A house isn’t a home until you’ve painted it, and when you begin to live in it, that’s when it’s a work of art. With the launch of Sri Lanka’s biggest and most vibrant colour card, Multilac helps you create the atmosphere, set the tone, define your moods, show your personality and, above all, induce happiness to your lifestyle.

Multilac believes that colours are made for celebration. Its new colour card which has 282 brilliant colours, evokes the wonders of the nature, the pastels of spring, the scopes of the blue seas and space. All bright and vivid colours serve as an inspiration for the new and normal.

“Life today moves at an alarmingly rapid pace, and at times, unperturbed by human influence. There is so much going on that sometimes we want to turn off. We retreat as fast as we can to our homes to recharge in quiet spaces surrounded by those we love. Throughout this whole process, colour is a defining factor,” said Mrs. Nilrukshi De Silva, Vice President of Multilac. “Every room in our homes or offices needs to be infused in colours that are less demanding and more soothing or enriching. That’s what we meant to do with the new Multilac colour card”

The new Multilac Colour card has a spectrum of colours to suit every personality, room and lifestyle. To-date the company boasts of the biggest and best colour card in the country in the range of emulsion, weather guard and even enamel.

“Colour has always been important, from natural warnings in primitive times to mood enhancers in modern homes, however not everyone knows how to use colours to their advantage. With Multilac’s colour card, we want to offer the discerning consumer a chance to choose,” De Silva added.

The brilliant colour combinations were handpicked by Multilac and inspired by nature, travel, lifestyles and current trends. The colour red signifies warmth, energy and adventure that can be best used in dining rooms, while tones of light pink are peaceful and restful for a child’s room. Orange infuses a sense of calm, balance and security in living rooms while blue is associated with calming and soothing properties commonly used in bedrooms, bathrooms and study rooms.

Yellow tones which are ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms are for the stress-free spaces while lilac which is used mostly in bedrooms signify creativity and joy. The colour card also has a variety of delicate pastels such as Easter, spring, tea parties and so on.

One of the unique selling points is that the paints have been made of the highest quality pigments that will last longer without discoloration or fading for an elegant and grand finish.

According to the Pantone Color Institute, the world leader in forecasting colour trends, 2016 has been dedicated to twin tones, rose quartz and serenity. According to Pantone, consumers are now seeking mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses. The twin tones welcoming colours that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Multilac has both colours featured on its card and advices consumers to choose well and wisely.

Sri Lanka’s largest paint exporter with the largest colour bank and strongest dealer network, Multilac dominates the local market and is 100% truly Sri Lankan. Through its corporate mission, Multilac thrives and progresses to command leadership in the decorative and auto paint sectors. Multilac has received the ISO, SLS standards, the Green Label certification and the CIOB Green Mark Award.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) has appointed MTI Consulting as its representative in Sri Lanka for marketing and student recruitment.

UWA Director of Future Students Trish Rechici said “UWA was delighted to provide the opportunity to MTI Consulting to represent UWA in Sri Lanka. UWA will work closely with MTI to market our courses and recruit students. This will include providing the necessary advisory and assistance for Sri Lankan students in terms of university application, facilitation and visa assistance. By obtaining the standardized training and certifications, MTI will become a Qualified Education Agent Counselor which signifies the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry. ”

MTI’s CEO Hilmy Cader said the partnership would provide a unique opportunity for Sri Lankan students to receive high quality international higher education from one of the top 100 universities in the world. Since UWA is part of the Group of 8 most prestigious universities in Australia, graduates of UWA will have a high recognition and demand from the corporates and the society both locally and internationally. MTI will comply with all the training and certification requirements to ensure best professional and ethical services to students.

UWA is a research-intensive university and recognized as one of the eight leading research universities in Australia. It offers 68 undergraduate majors and 180 postgraduate courses to 24,000 students representing more than 100 countries. UWA is considered one of the leading universities in Australia in graduate employability and its distinguished alumni includes a Nobel Prize winner and former Australian Prime Minister.

MTI Consulting has carried out more than 510 assignments across 40 countries since its establishment in 1997. It has worked with government and education institutions including North-South University of Bangladesh, College of Health Sciences of Bahrain, NIBM, NSBM, Institute of Chartered Accountants (Sri Lanka), Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance, ULAB of Bangladesh, Royal College (Sri Lanka), Overseas School of Colombo (Sri Lanka), Chartered Institute of Marketing and Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

Latest Multifunction Printers designed to connect, integrate and simplify the workplace

JKOA in association with TOSHIBA TEC introduces the addition of five new e-STUDIO™ series to its multifunction printers (MFPs) line. The new MFP lineup includes three colour MFP series (13 models) and two monochrome series (10 models) all of which feature a new platform design with the basic body colour changed from ivory to a sophisticated black.

The MFPs blend a newly-engineered software and advanced hardware set to address the print, document management and workflow needs of virtually any business application. The new software and hardware elements, which include Intel’s® new processor, a customizable tablet-style user interface (UI), Embedded Application Platform and Dual-Scan Document Feeder (DSDF) highlight Toshiba’s innovative product portfolio. All of the features are designed to help organizations operate more efficiently and cost effectively while improving workflow.

Multitasking and handling complex tasks like embedded optical character recognition (OCR) applications are also simpler with the inclusion of the powerful multi-core Intel® Atom™ processor. The Embedded Application Platform makes it possible for the MFPs to easily use embedded or third-party applications and connect to the cloud enabling mobile users to work anywhere.

Toshiba’s 9-inch tablet-style UI facilitates a more intuitive user experience. The latest e-BRIDGE™ Next controller, working in concert with the UI, provides the flexibility to accommodate any user’s unique workflow needs.

“Our latest e-STUDIO line represents our most innovative and intuitive MFPs to date,” said Philip Wu, Regional Manager, Toshiba Tec Singapore. “Understanding that every industry has unique needs, we integrated state-of-the-art and customizable technology into our new MFP line to meet the complex demands of today’s business users.”

“We’re very happy to be strengthening our 23 year association with Toshiba in Sri Lanka with this launch,” said Malik Edwin, Head of Marketing and Business Development, JKOA and Assistant Vice President John Keells Group. “The MFPs blend a newly-engineered feature set to address the print, document management and workflow needs of virtually any business application. The new software and hardware elements, which include Intel’s® new processor, a customizable 9” tablet-style user interface (UI), Embedded Application Platform and Dual-Scan Document Feeder (DSDF) highlight Toshiba’s innovative product portfolio. All of the features are designed to help organizations operate more efficiently and cost effectively while improving workflow.

