In brief

John Keells Logistics unveils new identity

John Keells Logistics, a part of the Logistics SBU of the John Keells Transportation Group unveiled its brand identity which encompasses the Supply Chain management and Freight Forwarding businesses of the Group across South Asia.

The new identity is an integral part of the regional expansion plans of John Keells Logistics, which already has presence in Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. With a team of more than 150 professionals across South Asia, John Keells Logistics intends to emerge as a leading player in the rapidly expanding Logistics sector by offering a seamless service across multiple markets. "This change reflects a new chapter in our continued development," said President of John Keells Transportation Group, Romesh David. "Our Customers are increasingly seeking regional solutions, as Intra-Asia trade continues to rise."

Cinnamon Lakeside wins Elephant House Challenge Trophy

Cinnamon Lakeside was awarded the prestigious Elephant House Ice Cream Challenge Trophy for the 'Best Spice Flavoured Ice Cream' at the recently concluded World Spice Food Festival 2010.

"This competition was introduced as part of the Hotel Events Category in a bid to enhance the creativity of industry professionals", said, Head of Frozen Confectionary, Elephant House, Neil Samarasinghe.

Head of Frozen Confectionery, Elephant House, Neil Samarasinghe presenting the award to the Executive Chef of the winning team Wasantha Pieris.

‘M’ Centre Store opens at Battaramulla

Battaramulla residents can now enjoy the convenience of having a state-of-the-art range of workplace solutions under one roof at the ‘M’ Center store on Main Street.

The ‘M’ Centre offers a wide range of items including computers and laptops to fax machines, gaming hardware and software, copiers, scanners, printers, professional cameras, among others.

It houses flagship brands such as Acer, Canon, HP, Kaspersky, Sonic Gear,Imation,Microsoft and Kingston.

In addition to the Battaramulla, ‘M’ Centre stores are located at Colpetty, Wattala and Nawala and will continue to set up operations at key locations in keeping with its promise to provide convenience to its customers across the western province.

Mobitel’s SMART leads

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel’s pioneering SMART pre paid package, continues to pave the way for others to follow and unveiled its latest SMART tariff structure.

Launched in 2006, the SMART pre paid revolution spearheaded Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitels effort to position itself as the operator with the lowest call rates of the local mobile telecom landscape offering an enhanced value proposition to its customers.

The new SMART tariff offers Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel customers to talk to each other at Rs. 1 per minute and SMS one another at a rate of 10 cents per message.

SMART customers communicating with subscribers on other networks will be charged Rs. 2 per minute for voice calls and 25 cents per SMS message.

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel SMART subscribers, who continue to enjoy mobile browsing and value added services, will do so at a GPRS fee of 1 cent per 5kB block.

(All rates are subject to government taxes and levies, with some conditions being applied).

This novel tariff structure will be communicated to the public via an exciting integrated communication campaign, featuring Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Brand Ambassador, Lahiru Perera.

Business happenings

* AIESEC Global Village will be held today from 3 pm at the Taj Samudra Hotel.

AIESEC interns are billed to showcase unique cultures from their home countries/territories though food, customs, performances and costumes.

* Report launch by World Bank on August 9 from 3-5 pm at the Cinnamon Grand.

* Re-imagining Brands in a Digitized World - a conference organised by IAA will be held August 10 from 6 pm at the Galle Face Hotel.

* The 28th National Information Technology Conference organised by CSSL themed Empowering Sri Lanka to a New Social Order will be held August 11-12 at the Galadari Hotel.

* Investor Forum organized by Sampath Bank will be held on August 11 at 5.30 pm at Ballroom 2 Hilton Colombo.

* A seminar Discussion on Bilateral Trade with Bangladesh will be held on August 12 from 2-4 pm at the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka Auditorium.

Hirdaramani factory wins Gold for energy efficiency

CKT Apparel (Pvt) Limited of the Hirdaramani Group was awarded the Gold award, medium category at the Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards held at the BMICH last week. Chief guest, President Mahinda Rajapaksa hands over the award to Director Hirdaramani Group Arjuna Kuruppu. Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka is also in the picture. CKT Apparel [PVT] limited, Agalawatte was the first apparel factory in the world to receive the Gold rating of the LEED certificate issued by the US. Green Building Council. The factory uses skylights for general lighting, an evaporative cooling system instead of air conditioning, LED task lights, water heating through solar power etc. for energy efficiency. Waste water is treated and re-used and a rain water harvesting program is in place.

Dr. Hettigoda commended for scientific research

The publication of research done in 2005 on the control of Diabetes based on Kothalahimbutu and other indigenous medicinal herbs by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital in the International Ethnopharmacology Journal was commended at the Presidential Awards Ceremony at Temple Trees recently. The contributions of Dr. Victor Hettigoda to this research was commended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The research was conducted over six months under the leadership of Dr. Devaka Fernando and Dr. Victor Hettigoda at considerable cost and effort. Sixty-five diabetic patients were used for research and the results were proven to be effective in the control of their diabetic condition. The Siddhalepa Research Unit will make the treatment available to Sri Lankans in the near future. Dr. Hettigoda has conducted much research relating to Ayurveda and pioneered and production and sale of several Ayurvedha preparations in Sri Lanka and abroad.