House & Property

Schols. for logistics degree programmes

John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation entered into an agreement with the Moratuwa University recently to embark on a scheme to grant scholarships to students reading for an Honours degree of Bachelor of Science in Transport and Logistics Management (BSc (T&LM) Hons.), said a statement.

 The 4-year BSc (T&LM) Hons. programme at the University started in 2006. The programme of study was designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to equip undergraduate students to face modern day challenges of a career in management with specialisation in the fields of Aviation, Shipping, Logistics and Supply Chain Management or Public Transport. 

With all lectures conducted in English, this course has been provisionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International which entitles the graduates to gain membership (MILT) on completion of the degree programme.

Admission to this degree programme is based on the University Grants Commission selection from the Advanced Level exam results from students following the subject combination of Combined Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and the intake is limited to 50 students.  The scholarship scheme was arranged by John Keells Holdings Ltd., (JKH) Transportation Group. The programme consists of 26 scholarships which will be awarded in a scheme, being both need-and merit-based. First year students will have access to need-based scholarships; while the second, third and fourth year students will benefit from merit-based scholarships.

 The scholarships recipients will be encouraged to follow their industrial placement period at JKH. JKH will also annually offer employment within JKH to at least 5 students who graduate from the BSc T&LM degree.

JKH Transportation and IT Groups President Romesh David said, "JKH is pleased to be associated with this programme at Moratuwa University.. We have been  supporting this programme through the sponsorship of its mentoring programme and English language training; and we felt that the time was right for us to make a greater contribution. While we try to be mindful of our social obligations towards education, we also appreciate the fact that this is a win-win situation for both the University and ourselves; for such a programme will groom undergraduates to eventually become leaders in the transportation sector.

 It also highlights the opportunity for other companies in the field to support the programme, thereby assuring successful graduates a host of attractive career choices, which in turn will ensure the induction of a constant stream of professionals into an industry which is critical in the quest to meet Sri Lanka's aspirations to be the primary Transportation and Logistics (T&L) Hub in the region."

T&L Management Head Prof. Saman Bandara said, "We are delighted with this partnership with JKH and feel that it signals more opportunities for professionally qualified Sri Lankan youth in the areas of aviation, shipping, transport and supply chain management. The T&L field is rapidly developing and providing our aspiring undergraduates with such scholarships will encourage prospective students in the future and will positively contribute towards developing a much needed resource base for the country." 

UAP expands T&D activities

Union Assurance PLC (UAP) expanded its regionalizing training and development (T&D) activities with the opening of the Northern Training Centre at Kurunegala, said a statement.

The objective of regionalizing training is to enhance productivity and professionalism for the sales staff of the Northern Zone. UAP places importance on T&D activities to benchmark their performance against global standards and motivate them to sell responsibly.

The company intends to expand training centers (TCs) in addition to the state of the art TCs that exist in Colombo and Galle to meet their training objective.

"We have made significant investments in training and developing our staff to meet and exceed international benchmarks said  T&D Assistant General Manager Suranjith Godagama.

UAP engages in both inhouse and external expertise for training process. At UAP, staff are exposed to numerous T&D interventions. UAP's T&D vision is to be an excellent T&D solutions provider.

 UAP is a Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association in USA (LIMRA) member and leverages best practice and knowledge in order to develop the sales team. In addition to T&D initiatives, the company has exposed the field staff to international award schemes, LIMRA International Quality Award (IQA), LIMRA International Award for Productivity (IAP) & LIMRA International Quality Management Award (IQMA) to benchmark them against global standards. Over the years there have been an increase number of participants taking part in the most prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) from UAP.

JNPT in Rs. 3,500 crore investment drive

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) which handles about 60% of India's container traffic has decided to unlock its land holdings and set up a special economic zone (SEZ) which would boost traffic flow into the port, said a statement.

JNPT has floated a tender inviting expression of interest (EoI) bids for a consultant to advise it on creation of the proposed port-based SEZ. The consultant will be preparing a master plan and undertake detailed engineering for a "developable land" measuring 1,200 hectares.  The consultant will advise the port on the types of businesses best suited for the proposed SEZ and will assist the port," JNPT said in its EoI tender.

Apart from the proposed SEZ, the port is having on its drawing board several capacity expansion programmes. It has been estimated that the port would be required to handle container traffic of eight million TEUs by 2015-16.

It plans to extend its container berth to accommodate larger sized container vessels which will involve an investment of Rs 600 crore (1 crore=Indian Rs. 10 million).

Further, it plans to develop a fourth container terminal at a cost of about Rs 3,000 crore and deepen its main harbour channel for accommodating 14-metre draught vessels (or 6,000 TEU capacity container ships).

The port had originally acquired about 2,500 ha., for setting up the facility which was commissioned for commercial operations in 1989. It currently handles about 50 million tonnes of cargo throughput.