The e-BRIDGE controller’s colour profile tool allows for the creation of profiles to adjust colour for varying media types, lighting or to match specific Pantone colours. The DSDF helps users complete even the most challenging of projects by delivering up to 240 images per minute while holding as many as 300 sheets at a time.
Toshiba’s advanced e-STUDIO models feature a more durable and reliable engine to maximize uptime and reduce the total cost of ownership. A new sophisticated black matte look completes the new products’ innovative design while complementing even the most contemporary of business settings.

Toshiba’s latest MFPs additionally reflect its commitment to a more sustainable planet. The company’s 23 new products all meet the stringent criteria of major environmental programs and standards, such as EPEAT® Gold and ENERGY STAR®.

Photo – : Mr. Sanjeewa De Saram – Senior Product Manager JKOA, Mr. Janoda Thoradeniya – CEO JKOA, Mr. Philip Wu – Regional Manager Toshiba Tec Singapore, Mr. Raymond Phua – Solutions Manager Toshiba Tec Singapore, Mr. Malik Edwin – Head of Marketing & Business Development

Trail 2016 – A walk dedicated for cancer patients and their medical diagnostics

Rainco, the premium umbrella brand and the specialist in providing shelter to the nation, recently announced its generous partnership with Trail 2016, coming on board as a Bronze sponsor. Pledging a donation of USD 10, 000 in aid of Trail, the contribution will include cash as well as services in-kind.

Trail 2016 which aims to raise USD 5 million to finance the expansion of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle is a 670 km walk from Point Pedro in the North, to Dondra Head in the South over the course of 28 days, with the objective of honouring and helping those fighting cancer. The founders of Trail, Nathan Sivagananathan and Sarinda Unamboowe are committed to walk the whole distance of 670 km this year along with many other dedicated Trail Blazers, including Brand Ambassadors Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara.

Mr. Faris M. Fausz, the CEO of Rainco commenting on the sponsorship said, “As a well reputed brand among many Sri Lankans, we’re constantly trying to define our purpose by being compassionate towards such causes. Trail stands as the best example to all Sri Lankans to leave behind their differences and join hands for a greater cause towards humanity.”

Founded in 2011, Trail is Sri Lanka’s largest ever crowd funded charitable initiative, raised USD 2.6 million in 2011 to build the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital, in Jaffna. The hospital is the only dedicated cancer facility in the area, serving 4,500 patients across the Northern, North Central and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka.

Trail 2016 starts on October 6th and ends on November 2nd. Participants can join the walk at no cost, along any point on the route. For more information on Trail and how to register or donate, please visit trailsl.com

(L-R): Vipulan Ravichandran – Trail Merchandise Coordinator, Sashini Abayagunawardana – Trail Project Manager, Nathan Sivagananathan – Trail Co-founder, Faris.M.Fausz – Group Director/ CEO, Deenath Kandalama – Group Talent Manager, A.M.Arshad – Assistant Manager Corporate Sales, Ahamed Nifraz – Manager, Emerging Brands & Market Development.

The Vice President of SLIM, Mr. Pradeep Edward has high hopes for this year’s SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, which he feels has gotten off to a flying start with the highest number of entry applications being received by SLIM for the event.

As the Director / CEO of GAP Holdings (Pvt) Limited, Mr. Edward has his fair share of experience in the marketing industry and was more than happy to share some of his views on the project.

What is the ultimate purpose behind the organization of SLIM Brand Excellence?

The primary purpose of SLIM Brand Excellence is to recognize the best of the best in the brand-marketing arena, as it has done for the past fifteen years. Our goal is to give all local and international brands, which are marketed in Sri Lanka, an opportunity to present their performance, processes and results before an esteemed panel of judges and eventually receive due recognition for their excellence. The long-term objective behind the organizing of SLIM Brand Excellence is to set the platform for local brands to gain global recognition. Last year the two brands which won the “Brand of the Year Award” and the “CSR Brand of the Year” at SLIM Brand Excellence were nominated to participate at the Asia Marketing Excellence Awards. These specific brands went on to secure accolades at the awards.

In your opinion what differentiates this year’s event from those of the previous years?

The highlight this year is the record-breaking highest number of entries received. We are also planning to place special emphasis on the fact that this year, we have reached an important milestone as SLIM Brand Excellence celebrates the fifteenth year since its inception.

What kind of role does this year’s theme “Excellence is an Obsession” play in the planning process of SLIM Brand Excellence?

Our aim behind this year’s theme was to encourage the professionals of the marketing industry to get obsessed with their brands. We wanted to see brand custodians truly immerse themselves in the excitement of securing an award. I also feel that the theme played a vital role in securing the record-breaking number of entries received this year.

Based on the post-event results of previous years, how does SLIM Brand Excellence aid in the development of organizations as well as individuals?

Participating in SLIM Brand Excellence is no easy matter. The sound evaluation criteria and judging process ensures that only the best of the best will be chosen. It is a huge opportunity for an organization or an individual to go through such a well-structured process, not to mention to face our panel of highly qualified judges. The entire exercise is a learning process for the participants, which will help them develop themselves and their brands. Going through the entire process and securing an award is a tremendous honor and a boost of confidence. Irrespective of whether one wins an award or not, no one walks away empty handed after participating in the SLIM Brand Excellence process, as participation itself provides a valuable amount of knowledge for the those taking part. This will help in the development of the individual as well as in the achievement of the goals of the organization.

Additional comments -
As Vice President of SLIM, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to the project chairman and his dynamic team for the time dedicated and all the hard work that they’ve put into organizing SLIM Brand Excellence 2016. I also wish to congratulate them on having secured the highest number of entries, which is ample proof of their commitment and passion

SANASA Development Bank PLC recently unveiled its new logo as an important aspect of its restructuring programme. The bank has taken several measures recently to make important changes within the institution in order to provide a wider range of services to the public. The bank has pointed out that this step was taken in order to better reflect its new corporate identity, and that as a result the operations of the bank would be further strengthened.

Although the logo is being changed as an external change, the bank emphasises that there is no change whatsoever in the registered name and that one of the main reasons for the introduction of the new logo was the current listing of its shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange. SDB bank which upto now had been established as a skilled financial bank, will from now position itself as a skilled, small and medium entrepreneur bank. For this purpose, it has joined hands with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is the private sector arm of the World Bank. In conjunction with this programme, there will be several new value additions to the bank’s operations and services.

