The Board of Investment held the ‘Investor Facilitation and Networking Event’ at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel to engage in a dialogue with investors in Sri Lanka who have re-invested in Sri Lanka.By confirming their trust in Sri Lanka and in the Board, these investors had sent a very positive message to potential investors both in Sri Lanka and overseas.
At the function the audience which consisted of nearly 200 existing investors who had opted to reinvest in the country were addressed by the Chief Guest Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance and Mass Media, Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Dumindra Rathnayake Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Duminda Ariyasinghe, Director General of BOI, and Mangala Yapa Board member of BOI.
The meeting was interactive and an excellent dialogue was established between the BOI and the investor community.In recent times the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has identified existing investors as a major potential source for future investments in the country.In fact what is known as expansions (ie the decision on the part of a BOI investor to further invest) has become a major share of the actual investments handled by the BOI.
One of the main reasons that this important group can be encouraged to invest in projects is that they are already familiar with the business environment of the country and their experience in Sri Lanka has been positive and beneficial. Hence they are agreeable to reinvest in the country.There are many reasons why existing investors can be helpful to the BOI’s effort to promote the country as a preferred destination for investment. Existing investors may be considered brand ambassadors with a very clear understanding of the business environment and with considerable knowledge of the most attractive reasons for setting up projects in Sri Lanka. Existing investors can therefore be a powerful voice in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Many existing investors have an extensive network of contacts and for that reason the BOI currently works very closely with them to attract more investment in the country. If an investor, especially a foreign investor who has set up a reputed business speaks in Sri Lanka’s favour, this represents a strong voice in favour of investment in the country.
However a major reason why investors have decided to reinvest in Sri Lanka is due to the commitment of the Government including the BOI to create a more business friendly and conducive environment.
Hence more investor friendly mechanisms being set up to fast track the approval and implementation of projects are additional reasons and the fact that there are currently more opportunities to invest in new areas. Also new liberalized laws covering the foreign exchange regime, simplified taxation laws that reduce upfront costs and efforts to improve facilitation are also important considerations. The BOI itself plays a role of facilitation investors and has increased its meetings with line agencies to resolve the issues while unresolved issues are taken up at various committees for speedy resolution.
Existing investors are therefore aware of this extensive effort at “hand holding” and the facilitation service that the BOI offers investors has without any doubt made it more likely to encourage existing investors decide to invest rather than an outsider who may not be fully aware of the advantages available in Sri Lanka. The BOI strategy in that respect is to identify specific targeted sectors for reinvestment and then actively promote it with the investor to expand his/her investment.
In addition the BOI has been engaged in facilitation which includes identifying new lands for new Zones to channel the investor to that location. Furthermore a promotion strategy has involved focusing on Sri Lanka’s comparative advantages and including economic strengths, knowhow and the competitiveness of strong as well as soft assets. This in turn will help promote existing emerging exporters and target investments and knowhow from abroad.
The reinvestment strategy of the BOI focuses mainly on developing the manufacturing sector which is the main target with a strong emphasis on attracting electronics, industrial machinery, automotive, electrical equipment, food products and pharmaceutical to name just a few.
Furthermore, reinvestment is also sought in services which are also promoted including IT and software development, BPOs, tourism and education.Another attraction for the existing investors is the future establishment of new Export Processing Zone under a budgetary allocation of Rs. 2.5 billion of new Zones will be developed. These new Zones will be located at Bingiriya, Mawathagama, Milleniya and Charlimount (Matara)BOI has also set up a new reinvestment team which has identified several activities that will encourage reinvestment.
Firstly this would include communicating with companies which are known to be pleased with investing in Sri Lanka as well as some of the largest investors in term of the value of investments, exports or employment generated.Another consideration of the reinvestment team of the BOI is to encourage new investors like their suppliers or partners in the supply chain to invest by using the good offices of existing investors.
Companies which belong to the BOI priority sectors such as manufacturing and services are goodwill ambassadors for the promotion of investment in Sri Lanka. As there is a plan to make the country a global hub with a strong emphasis on logistics companies which are interested in being part of the global value chain are widely encouraged to expand their operation in Sri Lanka
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BOI Encourages Investors To Expand Projects
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Luxury car dealership Autobahn signs MoU with industry stalwart Colonial Motors to add value to luxury car owners
Autobahn, a one stop shop for premium vehicle brands in Sri Lanka, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Colonial Motors. This MoU will give customers of Autobahn access to a wide array of unparalleled services at state-of-the-art Colonial Motors facilities.
Commenting on this landmark partnership Rajieve Fernando, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Autobahn Private Limited, said, “The idea behind Autobahn has always been to improve the ownership experience of these fine luxury European vehicles. This is why I am excited to be partnering with Colonial Motors, a prestigious brand whose own story is intricately entwined with that of Sri Lanka’s automotive history. Now clients of Autobahn will have unfettered access to some of the most advanced equipment handled by the most well trained staff on the island. I look forward to this partnership flourishing in the years to come.”
This partnership will grant Autobahn customers with a concierge service which will pick up and drop off their vehicles, 24-hour breakdown warranty, tow truck facility, access to an in-house paint booth, online service booking facility, and a well-stocked spare part center all at a competitive price.
“Rajieve is an automobile expert with impeccable credentials. His strong customer insights and ability to understand customer needs have made him a trusted name in the industry. This is why we have every confidence in his latest venture, Autobahn, and are excited to be partnering with him,” said Mohan Ratnayake, Managing Director of Colonial Motors. “Our service centers are built to international standards and are second to none anywhere in the world. Run by a team of experienced staff with access to the latest technology and diagnostic testers, Autobahn clients could not be in better hands. And the level of service we provide will make any visit to a Colonial Motors service center a pleasurable experience.”
Founded in 1909 Colonial Motors began as a motor engineering company before progressing to providing Sri Lanka with automobiles. Today the company also has state-of-the-art service centers with trained staff in Palawatte, Battaramulla and Peliyagoda. Throughout its history it has represented some of the world’s most renowned brands such as Fiat, Nash, Citron Cars, Rover Cars, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover, Francis Barnett Motor Bikes, Lambrate Scooter, and Champion Spark Plugs.
