Crisis meeting by NCE on political scenario

The National Chamber of Commerce (NCE), concerned about the unprecedented political crisis in the country, has invited its members for a public discussion on July 3 at the Galle Face Hotel at 5.15 pm to ascertain what role they could play in stabilizing the crisis.

A NCE statement said that a common complaint is that civil society – the business community – is more concerned about their personal interests than national interests.

After 53 years of political independence, the country is today placed in a pathetic situation having ironically created a heap of more problems for the nation, it said. "Apart from the normal challenges any country has to face, we are faced with a very costly war in the north-east losing very valuable lives and resources which we cannot sustain, and even a worse and dangerous war among political parties in the country," the statement noted.

It said political parties have a major responsibility and "civil society cannot go by default and allow the country to fall from the frying pan to the fire".

Just in Time for IT projects

Five years after its incorporation, Just in Time Group (JIT) said it has reached the point of no return - evolving from a small IT products retailer in 1996 to one of SAARC region's most comprehensive total solutions providers, with products and solutions from world leaders in hardware, software, networking and communications.

JIT Group Managing Director, Jitendra Warnakulas-uriya, said his company had grown a phenomenal 300 percent over the past two years, winning mega projects worth nearly US $ 4 million (more than Rs. 350 million) in the process.

The group has been awarded major projects over the past two years.

"Big projects are the future," Mr. Warnakulasuriya added. "Retail projects are slowing down, and there are literally hundreds of players scrambling for a share of the retail market. At Just in Time, we have brought together a group of professionals on par with anybody in the world, to go after the big projects — anywhere in the world."

Travel agents' convocation

The 26th Annual General Meeting and the 4th Convention of the Travel Agents' Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) will once again be held from July 5 - 7, 2001 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Having successfully held three conventions on foreign shores, TAASL has decided once again to host this year's event together with its 26th Annual General Meeting in Thailand. The theme of the convocation will be, "To ride the waves of success - Find the future beyond change."

National IT conference this week

The National IT Conference and Exhibition 2001 organised by the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), the country's professional body for IT professionals, which celebrates its 25th anniversary, will be held from 3 to 5 July at the Colombo Hilton. The exhibition will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre on 6 - 8 July.

The conference, the 20th of its kind and its partner event ITEX 2001, will focus on the latest developments and directions in the IT industry. The theme of the conference will be, "The New Wave", the CSSL announced.

A panel of distinguished speakers, both local and foreign, will make presentations at the conference. The CSSL expects about 100 participants from leading IT companies and vendors at the exhibition. Exhibits would include the latest software, peripherals, accessories, books and other IT products.

Informatics software centre

Informatics International (Pvt) Ltd, a BOI approved venture, recently opened its new Software Development Centre in Colombo, adjoining its existing operational headquarters.

The centre was set up at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 million and will house approximately 175 software engineers, servicing primarily the international export market in addition to handling some local development projects.

Founded in 1983, Informatics is a leading systems integrator and software solutions provider in Sri Lanka.

British Airways' profits soar

British Airways posted a pre-tax profit of Sterling Pounds 150 million for the year ending 31 March 2001, up from Sterling Pounds 5 million in 2000. In the period under review operating profits more than quadrupled to Sterling Pounds 380 million despite rising fuel costs.

A company statement from its Colombo office said group turnover for the year was Sterling Pounds 9.2 billion from 8.9 billion earlier reflecting an increase of 3.8 percent. In the mainline passenger business, traffic volumes measured in revenue passenger kilometres fell by 0.7 percent.

Yields per revenue passenger kilometre improved by 7.7 percent, the biggest year-on-year improvement since privatisation in 1987.

JKOA wins top government contract

A massive government tender for state-of-the-art copiers was recently awarded to John Keells Office Automation (JKOA) for its flagship brand, Toshiba, a company release said.

Under this multi-million-rupee deal, the Ministry of Samurdhi, Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs & Upcountry Development has purchased 115 Toshiba copiers from JKOA for ministers and deputy ministers.

Chandima Perera, Director/General Manager of JKOA said that this did not come as a surprise since his company has a definite edge over its competitors with its efficient after-sales service in addition to a decisive price advantage. "We were pitted against almost the entire range of international brands available in the country. We believe we clinched the deal because we already enjoy an edge with regard to price in the local market coupled with our service excellence," says Perera.

Stock Market Report

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

The week started on a depressed note regardless of the surge seen in the stock market activities during the previous week. The All Share Price and Milanka Price Indexes, which rose in the week before after nearly two months of stagnation, started declining. At the end of the first day's trading, the bench mark indexes closed at 428.2 and 645.3 respectively. A turnover of 31.4 million rupees was reported with 1.050.623 shares in 543 deals.

The uncertain political situation saw little foreign trading. After submitting a no confidence vote against the government, the main opposition said that it would not dismantle the reforms agreed with the IMF if they take over. However the JVP continued to keep the Colombo markets in suspense regarding its support for the UNP or the government.

The restrictions imposed on the imports of genetically modified (GM) food were lifted last week at the request of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday. According to market analysts, the temporary lifting of the ban may impack on share prices of companies involved in the food and beverage sector.