The SDB bank has for long been dedicated to providing financial services to Sri Lankan consumers. The SDB Bank can be identified as one which introduced a new dimension to the country’s banking sector by providing services such as SkillLoan facilities specially for rural communities which experienced difficulty in obtaining financial services through traditional banking facilities. While the bank has provided a lifeline for thousands of people to achieve economic prosperity through 19 years of providing a unique service, it can also be identified broadly as a major contributor to the country’s economy. The fame and recognition it has received as a bank that has pioneered assistance to the public towards progress, is proof of the SDB bank’s mission and its success.

Explaining the purpose of the changes, Mrs.SamadaniKiriwandeniya, Chairperson of the SDB bank said, “These new changes have been introduced with a view to carrying forward our mission in a more orderly manner. The change of the logo is also one such step. With this transformation, we will be widening the scope and efficiency ofthe services extended to the public so far. We will also be opening our doors to afford opportunities for those who have not yet transacted business with us. Our aim is to make a sustained contribution to the economic development of the country while consolidating the unique identity of the bank.”

Under the corporate restructuring programme, sectors such as cooperative banking, consumer banking and small and medium scale entrepreneur solutions will receive greater emphasis. The bank’s network of branches will be actively involved in this new programme.

“We were able to win the confidence of the people of Sri Lanka through some very important services provided over a long time,” said Mr. NimalHapuarachchi, General Manager / CEO of the SDB bank. “It gives us great satisfaction to have been able to make sustained progress as a bank that made a real change in the very competitivefinancial services sector. I believe that we could step forward on another unique journey through a fast-tracked strategic programme of work that will add new technology and further develop our operations. It will also be a step that opens up several new professional opportunities for our staff,” Hapuarachchi added.

As a responsible bank, SDB bank believes that the public should be made aware of these changes in its operational structure. The bank has therefore embarked on a special programme to create awareness among the public on the fast-tracked programme and the key features that will be available to the bank’s customers once it is completed.
It is with confidence that SDB bank announces that with all this, the public will place an even greater trust in the bank and that it would be possible to move more efficiently and with greater speed towards the pioneering goals set by the SANASA Movement.

Ocean Lanka recently held its 10th annual ‘Loyalty Awards 2016’ awards ceremony to felicitate employees who had completed 10 years of service at the company. This colourful and vibrant event was held at the Grand Monarch in Thalawathugoda at which 63 employees received awards and mementoes from the management in appreciation of their loyalty to the company.These long serving employees were treated to some mouthwatering delights,scintillating musical performances and had a night full of fun and laughter with the whole family.

The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Austin Au, the Managing Director of Ocean Lanka who attended the event in the capacity of chief guest, while Dr. Kishu Gomes, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Chevron Lubricants Lanka was the keynote speaker. Other dignitaries at the event included members of the senior management team including Mr. Panduka Adikaram, Assistant General Manager – Finance and IT and Mr. Nalaka Buddhadasa, Assistant General Manager – Administration and Logistics. Other managers together with award recipients and their families were also in attendance.

Speaking at the event Dr. Au said, “We used to say that people are the most important assets of a company. I want to add that loyal members are invaluable assets of a company. As the management, we are extremely grateful to have them with us, like flesh and blood, or brother and sister. With their support, we are confident we can face any challenges and difficulties ahead.”

In his address Dr. Gomes stressed on the importance of focusing on developing a new set of skills which will make these long serving employees even more competitive in an ever changing corporate world and challenged them to ignite their creativity while embracing the new challenges of tomorrow.His motivational address was well received by all long serving employees and inspired them to take up new challenges.

Ocean Lanka has always encouraged a very family oriented culture within the company, and this has resulted in 1 in 4 employees having worked at the company for over 10 years. Long serving employees have also been given ample room to grow in the company with several of them having joined at a very junior level and today haveprogressed far in their careers. This has been backed up by the adoption of best HR practices, staff welfare schemes and a strong focus on employee health and safety. The culmination of all these practices has created pleasant working conditions and strong employee retention rates at Ocean Lanka.

Established in 1996, Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is Sri Lanka’s largest weft knitted fabric manufacturer that counts over 20 years of experience in producing high quality, world class fabrics. The company was set up as a joint venture between Hong Kong based listed Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, one of the world’s largest circular knitted fabric manufacturers along with local apparel giants Brandix Lanka Limited and the Hirdaramani Group. Its major international client base comprises Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Next and Gap while its local clients include Brandix Lanka Limited, Hirdaramani Group, MAS Holdings and Next Manufacturing. Ocean Lanka operates a state-of-the-art production facility with extensive R&D capabilities and has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental conservation.

Photo Caption – The Long Serving Employees with the Management of Ocean Lanka

Latest research from flexible workspace provider Regus shows that business people globally regard their daily trip into and out of the office as a drain on productivity. This ‘limbo’ of time that is mainly seen as neither productive work time, nor enjoyable personal time is widely regarded as an obstacle to more useful or entertaining pursuits.

Of the almost 40,000 Regus survey respondents from around the world including Sri Lanka, 37% reported commuting is pointless, undefined time, while 27% positively hate their commute and brand it as a ‘waste’ of their precious time. This means that for well over half of business people globally commute time could be re-invested in more productive work time or in enjoying a few hours more sleep in the morning.

Key survey findings in Sri Lanka
• Only a minority of business people from local findings (22%) regard commuting as profitable work time with the majority declaring it as productive to neither work or personal time;
• It is therefore time that businesses call it quits with commuting and help workers save time to re-invest in productive work or leisure;
• A small minority (20%) regard their commute as personal time, perhaps as they are able to read and catch up on the latest news on their smartphone

96% of local respondents had disclosed that if they were two choose from two similar jobs, they would have gone for the job that offered flexible work time. A majority of business people (69%) also agreed that flexible workers are more rested as a result of working closer to home.

Regus Sri Lanka, Country Head Dr. Nirmal De Silva commented, “As commute times continue to get longer and longer, it is interesting to find that the vast majority of workers regard their daily travel into work and back home as a complete drain on their work day productivity and that they are equally unable to devote it to personal or leisure activities. This indeed will pose many challenges for employers and therefore, need to keep this in mind in their continuous pursuit of attracting and retaining talent.

