BUSINESS

Tourism Development Bill to be passed shortly 

The Ceylon Tourist Board will undergo a radical transformation with the passage of the Tourism Development Bill. It is expected to be passed by parliament in the near future.

This act would provide "for the establishment of a state authority known as the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority; for the development of the tourism industry and to provide the legal infrastructure to plan, implement, encourage, facilitate, train, educate personnel, regulate, monitor the entire industry and its allied industries."

Past president of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka Udaya Nanayakkara said the passage of the bill would result in the functions of the Tourist Board and Hotel School being devolved  to institutions which will be set up.

These include the Tourism Development Authority, the National Institute of Travel and Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Marketing Bureau and the Tourism Advisory Commission.

He said these institutions will involve the participation of individuals from the industry who will work alongside public officials.

Nanayakkara said the proposed act arose from the deliberations of a committee appointed to look into the travel and tourism sectors in Sri Lanka. This committee headed by Hari Selvanathan submitted its report to the government about three months back.

Nanayakkara, who is also the Vice President of the Universal Federation of Travel Agents Associations based in Monaco, praised the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and the Tourism Ministry for their efforts in developing the Tourism Development Bill.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority which will be established after the passage of the bill will be assigned some of the Tourist Board's  functions. It will conduct regulatory activities such as licensing and setting of standards, regulation of prices, fees, rates and charges in respect of tourism services, and the registration of travel and tourism enterprises.

The authority will also play a role in tourism development policy, advice the government on policy matters relating to travel and tourism, undertake land acquisitions for tourism development and protect places of scenic beauty and environment.

Nanayakkara noted that the Ceylon Tourist Board Act does not permit industry players holding a position in the board. However, the proposed authority will have no such limitations.

The Tourism Development Authority will consist of 14 members, of whom 5 will be nominated by the Tourist Hotels Association and Sri Lanka Association of Travel and Tourism.

The passage of the bill will also lead to the establishment of the National Institute of Travel and Tourism. It will assume the functions carried out by the Hotel School.

The institute will handle hotel-related activities, and be responsible for training youth to enter the inbound tourism business. It will train individuals on activities like guiding and how to structure tour packages and outbound travel packages in a professional manner. Training will also be conducted on the intricacies of air ticketing, air fare constructions, IT training on reservation systems, etc.

An objective of the National Institute of Travel and Tourism will be to own, manage and participate in ownership and management of schools and training centres wholly on mainly connected with tourism.

The institute's board of governors will include three representatives from the Tourist Hotels Association, Sri Lanka Association of Travel and Tourism, and the Hotel School Graduates Association.

The Tourism Development Act will also lead to the establishment of the Sri Lanka Tourism Marketing Bureau. Its function will be marketing and promoting tourism into Sri Lanka and organising events, conventions, festivals, and exhibitions in order to attract tourists. Nominees of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka will be appointed to the bureau.

According to Nanayakkara, all activities of the Tourist Board pertaining to marketing and promotion including its foreign operations will fall under the bureau.

The act will also result in the formation of the Tourism Advisory Commission. It will comprise of people of eminence and of international stature who will serve in an honorary capacity and advice the minister on matters relating to tourism.

Another outcome of the Tourism Development Act will be the creation of a cess fund which will market and promote tourism in Sri Lanka.

Nanayakkara noted that the tourism industry here has been adversely affected by ethnic strife, bad media publicity, negative travel advisories, and withdrawal of airline services as well as the lack of funds to counter such problems and promote the country's image.

A levy of 1 per cent will be introduced on the turnover of all Tourist Board licensed institutions from April 2003. The government also proposes to add a US Dollars 5 levy for international travel to the existing embarkation tax of US Dollars 10 on every international flight ticket to and from Sri Lanka, from April 2003. The monies collected through both these measures will be largely utilised for the marketing and promotion of tourism.

Supreme Court dismisses GFML case

The Supreme Court has refused permission to appeal an earlier decision made by the Appeal Court dismissing a case filed by Galle Flour Milling (GFML) against the Board of investment and Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd.

The GFML lawsuit sought relief for breach of contractual rights against the BOI and to quash approval granted to Serendib Flour Mills to set up a flour mill in the Port of Colombo along with an interim order to prevent the BOI from permitting Serendib Flour Mills to proceed construction.

The case was dismissed both in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on the grounds that BOI had contractual rights to terminate the agreement due to GFML's failure to provide an investor to meet the contracted project requirement.