After having allotted part of its land holdings to private companies on lease, the port is now planning to use the balance land for activities such as container freight station (CFSs), empty container yards, warehousing, cold storages, tank farms and tanker terminals.

As part of its plans to use its land holdings for port-related activities, JNPT now plans to set up a SEZ.

The consultant will have to formulate an appropriate planning concept and formulate a master plan for development of the SEZ which should have a synergy with port operations.

The components of the master plan may deal with allocation for processing and non-processing area, industrial area planning and commercial area planning.

Telecoms facilities to SOS

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) recently entered into an agreement to provide communication solutions to SOS Children's Village, a non-governmental and social development organization, said a statement.

Providing this kind of information would be a better opportunity to invite international as well as local donors, sponsors and contributors to help the SOS village's activities.

This comprises voice services, "state-of-the-art" PBX infrastructure, broadband internet through a high bandwidth leased line and IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network) solution.

 SLT believes that the communication platform will facilitate the SOS village to serve more children countrywide, by getting supporting facilities, donations, sponsors and contributions as an when they needed, as a result of an "efficient" communication system.

The communication solution facilitates SOS Village to make available online financial information, Children's progress information, welfare, other activities and community services they provide to uplift the children around the SOS village.

The agreement is projected to cut down costs of communications as well as increase productivity, which will result in cost effective real time communications.

The SOS Children's Village is an independent, non-governmental  and  social development organisation which has been active in the field of children's needs, concerns and rights since 1949.

Its activities focus on neglected and abandoned children and orphans as well as disadvantaged families. If a child cannot stay with his/her biological family, his/her right to care, protection and equal opportunities should still be guaranteed.

This is the basic principle according to which the SOS Children's Village carries out its activities in 132 countries and territories.

Minuscule size depressed rating

Lanka Rating Agency (LRA) has assigned a claims-paying ability rating of BB1 (with a stable outlook) to Asian Alliance Insurance Company PLC (AAIC), LRA in a statement said.

 The rating reflects the Company's improving financial profile, backed by its growing franchise in the life-insurance business and conservative investments. Even though the rating is pressured by the Company's weak underwriting performance in the non-life category, the absence of an asset-liability management process and the competitive & regulatory challenges to be faced in the future, the primary constraint that depressed the rating is AAIC's minuscule size.

AAIC is a relatively new player in both life insurance (Life) and general insurance (General). Although the Company started out as a general insurer in 1999, the Life business has turned out to be its chief revenue spinner. The adoption of a well-defined marketing strategy in Life has enabled the Company to capture the sixth position in the Life sector in terms of premiums. Despite its success in this sector, competitive pressure still looms large as rivalry is expected to intensify, especially in light of the Company's diminutive balance sheet; AAIC only accounted for 1% of the domestic insurance industry's assets as at the end of FYE December 31, 2006 (FY Dec 2006).

Meanwhile, the Company's performance in Life has been supported by its investments in gilt-edged securities which has been lifting its financials over the last  five years. As a result, AAIC has been able to trim its cumulative losses, from LKR 188.71 million in FY Dec 2002 to LKR 82.41 million in FY Dec 2006. Furthermore, AAIC's investments are mostly short-tenured, strengthening its liquidity profile. However, these positive factors are somewhat mitigated by the absence of an asset-liability management framework which is critical, especially in a volatile and competitive environment.

The Company's improving financial profile is backed by its Life underwriting standards,which stem from its international reinsurer, Munich Re (rated AA- by Standard & Poor's-S&P). This reinsurer provides technical assistance and training, helping AAIC to strengthen its underwriting capability in this segment. 

Conversely, the Company's General underwriting standards have been rather weak. Aggressive price competition and inadequate market share underscore the Company's poor underwriting performance in this segment. Moving forward, AAIC aims to improve its market reach through a new business strategy, which includes strengthening its agency force.

Nonetheless, potential regulatory changes may have an adverse effect on AAIC. The introduction of a national insurance trust fund (NITF) for the reinsurance of general insurance, the legal separation of Life and General, and capital-enhancement requirements (LKR 500 million for each business by 2010) are material challenges that confront the Company.

At present, however AAIC's capitalisation is considered adequate as the Company has met the solvency levels for both its Life and General businesses-thanks to its conservative investment profile.

LRA is a unit of RAM Holdings Berhad (RAM), Malaysia's premier rating agency, licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. RAM is an affiliate of  S&P, the world's largest rating agency.

hSenid helps unfortunate kids

hSenid, an application and service provider for the telecoms, financial and enterprise markets ended 2007 by making a point to give back to the community that has helped it, said a statement.

 hSenid employees joined hands in helping out some young and deprived children in four establishments: The Little Angels Project was launched recently. A charity raffle was held as one of hSenid's efforts to raise funds for the 4 charitable homes it supports, mainly for underprivileged children. They are Ranasiri Adikari children's home, Imbulana Sri Sena Maha Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella, Cancer Hospital children's Ward and Mathugama rural hospital children's ward.

hSenid made it a point to visit each organization and its children and spend sometime with them whilst also helping out in painting the wards as well as donating clothes, books and other essential items for the children.