“Business people globally are expected to always be available and connected, but in reality there is a much bigger and subtler drain on their productivity than not having a smartphone on hand, and that is the daily commute. Savvy businesses wanting to restore productivity and reward workers with more personal time or simply with a lie-in every once in a while, would do well to allow employees to work closer to home at least some of the time.”

Photo Caption: Regus Sri Lanka, Country Head Dr. Nirmal De Silva

JAT Holdings sponsored the recent 4th edition of the Sri Lanka Wood International Expo 2016 exhibition which culminated with great success at the BMICH in Colombo.

Managing Director of JAT Holdings, Mr. Aelian Gunawardene said, “It gave us great pleasure to present this well-attended exhibition which afforded the excellent opportunity for players in Sri Lanka’s wood working industry to both expand their businesses and also expand their knowledge base about the innovations in the industry.

With more than 100+ companies from 10+ countries showcasing their wood-related products and services, the Sri Lanka Wood International Expo 2016 exhibition also created an interactive and healthy B2B platform for industry stake holders and the public.

This three-day exhibition focused on a comprehensive range of impressive wood and wood working machinery, furniture hardware, fittings and fixtures, timber and lumber, particle boards, MDF boards, panels and plywood, power tools, parquetry, veneers and laminates, wood composites, coatings and adhesives to name just a few.

Organised by Show Craft International Sri Lanka, this trade exhibition gave visitors the unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in a multitude of ways. They were afforded the opportunity to witness live demonstrations of machines and tools, participate in training sessions, compare pricing, learn innovative methods, clarify their doubts, present their queries and receive valuable feedback.

“JAT is one of the leading players in Sri Lanka’s construction industry. We do have a great deal to offer the rapidly changing and challenging environment with our strong portfolio of products and services. Hence our very active involvement with this exhibition”, Gunawardene added.

The JAT enclave at Sri Lanka Wood International Expo 2016 was undoubtedly among the most visited spaces during the three-day exhibition, attracting a few thousand visitors per day. An impressive array of global brands which make up JAT’s growing product portfolio was on display to the public. Among them were Sayerlack, Herman Miller, Permoglaze, Crown, Brush Master, Master Plaster, Borma Wachs, Norton, Nature and Armstrong.

Members of the highly trained ‘JAT A+ Team’ skilled as much as in customer as well as technical skills were at hand through all three days to answer all visitor questions with the personalised touch that is synonymous with the ‘JAT experience’.

CAPTION FOR PHOTO : Managing Director of JAT Holdings, Mr. Aelian Gunawardene (extreme left) at the ribbon cutting ceremony of 4th Sri Lanka Wood International Expo 2016

You can now post a short video clip and get higher responses than ever before.

Xpressjobs.lk is a startup that was launched in November 2015, to fill a vacuum between jobseekers and employers. Pioneered by Mr. Chathum Henegama and Dr. Oshadie Korale (B.Sc) (PhD) the website is meant to provide a relevant platform for job seekers to connect with companies that require staff in a quick and effective manner.

The online portal has now gone the extra mile by launching Video Job Ads – which is available to all recruiters who can post an employment opportunity and also follow this advertisement with a 2-3 minute video clip, addressing jobseekers with exact details regarding the position offered, company details and also a very clear recruitment call-out so interested job-seekers can understand what is required of them.

Xpressjobs.lk has been an innovator in the recruitment industry and this new step leverages visual media technology in order to serve both professionals, job seekers and recruiters alike.

There are several Video Job Ads already on the portal and you can look these up at www.xpressjobs.lk

“These Video Job Ads will help attract right candidates for the job. Your job advert video will be available to be viewed by over 30,000 registered candidates and over 70,000 jobseeker on our social media groups.” Said Dr. Oshadie Korale.

She went on to say, “XpressJobs.lk did a pilot launch and the results were awesome. Jobseekers love these as there is no room for misunderstanding and it is much easier for people to listen and comprehend what is required of them. There is also that immediate feedback to react and act – by applying for the jobs – so we are getting a higher number of responses as well.”

For further information regarding Video Job Ads, check out www.xpressjobs.lk or email info@xpressjobs.lk for more information.

Xpressjobs.lk has enjoyed unprecedented popularity, as in the last 12 months alone they have collected an impressive lineup of over 1200 companies offering employment, including top companies such as MAS Holdings, the Colombo Stock Exchange, John Keells Holdings and HSBC etc.

Owning your dream home is now made easy with Amãna Bank Home Financing. Offering attractive financing schemes, Amãna Bank Home Financing gives the customer the option to purchase a bare land for construction; purchase a completed house or apartment; construct, renovate and extend one’s house or even refinance the costs incurred in purchasing or building a home. To benefit on the attractive schemes, customers also have the option of transferring an existing housing facility to Amãna Bank.

With Amãna Bank’s Home Finance Facility, the Bank will partner with the customer in buying or building the home and will let the customer buy back the Bank’s share over a period of time. The Bank will rent its share of the house to the customer so that the customer could enjoy the full usage of the house at all times.

Commenting on the Home Financing Facility, Amãna Bank’s Assistant Vice President and Head of Leasing & Home Finance Chaminda De Silva said “We have products to suit your need. Whether you are self-employed or salaried, Amana Bank will offer a facility that is just right for you.”

Amana Bank Home Finance Facility is designed for today’s home hunter and offers a number of benefits such as credit approval within 3 days, long term financing, a grace period of 12 months for construction and take over facilities, competitive rentals to suit your income capacity and many more. Customers can also calculate a monthly instalment to suit them best by visiting the Financing Calculator available on the Bank’s website www.amanabank.lk.

Amana Bank is Sri Lanka’s premier licensed commercial bank operating on the Non-interest based banking principles and is a fully fledged financial institution offering tailor-made solutions through a range of innovative product platforms touching people of all walks of lives.Fitch Ratings, in October 2015, affirmed the Bank’s National Long Term Rating of BB(lka) with a Stable Outlook. The Bank was recognized as the Best ‘Up-and-Comer’ Islamic Bank of the World by ‘Global Finance Magazine’ at the 18th Annual World’s Best Banks Award Ceremony held in Washington DC, USA.  The Bank was also bestowed the coveted title ‘Islamic Finance Entity of the Year 2016’ at the inaugural Islamic Finance Forum of South Asia Awards Ceremony held in July. Powered by the stability and support of its strategic shareholders including, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, AB Bank in Bangladesh and Islamic Development Bank based in Saudi Arabia, Amãna Bank is making strong inroads within the Sri Lankan banking industry and is focused on capitalizing the growing market potential for its unique banking model across the country.

