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AATSL wins Gold for Annual Report

Confirms its transparency:

The Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AATSL) won the Gold Award for the NPO and NGO category in the Best Annual Report Competition

organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) recently.

This was the first time that the AATSL participated in a competition of this nature.

AATSL CEO Tishanga Kumarasinghe said they were pleased to receive this accolade especially because this was the first time the AAT took part in the competition and winning the Gold Award confirms its transparency and adherence to the best reporting standards.

“We have been maintaining high standards and this is a compliment for our hard work,” he said. He said this award gives them more courage to surge ahead in the future.

The Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AATSL) was established in 1987 on the initiative of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, ushering in a new era in the development of accounting education in Sri Lanka providing opportunities for middle level accountants.

The AAT caters to youth unable to gain entry to University through the GCE (A/L) results, providing them with opportunities to acquire professional accounting qualifications to seek employment.

Singer Mega picks cruise holiday winner

Having selected the winners of its “Shop, Win, Cruise!” raffle draw at an event held at its Head Office, Singer Mega unveiled the grand prize winner, who is entitled to a family cruise holiday, as well as the winners of gold coins.

Reflecting the retail giant’s desire to bring joy to its customers’ lives during the holiday season, the promotion ran from the August 15, to November 15, and created an unprecedented level of customer interest, with nearly 100,000 entries collected.

Singer Mega’s “Shop, Win, Cruise!” promotion is the latest example of the store’s dedication to giving its customers the ‘big experience.’ Singer was rated by Brand Finance Lanka as the number one Public Brand in Sri Lanka for the sixth successive year, and has won a number of accolades, including Superbrand status and selection by the Nielsen Company as one of the Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka.

Emirates, Virgin America offer enhanced connections

Emirates, now offers US travellers the option to book flights with connecting service on Virgin America, making travel easier and more convenient with one seamless itinerary.

From Los Angeles, passengers can now book a connecting flight on Virgin America to Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Washington DC and Toronto. Emirates’ San Francisco service now connects to Virgin America destinations including Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Seattle, Washington DC and Toronto.

The frequency of both Emirates and Virgin America flights mean a shorter stop-over time for passengers continuing on to Dubai, while the increased connections make travelling to the Middle East hub more accessible throughout the U.S.

SIAS Partnership Summit held

The first Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Singapore (SIAS) Partnership Summit concluded on December 5 at the Galadari Hotel.

The summit clocked 224 registrations drawn from the public and the private sectors which included 41 overseas leaders giving the local community the rare opportunity to network and to showcase opportunities available for potential business in Sri Lanka.

Most overseas delegates took the opportunity to visit the country including the North and the East and was hopeful in churning promising business relationships in the very near future. The chief guest at the first SIAS Partnership Summit was India’s Public Enterprise Department Secretary Bhaskar Chatterjee. The keynote address was delivered by Star News, CEO Ashok Venkatramani.

The theme of SIAS Partnership Summit was ‘Building the Future - Partnership and Progress through Development’. Eighteen leaders shared their wisdom so generously in two separate forums.

The platform was rich with wisdom with a rare breed of iconic leaders that gave an all inclusive encapsulated capsule of knowledge to the audience. “It was a well prepared and planned moderation and a well balanced eminent panel, we learnt so much from it and it was value for money,” said a participant, Micro Image CEO, Harsha Purasinghe said.

LOLC in Mathugama, Avissawella

The fast expanding branch network of the LOLC Group recently offered range of financial services to the people of Mathugama and Avissawella. With the two new branch openings, the total reach of the Group has now topped the 108th mark, signifying a major achievement for the group this year. The new branches are fully-furnished and staffed with teams of highly skilled professionals to cater to a diverse range of financial requirements. These include micro and agro financial services, savings and deposits, leasing and hire purchases, pawning services, NRFC and RFC, working capital and factoring, shari’ah compliant Islamic financial services, insurance, stock brokering, and fleet management among others.

LOLC’s Chief Officer Branch Network, Ashan Nissanka said, the new branches opened in Mathugama and Avissawella herald in a new era of fast-paced aggressive expansion for us. “With more branches set to be opened in the coming months, we are looking at completing a target of 115 before the end of March 2011. Our customers are given the opportunity to engage in any type of financial transaction from any of our branches located throughout the country,” he said

Seasonal discounts for ComBank cardholders

Commercial Bank’s credit and shopping debit cardholders can enjoy discounts at seven leading clothing and footwear retailers this festive season with the commencement of the Bank’s annual Christmas promotion.

Between December 20 and 31, Commercial Bank cardholders can obtain discounts of 25 percent at DSI shops countrywide on purchases over Rs 1,000, and discounts of 20 percent at all Hameedia, Adidas, Raymond and Signature outlets, and at House of Fashion and Fashion Bug. These discounts will add to the benefits already offered by Comdeals, a program which provides value addition to cardholders through discounts at over 60 merchants around the country for credit and shopping debit cardholders and at over 60 merchants on the zero per cent easy payment schemes for Credit Cardholders. Commercial Bank cardholders are also entitled to participate in international promotions carried out by Visa and Mastercard. The Commercial Bank’s operations in Sri Lanka consist of 185 branches and Supermarket Banking counters and an ATM network of 395 terminals.

Overseas higher education seminar

3WGE has organized a seminar for A/L students who have mapped overseas higher education as one of their options.

The seminar will be held as two sessions on December 29 from 10.00 am to 11.00 am and from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm at the 3WGE Head Office at 8 Bambalapitiya Drive, Colombo 04.