The Appeal Court ruled that the "decision contained in termination is in the exercise of the contractual powers vested in the BOI by virtue of the agreement between the parties and not in the circumstances of exercise of the statutory powers vested in the BOI." In light of these findings, the court dismissed the application with cost. The judgement further states that "there is no need for the Court to deal with the other matters that have been brought up relating to the failure of the Petitioner (GFML) to come to court with clean hands."

PM to announce launch of e-Sri Lanka

The launch of Sri Lanka's ICT Roadmap, e-Sri Lanka, will be announced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 20.

An initiative of Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology, Milinda Moragoda, e-Sri Lanka is a five-pronged strategy which envisions the development of Sri Lanka's ICT sector with the objective of taking ICT to every village, citizen and business, with e-government as its mainstay.

The e-Sri Lanka action plan envisions the creation and development of global markets for employment generation, deployment of e-government concepts with emphasis on productivity and competitiveness and enable socio-cultural integration of a united nation, revolving on the axis of developing Sri Lanka's economy, reducing poverty and improving the quality of life and opportunities for the people.

e-Sri Lanka will look at the most critical and quickest measures to set the ICT roadmap on its way by setting up the implementation framework, the critical staffing, implementing much awaited telecommunications reforms and enabling e-laws. The e-Sri Lanka initiative will commission the necessary studies, technical assistance and capacity building measures, which are critical to realise its laudable objectives for our nation.

To achieve these, the government is looking at a strategic partnership with private sector associations and NGOs to create the infrastructure, establish e-government services and brand 'Sri Lanka Inc.' as a hi-tech nation.

SL-China sign destination status agreement

The Accredited Destination Status agreement between Sri Lanka and China, enabling Chinese nationals to visit the country as tourists was signed in Shanghai last Friday. Ambassador for Sri Lanka in China Bernard A. B. Goonetilleke signed the agreement on behalf of the Sri Lankan government while Vice Minister Sun Gang signed on behalf of China.

The signing of the agreement follows negotiations which were completed this year. Presently 21 countries have similar agreements with China. It is expected that the agreement would be a boon to the local tourism industry with Chinese arrivals expected to increase significantly. Around 10.5 million Chinese went abroad on vacation in 2001.

Meanwhile, there was enhanced participation by the Sri Lanka travel trade at the ongoing China International Travel Mart in Shanghai, with around 20 companies participating. Some of the Sri Lankan tour operators have already laid the groundwork by inviting their Chinese counterparts on familiarisation tours to the island.

A code sharing arrangement was incorporated into the existing bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries, in September this year, in order to enable permitted airlines to offer a swifter air connection in the absence of direct flights.

This arrangement was on a suggestion made by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Belling and subsequently negotiated between Sri Lankan and Chinese civil aviation authorities.

Fostering an effective public service

By Dinesh Weerakkody

A respected American law school professor once asked me, "how politically sensitive is your public service?" My answer was, the question should never be even raised. After all, the public service is presumed to be apolitical, neutrally organised, ipso facto, being called upon to serve the elected government of the day, regardless of its political complexion.

However, while some argue the public service is an extension of the party in power, others argue the public service is a neutral setup carrying out the orders of the political leadership within the rule of law.

An interesting example is when the late D.S. Senanayake directed a then civil servant to hand over a file of an opposition member. His reply was "I cannot give you the file in private, but if the cabinet orders me to do so, I will table the file." The Prime Minister then said, "Then I will not ask for it."

In this instance, both Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake and the civil servant demonstrated admirable qualities, which are, unfortunately, not often demonstrated today. The Prime Minister respected the integrity of his secretary while the secretary respected the integrity of the laws he had sworn to uphold.

As is well known, these high traditions became seriously eroded for the first time during the United Front government's period of office in 1970-1977. Since then, the respect for persons and the respect for law have steadily deteriorated.

In this context, much hope revolves around the Independent Public Service Commission the UNF government promised to set up before the end of the year.

Sensitive

A prime minister of an Asian country once told his administrative service, that civil servants must be politically sensitive. Some eyebrows, it seems, were raised among those who saw it as an indication of the service drawing closer to the government, and the line between public servants and the political masters becoming blurred even more.

Politically neutral

Those who say the public service should be politically sensitive fail to understand how the public service operates. Theoretically speaking, yes, public servants are politically neutral when they cast their votes during election time.

However, once the government is formed, they have to put aside their political allegiances and serve the government of the day.

That means carrying out the government's programme efficiently and effectively, as well as formulating and refining policies.

Realistically speaking, if they have happened to have also personally voted for the victorious party, well and good, if not, they must be professional enough to put aside their differences and disappointments and do the jobs they have been paid to do by the taxpayers.