~ President of Sri Lanka takes part in campaign and pledges to live an active lifestyle

In celebration of its 150th anniversary worldwide and 110 years of operations in Sri Lanka, Nestlé has rolled out a Wellness Campaign in 150 towns across the island, to encourage people to live an active lifestyle.

Thousands of consumers and key stakeholders, including His Excellency, President Maithripala Sirisena, participated in the high profile campaign and pledged to live an active lifestyle by signing a Wellness Pledge.

The majority of the pledges took place at key Nestlé sponsored sport and family events across the country, to reinforce the positive messages of team spirit and physical activity.

This is the first of a number of social initiatives the company has planned to commemorate its global and local anniversary this year.

“As a leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, we are committed to help build a healthier generation. We understand that a healthy diet, with good food and beverages, must be supplemented with physical exercise for a complete healthy lifestyle. We launched this Wellness Pledge to supplement our other efforts to encourage the nation to be fitter and healthier,” said Nestlé Lanka’s Managing Director, Shivani Hegde.

Nestlé is a strong advocate of an active lifestyle. The Nestlé Kids Athletics Programme, launched in 2015 with the Sports division of the Ministry of Education, conducts physical fitness events across the country for children between 8 and 12 years to encourage them to spend more time outdoors and be more physically active.

Nestlé has also been committed to developing school sports in the country for well over 20 years. It has been an energetic partner in the school sports arena, supporting different sporting events such as swimming, netball, athletics and rugby, and also sponsoring a number of marathons every year.

The company also conducts a series of educational programmes to raise awareness of nutrition and the importance of an active lifestyle. These include the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme, which is conducted by Ministry Educationists in schools across the country to teach children about nutrition and health, and Nestlé Nutri-Corners, pop-up centers affiliated with private hospitals, which provide free one-on-one nutrition counselling and health screening to the public via qualified dieticians and nutritionists.

Photo caption: The Nestlé Kids Athletics Programme

His Excellency, President Maithripala Sirisena signing the Nestlé Wellness Pledge with Shivani Hegde, Managing Director for Nestlé Lanka, and Bandula Egodage, Assistant Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Communications for Nestlé Lanka

Consumers signing the Nestlé Wellness Pledge

ACL Cables the No.1 cable in Sri Lanka, leader in volume, turnover and recognized as the undisputed technology provider in the industry recently conducted its second successive session on electrical expertise for undergraduates of the engineering faculty of SLIIT, Sri Lanka’s premier degree awarding institute.

As the nation’s leading cable manufacturer, ACL Cables PLC understands the importance of educating future generation about the industry. The MOU signed between SLIIT and ACL Cables PLC furthers this aim. As part of the above MOU, ACL Cables has also provided a three-month industrial training internship programme early this year for a selected number of electrical engineering students at the ACL Cables factory.

The second lecture session was conducted by Mr. Daya Wahalatantiri, Executive Director, ACL Cables PLC and was well received by the third year electrical engineering students. Topics discussed included Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC), its production and application. ACL Cables is the regional pioneers in South East Asia for ABC. ACL introduced of Aerial Bundled Cables in New Delhi in 2003 on the invitation of Reliance of India, which reflects the technical dominance ACL commands.

The objective of this session was to support youth education and share practical knowledge and expertise amongst engineering students.

As a follow up to the programme a comprehensive site visit to the ACL Cables factory in Piliyandala was also conducted. A tour to the factory was an exclusive opportunity catering to only the engineering students at SLIIT.

During the tour students were able to observe first-hand the production process, technical and quality management process and product (cable) testing process followed at the factory.

“We are extremely committed in our mission to promote activities supporting growth in educative expertise in the field. The MOU signed with SLIIT aims to provide students with both corporate and industrial exposure. Manufacturing excellence is the bedrock of ACL Cables industry leadership and performance and we hope to impart this to the students,” said Suren Madanayake, Managing Director, ACL Cables PLC.

The company is a pioneer in the local cable industry manufacturing a wide range of cables used in the Sri Lankan market with a market share of 70% as a group.

Diversifying its product range ACL Cables also engages in marketing a wide range of products including, high quality electrical switches and sockets with a lifetime warranty, trip switches, breakers, ceiling fans etc.

Award-winning innovative technological solutions provider and the pioneer in developing integrated management platforms for hotels and restaurants in Sri Lanka, Scienter Technologies will showcase their state-of-the-art integrated management platform for the hospitality industry, “Destinity” at the Hotel, Hospitality & Food Asia 2016. South Asia’s largest international food, hotel suppliers and services exhibition will be held from the 30^th September – 2^nd October from 10am – 7pm at SLECC.

Established in 1995 Scienter Technologies has been operating in the market for more than 20 years and is a completely Sri Lankan owned company while all its software is developed locally. Similarly the Destinity Integrated Management Platform (IMP) was completely developed in Sri Lanka and thus has throughout its 20 year lifespan adapted to the ever-changing requirements of the hospitality sector. Destinity has evolved with the industry as a comprehensive solution with modules available for each complex hotel operation.

The system Destinity is a highly scalable and extremely flexible hotel management platform that can be integrated into any operation with ease and irrespective of size. It is scalable to handle any sort of operation from a single property to an entire group of hotels. Simply put – any business, large or small, can leverage Destinity Integrated Hotel Management Platform with ease.

Given the highly customizable nature of the platform, Destinity is capable of offering any hospitality business a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that seamlessly links back-office and front-office processes. Clients can choose the level of functionality and the system will deliver.

Efficiency is the core of Destinity’s design. By switching on to the platform, employees gain the ability to relay critical operational information to senior management at the touch of a button. In doing so companies free up resources otherwise tied down with tedious administrative work which can then be redirected to more productive tasks. In essence, customers gain powerful insights into the business, and gain agility and responsiveness all while eliminating waste and transforming the business into a paperless environment.

Destinity is user-friendly, completely scalable, extremely flexible and highly secure. The developers have adopted industry best practices in developing Destinity and are constantly upgrading the system to ensure that the end customer gets the best possible return on investment.

With the powerful Management Dashboard of Destinity, customers can monitor and manage their operation from any part of the world. Data is completely secure as Destinity uses highly advanced security protocols to ensure total control and complete security of information at all times. All data and information is password protected and stored in relational databases of the highest industry standards to ensure data integrity. Furthermore, all data is backed up in real-time to ensure high availability.