"It was a fulfilling feeling & in the end I feel the kids got something from it, and enjoyed it, and we are looking forward to our next project. The strategy focuses on helping children and particularly those in deprived areas to take part in enjoyable and purposeful activities in their free time which can help them develop new skills and raise their aspirations," said hSenid Software International CEO Dinesh Saparamadu.

hSenid is an HRIS, Wireless and Outsourcing solution provider. The company has offices in USA and Singapore and R&D centres in Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. 

New Levi's range

Levi's, the creator of the world's "first pair" of jeans, recently launched a new range of fits, said a statement.

Called 'Cling Fits,' these products are built on two platforms-one each for young men and women.

The latest Levi's campaign showcase actress Kangna Ranaut and Brazilian model Raphael clinging to each other in precarious situations within a modern urban landscape. Shot against the backdrop of Malaysia's skyscrapers, and  bordering  on the edge, both Kangna and Raphael are unperturbed by the sheer drops that are a whisper away.

The feel of the campaign is  confident and casual-with the entwined bodies of Kangna and Raphael metaphorically alluding to the way the jeans cling to them.

The Levi's Cling Fits (LCF) have been launched after research, development and testing.

For young women, skinny fits are the rage currently. The LCF range for women spans 3 fits.

LCF for men have been cut to make the wearer of the product appear slimmer. The range for men spans 3 fits. Check out the new Store at Ronan Centre.

Environmental compliance

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) have published new 'Shipping Industry Guidance on Environmental Compliance' as a template for ensuring adherence to the IMO MARPOL Convention.

The Guidance is also supported by BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, OCIMF and SIGTTO.

The Shipping Industry Guidance is also intended to satisfy environmental compliance programmes introduced by governments, such as the US Coast Guard 'Environmental Crimes: Voluntary Disclosure      Policy.  (Marine Talk)

A once-in-a-lifetime housing opportunity

Name of complex - CT Gardens

Location - Piliyandala

Price range - Rs. 13 - 15.5 million

CT Gardens is the latest venture of CT Properties. The housing development which is located in Piliyandala is already attracting much attention. Among the standard features are designer custom made tiled floors, an option for Burma Teak flooring, fitted pantry with cooker and hob, air conditioner for the master bedroom, bathroom fittings from Toto Collection, etc. The first 25 customers can enjoy a free refrigerator and a microwave, courtesy CT Properties.

Other notable features are the double-height ceiling, which serves two purposes - cooler interiors and more natural light coming into living areas. The ceiling is of Lunumidella. There is an option for the client and they can chose an asbestos roof with a top layer of tiles or a contemporarily tiled roof.

The location is very central, nestling amidst the busy townships of Piliyandala, Boralesgamuwa, Maharagama, Dehiwela, Mount Lavinia and Moratuwa.all just 20 minutes away. Suddenly you realise that owning a home in this enchanting enclave is an alluring prospect indeed.

"There are altogether 10 types of houses. Two model houses have been completed and another two are being done. Layouts differ and there are two types having an indoor garden," says Sales Manager, CT Properties, Nirupa Pieris.

All infrastructure facilities have been completed - water, electricity, storm water drains, etc., said Nirupa. The project also has a waste water recycling plant providing water for gardening purposes, which will be provided to residents free of charge. Three deep wells feed the tank, sufficient to meet all requirements of residents.

"The house designs are unique as they are different from one to the other. There will also be 20 exclusive designer houses. There have been some who have bought designer houses along with the adjoining plot. We allow that," says Nirupa.

Pay a visit to the project site and walk into a model house. You will certainly be impressed by the unique designs and how tastefully the interiors have been done. Seeing afterall is believing!

CT Properties Limited is located on the fourth Floor of Majestic City, Colombo 4. More details could be obtained from www.ctproperties.lk

Kitchen sink realism

It's an annual ritual. We make promises on January 1. And within a week, our resolutions look as promising as discarded Christmas gift boxes.

But there's a secret to making your resolutions stick, according to Standolyn Robertson, president of the Association of Professional Organisers and owner of Things in Place, an organising consulting company in Massachusetts, USA. Make organisation your top priority, she says.

"An organised life is really connected to every goal," she says.

She suggests starting with a room-by-room tour of a home's public and personal living spaces. The kitchen and the family room demand special attention. The kitchen is the hub of the home, Robertson says. And she literally means business when she discusses the room's core value. She calls it the headquarters of the family business. The following steps will help you organise:

Define your family goals. Do you want to increase the number of meals the family spends together? Are you trying to save money? Are you on a diet? Write down your goals (financial, health and entertainment).