The brainchild of Rajieve Fernando, a two decade veteran of the automobile industry, Autobahn is an importer of luxury European vehicles designed to be powered by ideas rooted in key lifestyle insights and particular life stage needs. This data driven approach to adding value and convenience to their customers makes Autobahn a cut above the regular vehicle importer.
Photo caption: (From left) Mohan Ratnayake, Managing Director of Colonial Motors, and Rajieve Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Autobahn Private Limited, exchanging the MoU at a Colonial Motors service centre
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Sri Lanka Telecom Appoints J. Walter Thompson Sri Lanka as Lead Agency
Sri Lanka Telecom appointed J. Walter Thompson Sri Lanka as lead creative agency partner, following a competitive pitch process.
Walter Thompson Sri Lanka will support brand strategy and communications across Sri Lanka Telecom’s vast product portfolio. The partnership is meant to leverage J. Walter Thompson’s strategic working model and Sri Lanka Telecom’s dynamic vision for the country.
Ajantha Seneviratne, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom said, “We are happy to confirm the appointment of J. Walter Thompson as our agency partner. Through the pitch process we were impressed with the level of strategic thinking they brought to the table and as two organisations we have a shared interest in understanding the nuanced lifestyles of Sri Lankans. We are really excited to work with them on the next stage of our brand development.”
Commenting on the win, CEO of J. Walter Thompson Sri Lanka, Alyna Hajji Omar said, “We are thrilled to be working with Sri Lanka Telecom. Being a legacy brand ourselves with a history of over 150 years we have genuine appreciation for the incredible strides Sri Lanka Telecom is taking into the future. As an agency we will continue to add value to our clients based on new perspectives and strategic insight rather than focus on single action tactical benefits.”
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Sysco LABS – Bringing the CX revolution to Foodservice
By Rasika Karunatilake Vice President and General Manager: Customer experience (CX) is fast emerging as a key competitive advantage in today’s marketplace. In fact, according to Forbes’ Blake Morgan, 75% of companies set improving CX as an objective for 2018. This is due largely to the way that technology can augment the relationship between businesses and customers, and the way that tech companies have disrupted industries by providing a superior customer experience. Industry leaders are now taking note and looking at how they can harness technology to create a more powerful customer experience. Sysco, the world’s largest foodservice company, is one of those leaders and together with Sysco LABS, they are reimagining the foodservice customer experience.
Customer experience is the product of the interactions between the customer and the organization over the duration of their relationship. Traditionally, CX was relegated to interactions that happened in stores and with salespeople or products, but the explosion of the online marketplace has changed the expectations of customers. Along with being able to make purchases online, customers also expect organizations to behave more like their friends. For example, today an organization with a Facebook page will be expected to chat with customers through the messenger app, and most leading organizations will be expected to have mobile applications of their own to provide greater transparency and communication.
Today’s CX improvements are numerous and diverse. Customers expect greater transparency on the supply chain and workflow of organizations – consider how it isn’t enough to know that your Uber is arriving, you need to know exactly how many minutes away it is and see its location on a map. This practice is being adopted by more and more industries; from food delivery services to airlines, organizations are trying to communicate with customers in real time.
The customer service cloud is another emerging tool; using the massive amounts of data transactions produced, companies are able to not only save customers’ time and effort, but also offer them fairer prices. In industries such as food supply, where the price of the commodity is prone to fluctuation based on supply and demand, cloud pricing allows organizations to use algorithms to assign the best price possible.
Another major area of innovation in CX is smart stores. The implementation of augmented reality in stores is increasing dramatically; driven by advancements in the technology and in the internet of things, clothes retailers like Rebecca Minkoff’s are using smart mirrors to help customers virtually try on clothes, see if the item is available in other sizes, colors and much more. Amazon too is breaking into this space following their acquisition of whole foods. With Amazon Go they are creating grocery stores without checkout counters where customers are automatically charged for whatever they walk out with.
Sysco LABS is working on achieving this level of CX innovation in the foodservice industry. With a focus on Sysco’s entire foodservice chain, ‘from farm to fork’, Sysco LABS is reimagining every relationship with technology; the farmer and the food storage team, the relationship between the food delivery team and the restaurant operator, and the one between restaurants and customers. The innovations of the teams will ultimately allow restaurants to run smoother and grow by providing their customers with a better experience.
In re-imagining this process, Sysco and Sysco LABS will be employing four core principles. The first is customer-centricity; bringing the customer into the room and having them weigh in on CX design decisions. Secondly, Sysco employs cross functional teams in the development of its CX; it isn’t enough to ask the supply team about delivery, or the Marketing Associates about pricing, innovations are driven by bringing everyone together so that the entire journey can be reimagined from end-to-end. Thirdly, Sysco LABS boosts Sysco’s culture of innovation with their Silicon Valley perspective and creativity; the team’s DNA in working with leading edge technologies and constantly pushing the envelope of possibility will be directed at CX. Finally, ‘pace over perfection’, a core tenant of the leading tech companies of today; the philosophy of developing a minimal viable product, getting it into the hands of customers as fast as possible, and iterating based on its performance in the field.
It is this structuring for innovation combined with access to Sysco’s unparalleled network of restaurants, that empowers Sysco LABS to be a leading force in re-imagining the foodservice industry.
About Rasika Karunatilake, General Manager and Vice President – Shared Services: With over 18 years of experience in the IT industry, Rasika is the Vice President, General Manager and Head of Shared Services at Sysco LABS in Sri Lanka. He played a key role in launching the Sysco LABS Sri Lanka operation and growing it to a high caliber engineering organization. He has played multiple roles in delivery, operations, HR, IT, finance, marketing, administration, and facilities management over the course of the last several years. Prior to Sysco LABS, he was Delivery Manager at Millennium IT where he led global delivery for some of the company’s largest accounts in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He has also worked at Informatics where he developed systems for key local and international clients.