Scienter delivers quality software and software support services to their valued clients who range from the large corporates to budding start-ups. All products go through stringent quality assurance processes to ensure superior quality. The company follows the ISO 9001: 2008 quality standards to ensure continual improvement and customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, a highly skilled research and development team constantly works on new developments and technological advancements in the industry. This allows the company to ensure the innovativeness of the products they offer and to ensure that they stay above the competition benchmarking them in the market. Awarded by both NBQSA and APICTA for their innovative, technological advancements, Scienter is a member of Federation of IT Sri Lanka (FITIS).

Taking Sri Lanka on the global technology map, Scienter also has deployments in Dubai, Bangladesh, Austria and Germany providing Sri Lankan and global industries with a multitude of comprehensive Integrated Software Solutions. At HHF Asia 2016 exhibition stall HA63 and HA 64 customers can meet industry expert marketing team members and obtain more information about the product and go through system demonstrations. Customers can also visit the Scienter Development Center conveniently located at No. 302, Galle Road, Colombo 4. Scienter’s highly experienced team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year including public, bank and mercantile holidays for immediate tech support. For more information call Scienter Technologies on 0112 598 555 or log on to www.scienter.lk

ESET Launches Mobile Security Solution in Sri Lanka

Smartphones. Packed with an impressive array of features, these ubiquitous devices have become integral parts of almost every aspect of our daily lives. As we scroll through their inconspicuous screens, we often seem to forget how much of our information is stored on these devices. From photos of friends and family to personal and business emails to apps that offer access to our bank accounts, social networks, etc… We can conveniently summon all of this data by a simple tap. Unfortunately, this convenience has also made these devices the choicest targets for malicious cyber-attacks.

Offering smartphones the protection they deserve, ESET®, a global pioneer in proactive protection for more than two decades, launched ESET Mobile Security, a comprehensive data protection solution for mobiles phones, in Sri Lanka recently.

Combining the robust detection of ESET’s scanning engine with advanced antispam and antitheft functionality, its multiple layers of security provide smartphone users with real-time protection on the go. Engineered specifically for mobile operating systems, ESET Mobile Security runs smoothly in the background while protecting all phone-stored and accessed data and communication without slowing it down.

“A growing number of mobile users in Sri Lanka are switching over to smartphones. While this gives them access to a world of information and services, they become exposed to the data security threats that come with it,” said Dilruk Weerasinghe, sales manager – ESET retail at DCS International Private Limited – the exclusive authorized distributor for ESET in Sri Lanka. “Sri Lankan consumers have already witnessed the comprehensive data protection capabilities offered by ESET’s solutions on their computers and have come to appreciate the same. With the launch of ESET Mobile Security we are delighted to extend this trusted protection to their mobile devices. Armed with a rich set of features, it is geared to protect users’ data against threats from both the physical and the digital world.”

The solution brings ESET’s legendary Antivirus protection to the mobile at a time when smartphones are emerging as the most popular medium to access the internet. Armed with Anti-Phishing, it guards personal data from malicious websites. Anti-Theft pre-emptively locks the device when it senses suspicious usage, securing all sensitive information contained in it. Sharing multiple alerts, it allows users to track the location of the device on my.eset.com. SMS and Call Filter permits users to block individual callers or groups and only receive the calls and texts they want.

Speaking on the cutting edge Anti-Theft capabilities offered by ESET Mobile Security, Dilruk added, “In the event of detecting suspicious behavior such as keying of incorrect security codes or the insertion of an unauthorized SIM card, the solution locks the device immediately. It captures photographs of the fraudulent user and sends it to ESET.com along with the phone‘s location, current IP address, SIM details and other data. The user can mark the device as missing and locate it on my.eset.com or even wipe the device’s contents.”

Since 1987, ESET® has been developing award-winning security software that now helps over 100 million users to Enjoy Safer Technology. Its broad security product portfolio covers all popular platforms and provides businesses and consumers around the world with the perfect balance of performance and proactive protection.

Being exclusively distributed in Sri Lanka by DCS International Private Limited since 2010, ESET provides outstanding country-specific cyber security coverage as well as alerts on threats specific to the market to ensure that Sri Lankan businesses and consumers can stay safe from online threats.

Team Jeep went onto dominate the top 10 leader board at the recently concluded Jeep Colombo Rally – Leg 1. The Jeep Colombo Challenge Rally spanned 400 kmin 2 stages. The first stage was from Colombo to Galle passing the roughest and most challenging terrains that a TSD rally driver would encounter. The second stage was back to Colombo and the rally ended at Speedrome– Sunday early morning.

The Jeep Colombo Challenge Rally – Leg 1 kicked off recently at Speedrome, Battaramulla. This event is part of three challenging rallies that form the first ever TSD Rally Championship in Sri Lanka, where Jeep Sri Lanka from DIMO is the principal sponsor. SLARDAR 1000 Rally held in February 2016 inaugurated the championship.

During the break between the two stages, Team Jeep Service Crew were able to attend to the Jeep vehicles assuring uninterrupted motoring. Team Jeep-1won the Team Award and Team Jeep-2 were the Runners-up, which is a testament of the capability of Jeepas the Go Anywhere Do Anything vehicle. In the overall results, Nalin Premaratna driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee was placed 2nd and was the Runners-up in the 1st stage as well. Ajith Fernando driving a Jeep Wrangler became the 2nd Runner-up in the first stage.Moreover, all members from Team Jeep were placed in the top 10 in the overall results where 24 drivers took part.

Jeephas built SUVs that inspire a sense of freedom and adventure. Throughout their history they’ve never deterred from that mission. For 75 years, Jeep® Brand vehicles have inspired man to dream and to dare. To go farther, live larger and explore every corner of this amazing world. As mentioned by Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep® Brand, “Jeep vehicles have been, and always will be, vehicles for dreamers and doers — they forge an extraordinary, uncommon bond with the drivers who choose to get behind the wheel. Adventure is a part of the DNA of every Jeep® Brand vehicle ever built and as long as curiosity drives man to explore the edges of heaven and earth, the Jeep Brand will continue to inspire him to go beyond.”

Commenting on the partnership, Rajeev Pandithage (GM – Mercedes-Benz and Jeep Sales) mentioned, “Jeep has always been linked to authenticity, passion, freedom and adventure. We are proud to partner the first-ever TSD Rally Championship in Sri Lanka”.DIMO is the only authorized distributor for Jeep in Sri Lanka and have been representing this truly authentic American legend for more than a decade.