Moreover, if they cannot bring themselves to do so, then they ought to look for other jobs outside the service. However, there are also those who would argue that there is a very clear line dividing the job of public servants and their political masters.

Cross the line, they say, and you compromise the integrity of the civil service, making it an extension of the party in power.

However, in reality such a fine line rarely exists. Public policies are not neatly packaged into little compartments, some meant for politicians, others for civil servants.

For example, in Singapore, when the government decided on a quota scheme to control the car population, civil servants must have been as closely involved as the political leaders in devising the various intricacies of the scheme. Part of the work was to make the scheme more acceptable to the public, such as giving existing owners of cars more than 10 years old a two year grace period.

In short, make the scheme politically more palatable to the people. Should public servants refrain from even thinking about these so-called political matters? Now, I do not know who first thought of that two-year grace period. However, I am positive a politically sensitive public servant would have been just as proud to lay claim to it as his minister. So, is there any real difference in the work of ministers and senior public servants?

There is at least one, and it is that ministers are likely to spend a great deal more time thinking about what they want to achieve, while public servants devote greater attention to predicting the outcome of various alternative policies and perhaps support some of his minister's political activities.

Take health policies for example. The minister must settle basic questions such as how much of the cost of health care ought to be subsidised by the state.

Needless to say, this involves fundamental questions about 'values' - whether a heavily subsidised system such as that in welfare states is preferable to one which is largely financed by the private sector.

Realistically speaking, public servants rarely think about these matters, taking them as given and set by the politicians. They would ideally devote their attention to calculating what different subsidy levels might cost the government and how each of these levels would affect health cost for the general public.

Now when ministers discuss questions of values, they invariably have to think about what sort of society they want, taking into account the existing values of the population.

Values

If there is broad agreement or consensus among the population on basic values that affect a particular policy, then ministers know they will have relatively easy time selling them.

Of course, this does not mean there will be no disagreement because those who even agree on basic values may differ over how these values get translated into objectives, and ultimately, programmes.

However, serious problems arise when there is no such consensus on fundamental issues, the population is divided and the government is stymied into bargaining to sell these policies to the people.

Perhaps now, what are the policies that commonly fall into this category? Here is how I would classify some of the more controversial issues in a democratic country. Viz - those involved in clash of fundamental values.

Issues

(A) Language: like for example the 'Sinhala only' policy of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike

(B) Culture: questions such as whether the different races/ethnic groups should go out of their way to develop their own cultures or submerge them in an attempt to develop a common Sri Lankan identity.

(C) Religion: the need to maintain religious harmony. There is still a sharp disagreement over how active religious groups  ought to be when reacting to pressing socio-economic issues  of the day.

Of course, these are also the main problems, which have proved to be insoluble for the past three or more decades. It is a very unfortunate fact that people who have been trying without success to solve these problems count among them the very persons who were partners in creating the problems in the first place.

Others who are trying to solve those problems are persons who, for a long time now, have tried and failed to solve those problems.

They should admit their failure and fade out of the scene for good. "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." People of maturity and dynamism, without a long track record of failure and with a vision for the future should now be give the chance.

In addition, the government should recruit a competent, commercially-oriented technocratic cadre, and insulate it from day-to-day political interference to devise a credible economic strategy and to establish a business friendly environment. That is the only way to the future.

YKK Lanka launches operations 

YKK Group had its official launching of YKK Lanka at its state-of-the-art facility at the Seethawaka Industrial Park on November 13, under the auspices of Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Ravi Karunanayake.

This US$ 15 million factory situated on 35,000 square feet of land brings to Sri Lanka's doorstep the YKK Group's global network with world-class quality based on the twin pillars of fastening products and architectural products. As a backward integration project, YKK Lanka manufactures metal, coil and vislon zippers for Sri Lanka's largest non-traditional exporter, the apparel industry.

In his address, Minister Karunanayake said that at this present time, when Sri Lanka was at the crossroads of her history, global giants such as YKK setting up operations in Sri Lanka brings with it the message to the rest of the world that Sri Lanka is gearing towards bigger and better things in the world economy.

Managing Director, YKK Lanka, Keigo Hiramatsu said that the company believes in creating new values with advanced technology within the global framework and hence, has brought in that premise to its operations in Sri Lanka. "In this challenging industry, our edge over our competitors is the speedy and courteous customer service with the value addition of a dynamic sales and marketing team," he explained.

120,000 Janaratha  policies taken

The 120,000th Janaratha motor insurance policy by Janashakthi was recently handed over at a simple ceremony held at their head office. Janashakthi created hassle free motor insurance in the industry seven years ago by accepting vehicle insurance in their product portfolio and took the market into a new dimension.