Rasika has a BSc in Computer Science from the Manchester Metropolitan University, an MBA from the University of Hull, and is a Project Management Professional (PMP).
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Sysco LABS is the innovation arm of Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), the world’s largest foodservice company. Sysco is the global leader in marketing, selling and distributing food products as well as equipment and supplies to the hospitality industry. Sysco serves over 500,000 customers through its team of over 65,000 associates and operates 300 distribution facilities across the globe.
Sysco LABS is re-imagining the global foodservice industry: our engineering teams based out of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Redwood City, CA and Austin and Houston TX, will innovate across the entire supply chain – sourcing of food products, merchandising, storage and warehouse operations, order placement and pricing algorithms, delivery of food and supplies to Sysco’s global network – culminating in the in-restaurant dining experience for the end-customer. Operating with the agility and efficiency of a tech–startup and backed by the domain expertise of the industry leader, Sysco LABS is poised to revolutionize one of the biggest industries in the world.
Photo caption: Rasika Karunatilake – Vice President, General Manager and Head of Shared Services at Sysco LABS in Sri Lanka
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Ktronix offers the most up-to-date tech gadgets
Bringing better options and newer brands into the otherwise crowded IT marketspace is Ktronix, the recently launched technology store. This new retail store located at the front end of Unity Plaza, Colombo’s popular IT mall, features a complete range of IT related devices and accessories for the discerning customer.
Ktronix is owned and managed by industry expert Kamil Sheriff who has over 17 years of experience with customer care, and after sales service. “For the past 17 years I have worked very closely with corporate clients, home business clients and students, guiding and advising them on the right product for the right requirement,” said Kamil Sheriff. “My forte is the ability to look for workable solutions for my customers and to be able to guide them and provide the best after sales service possible.”
Sheriff adds that his decision to venture out on his own is based purely on the necessity to provide the latest devices for the most affordable price. With his networking capabilities, Sheriff will have firsthand information of the latest brands available. Already, the store has some exciting techy gadgets for the young-at-heart, whether it is for a perfect gift or for some self-indulgence!
The store is conveniently located at the front end of Unity Plaza so that customers do not have the hassle of walking through the confusing corridors of the mall. In addition, Ktronix offers the unique value add of giving customers the option of picking up their purchases on-the-go where an employee, wearing a Ktronix luminous vest for easy identification, will stand outside the store front (on the Galle Road) and hand over purchases. “One of the biggest customer complaints is the hassle of finding a parking spot at this plaza,” said Sheriff. “We hope that this concept will be of convenience to our customers because that is what we want to provide: convenience and quality.”
The store has a range of laptops and desktops, computer and printing accessories, the latest health and fitness gadgets, and a whole lot more. For more information, call Kamil on 0777893223.
Photo caption: (Above) Ktronix displays and (below) at the opening of Ktronix
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JLL Lanka releases 2018 real estate predictions for Sri Lanka; warns of potential challenges for the residential and retail markets beyond 2019
Global real estate consultancy Jones Lang La Salle (JLL) recently announced the company’s predictions for Sri Lanka’s commercial office and retail markets in 2018, identifying opportunities related to the increased investments in the country and broad challenges in the face of policy inconsistency and a tighter fiscal environment.
JLL is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients in more than 80 countries worldwide. The Fortune 500 Company operates from 280 corporate offices with a global workforce of 70,000 providing management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 4 billion square feet. “We remain optimistic about the commercial sector real estate space,” noted JLL, Lanka, Managing Director Steven Mayes. “However, we are advising our clients to remain cautious about retail and residential markets, both of which face challenges going forward.”
The commercial sector continues to gather pace buoyed by strong demand, especially in the international grade A space which is currently undersupplied in Colombo 1, 2 and 3. The residential sector, especially high end condominiums, faces over supply challenges, with the recent re-imposition of 15% VAT on condominium sales, denting sentiment further. Retail markets too demonstrate less sustainability, in the medium to longer term, due to the considerable number of ongoing mall development projects.
The existing stock of office space in the grade ‘A’ sector in Colombo is just over 1.5 million square feet. When considered in the context of anticipated total demand for Grade ‘A’ in 2018, at around 5 million square feet, it is very apparent that there is a shortage of about 200% in supply. Absorption of most Grade ‘B’ spaces have also seen an uptick, as occupiers run out of Grade A options and are forced to compromise with alternatives.
While an uptick in demand is expected for spaces in Colombo from IT and related sectors stemming from 2018 budget provisions for the sector, it would be prudent to note that IT companies typically prefer out of town locations and lower cost options to fit with their business model. The newly signed Free Trade Agreements with India and Singapore are also positives for the economy and the maintenance of robust demand for commercial office space. Infrastructure development focused on connectivity between Colombo and Kandy could potentially increase tourism activity, further infrastructure developments, logistics activity, and generate more general business, which will bring in more demand for office space in both cities.
Prospects for the retail sector look encouraging over 2018/19, but beyond this lies potential excess supply issues. While the ongoing mall developments will experience the ‘first-mover’ advantage, those that follow may experience demand related issues due to a lack of brands to occupy space. The longer-term success of this sector is heavily dependent upon government policy, especially with import tariff rates and infrastructure spending, on roads and public transport, as traffic congestion is a major impediment to retail growth. In current retail outlets demand for space still outstrips supply, but the gap will narrow after 2019, with other malls coming on stream in central and secondary business districts and residential zones.
Photo caption: (Above) Steven Mayes – Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Sri Lanka
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CSE suspends share trading of seven listed companies
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has taken steps to suspend share transactions of seven listed companies.
This suspension will reportedly come into effect from 02 April, 2018.