Brainstorm for ways the kitchen can support the family goals. If eating more meals together is on the agenda, examine your dining room table. Is the table cluttered and uninviting at mealtime? Are there enough chairs for everyone in the family to comfortably sit? Are your cabinets and refrigerator organised enough so that it's easy to take inventory and prepare healthy and/or frugal meals?

Study your bench tops. Too often food preparation areas are crowded with clutter. "Don't underestimate the value of having a clear counter," Robertson says. "It's your pallet for creating your meals."

Are your tools sharp and available? Dull knives and inaccessible pots will not encourage meal preparation. Without the right tools, the family is more likely to order take-away food, skip meals and splinter into self-involved groups. Toss your chipped mugs and purge your cabinets of dishes that are damaged or not used.

"Life is too short to drink out of a chipped mug," Robertson says.

When TVs get big, so do rooms

IT WON'T fit in most homes but its mammoth 150-inch (381-centimetre) screen should impress your mates.

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has built the biggest plasma high-definition television yet, measuring two metres by 3.8 metres. That's 12.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet high.

It will cost US$ 100,000 and needs a viewing distance of at least 10 metres.

The monster set will be unveiled at next month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Scott Browning, marketing director at electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi, said the huge TV was a great demonstration of technology.

"(Electronics companies) are all trying to outdo each other with what their technology can achieve," he said. "It's quite a challenge to get a plasma to reproduce something of those dimensions. It would be a fantastic picture."

He doubted, however, whether it would have a huge market. "Can you picture that on a wall near you?" he said. "Houses just aren't that big."

Gary Wheelhouse, a franchisee of homewares chain Domayne in Australia, is going to the Las Vegas trade show.

"Every show, they put one of these non-production models up and say that's the future," Wheelhouse said from his Alexandria store. "I'm not quite sure that's the case.

"Look at the 103-inch (261-centimetre) Panasonic plasma which we have here. There wouldn't be a lot of houses which could physically fit it (and) it weighs 280 kilos."

He said most customers opted for the 50-inch screen, which costs more than $30,000.

The 103-inch model did not sell as well because few people considered it good value, Wheelhouse said. "If you've got the 103-inch now, that's retailing for $100,000, and then you've got to have it installed," he said. "To me, it's sort of who's got the biggest motor in their vacuum cleaner. At $100,000, it's very much a market for those people who want the best of everything."

Wheelhouse said one in five households now had a plasma TV. "We've got to remember, when you go to most people's homes, they have got a 68-centimetre TV in their lounge room - an old tube television. When you show somebody a 42-inch (106-centimetre) plasma, that's a massive change. You don't need to spend $100,000 to do that."

People were leaning away from bigger televisions and opting more for better definition, as living spaces get smaller and smaller, Wheelhouse said. "The biggest trend is high definition. If you've got the free-to-air networks saying 'we're going to broadcast in high definition', that's driving people towards getting a high definition panel for home. The biggest complaint in the past has been 'we've got this great panel - where's the content?"'

And that is after sacrificing an entire room for the panel.

Japan opens 'tallest lift tower'

Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has opened what it says is the world's tallest elevator testing tower.

The 173m-high (567ft) structure is called Solae and dominates the skyline of Inazawa City.

The company says it will use the tower to conduct research into high-speed elevators to serve the next generation of super-tall buildings.

The 5bn-yen ($50m;œ25m) project will allow Mitsubishi to test new drives, gears, cables and other lift systems.

Super-tall buildings have become vogue again in recent years. The world's current tallest building, the Taipei 101 (508m; 1,666ft), will soon be dwarfed by towers in cities such as Dubai, Shanghai, Moscow and Chicago.

Even the traditionally low-rise London is going upwards. At London Bridge station, developers are pressing ahead with the "Shard", which at 310m (1,017ft) will be Europe's tallest skyscraper.

The Taipei 101 lifts - built by Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems - have a top speed of 17m/s (61km/h; 38mph) and are recognised as the fastest in the world. They incorporate a pressure control system that stops riders' ears from "popping", and streamlined cars that reduce the whistling noise that blights some fast lifts as they are pulled through narrow shafts.

Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine'

Energy-saving light bulbs could trigger migraines, say health officials in the UK.

The Migraine Action Association says members have told them how fluorescent bulbs have led to attacks.

The UK government is set to prevent the sale of conventional light bulbs within the next four years in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Concerns have already been raised by epilepsy charities about an increased risk of seizures from energy-saving bulbs.

Some bulbs use similar technology to fluorescent strip lights, and some users have complained that there can be a "flickering" effect.

They use approximately a quarter of the energy of conventional bulbs, and in September, UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that a voluntary agreement with retailers would remove all conventional bulbs from the shops by December 2011.

However, Karen Manning, from the Migraine Action Association, said this could be damaging to some sufferers.

She said that up to six million people in the UK suffer from some sort of migraine attack.  "These bulbs do trigger migraines for some of our members - it's either the flickering, or the low intensity of the light, causing eye strain.