More than 10 million shares of Asian Hotels Ltd were transacted on Tuesday starting with a quantity of 326,300 shares at a price of Rs. 2.75 per share. During the day the CSE announced the removal of the suspension and transfer of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd to the Default Board effective June 28. The company was suspended from trading, three years ago on July 3, 1998, for not submitting upto date financial statements.

On Wednesday the market indexes picked up slightly while 216,500 shares of Asian Hotels changed hands at a price of Rs. 2.50 each. Janashakthi Insurance Company Ltd., the new owners of National Insurance Corporation Ltd, are confronted with prospects of integrating the two businesses after paying 450 million rupees to buy a controlling stake in NIC. But that may not be possible since the government still retains 49 percent. The NIC deal didn't come cheap for Janashakthi which has gone in for a syndicated loan with a floating rate of interest costing over 20 percent.

In another piece of news, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) appears to be moving to compound another case relating to non-disclosure. The SEC took the former controlling shareholders of Lanka Ceramics Ltd and Horana Plantation Ltd to court over the non-disclosure of a transfer of funds to the Uniwalker Group.

Global forum to combat corruption

Which types of corruption are the most widespread and costly? What's the biggest obstacle for an impartial and transparent judiciary?

These are some of the questions in an Internet survey sponsored by the World Bank Institute, posted on the Web as part of the second Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity held last month in The Hague.

Feedback from over 1,000 respondents from throughout the world provided an important backdrop for many bank contributions to the forum, offering insights to important regional differences in the challenges of good governance.

Some 120 ministers and 1600 experts participated in the forum that aimed to mobilise support against corruption both internationally and in individual countries.

The forum's deliberations resulted in a Final Declaration which specified a number of government commitments, including movement towards a UN instrument against corruption, and the need to monitor the effectiveness of national anti-corruption strategies and to identify best practices.

The bank's contributions included a number of applied workshops on state capture, on public participation and governance diagnostics, on public sector management, as well as on the role of donors in fighting corruption and on the media.

What were the answers to the survey? Respondents from throughout the world focused on the following: Corruption at the highest executive levels was regarded as the most prevalent, and mis-governance within rule of law institutions was cited often as well.

State capture, when corrupt elite interests are instrumental in shaping laws, policies and regulations, was regarded as the most costly type of corruption, and was also seen as a key impediment to a transparent judiciary.

Formulating anti-corruption programmes in a participatory fashion by a broad coalition of stakeholders is crucially important.

Donors should dispense funds only where serious commitment to better governance is in place.

Gold award for Three Coins beer

The Chefs' Guild of Lanka (CGL) has honoured Three Coins Beer Company for their role in introducing craftsmanship and artistry to the mass-market driven brewing industry.

The Guild's stylishly engraved glass "Master Craftsman" Gold Award 2001 was presented to Three Coins' CEO, Lasath Suriyapperuma, at the conclusion of the "Culinary Art 2001" exhibition.

The award's citation reads: "In recognition of an unswerving commitment to innovation, style and world-class quality in furtherance of craftsmanship and artistry in brewing."

A spokesman for the CGL said the award seeks to encourage producers of food and beverages to uphold and develop the traditions and values of craftsmanship in a world increasingly ruled by mass-produced, mass-market products.

Swadeshi celebrates diamond anniversary

Sixty years of blending traditional values and nature's bounty with modern technology, research and development has paid off for Swadeshi Industrial Works Ltd, which is forecasting turnover this year to reach the one-billion-rupee mark for the first time.

The company, which pioneered the local manufacture of branded soap and the first herbal soap maker in the country, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The company has launched a new corporate logo that underlines the core values that sustained its business through six decades of competition with multinational giants.

Swadeshi Chairperson, Amari Wijewardene said the company, which owns household brand names like "Rani Sandalwood", "Khomba", "Khomba Baby", "Perlwite", "Apsara Venivel" and "Sportsman Plus" plans to expand its portfolio into other personal care products this year and aggressively pursue market opportunities overseas.

Xerox: Exceptional first year

One year after it took over the Xerox dealership in Sri Lanka, Hayleys DocSolutions Ltd, (HDL) has reported that this high-end brand has secured tenders to the value of Rs. 2 million.

A subsidiary of Hayleys Photoprint Ltd., Hayleys DocSolutions was established to focus exclusively on marketing Xerox and Xerox Engineering Systems (XES) in Sri Lanka. The company has won competitive tenders from the Ministries of Health, Indigenous Medicine and Vocational Training, the Urban Development Authority, Department of Inland Revenue and the Colombo Municipal Council during this period, HDL's Director, Ashan Abeyesundere said.

CIMA assists disabled seamen

The IT Centre of CIMA, Sri Lanka division, conducted a course for 15 disabled sailors on MS Office '97, Internet and e-Mail. CIMA has been conducting IT programmes for disabled servicemen since 1995. A simple ceremony to present certificates to the participants was held on 25 June 2001 at the CIMA auditorium.

Commodore B.A.G.I. Peiris - Director-Welfare, Sri Lanka Navy presented the certificates to the sailors and thanked the CIMA for this gesture of goodwill.

