CB's first savings centre opened

The Commercial Bank recently introduced a new concept in customer service when it opened its first "Savings Centre" at 190, George R. De Silva Mawatha, Kotahena.

This centre which will be an extension to the Bank's Kotahena branch will serve savings account holders of all branches. It is connected to ComNet, the largest computer linked banking network in Sri Lanka enabling customers to operate their accounts from 61 other branches and 61 Automated Teller (CAT) Machines.

Explaining the rationale behind the opening of the Savings Centre, Commercial Bank's Managing Director Amitha Gooneratne said that the Kotahena branch, which was opened in 1975, had the highest savings portfolio as an individual branch in a network of 62. The Savings Centre was opened to provide specialised services to customers in spacious surroundings, promoting more savings.

With competitive interest rates and a wide range of savings products such as the Progressive Saver Account, "Isuru" and "Arunalu" minors savings schemes, in addition to normal savings accounts Commercial Bank has encouraged the savings habit, Mr Gooneratne said. "Even without any gimmicks of awards or lotteries which benefit only a few, the Bank's numerous savings schemes have attracted many customers," he added.

Singithi pathum schols awarded

The awards presentation of the "Singithi Pathum Grand Draw '98" was held at Hatton National Bank, Head Office for the 5th consecutive year.

Based on this scheme the 10 lucky winners were awarded scholarships of Rs. 100,000 each by the Bank. The scholarship money would be held in trust for the child by the Bank where he/she would be entitled for a monthly amount of approximately Rs. 900 towards the educational expenses until they reach 18 years of age.

At this point the lump sum of Rs.100,000 will be available for the child towards higher education etc.

In the event the winner does not wish to take the monthly payment the money will accumulate in the account which will be available together with the capital at the age of 18 years.

The 10 students who won 1998 scholarships included those from Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Nittambuwa, Dankotuwa and Borella.

This scholarship scheme is conducted for the year 1999, where all Singithi account holders who maintained a minimum deposit of Rs. 2,500 as at 1st December, 1999 will be entitled to participate in the draw which offers 30 scholarships of Rs.100,000 each. In addition prizes are also offered at branch level at mid year and year end grand draws to be held in June and December respectively.

The picture shows some of the winners with the Hatton National Bank staff.

'Top 10' awards on May 13

The 'Top 10' awards conducted by the Business Today magazine will be held on May 13 at the BMICH.

The chief guest will be Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, National lntegration & Deputy Minister of Finance, while guest of honour will be Kingsley Wickremaratne, Minister of Internal & lnternational Trade & Commerce.

Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman BOI, and Tilak De Zoysa will address the gathering of government and private sector officials, the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries.

All 10 CEO's of the Top 10 companies will also address the gathering.

This year's Top 10 list is headed by the blue chip John Keells, followed by the National Development Bank, Hayleys, Hatton National Bank, DFCC, Commercial Bank, Ceylon Tobacco Company, Maskeliya Plantations, Central Finance and Colombo Dockyard.

On a scale of points of 'one to ten', the dispersion of points had John Keells earning the top position with a score of 7.22, while the National Development Bank was in second place with a score of 5.53.

The two new entrants into this year's Top 10 list replacing Seylan Bank and Distilleries, are Maskeliya Plantations and Colombo Dockyard who achieved impressive growth and great shareholder returns through expert use of their key resources.

The absence of any manufacturing companies other than Ceylon Tobacco Company points out the urgent need for strengthening and promoting the local manufacturing sector.

Charity Cap: Rs 4.5m still urgently needed

"Cricket is as unpredictable as life. That's why I'm appealing to you personally, to help change the odds for a selected few. I refer to the patients in the National Hospital's Neurosurgical ward. The Hospital is in need of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRI Scanner), a vital tool in the investigation of spinal cord problems and tumours of the brain...." Arjuna Ranatunga, Captain, Sri Lanka Cricket Team.

In a heartening show of sympathy and solidarity, Sri Lankans have come to support the fund raising project for the MRI Scanner, launched by the local banking sector and endorsed by Arjuna Ranatunga. The response to the appeal has been overwhelming, with 42, 600 caps having been sold in just 3 months.

The Banks involved in the charity project are: Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, National Savings Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank, Citibank, Central Bank and the National Development Bank.

All the banks have actively backed the project and assisted with the distribution of the caps. So far, People's Bank alone has underwritten the sale of 10,000 caps, while HNB has sold a further 7000. With most of the caps having been sold out, a further 10,000 caps have also been ordered, in response to public demand.

A total of Rs.7.5 million has been raised so far, through the sale of caps and through direct donations that have come in from all over the country and even from overseas. Donations have been received from many companies and organisations as well as from individuals, schoolchildren and expatriate Sri Lankans from countries such as Austria, Canada and the US.

Rs 4.5 million more is needed in the form of outright donations to buy the scanner. The fund is just four and a half million away from its five year goal of raising this money, to finally offer hope to the patients of the Neurosurgery ward.