Douglas & Sons (Pvt) Ltd (DSL) in collaboration with Continental AG proudly held their Inaugural Dealer Convention for Continental Tyre at “The Water’s Edge” recently. Top dealers were recognize and awarded for the exceptional sales performances for 2015 in Passenger Car Tire category and the Truck Tire Category. The event was graced by Mr. Micheal Dohman (Deputy Head of Mission – German Embassy in Sri Lanka), Mr. Gerhard Trumper (The First Secretary for German Ambassador in Sri Lanka) and Mr. Saroj Perera – The Chairman of DSL Group of Companies. Key officials from Continental PCR and TBR Team, DSL top 100 Continental Tire Dealers and also the respective DSL staff participated, adding more glamour to the event.

It was a distinctive occasion for both DSL and Continental Tires where the passenger car tires division (PCR) unveiled two brand-new recent upgrades of its Generation 6 products – UltraContact UC6 and ComfortContact CC6, which are custom-designed for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. This new additions are introduced with enhanced Safety & Comfort with the shortest wet breaking distance. The launch of the Generation 6 products demonstrates Continental Tyres’ relentless innovation to redefine technology in providing the APAC consumer with an enhanced driving experience.

As revealed by Kee Seng Choong – Director, Sales Region (BU Replacement APAC PLT), Continental Tyres has invested heavily in R&D to develop the Generation 6 products by conducting extensive tests to deliver the premium product quality that the brand represents. UltraContact6 (UC6) and ComfortContact6 (CC6) have been designed based on an in-depth understanding of the needs and driving habits of car drivers in the APAC region.

It was also a flash for Continental Truck Tires as they officially launched the Generation 3 tyres here in Sri Lanka, with the CHS3 in 295/80R 22.5 as the first article to grace its shores. Subsequently, Continental is also launching HSX2 and HDX2. Phillippe Barabinot – The Head of Sales & Marketing (BR APAC Truck Tyres) highlighted the fact that these tyres have been proven in performance in India and now bringing its durability and endurance to the road conditions of Sri Lanka.

Continental Truck Tires is also proud to introduce the ContiConnect. A system that monitors, analyzes and reports tire pressure and temperature for the entire fleet, based on data collected by the proven ContiPressureCheck sensors. ContiConnect notifies the fleet manager and offers corrective measures if needed, through a Conti360° service partner. An online portal provides transparent reports on the fleet’s tire performance and overall efficiency. With its launch in Q2 2017, ContiConnect will be available in key markets in Asia Pacific, Europe and The Americas.

It was a proud moment for DSL as well, being the sole agent for Continental Tires in Sri Lanka, to hold such a significant event for their distinguished dealers where their performances have been applauded and the new additions to the product line has created a room for the distinguished dealers to expand their sales volume in both passenger car segment and Truck and Bus Tire Segment. This will indeed be a greater factor in continuing to be the number one tire importer in Sri Lanka.

Picture on left: Cornelius Chin -Technical Sales Manager – Sales Region BU Replacement APAC PLT., Saroj Perera – Managing Director – DSL Group of Companies, Shirani Weerakkody – Proprietor – Olympic Tire House – Colombo 06 , V.A Premarathne – Proprietor – Sandagiri Battery Works, Micheal Dohman – Deputy Head of Mission – German Embassy in Sri Lanka, Gemunu Gunawardene – Proprietor – Universal Tire Services – Colombo 08, Dhammika Jayaweera – General Manager – Tire Division – Douglas & Sons (Pvt) Ltd, Choong Kee Seng – Director- Sales Region BU Replacement APAC PLT

Picture on right: Hong Huei Long – Export Sales Manager – Truck Tires, Saroj Perera – Managing Director – DSL Group of Companies, K. Kunaratnam – Proprietor- Kunaratnam Tire Center – Vavunia, Preethi Siriwardene – Proprietor – Ragama Tire Centre- Ragama, Micheal Dohman – Deputy Head of Mission, Philippe Barabinot – Head of Sales & Marketing, Business Region APAC Truck Tires, Dhammika Wijekoon – Proprietor – New Victory Motors – Mahiyanganaya, Dhammika Jayaweera – General Manager – Tire Division – Douglas & Sons (Pvt) Ltd

As a parent there are a number of vital things that you plan for when your child is young. Things like, where they’ll attend school, what sports you’ll encourage them to play and even what musical instrument they’ll learn.

“The cost of raising a child has gone up significantly in recent years for Sri Lankans, spurred on by rising costs associated with every facet of our lives, from food, to transport, to tuition fees which means your savings may not be able to keep up with the rise in costs,” says Ms. Christina Wesley, a financial planner from NDB Wealth.

Yet there’s another big decision that if made when your child is young, can really get them off on the right foot.

Setting up a savings account for your child, and teaching them good financial habits early, are the simplest and easiest ways to ensure that your child is on track for a bright financial future. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to begin.

To help you secure your child’s future, expert financial planner NDB Wealth offers a real world solution for children’s savings, which far exceeds the minimal returns offered by traditional children’s savings accounts. Ms. Wesley is also quick to point out that savings plans offered by NDB Wealth puts rupees earned straight back into your child’s account, and not into the price of a ‘free’ toy or trip as promoted by traditional children’s savings accounts.

According to Ms. Wesley, “Parents should set up a savings account for their child as soon as they’re able to. Providing regular contributions of even just a small amount, can really add up over time and when your child is old enough, they can also contribute by saving their pocket money.”

The “Kids Saver” account from NDB Wealth is unique because it is designed to give you and your child what you truly need from a hardworking savings account. Comparatively higher rates of interest earn significant returns while your money can be withdrawn in emergencies without having to pay penalties.
“Encouraging your child to contribute to a savings account is an effective way to teach your child the value of money and foster good financial skills for later in life,” adds Ms. Wesley.

NDB Wealth also offers the following tips to help you ensure your child has a bright financial future: 1. Start teaching good money skills and habits as soon as possible. If children are taught what it means to be ‘money smart’ at an early age, you will be helping to set them up for life; 2. It is important to maintain a positive mindset about money with your children, which will help to build their confidence and ability to manage money effectively, into the future. Make a conscious decision as parents about what you want to teach your children; 3. Help children learn about balancing their ‘must haves’ as well as their wish lists in life. Teach them to set goals to achieve the things they want. Help them to plan, budget and save for their goals; 4. Providing pocket money teaches children to be responsible with money. Talk through the rules and expectations of what their pocket money is to be used for and when they will receive it.