The following are the listed companies whose trading will be thus suspended:
- Lanka Cement PLC
- PC House PLC
- PC Pharma PLC
- Ceylon & Foreign Traders PLC
- Standard Capital PLC
- Adam Investments PLC
- Adam Capital PLC
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Seamless BOI process for project approvals soon
The Board of Investment (BOI) will have a very seamless process in terms of getting approvals for projects by the third quarter of this year, said Duminda Ariyasinghe, Director General, BOI.He made these remarks addressing the 38th AGM of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) held in Seeduwa on Thursday. Ariyasinghe said this will be implemented in two phases initially dealing with six agencies starting in April and then with 18 other agencies with a total of 24 by September, October this year.
“In fact we had a very detailed meeting with all the Heads of the first six agencies and we are having MoU’s so that there are specific service guarantees by each of these agencies in terms of how long they will take. They will be held answerable and it will be escalated right up to Cabinet level in terms of how this entire system is performing,” he said.
Ariyasinghe said that they were also focusing on developing new export processing zones (EPZ) since substantial work has not been done in setting up EPZs since 2002 and as a result all the current zones were almost full. The BOI Director General said they were currently working on four different zones which were happening simultaneously.“We have had funding from the budget as well as BOI’s own resources. So together we are working to make sure that these zones will be setup in the next two to three years.”
Ariyasinghe said they had already started the land procurement and the most advanced of them was the one in Horana Milleniya which is a 250 acre zone, a joint venture between the BOI and Thailand’s Rojana Group. The government in this year’s budget has allocated over Rs 2.5 billion for these new zones, he said.
In the last few decades there have been many instances where the rules have been changed and the goal posts moved, and that is not what should be happening, he cautioned.
The single window investment approving committee will evaluate proposals in a very objective basis and has set out the basic important parameters of a project including the financial history of the company.This will enable the committee to decide immediately whether it was a project that can go through and can be approved.“ If there are any deficiencies we immediately go back to the investor and tell him what he has to fix and come back to us and we are able to provide an approval to that project,’ the Director General added. Fazal Abdeen, was reappointed as Chairman of FTZMA at the AGM.
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Hemas Travels Wins Malaysia Tourism Award
Hemas Travels (Private) Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s largest outbound travel companies and a subsidiary of Hemas Holdings PLC clinched the award for ‘Best Foreign Tour Operator South Asia and West Asia Markets’ at the 20th Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/17 held recently at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Malaysia.
The Malaysia Tourism Awards is the highest form of recognition by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Tourism Malaysia for industry players whose outstanding contributions have played a significant role in the success of Malaysia’s tourism industry. This edition of the awards saw 655 nominations across 14 categories and 52 sub – categories.
This is the first time a Sri Lankan Travel company has won this award, and it is of greater significance as Hemas Travels had to compete against regional travel agencies from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in their quest to be the overall winner.
“It has been a great honour to win this award and is a testament to our dedication and commitment to provide world class service to our stakeholders,” said Mr. Riza Ahamat, Director of Hemas Travels adding that recognition and accolades such as this will only help to further the strides Hemas Travels is making in this regard.
He adds, “Winning this award is indeed an achievement, and I would like to thank all my team members and our associates for all their hard work and dedication. My team and I are committed to grow our business to Malaysia and we look forward to working closely with Tourism Malaysia.”
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Mr. Riza Ahamat receiving the award for the Best Foreign Tour Operator South Asia and West Asia Markets
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The winners of the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/17
Mr. Riza Ahamat receiving the award for the Best Foreign Tour Operator South Asia and West Asia Markets
The winners of the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/17
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Emirates named ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2018 Air Transport Awards
Emirates Airline has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2018 Air Transport Awards. Emirates won the prestigious accolade based the evaluation from a jury comprised of executives and experts from different sectors within the aviation industry.
Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates received the award on behalf of the airline. Commenting on the win, Mr Antinori said: “We are honoured to be recognised by the Air Transport Awards for our commitment to excellence. We have a strong customer-centric focus across the airline to deliver the best possible experience both in the air and on the ground by continually investing in a modern fleet, product innovations and service enhancements. We are also embracing technology across our operations to meet and exceed evolving consumer preferences. This award is a testament to the hard work and efforts of staff across the airline that make a difference everyday by taking care of our customers and keeping our service levels high.”
Emirates is the world’s largest international airline, with a network that spans 159 destinations in 85 countries, operating one of the world’s youngest wide-body fleets made up of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
Over the past year, the airline has launched a number of significant product enhancements on its Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft. Emirates unveiled its enhanced A380 Onboard Lounge, featuring an airier look and feel, reconfigured seating arrangements around the iconic bar with private yacht-inspired décor, as well as new high-tech touches.
In November 2017, Emirates revealed its game-changing, fully enclosed Boeing 777-300ER First Class private suites, part of a multi-million dollar upgrade that saw enhancements across all cabin classes. The airline has also just introduced a brand new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, with wider seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration for the first time.
Emirates’ industry leading inflight entertainment system, ice, continues to set benchmarks, delivering up to 3,500 channels of entertainment for passengers across all classes. In Economy Class, Emirates introduced sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, making it the largest on board sustainable blanket programme in the airline industry.
On the ground, the airline expanded its lounge network and today operates 41 dedicated Emirates Lounges globally. Improving the on-ground customer experience further, Emirates and its partners announced the ‘Together’ initiative, a collaboration for a streamlined airport experience with the implementation biometric technology and new automated border control gates, for smoother passenger flows through key touch-points at Dubai International Airport.
The Air Transport Awards are conducted every year, cutting across all of the main categories of the air transport industry.
Photo Caption: Mr. Lampros Demertzis, Managing Editor of Air Transport Awards with Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates at the 2018 Air Transport Awards.
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Embracing Gender Diversity- MAERSK LANKA fills 50% of their top management team with women
With much debate over the past decades, about the difficulty that companies in male-dominated sectors claim to have, in attracting female talents for their boards and senior management ranks, MAERSK Lanka recently marked a noteworthy accomplishment in the local shipping arena, by filling 50% of their top management with talented female role models.