Direct contributions by way of cheques in excess of Rs. 50 should be made out in favour of "NDBSL MRI Scanner A/C" and posted to P .O Box 1827, MRI, Colombo. All donations are tax deductible.

The project is being co-ordinated through the National Development Bank, which has set up a help line (0722 32398) to process inquiries.

Pan Asia Bank Book on Euro

Pan Asia launched a booklet on EURO in celebrating the "World's Book Day" which was on April 23. This book is specifically aimed at school students in educating them about the recently introduced currency EURO. Pan Asia was also conducting few programs about the currency through the monthly TV program "Rupees & Cents" and through a special program called "Vinivida" aired by ITN.

These programs were highly appreciated by the public, especially by students and teachers. The birth of this booklet is as a result of the heavy response towards the program Vinivida, and requests made by students to the Bank. The first copy of this Sinhalese booklet "Euro Upatha" was presented to P. Amarasinghe, Senior Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Seylan Asiriya time extended

Good news from Seylan Bank. The Avurudu season gets extended as the Seylan Avurudu Asiriya goes on till May 14. giving you more time to obtain your Seylan Savings Certificates and win a choice of fabulous prizes.

The first prize winner gets to choose from a property, a return air ticket to any destination and money to spend, 100 gold sovereigns, a Suzuki Maruti car, a 4WD TAFE tractor or a Neil Marine outboard motor and Singer household electrical appliances or Seylan Savings Certificates.

These prizes are each worth Rs. 550,000. There are also 50 consolation prizes of gold sovereigns to be won. The fact the Seylan Savings Certificates gives you better interest rates, in itself is a consolation.

But note only the Seylan Savings Certificates upto May 14 or those which are renewed or taken for a period of one year or more will be entered into the Avurudu Asiriya draw. The chances of winnings are great.

SLSI know-how for Jordan

Two senior officials of the Government of Jordan, Dr. Ahmed Al Hindawi, Director of Industrial Development Directorate (IDD) of the Ministry of Industrial and Trade of Jordan and Dr. Arun Walvekar, Vice President of Quality and Standards (Q & S) of Jordan were in Sri Lanka recently to study the quality management activities undertaken by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) with a view to implementing some of these activities in Jordan.

In particular they studied the National Quality Awards Programme operated by SLSI for the past five years. The Sri Lanka National Quality Awards Scheme based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards Scheme of USA was launched in 1995.

Sri Lanka is the second country in the South Asian Region to launch this scheme with the assistance provided by the USAID authorities. The scheme has given an impetus to business sector organizations to install quality management activities based on the awards criteria.

The two visitors from Jordan also had the opportunity of observing the quality management practices of Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Ltd. which won the National Quality Award in 1996.

17 Companies at Vienna Fair

The European Business Information Centre (EBIC), located at the Trans Asia Hotel, will be accompanying a delegation of 17 companies to the Europartenariat, a forum that brings together entrepreneurs from countries worldwide to meet on a one-to-one basis and forge potential business partnerships. About 3,000 enterprises from nearly 80 countries have registered for this event.

Recognising the importance of this event and the opportunities it can offer to Sri Lankan business in terms of joint ventures and other forms of long-term partnerships, the delegation will be represented by about 30 senior staff members from the 17 companies.

The companies represent the following sectors:

Garment and clothing, steel, engineering and construction, pharmaceuticals and health products, furniture, rubber and plastic, electrical and leather.

Emirates named year's cargo Airline

Emirates has been named overall Cargo Airline of the Year 1998/99 at the Cargo Airline of the Year Awards presentations in London, held annually by Air Cargo News.

The airline also won two sub-categories: Best Cargo Carrier to the Middle East (for the 11th year running) and Best Cargo Carrier to the Indian Sub-continent (for the second time).

Earlier this year, the carrier also won the overall Airline of the Year 1999 title for its passenger services at the OAG (formerly Executive Travel) Awards, also in London. Emirates was last named Cargo Airline of the Year by Air Cargo News for 1994/95.

The Awards were presented to Ram Menen, Emirates' Senior General Manager Cargo, by Richard Noble, the man behind the successful attempt in Colorado on the world ground speed record.

Following the presentation, Ram Menen said: "We are delighted to have won this title. After going through one of the most challenging years, this will be a great morale booster for the whole Emirates SkyCargo team."

Nigel Tomkins, Editorial Director of Air Cargo News, the influential trade publication which enjoys a global readership, commented: "These awards are voted for each year by mainly freight forwaders who decide which carriers give them the service they want. I am not surprised that Emirates SkyCargo has come out on top. From the start, the airline has placed quality above just about everything else. This title is a tribute to the airline and its cargo personnel."

The gala awards ball, in aid of the charity Water Aid, was held on April 24 at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel and attended by 650 industry professionals. Water Aid provides remote villages and towns with a supply of clean water.

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