BIZ BRIEFS

MAS Holdings has invested over $ 70 m in an automated knitting plant in Thulhiriya. The BOI has identified the manufacture of fabric as a strategic import-replacement industry, since locally made fabric will reduce the dependence on imported fabric. The use of locally made fabric will strengthen the competitiveness of Sri Lanka-made apparel in world markets.

“This will be one of the largest automated knitting plants in the region and the Group’s single largest investment in its 25-year history,” a spokesman for the company said.

Sahana project gets off the ground

The Sahana Disaster Management System for National Disaster Relief Services Center (NDRSC) under the Disaster Management Ministry (DMM) was launched recently.

Initiated by the ICT Agency (ICTA), the project will ensure that ICT is deployed to improve the efficiency of NDRSC. The Sahana free and open source disaster management system could cater to the additional operational needs of NDRSC. “It will enable optimisation of ICT. Sri Lanka is targeting a 75 percent ICT literacy by 2016”, a spokesman said.

Third edition of Business Guide published

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has published the third edition of 'A Step by Step Guide to Doing Business in Sri Lanka'. This booklet contains information on regulations for starting and operating a business enterprise in Sri Lanka. The amendments proposed by the relevant institutions up to October 2012 have been incorporated .

The information has been summarised under 28 main areas pertaining to business activities.

“The booklet will be a useful source document for the business community and foreign investors and will reduce the search costs, time and inconvenience in accessing such information”, a spokesman said.

Singer Sri Lanka wins Best Corporate Citizens Awards

Singer Sri Lanka was the first runner-up among Sri Lanka's Top Ten Corporate Citizens, the Company also won first place in a majority of other categories, including the 'Community Relations and CSR' category and the 'Customer and Supplier Relations' category. Singer Sri Lanka was also awarded first place in the 'Social: People and CSR' sector at the Best Corporate Citizen Awards organised by the Chamber of Commerce

Reckitt Benckiser joins Lanka Business Coalition

From left: Head of Supply Chain, Reckitt Benckiser, Navin Seneviratne, Director Sales, Reckitt Benckiser, Sinclair Cruse, Director Finance, Reckitt Benckiser, Sundeep Kohli, Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Rahul Murgai, Chairman LBCH, Kishu Gomes, Chairman, Bates Strategic Alliance, Nimal Gunewardena, Head of Marketing, Reckitt Benckiser, Syed Tanzim Rezwan and Senior Brand Manager, Health Care and Wellbeing, Reckitt Benckiser, Ahamed Aroos.

Reckitt Benckiser joined Lanka Business Coalition for HIV and AIDS (LBCH) to work towards creating awareness . LBCH has been one of the driving forces in creating awareness on HIV and AIDS in Sri Lanka. By passing on the ‘pillow of awareness’ to Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Rahul Murgai, LBCH expressed its partnership with Reckitt Benckiser to generate awareness on HIV and AIDS jointly with Durex in Sri Lanka.

The campaign, which was launched in January by LBCH, seeks to highlight the importance of creating awareness on HIV by passing on a bright red cushion inscribed with the message ‘Pass on Awareness, not HIV’ among LBCH’s 60-member corporate network, which includes leading conglomerates in the island.

Closeup sponsors scientific sessions

Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences University of Peradeniya, Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake. Below, participants at the sessions.

'Closeup' the oral care brand from Unilever, sponsored the ninth annual scientific sessions, organised by the Sri Lanka Academy of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry (SLAACD) recently in Colombo.

Embark featured on NDTV's 'Heavy Petting'

A TV crew from 'Heavy Petting' recently featured the Embark fashion brand and covered the puppy adoption campaign at Odel's flagship store at Alexandra Place and an Embark dog sterilisation program at the Sri Jayewardenepura University. The operations of the Bestcare animal hospital, which attends to the injured dogs rescued by Embark, were also featured.Odel's founder and CEO Otara Gunewardene with the NDTV presenter.

Nawaloka Hospital goes for home visits by doctors

Nawaloka Hospital will launch a Home Ambulance unit this month enabling anyone to access a doctor from their homes at a nominal charge. Nawaloka's Home Ambulance service will be available throughout Colombo and the suburbs. It has been set up to cater to people requesting a doctor to come home to treat common ailments.

MVP posts Rs 310 m profit

Malwatte Valley Plantations PLC (MVP) ended the 3Q 2012 with a profit of Rs 310 m, 14 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year and a 223 percent over the profit earned over 2011.

MVP recorded profits over the past decade from its two basic crops of tea and rubber. The profit recorded from tea and rubber are Rs 151 m and Rs 191 m.The improved performance is a result of close monitoring of costs, premium prices for its produce and implementation of innovative management practices despite increases in the inputs and unjustifiable wages over the period under review, MVP, Managing Director W.L. Bogtstra said.

Etisalat wins five awards at Effies 2012

Etisalat Lanka won five Effie Awards. The two Silvers were awarded for Etisalat’s ‘Play’ and ‘Easy Loan’ campaigns, while the ‘Android’, ‘Northern SIM’ and ‘Web Patashala’ campaigns, each won a Bronze.

Bates wins two Effies for Hemas

Bates Strategic Alliance won two Effies for Hemas. They won a Silver for Dandex anti-dandruff shampoo and a Bronze for Diva detergent. A spokesman for Bates said, "Both brands compete fiercely with multinational brands. Bates has often opted for challenging brands where they can prove their prowess in the marketplace and at awards presentations."