"We would ask the government to avoid banning them completely, and still leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased."

Old technology

However, the Lighting Association, which represents bulb manufacturers, said that the latest energy-saving bulbs did not produce a flicker.

A spokesman said: "A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear fluorescent lamps.  "These were almost certainly triggered by old technology."

Last year the charity Epilepsy Action reported that a small number of people with the illness could have seizures triggered by low-energy bulbs.

Multilac introduces a new star to its range

Macksons Paints Lanka Pvt. Ltd., manufacturers of the renowned Multilac range of paints, has now introduced Multilac Weather Plus Dirt Shield Exterior Emulsion, the star product in its recently launched Supreme Life range, which are the company's latest and most innovative range of paints to date.

Other paints in the range include Multilac Disinfecting Wall Wash, Supreme Life Water Proofing Sealer, Supreme Life Flexible Elastomeric Wall Primer and Supreme Life Alkali Resistant Clear Wall Sealer.

Dirt Shield is a unique water based emulsion hailed by builders, contractors and home owners around the country as being the long awaited answer to total protection against all major hazards faced by outside building surfaces, and comes with a 10 year performance warranty.

Dirt accumulation, fading colours, peeling paint and the growth of algae and mould are now worries of the past, as Dirt Shield uses state- of- the- art technology containing lightfast pigments, dirt retarding polymers, fungus and mould retarding additives in its special formula that guards against the forming of algae and fungus on outside surfaces.

The paint's self cleaning properties also prevent the build up of dirt which, after a while, leads to fungus formation. Another key attributive of Dirt Shield is that it prevents moisture penetration from the outside. Moisture penetrates through hairline cracks through which water could seep in and weaken the core building structure, which can lead to massive structural damage and exhaustive repairs.

"Multilac Supreme Life Dirt Shield Exterior Emulsion was introduced after extensive research into the latest in paint manufacturing technology," explained Managing Director, Macksons Paints, Mizver Makeen. "It is a milestone in our wide spectrum of achievements, and proof of our commitment to our customers, to providing them with innovative and quality products. Dirt Shield contains no added lead and harmful chemicals, it is environmental friendly, and with it and the other products in our Supreme Life range, we plan to bring in a new image to the skyline all over the country."

Multilac Dirt Shield is also very cost effective since it covers a much larger surface area than that covered by similar products - over 75% to 100% more surface area on new smooth plastered walls.

Multilac Supreme Life Dirt Shield Exterior Emulsion can be purchased in packs of 1, 4, 10, and 20 litres. The entire spectrum of colours from the Weatherguard colour range is available in a wide range of earth and modern shades which are introduced to meet the needs of the modern architect and the home builder.

The company has also introduced other innovative products that are new to the local market as well as to the paint world. The new water proofing sealer is a solvent based coating which can be applied on damp surfaces whilst wet and acts fast to seal leaks on walls, water tanks, concrete etc.

The wall sealer creates an alkaline barrier on difficult surfaces, thereby protecting the decorative top coat. The number of coats to be applied would depend on the surface condition, and incredible results could be achieved overnight. The Bio Wall Wash is yet another innovation which will help clean existing surfaces affected by algae and fungi.

Mackson's use of modern technology, coupled with its commitment to quality and innovation, has been the company's secret to producing award winning paints since inception, which have gained the company the market edge. Today, Macksons occupies a comfortable market niche as a specialised paint manufacturer and is market leader in the colour bank segment, with over 250 colour banks around Sri Lanka that are growing rapidly to meet the overwhelming demand, both islandwide and internationally.

"Our colourbanks are not merely paint shops that give you unlimited colours, but are a solutions provider for any surface condition, to protect and decorate surfaces. They are increasingly becoming the one stop shop for the needs of today's demanding architect, contractor and home builder," said Head of Business Development, Nilrukshi de Silva.

New year resolution: Create a garden space

Let's start the new year by giving gardeners the accolades they deserve. Everyone owes gardeners because they do so much for the planet. While rainforests are being destroyed around the world, gardeners are planting, caring for and nurturing the Earth in so many ways.

By planting gardens they help to purify the air and the green corridors they create support insects, birds, reptiles and other animals. In short, gardeners are responsible for regeneration, not degeneration. They make an impact simply by what they do.

The tracts of land occupied by gardens have a positive environmental effect because they store carbon. The enormity of the climate change problem means that anything good for the environment is welcome. Even the misleading message "gardening wastes water" has not deterred gardeners.

Because gardens act as carbon sinks, their numbers should be increasing rather than decreasing. Governments serious about alleviating the effects of climate change should be heavily subsidising water storage tanks for gardeners so they can maintain their lawns and garden beds.

New homeowners should be encouraged to create gardens rather than cover their backyards with paving tiles. Even lawns consume carbon dioxide. While homeowners are encouraged by some to remove lawns and replace them with paving because lawns consume water, it should be remembered that masonry prevents the exchange between living matter and the soil.

