm Iberia and owing to a soaring fuel bill.

IAG is cutting more than 3,800 jobs at Iberia as the airline struggles as a result of Spain's weak economic backdrop.

AFP