Colombo Port woos shipping lines

The aim is to increase connections and container traffic at Colombo in the wake of a successful productivity improvement initiative started recently, one official said.

Efficiency at the main transshipment facility, the Jaye Container Terminal (JCT), has increased sharply in the last few days after the new management set productivity targets.

The JCT aims to increase productivity by 50 percent in three months.

The SLPA this week will also take the first steps in setting up marketing and business development divisions by appointing three marketing co-ordinators to look after product development, customer services and research and development.

Under the second stage of the SLPA's marketing effort, it would try to encourage Indian shippers to make greater use of Colombo as a transshipment hub, officials said.

"We aim to give confidence to Indian exporters and importers that Colombo is efficient and get them to put pressure on shipping lines to use Colombo," an official said.

A customer liaison office to handle problems of port users and a one-stop documentation centre for all export cargo is also to be set up shortly. Exporters now have to visit at least five points to clear their cargo.

Conflict - a growth industry

Harsha Fernando, Attorney-at-law, engaged in industrial relations issues and alternate dispute resolution mechanisms including commercial arbitration, will present his analysis and thereafter lead the discussion. He is a senior visiting lecturer of the Post-graduate Institute of Management of the University of Sri Jayawa-rdenepura.

Sri Lankan tea output rising

However this year's production is likely to be between 307 million and 310 million, the broker said.

It said the 2001 figure was the lowest since 283 million kg achieved in 1999. Poor crops in June, July, August and September were the main cause for a production drop of 10 million kg last year.

Transparent pricing mechanism for Shell

The Shell statement said the two sides decided on this measure at a meeting convened by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Ravi Karunanayake last week. The proposed mechanism will protect consumers from overpricing while ensuring a fair return to marketers. A regulatory body would be created by the end of the first quarter to oversee implementation of such pricing mechanism and standards specifically for the LPG industry. "With these in place and if global prices soften as forecast combined with a stable foreign exchange rate, SGLL would be in a position to offer a gas price reduction," the statement said.

Shell said it was also reducing its cost of 12.5 domestic cylinder to Rs. 1,650, which is Rs. 300 cheaper than their competitors.

Eagle gold for best actuarial student

A company statement said Dharmarathana becomes the first recipient of the A.S. Mani Memorial Trust. The trust was set up by Eagle to add value and promote professionalism among those employed in Sri Lanka's insurance industry, in appreciation of the services rendered by independent actuary, the late A.S. Mani of India.

Under this scheme, a sovereign gold medal will be annually awarded to the best student in actuarial studies nominated by the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute. Actuary relates to the calculation of insurance risks and premiums.

SLIM marketing awards

SLIM awards chairman, G. S. Sylvester, said this year's awards will comprise ten categories ranging from direct response, marketing, corporate promotional materials, public relations, internal marketing, event marketing, outdoor and point of sale together with a special award for the most creative person of the year, presented for the first time.

4As president, Lilamani Dias Benson, observed that the world's recession was proving to be a vital learning experience for advertising and marketing professionals.

"When times are good companies need to advertise to stand apart while in bad times advertising is needed to gain an unbeatable advantage and this theme will be underscored in designing and conducting the awards ceremony," she added.

Sylvester explaining the system said that in media advertising there would be 12 categories ranging from food to finance with a new retail advertising category.

These ads will be judged with separate awards for the print, radio and TV media. Transnational advertising has also being included as a standalone category to accommodate advertising adopted from concepts generated abroad by multinational marketers.

He said that there will be 145 awards including four grand awards for the best TV, radio and print media ads and the campaign of the year.

Students receive scholarships

The scholarship winners were picked from some 2,800 applicants from 22 districts and represented the four categories of scholarships recognising performances at the Year 5 government scholarship examination, the GCE Ordinary Level, the GCE Advanced Level and achievements at national level in art, drama, cultural activities, inventions and sports, a company statement said.

Each Pranama Scholarship winner was presented with a medal, certificate and passbook entitling the recipient to draw his or her respective bursary, and a Ceylinco Pranama gift pack containing a school bag, books, a calculator, T-shirts and many other gifts. More than 600 parents, school principals, teachers, and education sector officials attended the ceremony.