Janashakthi has excelled in the areas of providing a faster settlement and a fair assessment of claims along with a high level of service standard to its customers. Now, with the recent acquisition of the National Insurance Company, Janashakthi has further consolidated their market position by emerging as No. 2, ahead of all other private insurers with a consolidated market share of 20% in motor insurance.

It is in this backdrop that JIC is launching its entire motor insurance portfolio, including that of NIC under the Janaratha brand name, bringing both businesses under one umbrella brand which will benefit both NIC and JIC policy holders through the extensive network island wide.

Speaking briefly at the occasion of handing over the 120,000th policy, Managing Director, JIC, C.T.A. Schaffter said, "JIC with regard to general insurance proves to be a formidable force in the local insurance industry since it posted a 26% growth over the previous year, from Rs. 343 million to Rs. 432 million."

CBL wins top brand awards

Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) the manufacturer and exporter of Munchee Biscuits and Ritzbury Chocolates won two top awards at the recently concluded Brand Excellence Awards 2002 organised for the first time by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

Munchee competed with a significant number of leading local and multinational brands to win both gold and silver for the 'Product Brand of the Year' category at the event held on November 3, at the Trans Asia Hotel.

The gold award won by Munchee Lemon Puff bears testimony to its immense popularity among consumers. The silver award was for Munchee as a brand.

Ceylon Biscuits takes great pride in the fact that they secured both gold and silver awards at the same ceremony, further indicating the popularity of their products under the Munchee brand.

AISEX exhibition successfully held

The Apparel Industry Suppliers Exhibition 2002 (AISEX) took place from November 8 to 10, at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo.

It was organised by the Sri Lanka Apparel Institute and co-organised by CDC Conventions (Pvt) Ltd.

AISEX 2002 featured 70 top international brands (suppliers and service organisations required by apparel manufacturers) spread over 170 stalls at the exhibition site. Among the brands were Juki, Pegasus, Hashima, Paff, Sintex, Barudan, Groz Beckert, GSD, ZSK  and Gerber Technology. The exhibition, in fact, focused on a wide range of apparel or textile machinery, accessories and services, from different parts of the world.

It was an opportunity for suppliers, manufacturers and services related to the apparel industry to display their latest range and development.

In today's intensely competitive global export market, the exhibition facilitated manufacturers to source the most appropriate and best quality inputs needed at the best possible price, without compromising on quality or productivity.

A special feature at AISEX was the modular system to improve the productivity in the apparel industry. The Clothing Industrial Training Institute was responsible for promoting this new modular system in Sri Lanka. A special demonstration was carried out at the exhibition displaying the advantages of implementing such a system.

The objective of the Sri Lanka Apparel Institute (SLAI), the chief organiser, is to promote the science of designing and producing apparels and the education and training of professionals in the industries concerned. This would thereby improve the standard of service to the personnel of the apparel industry.

The SLAI is a non profit making institute, which is the pioneering and one of the active institutions responsible for organising trade fairs and seminars related to the industry.

Co-organisers CDC Conventions (Pvt) Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Connaissance De Ceylan Ltd., is in the business of organising exhibitions and conferences in different fields which have a direct and indirect impact on the country's economy in building new avenues of business. CDC Conventions (Pvt.) Ltd., with a group of young professionals with new and innovative ideas has a very strong track record of handling 80% of the trade exhibitions in the country.

CNCI commends the government on budget strategy

The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries has commended the government for its strategy of lowering the debt on one hand and controlling the recurrent expenditure on unproductive areas on the other. Given below are excerps from a press release by the chamber on the Budget 2003.

Budgeting to save Rs. 1.5 billion by rationalising the public sector cadre and another Rs. 2.8 billion by the disposal of idle assets is most welcome.

But we feel this is only a modest amount. It is hoped that the government having realised that our country has one of the greatest ratios of public officer to the population in the world will endeavor to effect greater pruning of the state sector, thus not only realising cost saving on unproductive sectors but also achieve a more efficient and better paid public sector which will undoubtedly foster industrial development rather than being an obstacle to it as at present.

Special incentive packages offered under the proposed BOI to develop the regions is an encouraging step. But we are concerned as to why this is being confined to BOI industries. Our chamber has persistently been seeking a level playing field between the BOI and non BOI concerns. It is hoped that these incentives will be available to the industry in general and not confined to BOI concerns only.

Reform on land laws and making available the state lands for private enterprises is most welcome. It is hoped that this will lead to planned industrial estates and zones throughout the country to facilitate healthy development of industries.