Learn more at NDB Wealth’s website (ndbwealth.com), which also features a number of pre-designed, “Build your own plan” savings plans aimed at kids, women, families, retirement, etc.

Photo Caption – Ms. Christina Wesley, Financial Planner, NDB Wealth

At the FT-ETNO Summit held in Brussels, Huawei Executive Director and Products & Solutions President Ryan Ding said, “5G will be one of the cornerstones of industry digitalization. A single global standard is vital.”

Ding noted that developing a common standard for 5G will require open cooperation between all regions and countries, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In terms of technology, we should avoid multiple standards or standards lagging behind deployment. In terms of spectrum, we need global agreement on which spectrum is easily available. This way, we can cut costs and enable seamless interconnectivity around the world.

During the panel session “Industry interview: Lessons in innovation, across continents and into technology”, Ding explained that there have been three waves of industry digitalization. In the first wave, Internet companies like Google and Amazon were the leaders. The second wave is sweeping traditional service industries such as telecom and financial services. The third wave is just starting in the real economy, in industries such as automobiles, manufacturing, and power grids. The next decade will be a decade of digitalization of traditional industries. During this process, industries will play a key role and connectivity will be the cornerstone.
Europe has many leading global companies in telecoms, finance, manufacturing, and automobiles, where the second and third waves of the digital revolution are taking place. These companies will be the leaders of industry digitalization. And Europe has the opportunity to lead this trend.

Ding added that a digital industry has three defining characteristics: all things are connected, all things are able to sense, and all things are intelligent. From connections between people to connections between things, 5G will be a key technology. Many regions and countries – such as the EU, China, the US, Japan, and South Korea – are pushing for 5G development. The EU, for example, released the 5G Action Plan on September 14. A single, global 5G standard is vital to reducing the cost of connectivity and bringing forward 5G deployment. There were three standards for 3G, and it took ten years for 3G technology to finally commercially deployed. There were two competing standards for 4G, and real deployment took just five years. Europe played a leading role in bringing about uniformity in the standards for 3G and 4G. We believe that Europe will also play a positive role in bringing about a single global standard for 5G.

According to Ding, as industries are going digital, governments should become more open; they should set policies to promote cross-regional and cross-industry collaboration, and push for uniform standards. This can drive down the cost of industry digitization and accelerate innovation. The EU is bringing an open approach to the next generation of global communications standards and industry digitalization standards. The EU-led 5G Private-Public Partnership (5G PPP) includes members from both Europe and other parts of the world, such as Huawei, NEC, NTT DOCOMO, Samsung, and IBM. And more companies from outside China are now involved in China’s 5G and other related programs. For example, the members of the IMT 2020 5G Promotion Group include not only the Chinese company but also companies like Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung, NTT DOCOMO and Qualcomm etc. In August 2016, Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia were jointly awarded the contracts for three key research projects in wireless technology funded by the Chinese government; and Ericsson and Nokia are now members of seven of China’s 5G programs. Many other European companies like Siemens, SAP, Bosch, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW are also playing a role in China’s smart manufacturing and connected car projects.

Europe is Huawei’s most important global center of expertise. We have more than 10,000 employees in Europe, of whom over 76% were hired in Europe. To support industry digitization, Huawei will increase its investment in supporting European developers, so that ICT SMEs and individual developers in Europe can play a role in industry digitization and innovation. Huawei plans to invest more than EUR75 million by 2020 in supporting European developers. As part of the plan, Huawei will establish three Open Labs in the UK, Germany, and Italy to offer support to 50,000 to 100,000 developers. In addition, with Huawei’s global digital marketing platform, developers can reach out to the world market as soon as they enter into a contract with Huawei. This will help Europe’s innovative, digital enterprises expand into the global market.

Photo Caption – Ryan Ding at a panel session at the FT-ETNO Summit

The hospitality industry will have yet another opportunity to source the latest products and services on offer at Hotel, Hospitality & Food Asia 2016. The show is scheduled to take place from the 30^th September to 2^nd October 2016 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC). This year the show is fortified with a host of new suppliers who will showcase some of the latest products in the market.

With tourist arrivals moving in the right direction, there is a great need for increased capacity, upgrading existing properties and constructing new properties in the country. With tangible investments already taking place and showing great promise for the future, the need for an international event and quality suppliers hasn’t been greater.

Hotel, Hospitality & Food Asia gives an opening for new suppliers to showcase the latest products while it enables the existing suppliers to find new buyers and creates an avenue for international suppliers to enter the market. It also enables buyers to visit and identify these suppliers who could help purchasing managers and buying decision makers increase their vendor base, while meeting their existing suppliers who have new and innovative products.

The Hospitality Industry in Sri Lanka is rapidly evolving with many new and innovative products allowing the industry to be more efficient, and compete on a global scale. By embracing the changing trends the industry is able to up the service standards and compete better.

While the need for products and services has been great, there is also a great need for the development of the country’s human resource element and their complementary skills. Therefore one of the highlights of this year is the programs that have been lined up for the industry. The show will also have a host of programs that are targeted at sharing industry knowledge and ideas. Some of the programs on offer are Waste Management Systems for the Hospitality Industry, Organic and Quality Certification conducted by the National Chamber of Exporters, Hotel Maintenance Management conducted by RH Training, “Lean Management Tools for the Leisure Industry” Conducted by the Asian Institute of Excellence, and Elevated Guest Experience with Motorola Intelligent Radios conducted by Motorola.

The above programs will create a range of learning opportunities to a wide cross section of the industry. It will also provide participants with vital insights as to how they could approach their business in the future and enhance the entire hospitality management experience.

Visitors to the show will be greatly benefited by the supplies, programs and the networking opportunity with the industry. The show has something for all sections of the hospitality industry. This year’s show will also feature exhibitors from China, India and Malaysia along with a number of Sri Lankan exhibitors.

The show is organized by MP Events Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and partnered by China Council for Promotion of International Trade, BM Sub Council Beijing. The Platinum Sponsor us UK Enterprise (Pvt) Ltd, while the Gold Sponsor is Bixton Lighting (Pvt) Ltd.

The show is supported by, the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, the Board of Investment, National Chamber of Commerce, Green Building Council of Sri Lanka, Bakery Owners Association of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Association of Professional Exhibition and Conference Organizers, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism, and Regional Hoteliers Associations.