The seminar will give an introduction to studying overseas, various study options available for students, the total study experience other than qualifications and life after studies. 3WGE also invite parents to participate as significant decision makers in the whole process. 3WGE Officers will be available to clarify any doubts parents may have on Australian, New Zealand, UK and USA student visas.

A new range of  Otara Jewellery

In its second year running, Sri Lanka’s first ever Celebrity Jewellery line Otara by Colombo Jewellery Stores (CJS) presents another stunning line of contemporary Jewellery.

A partnership between two of the country’s most influential and desirable fashion brands, has seen this celebrity line of Jewellery flourish in popularity and style.

Otara Gunawardene and Colombo Jewellery Stores have partnered to present another striking and vivacious line of Jewellery for the fashion forward woman. Set in White and Rose Gold; dazzling Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, Garnets and Topaz bring to life majestic pieces of art under five new collections. Rainforest, Carousel, Mocktails, Sunset and Ocean have been the inspiration for Otara’s brilliant designs.

Maintaining the signature ‘O’ in its styling, the collection features a myriad of colour and contemporary styling; currently on display at Colombo Jewellery Stores at Alfred House Gardens, Crescat Boulevard and ODEL.

Colombo Jewellery Stores CEO Akram Cassim expressed his pleasure at the success of the line. The first collection has proved to be a success and we are confident of its growing popularity.

Otara’s visionary creativity and style has given rise to another stunning collection inspired by unusual concepts that every woman can relate to.

Otara has stood true to her essence of representing success and dreams coming true. CJS - a hallmark of excellence in quality and exquisite style, offers the modern woman an expression of her inimitable style and persona.

Together, the line of Celebrity Jewellery offers you the best that life has on offer.

It’s a wonderful experience to work with Akram and his team a second year around, Otara Gunawardene, the creator behind the collection said.

“There’s been no better reward than seeing a great reaction from the customers. Creating a good end product with constant innovation is what gives me great joy”, she said.

The complete range of the new line of Otara Jewellery is available at the Colombo Jewellery store in Alfred House Gardens.

Arpico privilege care CSR project

Arpico Supercentre has given an opportunity to their Privilege Card members to contribute towards giving the hearing impaired children the life-long gifts of speech and sound.

Arpico through its ‘Privilege Care’ CSR initiative invites their Privilege Card members to redeem some of their privilege points towards Giving Sound to Silence by letting a child experience the power of sound.

Arpico Supercentre in fulfilling their corporate social responsibility is partnering with their loyal shoppers to make this worthy cause a success. Richard Pieris Distributors Customer Relationship Manager M R Saban commenting on the initiative said that it is the right time for an initiative of this nature as the season is a time for giving and receiving and a time to reflect upon the less fortunate of this world.

“This project will assist parents who are unable to provide Hearing Aids to their children. We are indeed happy to initiate this project in partnership with our loyal shoppers as it will bring a big change in the lives of these children by helping them to communicate better which in turn will improve their quality of life and the dependency,” he said.

He said the entire contribution will be used to purchase hearing aids costing around Rs 35,000 each and will be donated to the Visually and Hearing Impaired School in Ratmalana for the benefit of hearing impaired children.

Non-members too could avail themselves of this opportunity by becoming a Privilege Card member.

The Privilege loyalty card scheme introduced in April 2007 has proven to be a success with over 185,000 card members.

Fashion Bug unfolds new designs

Fashion Bug houses some of the trendiest styles for men, women and kids of all age groups.

From harem pants, skinny jeans and leggings for women, available in an array of colours, while tees in thick stripes and two tones are perfect for everyday use.

Fashion Bug has a variety of trendy dresses with big bold prints and embellishments that can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion.

Accessorize yourself with an overwhelming range of clutch bags, totes, handbags, heels, sandals and gladiator inspired footwear or wrap on a colorful shawl, to make a chic fashion statement.

Keeping up with your changing lifestyle, Fashion Bug thinks ahead: treat yourself to smart officewear for the New Year.

Come check out the new formal wear collection where we have even gone the extra mile to mix ruffles and pin tucks in with straight, no-fuss ladies suits.

Fashion Bug also recently launched a range of lingerie.

Shop from a variety of men’s fashions in men’s clothing collection that will meet all your needs. For the office, our men’s shirts and pants come at great prices. Complete the look with belts, socks, boxers, ties and cufflinks also from the men’s collection.

Add to your casuals with our extensive selection of men’s clothing that includes T-shirts, jeans, casual shirts and men’s accessories.

With the season of giving in tow, finding the perfect gift for family and friends can be daunting that is why Fashion Bug gift vouchers are the perfect gift this season.

Give your loved one’s the freedom to choose from over 80,000 products at Fashion Bug .

NSB wins National Business Excellence Gold Award

The National Savings Bank has been awarded with the National Business Excellence Gold Award under the Specialized Banking and Financial Sector at the recently concluded National Business Excellence Awards Ceremony 2010. Here NSB Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, accepting the award.

HDFC relocates Kegalle branch

HDFC Bank relocated its Kegalle branch into a more spacious and convenient location at Main Street Kegalle recently. HDFC Bank CEO and GM Suresh Amerasekera opened the branch. Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake, Kegalle Divisional Secretary L A P U Liyanarachchi, Kegalle Deputy Mayor Lalith Jayashantha and Business Development and Marketing AGM D V Pathirana were present.