The proposals for rehabilitation of non-performing and under-performing industries is very timely. Success of this, however, will depend on the criteria that are still to be determined. Our chamber will be glad to work closely with the government in the effective implementation of this proposal.

Introduction of duties of 2 to 10% on those which do not attract duties (this includes raw materials and machinery, etc) on the one hand and the proposal to phase out the surcharge on the other are counterproductive to the competitiveness of the industries. Industries are not seeking handouts and endeavors to be competitive. But poor infrastructure, high cost of power and interest and outdated labour laws are some of the major factors which inhibit the local industry being competitive.

Thus, to set off these handicaps, the local industry has to be supported by tariff adjustments. Therefore, imposition of additional duties on the raw materials and removal of surcharge on the finished goods will have serious consequences and we do hope that these will be reconsidered. The manner in which the VAT has been introduced on the banks appears to conflict with the principles of value added tax. Banks are sure to pass this on to the borrowers just as they did with the NSL.

Thus, the cost to the industry is bound to go up. It is heartening to note that the government has taken note of the need to improve the effectiveness of the two state banks to reduce the interest to the borrower and hope this will be accomplished soon.

Relaxation of some of the foreign exchange regulations such as for issue of bid bonds, forward purchase of foreign exchange and to purchase foreign exchange from any bank to settle import bills on DA and DP will be helpful to the industries.

One of our major concerns is the extension of the VAT to the retailers. This in practice is bound to increase the cost of living as this VAT will get passed over to the consumer due to lack of proper understanding. This step is most inopportune and unwise for social and political stability.

Considering the fact that it is expected to collect only Rs. 800 million and for which too we doubt the capacity of the collection machinery to deliver the goods, it would be prudent to reconsider this proposal.

The extension of the debit tax and the 15% tax on inward remittances are negative steps of the budget proposals. The latter particularly along with the extension of the VAT to the retailers will adversely affect the poorer sections of our society.

CNCI is conscious of the limited resources of the government saddled with huge debts and its limitation to mobilise sufficient revenue. Given this limitation, the budget has attempted to lay the foundation for the economic development of the country.

Our comments on the budget has been made with the full realisation of these aspects. CNCI also thanks the government for having embodied in the budget a number of suggestions we made in our budget proposals.

Record  sales for  Premier Pacific

Premier Pacific International (Pvt) Ltd., which recently launched the company's second development project, a super luxury residential and shopping complex, has achieved a record 25% sales of apartments within six weeks.

The project titled Premier Pacific Pinnacle is expected to cost Rs. 850 million and will be an elegant and aesthetically pleasing addition to Colombo's skyline.

"The range of 16 types of apartments, customer friendly and flexible payment schemes and the extensive customisation support coupled with after sales service fulfil the desires of the customers," said Director (Project), Nirosh Perera. The unprecedented pre-payment offer is the most favoured and popular among the customers, he revealed. The company has also introduced several other novel payment schemes and a unique rental scheme.

The complex was designed following an extensive market survey in both Sri Lanka and several Asian countries. It will house 58 apartments of 16 types of two and three bedrooms, while the commercial section will have 66 shop units. The new world-class complex is an 11-storied building with two basements, ground floor and a mezzanine level. The commercial section is from ground up to the fourth floor and the residential section would be from the fifth floor upto the eleventh floor.

ETF Board meets employers

During the last few weeks the ETF Board met some of the employers who make large contributions to the fund with a view to maintaining a close relationship with them and to create an awareness of the many benefits for which active members are eligible for.

In order to bring the board closer to the members and employers, the present management is targeting a higher return to the members for the year 2002 by reducing recurring expenditure, improving treasury management and increasing compliance among employers.

 The board has taken steps to update the member accounts and is in the process of mailing over 220,000 annual member statements per month from august this year. Claim settlement is consistently within 21 days per claim for over 65% of the claims received.

SLT to connect Hayleys Group

Sri Lanka Telecom has been entrusted to network the headquarters of Hayleys and 14 Hayleys branch offices through its state-of-the-art data services. Hayleys is one of the country's oldest and largest conglomerates, whose annual revenue amounts to Rs. 16 billion. The group of companies is engaged in diversified business interests: trading, plantation, tourism, agriculture, transportation, etc.

As per the recently signed agreement signed by CEO, SLT, Shuhei Anan and CEO, Hayleys, Sunil Mendis, SLT will connect Hayleys branches of Maradana, Homagama, Kottawa, Ekala, Malabe, Grandpass, Madampe, Galle, Mahabage, Dankotuwa and Wattala via a frame relay solution.