As well as helping the environment, gardening is character building. Nature does not always do what you want it to do, so patience becomes an integral part of the gardening process. In our gardens we are in tune with nature, we get to know our physical surroundings and our micro-climates as well as the insect and bird life. We move on from failures, learn from our mistakes and discover - much to our amazement - that we are never going to control the natural world.

Gardening is an art form. Your garden does not exist simply to please critics; it is a reflection of your desire for self-expression. It is your space and your creativity enhances your suburb for the benefit of those who live around you.

Gardening is well known for its healing powers, especially when you are dealing with grief. It also helps to lower stress levels, which in turn leads to a calmer, healthier society.

Once people start gardening it gets in their blood and becomes an obsession, so nothing will dampen their enthusiasm. They genuinely care about the planet and sustainability and naturally want to do the right thing. Because of this, modern gardeners are increasingly eco-gardeners, storing and re-using water, composting, mulching, avoiding chemicals and encouraging wildlife into their gardens. They are aware that some garden plants can become environmental weeds and they avoid them.

Lighting up: will it improve your sex life?

Lighting a room is an art, rather than a science. IKEA designer Ehlen Johansson says the right lighting makes a room shine and is the cheapest way to "furnish" a room. But can the right lighting improve your sex life?

This article by Cory Silverberg says lighting sets the mood of a room and offers tips for lighting up the bedroom to improve your sex life.

Better ways to light a room to get it on can include:

1. Using lamps and pendants that light a room from the side to help highlight the shape of bodies and create sexy shadows. Ugly overhead lighting can create panda-eye shadows and glaringly shine on all the flaws you'd prefer to keep under the sheets.

Bedside lamps are perfect to create side lighting.

2. Installing dimmers on main lights and making sure fluorescents are banned. Making sure there are candles around the room, preferably in coloured glass votives that will cast warm, gentle light.

Do candles get you in the mood?

3. Lighting specific points of the room rather than simply flicking on the overhead light or bedside lamp. Point the bedside lamp at a beautiful painting or photo. Equally, make sure the messy clothes corner is left in the dark.

Working lamps like this can be used to highlight focal points in a room.

Lamps, uplights, ceiling pendants and natural light are all important ingredients in lighting design. "You need ambient light , spotlights for working or reading and mood lighting to finish a room," Johansson says. "The best rooms contain all three. Bedrooms should definitely be about mood."

Whatever you do, though, don't buy the lamp, which Ehlen calls a "divorce lamp" - "You buy it in a box and have to put it together yourself. All you will do is fight before you have even turned it on."

Remodeling done wisely

As anyone who's remodeled will know, there's practically no limit to how much you can spend on a building project.

Now, for people with money to burn - and judging by the traffic in high-end design showrooms, there are plenty of them - it may seem perfectly reasonable to blow a few thousand dollars on a Scandinavian dishwasher or a hand-painted majolica toilet with gold hardware.

For the rest of us, though, there are more cost-effective places to invest the cash. That's why I'm puzzled when I come across projects in which budget-conscious homeowners pinched pennies on basic building materials, yet happily shelled out serious money for the latest fluff in countertops or exotic appliances. While this approach may provide instant gratification, it makes little sense in the long run.

If you're portioning out a tight budget, work that's permanent and integral to the quality of the house should take precedence over superficial features that can easily be upgraded later on.

Some examples:

- Windows are among the most conspicuous features of any project, and the standard of quality they set - whether for good or bad - carries over to everything else. Therefore, regardless of what kind you choose - wood, metal or plastic; sliding, casement or whatever - buy the very best quality you can afford.

Your windows ought to last the life of your house, and given their paramount importance to style, function and energy efficiency, they're a lousy place to cut corners.

- Roofs are another in-your-face indicator of quality, not to mention that little matter of keeping out the rain. Despite this, people still tend to think of roofs as disposable. We choose relatively shoddy roofing materials and then resign ourselves to replacing them every 15 years or so at substantial cost.

That's a pity, because in addition to the usual there are many kinds of roofing - concrete tile, clay tile and metal, as well as natural and artificial stone - that will last the life of the building. Only you can determine which roofing type will be most appropriate for your project, but don't base your choice on cost alone.

- Exterior finishes, such as windows, make a very conspicuous statement about your home's style and quality. You can guess the rest of the story: If you're using stucco, invest in a first-rate plastering contractor - there's a huge range of quality among them. If you've chosen to use siding, invest in genuine wood rather than plastic or composition wannabes. For wood shingle exteriors, choose the best grade available.

Likewise, use top-quality lumber for exterior window and door trim, bargeboards and fascias. These areas take a real beating from the weather, and economy grades just won't hold up. If you feel guilty about using natural resources such as wood, remember that a high-quality product installed once is a far better use of resources than a cheap one that has to be replaced again and again.