Ceylinco Pranama scholarships are to be awarded annually to applicants drawn from Ceylinco Life's policyholders across the country. The programme is implemented through Ceylinco Life's network of 72 branches with the assistance of the Examinations Department, which certifies the examination results of applicants.

Funded by an initial allocation of Rs. 16 million from Ceylinco Life, the Pranama scheme awards district level scholarships with a cash value ranging from Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 72,000 per winner.

Ceylinco and PresNet to offer US/ Sri Lanka University education

While the Presidents Network has a membership of ninety-one institutions with all being available to students who have participated in this program, fifteen institutions have combined to sponsor the academic program at American National College. 

These institutions include Carson-Newman College of Tennessee, Clarkson University of New York, East Texas University, Florida Southern, Mercer University of Georgia, Northwood University of Michigan, Patten International of California, Pepperidine University of California, Rochester Institute of Technology of New York, St. Louis Community College, Troy State University of Alabama, The University of Findlay of Ohio, The University of Misouri-Rolla, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Those familiar with higher education in the U.S. will recognize several institutions from the top 5% of all U.S. colleges and Universities. Most specifically, Rit and UM-Rolla often top the list of U.S. engineering schools while Pepperdine and Virginia Commonwealth excel in Business, Law and Medical related programs. Troy State and Findlay are recognized for their outstanding online programs.

The model adopted by Ceylinco and PresNet will have individual courses being taught by faculty from various institutions from the U.S., a common transcript produced by Patten International with all courses transferable to the listed institutions and other U.S. colleges and Universities. 

Courses and programs available in American National College will include the general studies curriculum available at all U.S. institutions, including the behavioral sciences, mathematics, science, language, art and music. 

In addition, courses in business and information technology will be taught, including the courses necessary for various Microsoft certifications.

Rhino roofing awarded ISO 9002 certification 

The history of Rhino Roofing Products dates back to the time Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam was requested to take over the Chairmanship by the then Chairman Sir Cyril Soysa, in 1976, when the Company was at a very low ebb. 

At that time they had quality as well as economic and management problems. Mr. Gnanam visited several countries to gain experience in asbestos production. 

Gradually with the operation of the plant his knowledge was finally gained. 

Training for performing excellence in IT

With the entire world so intensely focused on Science & Technology in this age of Super Computers & Super Conductors, the Micro Processor has revolutionized not only the Industry & Commerce but has radically changed the work-culture in almost every walk of life, It has become imperative to LEARN, UNDERSTAND, USE & MASTER computers Conscious of this pressing need we at ACS Technologies are committed to training & Software development. As such we continuously research & employ better methodology & tools in the belief that there is always a better way of doing things.

Vision

LEARN computer, UNDERSTAND it better, USE it for the benefit of the society at large.

MASTER it to earn Foreign Exchange for the country, EVOLVE......

Our vision is contributes towards IT literacy throughout the length breath of Sri Lanka and create IT professional of quality and eminence, who would than contribute their expertise for the development and welfare of the country. Pursuing this vision we have taken the initial step of opening our first IT Training Centre in the fast developing satellite town Mirihana specially to reach out to those who are away from the main towns. Our Training Centre is nestled in a homely and tranquil surrounding most conducive for studies manned by highly qualify experienced "Trained to Teach" result oriented Indian IT professionals assisted by selected counterparts.

New project for automated data capturing

The project scope was to capture and extract census information from a Summary Report using a state of the art Forms Processing system.

The project is awarded to Sanje Lanka PVT Limited as the main contractor and is the representative of Read Soft AB of Sweden and VALUEVAD SARL of Switzerland. As part of the project Sanje Lanka has trained 50 users in the Department of Census and Statistics on systems operations and management. Also Mr. Wasantha K Weerakoone the Managinag Director of Sanje Lanka and the Special Project Co-ordinator Brian Senaratne were present at the ceremony.

Two trainees, Mr. Ranjith Perera and Mrs. Y.W.A. Amarasinghe were presented with plaques for their outstanding contribution to the project.

For more information on the same please contact 074 400 002 or send us an e-mail info@sanje.com.