Biz Briefs

Mihin Lanka gets ETOPS approval

Mihin Lanka has obtained approval from CAASL for120 minutes of Extended Twin Engine Operations (Extended Diversion Time Operations) due to an excellent safety record, high standards of crew training and impeccable maintenance schedules,

Chairman and CEO, Mihin Lanka, Nishantha Ranatunga said, “The additional flying time Mihin Lanka has received through ETOPS approval from CAASL reiterates the quality of the airline’s standards and procedures.”

“The 120 minutes of ETOPS approval will enable Mihin Lanka’s twin engine fleet to reach new destinations in the region, which will contribute further to Sri Lanka’s growing travel and aviation industries,” he said.

New boss at TFC

The Central Bank has appointed Dr. S H A M Abeyratne as Chairman of The Finance Company from May 27.

Dr Abeyratne is a former Assistant Governor of the Central Bank and counts nearly 36 years experience in banking. He holds an MA in Economics from Manchester University UK and a B.Phil in Economics from the University of Colombo. He obtained his PhD in 2011.

Dr. Abeyratne has a Diploma in Professional Techniques of Human Resource Management from the Postgraduate Institute of Management of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

BOI briefs Japanese delegation

Members of the visiting Japanese Electronics Components Industry (JEITA) were hosted by the BOI for a briefing on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The Japanese side included representatives from many leading Japanese manufacturers of electronic components.

This followed the invitation by Nihal Trading Company. They explored the possibility of manufacturing electronic components in Sri Lanka.

They are evaluating Asian countries to invest in and Sri Lanka is one such option.This is part of Japan’s China + 1 strategy, where Japanese companies look at alternative countries in Asia in addition to their main investment base in China.

WCIC signs MoU with Bahrain Chamber

The Sri Lanka Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) signed a MoU with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce at the Bahrain-Sri Lanka Business Forum in Manama, during the recent state visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The WCIC delegation was lead by the chairperson Dr. Saroshi Dubash along with Rifa Mustapha, Vidyani Hettigoda, Mumtaz Siriwardena and Kumari Hapugalle Perera.

The MoU was signed by Khalid Abdulrahman Almoayed, chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Saroshi Dubash.

ComBank provides flood relief

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has come to the aid of people affected by floods in some of the worst hit areas of the country, with timely distribution of emergency relief.

Teams from the Bank were deployed in Horana, Bandaragama, Elpitiya and Matugama on June 4 to distribute dry rations, clothing, drinking water and stationery in a relief operation similar to the one mounted by the Bank in December 2012.

Packs of dry rations were distributed with the assistance of local authorities to families affected by the floods in some of these areas. Clothes were provided for needy people while children who lost their school needs were provided with exercise books, pens, pencils, mathematical instrument sets, school bags and water bottles, bank sources said.

Kia Motors boss gets award

President and Chief Design Officer, Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group, Peter Schreyer received the Lifetime Design Achievement Award from EyesOn Design.

Schreyer was recognised at the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology’s Vision Honour award ceremony, for his work overseeing the global design strategy of Kia Motors.

This award places him on a list of international vehicle designers which includes design legends such as Sergio Pininfarina, Shiro Nakamura, Walter de’Silva and Giorgetto Giugiaro. The EyesOn Design award is significant in that previous winners of the award make up the judging panel.

Ceylon Pencils introduces study guides

Altas, the flagship brand of Ceylon Pencils Ltd, launched Atlas Pass study guide in Colombo recently.

Atlas, a company dedicated to providing high quality and innovative tools to encourage learning among schoolchildren, has introduced many products to benefit the main target group.

Atlas Pass provides a concise and instructive guide to key Ordinary Level subjects for Grade 10 and 11 students needing additional preparation apart from the school syllabus.

Presented in an attractive format that Atlas is renowned for, the study guides are available for Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sinhala and History.

Kelani Cables launches CSR program in North

Kelani Cables PLC and the University of Jaffna signed a MoU at the Kelani Cables auditorium last week, to provide training on industrial and domestic installations to school leavers and self-employed electricians. The Kelani Saviya Career Development program provides training in electrical installations to enhance and improve the skills of electricians in the North. The one year course will comprise 25 candidates and the intake of trainees will be increased with expansion of the program.

Kelani Cables CEO Mahinada Saranapala said that there are around 7,000 electricians in the country of whom a large number are untrained and the extent of the damage that they could cause to lives and property due to improper installation could be catastrophic.

Union Assurance wins GPTW award

The Great Places to Work (GPTW) Institute recently recognised Union Assurance, for the second consecutive year, for creating a work environment that is open, friendly, and conducive to growth.Based on a survey conducted among over 5,000 employees, in partnership with the LMD, GPTW recognises an organisation’s commitment to nurturing and developing its human resources.

General Manager, Human Resources, Union Assurance, Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe said, “The three most important ingredients (of a great place to work) are a friendly and encouraging culture, a fun environment where everyone feels a ‘buzz’ and a fair and transparent rewards and recognition system.”In line with the values espoused by the Great Places to Work Institute, the company has put in place rewards schemes, performance evaluation schemes and opportunities for employees at all levels to express views at fora such as the ‘Coffee with the CEO’ forum.