The ladies, Randima Krishnaratne, Udani Warnakula, Kushani Ekanayake and Nadeera Abeykoon joined MAERSK – from diverse industries ranging from FMCG, Banking, HR and Logistics.
Randima, is the Country Sales Manager for Sri Lanka, responsible for achieving the country’s sales volume, ensuring maximum profitability and managing and guiding the sales team towards optimal performance. Udani, appointed as the Country Manager for Safmarine, will lead the brands initiatives and presence in the Sri Lankan market. Kushani leads the Sri Lanka customer service team to support and drive positive customer experiences across Maersk’s broad spectrum of services. Nadeera, as the Human Resources Business Partner is in charge of workforce planning, recruitment, talent management, leadership development and implementing the Strategic HR initiatives of the organization.
Outlining her leadership style that had orchestrated her success, Randima stated it entailed in making people understand the unique contribution and value that a woman can bring to the table in a company and a boardroom and in being in touch with your capabilities and using it to advocate and negotiate strongly to implement strategies you are confident will work for the organization.
Udani expressed for her it entailed in breaking the cultural norms and expectations about behaviors that are deemed appropriate for women and in being persistent and resilient and not being daunted by challenges that come your way. She affirmed that MAERSK fostered such a culture by nurturing the skills of their employees to achieve their full potential and inspiring gender diversity in all its dimensions.
Kushani attributed her participative style of leadership, as her “mantra” for success and giving her team members a voice and the chance to be actively involved in the company’s operation and in making them feel personally liable for its success.
Nadeera believed in an empathetic leadership style. She said that being aware of the psyche of her employees had given her the awareness to understand what affects their needs, motivations and performance. She said “when team members realize they can have faith in their leader to take their feelings into consideration, strong bonds are created, which is crucial for promoting better communication, empowered decision-making and enhanced performance.”
All the ladies suggested having more females on boards and senior management positions was important, as studies have shown that companies who do not have a well-balanced gender workforce and leadership team, underperform in the market in contrast to those companies who have successfully achieved such a balance.
Giving their perspective in what they believe are the biggest challenges for women in leadership roles in Sri Lanka, they said the key barrier they saw were the difficulties women encounter in balancing their personal lives with work, which has stood in the way of women getting into higher levels in management.
They voiced that local companies therefore should identify and update policies and procedures to support the upward mobility of women. These should combine greater development opportunities to expand the pipeline of women in supervisory and managerial positions. They cited that diversity and inclusion should not be about gender but about attracting talent and that both businesses and government should play an important role in closing the gender gap that currently exists in the workplace.
Country Manager, MAERSK Sri Lanka: Zeeshan Mukhi, noted “ At MAERSK, we believe gender diversity matters at all levels and especially in leadership roles to bring diversity of ideas and thought. We invest in diversity because we want to be able to attract from 100% of the talent pool and because it makes better business sense. We are very happy to have a diverse leadership team in Sri Lanka and this demonstrates our long-standing commitment to equal opportunity and gender diversity.”
Photo Caption : MAERSK Lanka ‘s talented female role models- Randima, Udani , Kushani and Nadeera
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Top Performers Lauded at Tokyo Cement Dealer Convention
Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC rewarded their Top Dealers for outstanding performance at the Annual Dealer Convention held on the 17th March at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. City Hardware & Stores from Jaffna won the Grand Prize for Best Dealer 2018, while Ancheneyer Cement & Hardware Dealers, Batticaloa and Ahila Hardware, Batticaloa were awarded 1st and 2nd Runner Up positions respectively.
The annual gathering of over 300 top performing Tokyo Cement Dealers across Sri Lanka is a celebration of their accomplishments during last year. 16 best performers with a total of over 175 winners from various categories walked away with prizes at the event which is a platform for them to shine among their peers in business. Filled with colourful entertainment and glamour, the event brought together all members of the sales and distribution channel making it a memorable get together.
Sharing key achievements of the company which also included being exclusive supplier to some of the on-going major construction projects, Managing Director of Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC, Mr. S.R. Gnanam said, “The relationship with our dealers is firmly built on trust and mutual respect. Thanks to this trust Tokyo Cement has won over great many challenges and cemented our leadership position in the market. Every time a consumer or a major project purchases a Tokyo Cement product, be it our cement, concrete solutions or a value-added product, this bond is reinforced and we are inspired to perform even better. The dealer awards ceremony is our way of thanking you for all that confidence and encouragement.” Mr. Gnanam was joined by the management and the sales and marketing team at this grand felicitation event.
“We are truly grateful to all our distributors and dealers for their steady support and loyalty that fuel our company’s growth. Their unwavering commitment encourages us to overcome challenges in our marketing environment and bring more value to our customers. We are indeed happy to recognise their accomplishments and promise our continued backing for them to become successful businesses”, stated Mr. Dashantha Udawatte, Group Marketing Manager of Tokyo Cement, while acknowledging all members of the sales channel for all their hard work which marked yet another a successful year.
Tokyo Cement Group has successfully built upon 30 years of relationship with the dealer network that is founded on trust and loyalty. The Dealer Convention is a key event organised by the Cement giant to recognise its trade channel. In addition to the annual dealer awards ceremony, the company conducts multiple channel development programs to spur individual business growth and market development. The sales and marketing team works hand in hand with the distribution network to deliver Tokyo Cement products to all parts of the island coupled with unparalleled customer service.
Tokyo Cement has earned its reputation in Sri Lanka’s construction industry as the most trusted supplier of high quality cement and concrete. Delivering superior products, for iconic projects that mark Sri Lanka’s growth, the company has cemented its legacy as a partner in nation building and is committed to raise the bar on quality and fortify its market position as a trailblazer.