Clipsal is online with Dialog GSM

Dialog GSM recently facilitated a breakthrough in the way Clipsal conducts its business, by enhancing the presence of its distribution wing, Orient Distribution Systems (ODS), online through W@P (Wireless Application Protocol).

Dialog's powering of ODS on the WAP network has given the electrical accessories specialist the opportunity to streamline its efficiency, offering its dealers and partners a cutting edge advantage over competitors, a Dialog press release said.

Clipsal becomes the first commercial entity to offer its distributors, customers and end users a wide range of corporate electrical accessories, circuit protection and lighting solutions online through WAP - a milestone for both the company and the technology provider, Dialog GSM.

Sampath Bank to upgrade J'pura University facilities

Sampath Bank recently signed an agreement with the University of Sri Jaye-wardenepura to help improve and upgrade facilities at the Universities' Research and Training Centre. This centre affiliated to the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University is located in 100 acres of the Yagirala Forest Reserve in the Sinharaja range abundantly rich in Bio-diversity. Regular training and educational programmes are conducted at this centre for University students, school children and the general public to increase awareness on the values of environment and the need for its protection.

Prof. J.W. Wickrema-singhe, Vice Chancellor and Prof. W.S. Fernando, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science signed the Agreement on behalf of the Sri Jayewardenepura University whilst Mr. Anil Amara-suriya, Managing Director and Mr. W. Bandaranayake, Senior Deputy General Manager, Finance & Administration signed for the Sampath Bank.

Prof. W.S. Fernando speaking at the ceremony said that Universities are finding it difficult to fund research projects because the University Grants Commission has cut down funds to the Universities. He said the University was thankful to the Sampath Bank for coming forward and helping them with this project.

Dr. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, Head of the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University said that besides the training and educational activities, they hope to open up this centre and the forest for visitors and promote it as a holiday destination. The Publicity and Public Relations Manager, Sampath Bank, Mr. Lalith Fernando said that the Bank was happy to be associated with the University on this Environmental Project since Sampath Bank was always committed to the values of environment and the need for its protection.

Marketing Guru on a lecture tour

Prof. Malcolm McDonald, one of the world's foremost marketing gurus will be on a lecture tour in the region. He will address the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Annual Conference at BMICH on July 16, 2001. Malcolm McDonald is the Professor of Marketing of the University of Cranfield.

He is the chairman of six companies and the consultant to multi-national companies such as IBM, Xerox & BP in a number of countries. He has written over 30 books, most of which are now standard text books for any student or serious practitioner of marketing.

A powerful speaker, Prof. McDonald, is one of the most sought after lecturers in the world.

Lanka Bell fast on fault repairs

Lanka Bell (Pvt) Limited, one of the two Wireless Loop operators in the country has reported a significant improveament in its response time to repair faults for Business and Residential subscribers, said a company spokesman.

Lanka Bell has now achieved a 92% repair completion on Business repairs and almost 70% on Residential repairs within 24 hours.

According to the company, this is due to the fact that Lanka Bell has formed dedicated technical teams for Business and Residential customers in co-operation with competent engineers in making sure that faults are responded to and repaired within 24 hours. Another factor that contributed to this improvement was the constant training of technical repair teams and the improvement in quality control procedures to streamline the repair process. This, as well as the in-house development of an on-line state-of-the-art system that constantly monitors the fault queue and ensures that each fault is followed through to its completion where the repair ticket is closed. This has been a major contributor in achieving the current status.

"The actual faults reported as a percentage of average working lines are now within 8% of total lines, which is a significant decrease from last year's percentage figures which were around 18%", said the company spokesman. "In fact, it is an improvement of more than 100% from the previous year's total faults reported."

Lanka Bell has every intention of improving its response time in the next 12 months, so that their Customer Care will be one of the best in the telecommunications industry. "New and innovative processes will be introduced by Lanka Bell in order to better serve its customer base in the coming months," said the company spokesman.

Multilac Colour Bank expands

Macksons Paint Industries in collaboration with Coloris GCC of France presents an exciting new Global Colour concept with the launch of the Colour Bank. Keeping pace with new inventions and innovative technology, we are now ready to cater to your exclusive colour selections and give the identical colour you choose every single time you return to us for more.

Unlike conventio-nal colour systems, Coloris France colour-ants maintain optimum levels of light fastness and weather fastness and are completely Glycol free and environment friendly.

Light fastness (8 Max) and weather fastness (5 Max) ensures colour longevity, a fact vouched for by Coloris GCC of France which gives the assurance that the colour will retain its original appearance year after year, even under the most trying tropical weather conditions.

The largest exporter of paints from Sri Lanka, with exports to Australia, China and in the near future to India, Multilac is fast becoming the most popular paint among Sri Lankans, and is proud of its role in introducing the Coloris system to Sri Lanka.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Coloris has the capacity to bring all your colour fantasies to life through a breathtaking array of over 10,000 colours to choose, from Internationally accepted standard shade cards such as NCS, RAL, Euro Trend, Coloris, Censon and many more.

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