CIM appoints new executive committee

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Sri Lanka branch held its annual general meeting recently and appointed a new executive committee to manage the branch activities for the ensuing year.

Lasantha Wickremesooriya, a fellow of the institute and a chartered marketer was elected as the new chairman to lead the branch.

Wickremesooriya is Director (Agriculture) of Brown & Co. Ltd. Managing Director, Caltex, Kishu Gomez was elected senior vice chairman. Business Development Manager, GE, Sri Lanka, Suren Rajanathan was appointed vice chairman. Brand Manager, Coca Cola (Far East), Lakshman Peiris will function as the secretary and Financial Controller, Lenia Aqua, Viren Wijesinghe will function as the treasurer.

From the committee, five members were selected as process team leaders; Roshani Cooray (director operations, Brown & Co) as the education liaison officer, Shiraz Latiff (general manager, Precision Tech Services) team leader for diplomate development, Mihindu Rajaratne (product manager, Singer Sri Lanka) team leader for membership development, Rasika Wickramatunga (head of sales and marketing, Bogawantalawa Plantations Ltd.) team leader for public relations and Ameer Ahamed (managing director, Artbox Advertising) as team leader for networking.

Other members of the executive committee are Sanjika Perera (sales manager, HSBC), Rohantha Athukorale (category manager, Reckitt Benckiser), Ruwani Wickremaratne (marketing manager, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), Yohan Binthara Amith (assistant manager, sourcing, Unilever Ceylon) and Marlon Fernando (product manager, Ceylinco Insurance). A unique feature in the newly appointed executive committee is that all Exco members are chartered marketers, the highest individual recognition awarded by CIM on its practising members.

F&G Company expanding aggressively

The Finance & Guarantee Co. Ltd , a well established and reputed company today celebrates success achieved from humble beginnings through tough and hard times. As a company handed over to Ceylico Consolidated 15 years ago, it has diversified into many spheres of business and has grown into a cluster group under the Ceylinco umbrella.  Among these cluster companies is F&G Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd., which has significantly contributed with a string of extremely successful projects.

The Carlton apartments, a luxury apartment complex in Colpetty was constructed and marketed by F&G Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd. Turning a new leaf in entertainment they introduced a novel concept, Fingara Town & Country Club which is regarded as the first of this kind in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Chairman/Chief Executive of the Company, Mervyn Jayasinghe is quite optimistic about this project and says that most of the work has already been completed and the club will start operations early next year.

Fingara Country Club offers many facilities to suit the entire family, may it be to enjoy a day out or a relaxed dinner. Situated in a three and a half acre extent land in Nugegod, this offers many recreational activities such as a fully equipped gym, video arcade, swimming pool, pool tables, library and a restaurant, to name a few.

The membership has already exceeded 150 and the company expects a huge demand in future. According to Jayasinghe Fingara is unique since it's family oriented, unlike a conventional male dominated club where families are seldom seen together.

Apart from this the company has embarked on a supermarket complex in Pasyala. "The objective of the company is to develop rural areas of the country and help small towns and villages to develop, thus improving the living standards of the rural community" added Jayasinghe.

The company has recently introduced Majestic Apartments, an apartment complex designed to international standards at Station Road, Wellawatte. This is targeted at people who intend to invest in an apartment in Colombo but living elsewhere such as expatriates. The area is highly residential, yet close to the Wellawatte town and the popular Kinross beach.

Each apartment consists of a master bedroom with an attached toilet and balcony, a second room with balcony, living room, dinning room, utility room and a servants room. With imported bathroom fittings, tiled floors and rust proof, powder coated aluminum windows, these apartments look very attractive for any prospective owner. In addition a 24 hour security service, ground floor parking with two elevators , janitorial services, and a standby generator will be provided by the company.

"The reason behind the success story of F&G Group is its visionary leader, Chairman Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala, the board of directors and the dedicated staff," said Jayasinghe.

AMW marks 10th anniversary of Good Year in Sri Lanka 

Associated Motorways (AMW) is a pioneer automobile marketer in Sri Lanka and the sole agent for world class brands like Nissan, Yamaha, Maruti. AMW are also pioneers of the concept of retread tyres in Sri Lanka, now catering to over 70% of the total market requirement. AMW also manufactures quality, proven tyres for all types of motorcycles, three-wheelers and bicycles.

AMW in the year 1992 joined hands with Good Year Tyre & Rubber Company. Today the company is celebrating its 10th anniversary as strong business partners.