Photo Captions: Top 3 Winners of the Tokyo Cement Dealer Convention 2018 with Managing Director, Mr. S.R. Gnanam
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Colombo became13th Best Connectivity Port in the World
The Port of Colombo had been ranked as the 18th Best Connectivity Port by the Drewry Port Connectivity Index is up by five places and is now ranked the 13th best Connectivity Port in the world in the 4th quarter 2017. According to the rankings the Port of Colombo is also the top best connectivity port in South Asia. The Drewry Global Container Port Connectivity Index recently announced the top 20 ports with new entries of Jebel Ali and Algeciras to the listing for the 4th quarter of 2017.
The shipping consultancy Drewry that has launched a regular, bespoke index of port connectivity in this latest edition of its Ports & Terminals Insight report aims to show how well connected the world’s container Ports are. The index divides the world into seven major zones, and measures each port’s breadth of connectivity by the number of regions served and how many mainline services call per week. Routes that involve transshipment are not counted, nor are intra-regional services within a region.
“The Drewry Global Container Port Connectivity Index that signifies the importance of port connectivity as important as size or scale, consists of two variables, the number of mainline services calling at each port per week and the regions in the world to which each port is directly linked. Having the widest possible range of direct service is a significant competitive advantage for all ports,” it says.
At a recent meeting with all terminal operators and stakeholders of the Port of Colombo, held at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Hon.Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the port exceeded the 6.1 million TEU target in collaboration with all terminals at the Port of Colombo and the port expects to reach the 7 million TEU target by the end this year. “ We will take the new initiative forward to promote the Port of Colombo internationally, together with all stake holders and to attract more new shipping lines that work in alliances to the port, “ he said.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the terminals of the Port of Colombo to operate collectively to promote the Port of Colombo. The meeting had been convened with the initiative of Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe and with the participation of Dr.Parakrama Dissanayake, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Expressing views at the occasion the Chairman of SLPA Dr.Parakrama Dissanayake said that the terminals would compete with each other but would also co-operate with each other moving between competition and co-operation. “On the Asia to Europe sector there are 17 loops of which only 03 are calling Colombo. Therefore, obviously, we have got challenges to ensure that collectively we should attract more loops into the Port of Colombo. This means, we have to go beyond the partisan approach of promoting our terminals to protect the Port of Colombo,” the Chairman said.
The top management officials of the three terminals of the Port of Colombo that includes the state owned Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), and the two terminals that run under Public Private Partnership (PPP) the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) also attended the meeting.
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Two automotive giants willing to continue partnership for Hellibees
Hellibees, cutting-edge racing team hitting the track in Sri Lanka with the vision to hoist motorsports in Sri Lanka with the grit not only to change the perception of racing by making it one of the most watched spectator sports in the country, but also to aid young riders triumph their highest potential by providing them with a dynamic new platform with international standards to showcase their talents nationally and internationally and bring fame and prestige to our nation.
Auto Miraj, reputed company; a key player in the automobile industry as the auto care specialists instigated to offer complete auto care solutions entirely committing to ensure that the best services and products are perfectly synchronized to meet diverse customer needs currently serving as one of the country’s leading automobile service providers.
An event was held with the purpose of strengthening the partnership of two automotive giants; Wurth Lanka and Auto Miraj with the Hellibees with the presence of Auto Miraj Managing Director, Mr. N. Chandramohan, Wurth Lanka Managing Director, Mr. Rohan Amirthiah along with Hellibees Racing team owner Mr. Murad Ismail with the aim of generating a stronger platform to take racing in Sri Lanka to reach international standards.
Wurth Lanka, established in 1998 as a direct branch office 100% owned subsidiary of Wurth International AG has steadily grown to be a significant player in the automotive aftermarket as a premium quality supplier of after care products and services with over 3000 active customers and is presently diversified into Construction and Metal/Maintenance industry.
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HUTCH to go 4G in 2018
Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, leading mobile broadband operator under the brand “Hutch” has announced that it has received all approvals from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and Board of Investment (BOI) to deploy a nationwide 4G network in Sri Lanka.
Hutch’s parent company in Hong Kong (CKH Holdings Ltd) has taken the decision to support this massive new investment following the success of its 3G operation in the country.
The launch is scheduled to take place in second half of 2018 thus making Hutch the 3rd operator to offer 4G services in the country.
Hutchison appreciates the support and guidance extended by both TRCSL & BOI in facilitating this process. This investment will complement the government’s vision for a digital Sri Lanka.
The deployment of 4G services will allow Hutch to continue its work towards providing their customers with the best mobile broadband experience at the most affordable prices.
Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Private) Limited is a leading provider of mobile telecommunication services in Sri Lanka operating under the brand “Hutch”. Its services extend to all districts island wide, providing affordable advanced mobile broadband solutions. Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Private) Limited is a member of Hutchison Asia Telecom, the telecommunications arm of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CKH), Hong Kong, a Global Fortune 500 conglomerate.
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Water Mart Opts for ‘Green’ on World Water Day
Natural mineral water supplier Water Mart Systems (Pvt) Ltd recently became the newest addition to the increasingly growing list of environmentally conscious corporates in Sri Lanka by choosing to completely offset its Carbon Footprint. The company announced on World Water Day, the United Nations’ designated day celebrated across the globe to raise awareness and promote the importance of water, that it has obtained the internationally recognized CarbonNeutral® Certification.
The certification process involved a detailed technical assessment of Water Mart’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions conducted by The Carbon Consulting Company (CCC), and independent verification by The Sustainable Future Group (SFG) – the regional partner of Natural Capital Partners in the UK.
Commenting on their achievement, Shanik de Silva, CEO of Water Mart, remarked, “We are pleased to be announcing our commitment to the environment on such a world-renowned day. As a company closely linked to the environment, we wanted to make an effort and go that extra mile to work towards more sustainable operations, and that is why we decided to partner with industry leader CCC for this purpose. We will strive to work towards reducing our footprint and hope to maintain this certification for many years to come.”
Nik Bollons, Senior Consultant at CCC, stated, “On behalf of the CCC team, we congratulate and welcome Water Mart as the newest corporate member in Sri Lanka to become CarbonNeutral®. Water Mart’s commitment to measuring, reducing and offsetting its emissions shows how leading businesses are addressing the realities of Climate Change through innovation. I hope more companies will follow Water Mart’s lead to safeguard the vital resources on this planet for future generations.”
