Biz Briefs

NDB Group CEO wins award

Vajira Kulatilaka has been adjudged the 'Best Investment Banking CEO Sri Lanka 2015' by Global Banking and Finance Review for his contribution to the investment banking arena in Sri Lanka. This was the second time he has been bestowed with this honour having won the award in 2014 too. Vajira currently heads the investment banking cluster of the NDB Group and is CEO and Director of NDB Capital Holdings PLC (NCAP) overlooking the operations of its subsidiaries.

Kulatilaka is also the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange and has provided leadership to many pioneering initiatives at the stock exchange. In April 2015, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the South Asian Federation of Exchanges, an organisation with 15 primary members.
 

DHL Express recognised

DHL Express has recorded a new milestone in its continuous drive to offer superior security and service levels in end-to-end supply chain solutions in the Asia Pacific.

The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) Asia has recognised DHL Express for having the highest number of Freight Security Requirement (FSR) sites in the Asia Pacific.

In Sri Lanka, DHL Express is the only logistics company that has attained TAPA certification for two of its sites at Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2 and in the Air Cargo Village at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

Electricians training program

Kelani Cables PLC first launched the Kelani Visura electrical technicians' training program a decade ago, to gear electrical technicians throughout the island with the latest techniques in the sector.

A Kelani Visura workshop was held in Colombo recently. Electrical technicians in the vicinity of Armour Street and Messenger Street were taught the latest methods in electrical wire-laying at a workshop at the Brighton Hotel. Over 150 electrical technicians were present.

The workshop led by Sales Engineer at Kelani Cables, Sanjeewa Gunetilleke provided each participant with the knowledge to draw an electrical wire-laying plan for a house or a building. The Kelani Visura program has trained over 17,000 technicians to date.

DIMO bags top award

Diesel and Motor Engineering (DIMO) PLC has for the second consecutive year won the top award at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards, at the Kingsbury Hotel on Wednesday.

The awards recognise Sri Lankan companies for transparency, accountability and responsibility as reflected in their Sustainability Reporting. DIMO was also the winner in the 'Conglomerates and Diversified' category.

DIMO's corporate philosophy revolves around being responsible and has been among the first corporate entities in Sri Lanka to publish a Sustainability Report. It won its first ACCA Award for Sustainability Reporting in 2005. The company was also the first in Sri Lanka to publish an Integrated Report.

Two smartphones from Huawei

Huawei Consumer Business Group launched two of its latest flagship smartphones - Huawei Mate 8 and Huawei GR5 in Southeast Asia (SEA). The launch took place in Bangkok recently.

Over 500 guests from 11 markets and Huawei brand ambassadors, Myanmar film star Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Thailand actors Teeradetch ‘Alek’ Metawarayut and Ananda Everingham were also present.

President, Southeast Asia, Huawei Consumer Business Group, Thomas Liu said, “Huawei experienced a record-breaking 2015 with 70% revenue increase year-on-year giving SEA a strong platform to grow. We recorded a revenue of over $ 20 billion last year, as we sold 108 million smartphones globally. We are now one of the world’s top three smartphone brands.”

Willpower Group introduces toilet seat sanitiser

Willpower Group (Pvt) Ltd., recently launched a toilet seat sanitizer spray to the Sri Lankan market.

“The spray eradicates germs and bacteria within seconds by evaporating quickly and sanitizes the toilet seat completely,” a company spokesman said.

“It ensures a 99.99% protection from infections such as UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and gastroenteritis. The fresh rose fragrance removes unpleasant odours that are common in public washrooms,” he said.

The toilet seat sanitiser could also be sprayed on toilet taps, flush handles and door knobs. The ‘target area directed nozzle design’ ensures there is no wastage of liquid, the spokesman said.

Kalin Avurudu from Union Bank

Union Bank launched Kalin Avurudu Ganudenu, an early Avurudu promotion offering gifts for savings and one-year fixed deposits. The offer which gives customers the opportunity and flexibility to save in slabs and collect gifts ends on April 15.

The gifts on offer include LED TVs, microwaves, gas cookers, irons, travelling bags and colouring kits for children. The offer is applicable for Union Bank savings accounts and one-year fixed deposits. The gift items are from reputed organisations and include a one-year warranty with an islandwide supplier’s branch network for after sales service.

To avail the benefits of this offer, customers can visit the nearest Union Bank branch at their earliest or call the bank’s 24-hour contact centre. The Bank has devised several marketing initiatives including a month-long islandwide activation with popular radio stations Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM and Rhythm FM.

The activation started on February 15 from Galle and Batticaloa and will proceed to all locations where Union Bank branches are based to create awareness on the promotion.

NCE President to address Spice Conference

President, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), Sarada de Silva will make a presentation on ‘Spice Industry – Sri Lanka Perspective’ at the World Spice Conference - 2016.

Launched in 1990, the World Spice Congress (WSC) has evolved to become the global platform for discussion and interaction between producers, importers, exporters, regulators, and other stakeholders in the spice industry. The WSC which is organised by the Spices Board of India with support from various trade organisations is now a much sought after and a well-attended event. Since the World is experiencing rapid changes in food safety issues, health authorities globally have embarked on a mission to make food safer for people.

WSC 2016 will deliberate extensively on this and other issues and bring the delegates upto date on plans to make the food chain safe, reliable, consistent, and most importantly sustainable.

Several professional speakers from India and other countries will address the WSC on important topics related to the spice sector.

Emirates optimises flight planning systems

Emirates Airline’s first non-stop service between Auckland and Dubai will be one of the longest air routes in the world by distance, but with the assistance of clever technology and good planning, passengers will get to their destination in the shortest possible time.

Emirates will use flexible routes, which can vary by day, taking advantage of tail winds and avoiding head winds to reduce the time in the air.

This proven technology, combined with the elimination of an en-route stop in Australia, could shorten the time to Auckland up to three hours.

This is not only good news for passengers, but will also result in considerably increased fuel economies - an environmental focus for Emirates.

Virtusa ‘Major Contender’ for Everest Group

Westborough, Mass., – Virtusa Corporation, a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company, has been named a ‘Major Contender’ for Digital Services by Everest Group, an advisory and research firm on global services.

Issued annually, the Everest Group study measures service providers on their proprietary Performance, Experience, Ability and Knowledge (PEAK) Matrix. The 2015 PEAK Matrix for digital services, which evaluated 18 global ITO providers, is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process conducted in Q2, 2015, interaction with leading service providers, and year-round tracking of digital service providers.

Executive Vice President, Global Digital Solutions Group, Virtusa, Frank Palermo said, “We are delighted to be recognised as a Major Contender on the Everest Group PEAK Matrix for Digital Services. Technology continues to advance at a rapid rate and many enterprises are still struggling to keep up with the pace and complexity of this change.”

Russel’s Group launches website
 

Russel’s Group of Companies, a pioneer in tea exports and garments for over 28 years launched its website at its head office in Colombo last week. The project was spearheaded by Jehan Perera and the website was designed by BIOS Technologies. The chief guest was Director, R.H. Enterprises, Himaya Perera. Pic: Saliya Rupasinghe