Good Year is the largest tyre company in the world. Good Year also owns top brands such as Sumitomo, Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda and other associated brands which come under its umbrella. Good Year is known for its quality, technology and diversity in the tyre industry.

Good Year has one of the largest budgets for research and development which keeps it in the fore-front of tyre technology. In the recent past Good Year's research findings came out with an unique technology called Trinium Tyre Technology. Good Year Trinium Tyre Technology is a revolutionary development that combines the expertise of Good Year's Global Technical Centres in Japan, Europe and America. The intricate blend of chemistry, design and engineering makes Good Year the leading tyre accepted globally.

As testament to this, Good Year has won more Formula One races and passed the chequered flag than any other tyre.

It takes a tough tyre to master Sri Lankan roads. Good Year has done it for the past 60 years.

Good Year's wide range of products encompasses everything from giant 12ft high earth mover tyres to minimised six inch tyres for golf carts. Within its range Good Year has Eagle, Wrangler, GPS, and Aquatread tyres.

The latest additions to its range are Fortera for the SUV, Wrangler for the 4 x 4, Ventura, NCT-5, and GT-3 for high performance comfort and pleasure.

Associated Motorways Limited was established in 1949. Since then AMW has grown from strength to strength. The natural sequel for success was the formation of the AMW Group of Companies. Associated Rubber Industries Ltd., became the pioneer bicycle tyre manufacturer. Associated Vacu-Lug Company Limited was the first (and only) giant off-the-road tyre rebuilder. And Associated Batteries Company Limited began the manufacture of Yuasa automotive batteries in Sri Lanka.

Master memory workshop 

Everyone talks about their bad memory, but few people ever do anything about it. Memory does not develop by itself. Your memory can be trained easily to produce awe-inspiring results.

A systematically developed memory is a powerful tool for a successful career and blank memories would be a thing of the past. In this one-day workshop, under the personal coaching of Prof. Lakshman Madurasinghe PhD, consultant psychologist, you will learn tried and tested techniques to expand your memory storage and organise your mind to retain and retrieve information like a mental filling system and build a powerful memory. The next workshop is on November 19 (Poya), from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Sunfo House, Colombo 5.

Kingsley to attend BFA Tourism conference

The BOAO Forum for Asia and China National Tourism Administration will co-host the BFA Tourism Conference on November 17-22 in Guilin, China.

Southern Province Governor, Kingsley T. Wickramaratne, founder member of BFA and member of the BFA Advisory Board is scheduled to attend the conference. He will be chairing the first session on Asian Tourism Co-operation and Development. Over 500 participants, among them state leaders and decision makers from 24 Asian countries are expected to be present.

The conference aims to promote and develop the tourism sector in Asian countries and strengthen the cooperation and collaboration between Asia and other parts of the world. This is the first tourism conference to be held in China.

Also attending the conference will be  Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Prathap Ramanujam who is billed to speak in one of the sessions and  Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, P.M. Withana.

E&J Gallo Wine appreciation programme held

The E & J Gallo training programme has been designed by Free Lanka Trading Co., to be a training tool to the young wine waiters in the hospitality industry to achieve their goals.

To date Free Lanka Trading counts 10 years of training in bar tendering. The Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management are conducting the training programme in association with Free Lanka Trading Ltd. Free Lanka are the exclusive distributor for E & J Gallo Wines, listed in the Guinness Book Of Records as the largest winery in the world.

This programme over the last seven years has trained over 1400 people in six regions, giving an opportunity to all young wine waiters in the hospitality industry to enjoy a day's training programme with guided wine tasting and a quiz based on knowledge on wines, wine growing countries, how wine is made, wine serving, wine and food harmony etc. They also receive a wine book which helps them to enhance their knowledge on wine services. Designed and compiled by Free Lanka Trading Company Ltd. The participant receives a certificate from the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The six regions cover the entire country and from each region the first five winners are privileged to undergo a week's training at the Ceylon Hotel School free of charge. During the training programme the entire hotel sector extends its co-operation. These trainees are invited to fine dinning at five star hotels and they get the opportunity to match food and wine with the assistance of the hotel chefs. Picture shows Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge presenting an award to a winner.

A. Baur & Co. opens new sales centre

To fulfil a long felt need A. Baur & Co. Ltd., recently opened a showroom and sales centre, strengthening its commitment to serve the customer in the best possible way. Baur's is a household name throughout the country and its parent company, Lanka-Baur Holdings S.A., Switzerland has been associated with the country for over a century.