For over 20 years, Water Mart Systems has established itself as a frontrunner in purification and distribution of natural, mineral water in Sri Lanka. Water Mart utilizes a state-of-the-art modern purification process to supply pure drinking water to both commercial entities and households, guaranteeing the highest international quality standards.
Photo Caption – From Left: Sajeewa Ranasinghe – Senior Associate, Sustainability Solutions, SFG; Lakmini Senadheera – Manager, Sustainability Assurance & Advisory Services, SFG; ; Shanik de Silva – CEO, Water Mart; Nik Bollons – Senior Consultant, CCC; Shernal de Silva – Director, Water Mart; Ruwanthi Halwala – Senior Associate, Client Services, CCC.
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Kala Pola 2018 – celebrates 25 years of giving colour to life
~ Record visitors top 28,000, Sales exceed Rs. 15.3 Million
Sri Lanka’s much anticipated annual open-air art fair ‘Kala Pola’ celebrated its 25th anniversary in an explosion of colour on Sunday, 25th February drawing record numbers of art enthusiasts to the vast collection of canvasses replete with colour, vivid sculptures and more, displayed on the street named after the great art historian, Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy.
The vibrant event which has etched its imprint on both locals and tourists has flourished under the joint guidance and sustained partnership of Sri Lanka’s premier blue chip company John Keells Holdings (JKH) and The George Keyt Foundation (GKF).
Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha was a rich palette bursting at the seams with paintings from 358 artists who were given the opportunity to showcase their talents to a broad spectrum of visitors – local and foreign, school children and adults – estimated to number over 28,500.
Among the distinguished guests to patronise the event were Chief Guest High Commissioner of India H.E. Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Deputy Chairman of JKH Krishan Balendra, Chairman of GKF Mike Anthonisz, among others. Speaking at the official ceremony, Mike Anthonisz noted that “JKH stepped in long before CSR, sustainability and the triple bottom line were in vogue”, adding that “the erstwhile Chairman of John Keells, Ken Balendra had been instrumental in the repatriation of the George Keyt collection of paintings from London through Neville Leaf, Director of GKF which was the nucleus of the foundation. The mammoth efforts promulgated by JKH paved the way for the growth of the aesthetics, predominantly art and sculpture in Sri Lanka”.
“We are proud of our partnership with The George Keyt Foundation spanning 24 years as sponsor and co-organiser of Kala Pola and to see this event evolve as a primary platform to showcase, promote and enhance livelihoods of Sri Lankan artists and sculptors,” said Mr. Krishan Balendra, JKH’s Deputy Chairman. “In addition to being a marketplace, Kala Pola has become a networking and learning opportunity for artists. We are also happy to witness the increasing number of visitors and buyers travelling from all over the island and even from around the world for this event. Several artists who started at Kala Pola have gone on to become professional artists, earning a sizable livelihood from art. We are felicitating some of the senior artists of Kala Pola as part of our silver anniversary commemorations”.
“The possibilities of art are constrained only by our imagination”, said H.E. Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India addressing the gathering and sharing in-depth information about the essence and advantages of art. “Despite art being a rich heritage harking back centuries in this region of South Asia, the atmosphere and ethos created through Kala Pola are unique as it has inspired many artists who could be the next Picasso. JKH and GKF have facilitated this passion of art for a quarter of a century which in itself is noteworthy. This is truly uplifting even spiritually as I believe that art and creativity cleanse the soul.”
Sales at Kala Pola exceeded Rs. 15.3 million with some of the artists also being commissioned for their extensive range of canvasses, mixed media, portraits, sketches, intricate sculptures and abstract art.
Nadija Tambiah, Head of CSR, John Keells Holdings PLC said, “Kala Pola continues to play an important role in providing a market place for artists and an opportunity for anyone interested in art to buy a piece of original art. We are delighted to see art teachers bringing their students and tourists taking time off their tours to walk through the stalls. We are proud to have played a part in building a nation of art lovers. The 25 years of existence and increasing popularity of the event could not have been a reality if not for the support network through our staff volunteers, media organisations and others who have continuously and consistently supported our cause in providing a much needed stage for the development of this sphere among aspiring local artists and those who value art the world over.”
As a means of nurturing budding talent, Kala Pola 2018 continued to host a Children’s Art Corner with 170 child artists guided by the teachers of the Cora Abraham School. This was sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, the owner of the Elephant House brand which rewarded the kids’ participation with specially designed certificates and refreshments courtesy of Elephant House.
The evening came alive with a variety of entertainment provided by Namaskara, Ranwala Foundation, Music Matters and the Ravibhandu Vidyapathi Drum Ensemble while 45 child musicians of The Music Project performed orchestral pieces during the morning.
Kala Pola 2018 was supported by a team of 105 volunteers from the John Keells Group, some of whom have supported this endeavor repeatedly. “Art fosters friendship and breaks invincible barriers”, said Zahara Preena a volunteer who has seen the commitment of those who value the significance of creating an avenue of hope for artists through Kala Pola.
Furthermore the varied tools such as the dedicated websites www.kalapola.lk and www.srilankanartgallery.com hosted by John Keells Foundation enable Sri Lankan artists to access markets throughout the year. Please visit www.kalapola.lk or contact John Keells Foundation or The George Keyt Foundation for further information.
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(From left) High Commissioner of India Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, JKH Deputy Chairman Krishan Balendra and Chairman of The George Keyt Foundation, Mike Anthonisz
(From left) High Commissioner of India Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, JKH Deputy Chairman Krishan Balendra and Chairman of The George Keyt Foundation, Mike Anthonisz
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HNB Adjudged Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka for the 10th time by Asian Banker
Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) was awarded as the ‘Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka’ at the ‘Asian Banker’s International Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2018 awards ceremony, held in conjunction with the ‘Asian Banker Digital Finance Convention’ at the Westin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 22nd of March. The achievement marked the tenth time that HNB has been bestowed with the award which is widely held as the most coveted benchmark of Retail Banking Excellence.
