| Business |
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Lab approved to perform tests for Bhs, Tesco Sri Lanka's Textile Training and Services Centre Testing Laboratory has been approved by X-Reference Ltd, U.K. for Bhs and Tesco Stores to perform tests like Fibre Composition, Colour Fastness to Light, Wet Colour Fastness, Dimensional Stability, Physical Tests for Woven and Knitted Fabrics - much in demand for fabric and garment manufacturers, buying offices and suppliers. The testing laboratory of the centre since it commenced commercial testing in 1988 has been updating its equipment and quality management systems to cater to various demands of the industry. The laboratory achieved ISO 9002: 1994 Quality management Systems certification in 1998 and ISO 9001:2000 in 2001 from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) of the Netherlands. It is equipped to perform tests in accordance with ISO, ASTM, ACTT, BS, JIS and SLSI standards. Mercantile
launches new finance lease This product
was introduced with a view to stabilising interest earnings, given
the extreme volatility experienced in domestic financial markets
that has affected the profitability of both the lessee and the lessor,
a MLL statement said. The traditional
finance lease is a fixed priced medium term product that would essentially
factor in the uncertainty associated with fluctuating interest rate
environments. The variable rate lease on the other hand, enables
the company to transfer the benefits associated with a declining
interest rate environment to the lessee, while simultaneously protecting
itself from diminishing interest spreads when interest rates rise. The variable
rate lease thus follows the interest rate trends in local financial
markets, and is priced based on the Average Weighted Prime Lending
Rate (AWPLR) as announced by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with
the rate adjusted on a three- month frequency. A unique feature
of the product on offer is that changes in the rate are not adjusted
in the rental, but are monitored and captured by varying the lease
period at the end of the lease term. Thus the lessee could continue
to remit a constant rental undisturbed with the final lease terms
adjusted to reflect the overall impact of such changes. Market response to the launch of the variable rate lease has been extremely encouraging, primarily due to the numerous benefits associated with the product, the statement added. Maersk
Logistics opens freight station in Sri Lanka "Having
our Container Freight Station and managing the facility with Maersk
Logistics staff will help us provide a very high quality service
to our clients," said Chinthaka Jayaweera, Country Manager
of Maersk Logistics Lanka (Private) Ltd. Maersk Logistics
Container Freight Station has a warehouse ground storage space of
15,000 square feet and an office space of 2,500 square feet. Maersk Logistics is a recognised leader in the international logistics market, providing customised solutions for integrated supply chain management, warehousing and distribution, and sea and airfreight transport. Shell
LiveWire's YBSA in Kegalle The event was
organised in collaboration with LiveWire's regional partner, the
Sabaragamuwa Development Bank (SDB). The event was open to the public
for two hours during which time existing and potential entrepreneurs
in the region as well as 'A' level students from nearby schools
visited the stalls of the competitors. S.R.Y.P. Senanayake,
proprietor of "Green Willows" in Mawanella, Lakmal Abeyratne
and Damith Hettiarachchi, co-owners of "Softstar Technologies"
in Rambukkana, Ajantha Nandani, proprietor of "Susinindu Dresspoint"
in Damunupola, Prasanna Tennakoon, proprietor of "Thushini
Multi Products" in Mologoda and Niroshini Piyasena, owner of
"Thilini Garments" in Hettimulla were chosen as finalists
for the National LiveWire awards scheduled to be held next month All finalists
said they were looking forward to competing with young entrepreneurs
from other parts of the island and added that the competition in
Kegalle was very tough. Over Rs. 400,000 in prizes will be on offer
at this year's National YBSA competition with the winner receiving
a substantial cash price, free publicity, and vital networking business
links. A.B. Ariyaratne, General Manager of the Sabaragamuwa Development
Bank praised SDB's longstanding relationship with the LiveWire programme.
"I would
like to make a promise to all young entrepreneurs of this region.
After you access entrepreneurship training and business development
skills from the LiveWire programme and if you subsequently need
any financial services, come to us at the Sabaragamuwa Development
Bank. We will help you," he said. Dinukh Fernando, General
Manager of Shell Renewables and a member of the Shell LiveWire Board
of Trustees, said the Shell Company, which began a 100 years ago
"consisted of one just one person who collected and sold sea
shells". "Today it is a prominent multinational. Similarly, these businesses which start as small and medium ventures may one day metamorphasise into world famous large scale enterprises," Fernando said. Professionalism
in architectural practice Under the theme
"Management in Architecture", the seminar attended by
about 100 participants involved a presentation on "Emotionally
Competent Leadership" by Dr. Suresh and Mrs. Sreeja Marcandan
of People Potential International (Pvt) Ltd, a management development
firm. "The core
objective of our CPD programme is to provide our members with a
life-long learning process that maintains, enhances or increases
the knowledge of an architect and ensures his continuing competence,"
said Dudley Waas, President of the SLIA. "It is becoming increasingly
important to keep abreast with new technologies and methods of practice
and therefore also important that members are updated on the current
trends in contemporary management," he added. Developing
emotional intelligence enhances the potential for learning the practical
competencies connected with self-awareness, motivation, self-regulation,
empathy and adeptness in relationships (social skills), explained
Sreeja Marcandan. "Emotional competence is particularly critical
to leadership, a role whose essence is getting others to do their
jobs more effectively, and the lack of it could have disastrous
consequences for the company," she cautioned. "The benchmarks for success are changing", Dr. Suresh Marcandan (MD/CEO of People Potential) pointed out. "There has in recent times been a major shift of paradigm from an assessment based entirely on academic and technical expertise to one that is complemented with how well we handle ourselves and each other". International
award for Lancor It said Lancor
which supplies rubber products to several European markets like
Germany, France and Holland was presented the Century International
Quality Era Award by the International Selection Committee of BID
(Business Initiatives Directions). BID is a private group made up of a group of companies and professionals that has been recognising business excellence and provided awards to companies in 163 countries. |
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