- Arrol Gellner

Put a fresh face on your bath with a makeover

It's the beginning of a year and usually the time for all things new. Well that would be the ideal but with the economy the way is it, money saving ideas for sprucing up couldn't come at a better time.

Yes, we are talking about a makeover, but not for you . . . for your bath - a new look, the latest colours, and an updated style! It's amazing what a huge impact you can make by sprucing up an outdated bath. And, the best news is that you can do it without major expense or massive effort.

Industry experts note this trend as well. With today's tight economy, many people are opting for a spruce-up, rather than a full remodel. Lisa Siglag, editor of House Beautiful Kitchen & Bath Planner notes, "Since people are spending more time at home now thanks to technology, investing in that home has become important."

According to Siglag, it is an investment worth making. "An updated bathroom will not only raise the resale value of your home, it will also provide immediate payback by allowing you to enjoy the room. Even small changes can affect the feel of the room."

Here are some of the top spruce ups to cost-effectively change your bath from drab to fab:

Room with a hue

Painting is one of the quickest ways to redo a room. It has the advantages of being inexpensive and easy to do. According to Siglag, there are two sides of the spectrum in colour now. On the one hand, people are painting very clear colours of blues and greens to create a peaceful mood for their bath to imitate nature.

On the opposite extreme, homeowners are gravitating toward deep, rich tones like chocolate browns and wines for the bath. Either way, the faux techniques that were popular just a few years back seem to have run their course, with most people choosing regular brush or roller techniques.

Vanities and sinks that make sense

For just a few thousand rupees, a vanity can provide a great facelift for your bath. If you have a small bath, look for white or light-coloured vanities. Going from a dark wood to a lighter colour vanity will brighten up the entire room.

"As for style, the new trend in vanities is an open bottom with recessed shelving underneath for linens, baskets and bath essentials," said Siglag. "And, don't forget the latest hardware - traditional looks include simple chrome pieces while contemporary designs feature the strong architecture of square or rectangular knobs."

To accompany the vanity, more and more homeowners are opting for an integrated sink and countertop. With many sizes and types of solid surface products on store shelves, it eliminates the need to custom order.

Faucets: Jewellery for your sink

The crowning touch to your sink and vanity is the faucet. Changing the faucet is an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade the bath.

Floors that won't leave you with cold feet

There are many options in flooring today - tiles that looks like stone, vinyl that looks like tile, and linoleums that run the gamut in style and colour. Depending on your budget, you are sure to find something that will complement your bath perfectly.

According to Siglag, most homeowners choose neutral-coloured flooring since this is one area of the bath that probably will not be changed often. And, neutral colours will blend well with many wall colours and accessory finishes.

A spinning showerhead

When it comes to an upgrade you can enjoy every day, change out your current showerhead to a new unit that offers unique spray and massaging patterns. Because you can easily screw off your old showerhead and twist on a new one, this is the perfect addition for consumers who want something different in their baths but don't have the budget for a fancy showering system. Revolution spins, twists and swirls the water for phenomenal coverage.

Other quick fix tips for the shower include replacing clouded shower doors with an attractive new shower curtain and covering a chipped or rusted tub with an acrylic liner.

Accessorise your life

Unlike the old, mismatched accessories of yesteryear, new suites of products allow a homeowner to carry the same theme throughout the entire bath. Although chrome is still the most popular bath accessory finish, today consumers have a number of other choices including oil-rubbed bronze, wrought iron and wood. In addition, accessories can be found to match every decorating style from country to traditional to casual/contemporary.

Add some flair

There are a number of other small touches that can make an overall dramatic impact on the bath:

 Mosaic tiles - a few colourful tiles can add some charm to your room.

Lighting - rather than an overhead fixture, purchase a decorative fixture that can fit over your vanity and reflect the new style of your room.

 Window treatments - from a bamboo shade to a floral valence, the choices are seemingly endless.

Like any makeover, you will be amazed at what a difference these spruce ups will make - it can take years off the bath, making it more stylish and hip.

Are bigger houses more full of crap?

More Space! Most of us crave a bigger place to live in yet space can be like a giant pair of underpants that makes your bum grow to fill them up.

Paradoxically, the more space we have, the more storage we seem to need. And the more items that enter our abodes, the more clutter we collect. Bigger homes usually breed lazier choices. People tend to fill big homes with bedrooms that are never slept in, fireplaces that are never lit and built-in wardrobes full of musty old clothes that even the Op Shop wouldn't want. Smaller homes force people to regularly choose which items they want to keep, and which should be discarded.

"Loving, needing and using what you have brings clarity and peace of mind, and it facilitates focus," says professional organiser Lissanne Oliver. Clutter isn't just plain old mess and dust, it's anything you don't either love, use or need. In other words, it's crap that we refuse to throw out.

