Business Briefs
Govt, WB agreement to support RERED project
The Government signed an agreement with the World Bank for the
provision of US$40 million equivalent (approx. Rs. 4,400 million)
additional funding to support the ongoing Renewable Energy for Rural
Development (RERED) project.
The additional funding will boost the grid-connecting capacity by a
further 50 MW and off-grid electricity services will be extended to
60,000 additional households and 500 rural micro and small-scale
enterprises in rural areas."
"We are happy to support the Government's effort to enhance
socio-economic development by bringing electricity to rural households
and to promote the development of the renewable energy sector with
private sector participation, said World Bank Country Director, Naoko
Ishii.
Country General Manager - IBM Lanka
IBM appointed Charitha Wijewardane as Country General Manager of IBM
Sri Lanka. Charitha, with his 27 years' rich experience in the IT
industry, will drive the next phase of IBM's growth in Sri Lanka and
strengthen relationships with key customers in Government, Banking,
Telecom and other industries.
He will also work closely with IBM's Channel Partners to extend the
reach for IBM's products and services. He will report to Ramesh
Narasimhan, Director-General Business, IBM India/South Asia.
Narasimhan said, "Charitha has the broad industry expertise, local
and regional experience and leadership qualities that will further
strengthen our organisational capability and help us continue our growth
in Sri Lanka." In the early part of his career, Charitha held multiple
positions spanning sales and marketing to customers and channel partners
in IBM Sri Lanka and the Asia Pacific region, prior to moving to Lexmark
AP as Country Manager for Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and New
Zealand.
Adawatte achieves No. 1 spot in Uva
The ISO 22,000 and HACCP certified Adawatte tea estate at Lunugala
achieved the number one spot in Uva high and medium grown elevations,
which has over 100 tea processing centres/selling marks, by achieving a
Nett Sales Average (NSA) of Rs. 304.10 for the period January-December
2007.
This is the first estate in Uva to record a NSA of above Rs. 300 for
a calendar year. The estate has also established 98 top prices with an
all-time high record at the weekly Colombo Tea auctions in 2007.
Adawatte Estate is managed by Superintendent Shamil Perera and
Assistant Superintendent Manoj Pathiranage. The marketing is handled by
Finlays head of Marketing Rasika Perera. Adawatte is managed by Finlays
Tea Estates Sri Lanka and the official brokers for the estate are John
Keells PLC.
hSenid gives back to the community
hSenid, an Application and Service provider for the Telecom,
Financial and Enterprise markets ended 2007 by making a point to give
back to the community that has helped it immensely.
The employees of hSenid joined hands together in helping some young
and deprived children in four establishments. The Little Angels Project
was launched recently. A charity raffle was held as one of hSenid's many
efforts to raise funds for the four charitable homes it supported mainly
for underprivileged children.
The four charitable organisations are Ranasiri Adikari children's
home, Imbulana Sri Sena Maha Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella, Cancer Hospital
children's Ward and Mathugama rural hospital children's ward.
Employees of hSenid visited each and every organisation and spent
some time with the children whilst also helping in painting the wards as
well as donating clothes, books and other essential items for children.
CEO of hSenid Software International Dinesh Saparamadu said "It was a
very fulfilling feeling and in the end I feel the children really got
something from it, and enjoyed it, and we are really looking forward to
our next project.
Mega LifeSciences launches Glow in India
Glow was introduced in India for the first time following the
successful launch of Glow in various markets in Thailand, Vietnam,
Phillipines, Malaysia, Ukraine, Russia and Sri Lanka.
Country Head Sri Lanka for Mega LifeSciences, Praveen Viswakumaran
said that Glow's success in Sri Lanka, was highlighted at the Indian
launch, with former beauty queen Rozanne Diasz being present. "Rozane
Diasz, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2005 was the first in Sri Lanka
to become a brand ambassador for Glow, hence it was only fitting that
she attended the press conference in New Delhi's Continental Hotel and
shared her Glow experience", said Viswakumaran.
Glow contains various plant extracts and marine proteins that help
nourish the skin, keeping it healthy, radiant and glowing. Glow is a
dietary supplement and hence complements one's diet. It is 100 per cent
natural, safe and a very effective food supplement. Under the guidance
of Dr. Fabrice Perin from the Spin Control Institute of France, a study
was undertaken on Glow which concluded that Glow improves the complexion
or colour or health of the skin by 40%, the luminosity or shine of the
skin by 21%, the brightness of the skin by 51% and softness or fineness
of the skin by 51%.
HSBC sponsors teacher training workshop
HSBC sponsored a five-day teacher-training workshop for speech and
drama school teachers of the Sabaragamuwa North central, Eastern and Uva
provinces recently in Bellanwila, Attidiya. The workshop was conducted
in partnership with the Abhina academy of the performing arts in Sri
Lanka, founded by the eminent actress Anoja Weerasinghe together with
British film Director, Wolfgang Stange of the AMICI Dance Theatre
Company.
The collaboration of these teams supported by HSBC brought together
fifty teachers from the districts of Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Kekirawa,
Ampara, Girandurukotte, Mayanganaya and Badulla. The workshop gave
teachers an insight and broader understanding of the different
behavioral patterns of special needs children who sought the attention
for special care and assistance.
Deputy Director of Education in Anuradhapura, Mrs. V. G. Karunawathi
said, "The workshop has helped to improve the training ability of
teachers and encouraged them to work better with children that have
special needs. |