The award was presented to HNB in recognition of its outstanding achievements across three key areas, namely: the bank’s ability to maintain profitability, relentless pursuit of operational excellence through continuous improvement in processes; and its groundbreaking Digital Banking innovations and partnerships.
Managing Director/CEO of HNB, Mr. Jonathan Alles stated that “during the last year, we have been able to make strong and bold steps forward in advancement of our strategic vision 2020. Having churned out numerous market innovations, our bank is rapidly redefining the possibilities of truly digital-led value creation for customers. Our 10th award for Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka by the Asian Banker stands as resounding vindication of our continuing efforts to introduce a new paradigm in technology-led banking moving forward”.
HNB’s most recent victory at the Asian Banker awards followed a stringent three-month evaluation process by an imminent panel of respected global bankers, consultants and academics who carefully analyzed every aspect of the business from Customer Experience to Value of Retail Franchise, Consistency of Financial Performance, Digital Innovation, and Risk Management.
The award was received by HNB DGM Retail Banking, Sanjay Wijemanne and his retail banking team on behalf of the Bank at a gala ceremony attended by over 200 senior executives from award winning retail financial service institutions from 25 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Hatton National Bank is a premier private sector commercial bank with one of the largest branch networks among private sector commercial banks. The total assets of the HNB Group surpassed Rs 1 Trillion as at the end of 2017, a year in which HNB was the recipient of the ‘Bank of the year 2017’ award by the acclaimed Banker Magazine UK which also ranked it among the top 1000 banks in the World.
The Bank is also the highest ranked bank in Sri Lanka by the LMD and Business Today magazines. HNB became the first Sri Lankan bank to obtain an international credit rating and was assigned a foreign currency issuer rating of B1 on par with the sovereign rating by Moody’s Investors Service, while it has a national long term rating of AA- (lka) by Fitch Ratings (Lanka) Ltd.
Photo caption: Sanjay Wijemanne, Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking, HNB with the Award. Also in the picture from left: Foo Boon Ping, Managing Editor, The Asian Banker, Niluka Amarasinghe (HNB), Vinodh Fernando (HNB), Dilanka De Silva (HNB), Mangala Wickramasinghe (HNB), Varun Sabhlok, member of The Asian Banker Advisory Board and Vice Chairman of the Awards Programme and Chris Skinner, member of The Excellence in Retail Financial Services Programme
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Victoria’s Minister for Trade and Investment to strengthen ties
The Minister for Trade and Investment from Victoria, Australia, Hon Philip Dalidakis visited the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to reinforce its commitment to the region and further strengthen engagement with the education and IT sectors.
Melbourne is home to the largest Sri Lankan community in Australia. It ranks highest on the liveability scale which is known both to students and to an increasing number of Sri Lankans who have made Melbourne their home. The rapidly increasing Sri Lankan diaspora, which is nearly 56,000 forms an important part of the rich multinational community in Victoria.
During his visit to Colombo, Minister Dalidakis visited several private and government institutions that share education partnerships with Victorian universities such as Monash College at Universal College Lanka (UCL), Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management and National School of Business Management (NSBM). He interacted with Hon Chandima Weerakkody, Minister for Skill Development and Vocational Education at NSBM. The Minister also hosted an event for the Victorian alumni, businesses, government and academia and chaired a roundtable with the ICT Agency members to understand the opportunities and to profile Victorian capabilities in this sector.
Over the years, Victorian universities and institutes have enjoyed successful partnerships with Sri Lankan education providers both in Victoria and in Sri Lanka. Victoria is a major player in the relatively new Sri Lankan international education market, with enrolments of Sri Lankan students in onshore courses in Victoria hitting a high of 7600 as of November 2017. Today, Victoria commands 70% market share of the students travelling from Sri Lanka to Australia.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Melbourne in February 2017 and this visit by the Victorian Minister Dalidakis reaffirms the engagement to partnership commitment between Sri Lanka and Victoria.
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First stand-alone Ruhunu Hospital Laboratory opens in Tangalle
Ruhunu Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneer in the Southern Province healthcare opens a new laboratory and channel service in Tangalle providing a wide array of services in laboratory testing.
The Ruhunu Hospital Diagnostics (RHD) is an integral part of Ruhunu Hospital. Since the launch of RHD, they have built a reputation for accuracy and dependability using some of the most innovative, fast and accurate analyzers in the world. In addition, the mobile app provides the patient an opportunity to view the test results. Also the patient will be notified through SMS that the results are ready to be collected.
With its vision to be the first choice in healthcare and to be a leader in providing high quality, compassionate, patient centered care, the new laboratory aims to provide comprehensive healthcare services assuring complete comfort and care to all categories of people in Tangalle.
Chairman of the Ruhunu Hospital Deepal Wickramasinghe at the inauguration ceremony stated, “The new Laboratory adds to our growing portfolio of facilities and demonstrates our commitment to provide quality healthcare to residents across Tangalle. This was an opportunity for us to look at the distribution of the population, the demographics, and build a system which we believe best addresses the needs of the community. In the near future we hope to make multiple expansions in health care”
The new Laboratory will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
The laboratory facility has a specialized courier service structured specifically for the laboratory sector. The couriers visit every center (twice a day) in the morning and evening between 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m, to collect samples and dispatch the test results. The courier passes through Ambalanthota, Hambantotota, Agunukolapalassa, Padalangala, Middeniya, Weeraketiya, Beliatta, Walasmulla, Hakmana, Kirinda, Puhulwella and Dikwella.
With this new addition, RHD will continue to offer the best quality medical care to a wider section of the population in down south.
Photo caption: Chairman of the Ruhunu Hospital, Deepal Wickramasinghe ceremonially opening the new laboratory in Tangalle while Co-CEO Raveen Wickramasinghe looks on
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