"The stuff in our space can overwhelm us because we are in 'want' mode all the time," Lissanne says. "I think we should be wiser with our purchasing. We should buy better quality stuff that we really love or genuinely need." Lissanne's new book SORTED! The Ultimate Guide To Organising Your Life has a range of hints and tips to cut the crap from your life and make it run efficiently. They include:

- always having a "go box" near your front door to regularly store items that need donating to charity

- estimate the percentage of items in your home that you would need to keep to make you happy. Most people estimate between 40 and 60 per cent, Lissanne says;

- discard an item you no longer need at least once a day.

"Less is best, more is a chore," she says.

Is that the same with house size? Should we all start aiming to live smaller to live better?             

- Alex May

Harness the sun's free energy and use it on a cloudy day

We no longer fear that the sun will disappear in December, of course; we know where it "goes" each year and can predict to the millisecond when it will rise on the day after the solstice. But our gain in objectivity and security has come at the expense of our spiritual connection to the sun and the gifts it brings.

Our predicament is exacerbated by our detachment from the environment. When we're cold or hot, we push a button; when it's dark, we throw a switch. Sitting in our cool homes and reading by our "little sun" lightbulbs, we seldom reflect that we are harvesting sunlight that was captured and converted to fuel eons ago.

We have come to think of our energy as packaged, just as little children think that milk comes from a bottle, not a cow. Thus we have lost our natural inclination to make direct use of the sun's virtually limitless potential, and we look to technology to meet our needs.

Technological advances are important. We need cheaper, more efficient solar panels, turbines and solar-powered electronic devices. But by focusing on our endlessly proliferating technology, we have largely ignored the enormous potential for passive-solar development that is ours for the taking - almost immediately and practically for free.

Take, for example, the "environmental services" - gifts - that the sun can provide at your own home: direct light and energy for water heating; energy for your houseplants, garden and trees; warmth for drying clothes; ultraviolet light for disinfecting clothes and pond, pool and fountain water; energy for cooking and drying food or making tea; and illumination for myriad decorative devices, ranging from sundials to stained-glass windows.

It's easy to invite the sun in and make greater use of its gifts, simply by adding solar features to your ecological house. Good solar design sets up overlapping functions that create synergetic effects.

Building an attached solar greenhouse, for example, can allow you to store the sun's heat for nighttime use, grow food in winter, dry clothes without a dryer and sit in the sun on cold days to read and recharge your biochemical batteries - all in one small space. Food from your greenhouse can reduce your trips to the store while providing you with high-quality organic food and natural vitamins.

Along with adding beauty and serenity to your environment, houseplants can protect your health by removing carcinogens and other toxins from the air you breathe. They also increase indoor-oxygen levels during the day (they use some oxygen at night), and can help regulate humidity. Letting in more sunlight by adding skylights or windows can greatly increase your home's botanical potential while reducing your lighting bills.

The ways in which you can employ the sun's free energy and significantly reduce your ecological footprint are limited only by your imagination. The more you work with the sun, the more you can connect with its nurturing qualities - and that connection will inspire you to do even more with sunlight.

The sun hangs low in the sky today, but before this holiday season ends, its powerful ascent will have begun. Rather than being plunged into darkness, the natural world will be renewed. Whether humans and their homes will also ascend - and ultimately renew our ailing biosphere - depends on our ability to reconnect with the sun.

- Author Philip S. Wenz is the founder and former director of the Ecological Design Programme at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture and an instructor at the Building Education Center in Berkeley, where he teaches a one-day seminar, "Creating Your Ecological House."

ICC's SBS slabs creating a revolution

International Construction Consortium (ICC) which was established in 1980 is an ISO 9001;2000 certified, MI class construction company and has won the IFAWPCA Gold Medal for Civil Engineering Construction in 2002 and ICTAD Award for Construction Excellence in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

This award winning construction company has made a significant impact with its innovative, creation, the SBS floor system - a unique result of ICC's continuous research for the creation of novel construction products. The SBS floor slab system is a strong alternative to conventional concrete slabs.

This system saves 30% of the cost and has a multitude of advantages which have generated rapid demand at present in the construction industry. The SBS system requires no scaffolding, props and shuttering and this saves the usage of timber and is an ideal eco friendly solution for the future timber problem. As the temperature is controlled, this slab system is much more effective in creating a cooler atmosphere than the conventional concrete slab.

Normally slabs are designed to impose 150kg per square metre but SBS slabs have an enhanced load up to 500kg per square metre. As a challenging alternative to the conventional slab this could be laid without concrete beams for a 9" thick walls. SBS slab system is a convenient method and does not require skilled labour for installation.

All precast elements are manufactured and tested in ICC's state-of-the-art laboratory. Technical officers of ICC visit the construction sites and deliver free technical advice and provide transport up to 20km from their yard at Madapatha to ease the hassle of customers.

At present this is the ideal solution for the construction of homes for thousands of Sri Lankans ensuring quality and maximum use of space while saving time and money.