IN BRIEF

Rubber prices break Rs. 600 mark

Sri Lanka saw the highest rubber price to be ever recorded at the Colombo rubber auction of Thursday January 6, held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

It was a significant milestone as the price for Latex Crepe 1X reached the Rs. 600.00 per Kg mark for the first time ever.

Shehan Meegama of John Keells PLC was able to make history when he obtained Rs. 605.00 for a Latex Crepe 1X, manufactured by Eladuwa Estate managed by Namunukula Plantations Ltd. It was bought by Almar Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd, one of the largest exporters of rubber in Sri Lanka.

John Keells had an outstanding sale being the only broker to obtain prices which surpassed the Rs. 600.00 mark at the auction.

Sampath opens second branch in Vavuniya

Sampath Bank opened its 170th branch at the Vavuniya Bazaar recently. This was in addition to the branch that was opened in Vavuniya in January 2003.

With the opening of this branch Sampath Bank looks forward to provide a service that will benefit its people.

With a varied product base, the bank is equipped with the latest technology to reduce processing time for transactions.

Its fully automated on-line services also adds to the convenience of carrying out transactions with ease.

LG ACs ‘4-way protection’ against Swine Flu

LG has introduced a total healthcare solution in their Air Conditioners with its unique 4-way protection system against Swine Flu (H1N1) and other viruses. With new viruses emerging frequently to attack human health, LG has introduced an enhanced protection system that goes through four stages - filtering, deodorising, eliminating and auto cleaning to help prevent the spread of harmful viruses. Introducing its breakthrough virus and allergy safe filter, LG’s new air conditioning system captures harmful airborne viruses including the life threatening virus H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu.

Dr Arul Sivagananathan heads Hayleys BPO

Hayleys Business Solutions International (Pvt) Ltd., the Hayleys Group’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Shared Services has appointed engineering and accounting professional Dr. Arul Sivagananathan as the company’s Managing Director effective January.

Dr. Sivagananathan PhD (USA), MBA (Cranfield-UK), FCMA (UK), BEng(Hons) (London), AMIE (SL) was previously the Senior Vice President overlooking the Sri Lankan and Indian Finance and Accounting Operations of WNS Global Services, a BPO company listed on the NYSE. A pioneer in setting up end-to-end Finance and Accounting outsourcing in Sri Lanka, Dr. Sivagananathan set up the first shared services in WNS for a Global Multinational company, consolidating over 12 locations across multiple countries in to one centre in India. He has built several Centres of Excellence in F and A functions both in India and Sri Lanka.

Mano Selvanathan honoured

Mano Selvanathan

A Sri Lankan business leader has been honoured by India for his contribution to the advancement of business and community relations between the two nations with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, the country’s highest recognition for people of Indian origin.

The award presented by Indian President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil to Group Director Carson Cumberbatch PLC Deshamanya Mano Selvanathan, places him in an extraordinary group of eminent global citizens of Indian ancestry whose efforts in their countries have benefitted local communities and helped forge stronger ties with India.

Selvanathan is the first Sri Lankan to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, presented at the valedictory session of the 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-resident Indian Day) Convention at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on January 9, 96 years to the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.

Governor General New Zealand Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO, another distinguished non-resident Indian, presided as Chief Guest at the Convention which was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Brandix calendar reflects on the unifying power of water

The fascinating traditions and rituals of a diverse multi-ethnic and multi-religious society nourished, unified and sustained by water, are explored through the unique and thought provoking 2011 calendar of Sri Lanka’s top apparel exporter Brandix.

The final offering in a three-part series, the new Brandix calendar themed ‘Water in Life’ delivers a powerful and timely message on the importance of water, in yet another articulation of the Group’s community outreach focus of ‘Care for Water’.

Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of the past that are associated with this precious natural resource, it reminds us how each individual of every ethnicity and religion is responsible for its conservation. Colourful images depicting religious and cultural rituals, some fast receding from practice to the confines of memory, grace the leaves dedicated to the 12 months of the year.

DFCC Vardhana Bank in Pettah and Embilipitiya

DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB), opened two branches in Pettah and Embilipitiya recently bringing the bank’s branch network to 123. DVB’s CEO, Lakshman Silva lights the oil lamp at the opening of the DVB branch in Pettah.