With the introduction of biotech products specifically for serious and life-threatening conditions, it has become necessary for companies to have facilities to deal with customers direct, as these products are quite expensive and the pharmacies will not be able to stock due to the heavy investment involved. The company has also diversified into surgicals, diagnostics and ophthalmics. As the direct customer base has increased with the introduction of these products, the new showroom and sales centre will be an added advantage.

Gateway students impress 

"Contribute to the process of building peace, building reconciliation, and helping your country, which is at cross roads, to develop with the full range of life skills, of living together, working together and co-existing with the people of all communities, and the major religions in a meaningful way, you have been taught in your great school," so said  High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Sri Lanka Stephen Evans at the Awards Ceremony of Gateway International School held recently at the BMICH. The High Commissioner and his wife Sharon Evans were the chief guests and Professor Dayantha Wijesekera was the guest of honour.

Continuing, Evans said, "I am incredibly impressed by the awards ceremony, by its sleekness, by its organisation and above all, by the contribution that is being made by the pupils of the school, whether it was the delightful two and half year-olds, the youngest children of the school who greeted Vice Chancellor Prof. Dayantha Wijesekera, my wife Sharon and me; whether it was those who performed the graceful pooja ceremony or those who performed various dances, be it oriental or western; and all being done to the highest possible standards by children who clearly have a great belief in themselves, who worked together as a team to entertain us and to produce a wonderful product in song and dance. The school's excellence has not just been in the classroom or examination hall only."

Gateway-NCC IT programme in Pakistan

Computer Pioneers, an IT training programme for children of 4 to 16 years developed and marketed by Gateway Computer Services in Sri Lanka and NCC Education, UK, was recently introduced to Pakistan.

The training programme that is mapped to the subject information and communication technology in the national curriculum in UK, is gaining popularity in many countries.

In Pakistan, over a hundred English medium schools have taken the programme to be included in the school curriculum.

Approximately 20,000 students are expected to take the programme in these schools. The programme is structured to be introduced to all grades in the school and the teachers are supported with all necessary resources such as teacher guides, course books, work plans, lesson plans etc.

All assessments are carried out by NCC Education who also provide the certification.

Dr. H.K. Alles, who serves as a managing consultant for NCC Education, UK, recently visited Pakistan together with a team of teacher trainers to do the initial teacher training for teachers of these schools.

New product from Maliban

In keeping with stiff competition in a fast growing market, Maliban Biscuits Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd., launched a new product recently.

At a recently held press conference 'Seasame Crackers,' a biscuit with a new flavour was introduced for biscuit lovers of the country.

The biscuits made out of seasame is expected to create a sensation among the public. According to officials of Maliban, they have always kept to the high standards of quality expected by the public.

Despite the ever growing competition in the market for the introduction of new biscuits officials at Maliban feel their product will always remain the most sought after in the market.

The introduction of seasame crackers comes after much research where it was revealed that biscuit lovers wanted something unusual and different in terms of flavour and seasame seemed the right choice.

With the crispy taste and a touch of seasame flavour these biscuits are expected to become the most talked of biscuit in the country soon.

The best of brain power

Don't miss the popular Carlsberg Quiz Nights at the Echelon Pub, Hilton Colombo on Mondays and Clancy's Irish Pub on Wednesdays, by courtesy of Carlsberg.

At the Echelon Pub each competing team will consist of not more than six participants and the Carlsberg Quiz will be conducted by the Quiz Master who will field a set of questions from trivia pursuits. A winning team and two runners-up will be selected. Weekly a large cake and pitches of beer will be awarded to the winning teams.

The prize structure on accumulated Quiz Nights score tabs over the weeks at Echelon Pub are: 6 T-shirts for 100 points scores; 6 wrist-watches plus lunch vouchers for 6 at the Hilton Coffee Shop or Curry Leaf for 220 points; 6 binoculars and 6 vouchers redeemable at Il Ponte for 350 points. The team to reach the accumulate score of 500 points will be entitled to a grand prize of a swinging party at Fine Things for 60 guests with sound, lighting, DJing and five kegs of beer with the compliments of Carlsberg and 50% off the snack menu, courtesy the Hilton.

At Clancy's however, the prize structure is slightly different. In addition to weekly Rs.5,000 cash prizes and Rs.5,000 gift vouchers, on offer are accumulate team score prizes of 6 T-shirts for 300 points, 6 watches for 560 points and 6 binoculars for 840 points. Score 1100 points and win the Grand Prize of a party for 50 guests at Clancy's (DJ, lighting, sound and five kegs of beer included) with 50% off on the food menu.

Test your brain power tomorrow and again on Wednesday and, who knows, your team might end up enjoying a rollicking evening out in the company of friends with the compliments of Carlsberg.