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NAMAL interest rates improves significantly

NAMAL’s Money Market Fund announced the quarterly tax free dividend distribution of cents 40 per unit which amounts to an annual effective rate of 16.9 per cent for the quarter ended 30th September 2007.

This return is equivalent to 26.1 per cent before tax for corporate paying tax at 35 per cent, a press release from its Fund Manager NAMAL states. The interest rates in the money market have significantly improved in the recent past and the fund is positioned well to take advantage for the benefit of the investors, the release further stated.

This was the first money market Fund in Sri Lanka and was launched in September 2004 to provide cash management opportunities to corporate and institutional investors.

The idea of the Fund is to invest in short term money market instruments issued by the Government and the corporate to enable the investors to gain from the return which is tax free in the hands of corporate investor. Namal hopes more investments in the future.

Door training international - now in Sri Lanka

Door Training International, one of the largest training companies in the world, with a network of over 72 countries throughout Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East is now in Sri Lanka as Door Sri Lanka.

Door International which was established 25 years ago, has helped a number of companies around the world, develop and enhance their soft skills, providing cost effective, measurable, efficient, and customer focused training solutions.

Strategic partnerships with a number of outstanding companies such as ProGroup Inc., Vervago and VitalSmarts has enabled Door International to provide applicable training solutions and translate strategies into results in a global scale.

Door South Asia was established in 1997, and has been working with companies like Microsoft, TVS group, IBM and many more. Dynamix International is the franchise holder for Door Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh.

“Door Training will soon be one of the best training brands available in the country because of its world class and result oriented training solutions” states CEO of Door Sri Lanka Ameer Ahamed “Door courses are developed in a modular fashion.

Courses can be shortened as needed to meet your time and training requirements, focusing only on the modules necessary for you. This lends itself to training that is very flexible and easily customized to unique client specifications,” he said.

A senior Door International certified trainer, Gopinath Balachandran visited Sri Lanka recently to conduct a full day training program.

Intel Sri Lanka strengthens commitment to education

Broadening its efforts to support educational transformation in Sri Lanka, Intel announced plans to extend education programmes in the country over the next quarter.

Intel will also increase support to government efforts to achieve ICT development to help build 21st Century Thinking Skills and technology innovation.

As part of its worldwide efforts, Intel is committed to supporting international organizations and governments to advocate for the 21st century educational excellence and encourage the effective use of technology in education.

Programmes in Sri Lanka are aimed at supporting teachers and students in the effective integration of technology to help improve education and learning processes while advancing maths, science and engineering education and research.

Intel’s main programme in Sri Lanka is the Intel Teach programme which has been deployed in the Western, Central and Uva provinces with the support from the Ministry of Education.

SriLankan Airlines honours veteran staff for sterling service

SriLankan Airlines feted many long-standing members of its staff who have provided a sterling service to the National Carrier, at an entertaining awards ceremony at the Airport Garden Hotel recently.

Altogether 442 members of the staff were presented plaques and certificates by the airline’s CEO and members of the senior management team, on the banks of the picturesque Negombo Lagoon.

CEO, Peter Hill said since the launch in 1979, dedicated team of employees have been serving the customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It is their hard work, diligence and commitment that has brought SriLankan to where it is today,” he said.

Those honoured ranged from cabin crew to pilots, aircraft engineers, airport service staff and finance staff. They included

 employees from 15 of the airline’s global network of offices - Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Madras, Paris, Muscat, Singapore, Riyadh, Karachi, Tokyo, Doha, Dubai, Trivandrum, Trichy, and Male.

“Our long-serving staff have brought the airline forward from its infancy, through moments of uncertainty and periods of greatness. We salute their invaluable service and wish them many more unforgettable years at SriLankan,” Head of Human Resources, Pradeepa Dahanayake said.

The awards ceremony is held annually for those who complete 10, 15, 20, and 25 years service during that year. Others among SriLankan’s approximately 6,000 staff who reached these milestones in earlier years, have already been felicitated.

Captain Prasanna Karunatilleke, speaking on behalf of the staff, said “We are privileged to be part of an organisation that recognises and rewards our dedication and hard work. Despite all the hardships that SriLankan has been through over the years, the company has protected and nurtured its staff. We work for the best company in the world, and if I had to start my career all over again, I would join SriLankan.”

The evening featured a number of scintillating dance acts, comedy skits, and a bharatha natyam performance, by staff of the airline. The airline was launched on September 1, 1979, 28 years ago, and now covers 54 destinations in 28 countries.

It now enjoys a global reputation for excellence, and has won accolades ranging from World’s Best Airline in a survey of Economy Class passengers, World’s Friendliest Cabin Staff, first runner-up for World’s Best Cabin Staff, World’s Most Efficient Operator of Airbus A330s (small fleet), Best Airline in Central Asia for four consecutive years, and Best Airline in South Asia three times.

AIESEC develops leadership skills

For the first year, AIESEC is organising the unique event Developing Leaders Day with the main objective of developing leadership skills by running interactive activities for students.

The programme is especially developed for AIESEC from Unleash Talent and it focuses on the necessary skills that the university students should possess, apart from the academic knowledge, when they graduate and embark on a career.

The event will take place at the University of Moratuwa premises on November 2 and is part of the National Leadership Development seminar, which is an essential part of the Educational Cycle of AIESEC in Sri Lanka.

The students will get an understanding of their current leadership strengths and shortcomings, they will learn more about leadership and will develop their leadership skills. All the activities will be presented in an attractive way in a form of games and the students can enjoy while learning new things about themselves.

Developing Leaders Day will be concluded with the event Global Village. This is another unique way of AIESEC to showcase the different cultures, traditions and customs of different countries around the world. Stalls representing different countries, regions within AIESEC network will be showcased at this event. Global village is an event open to the general public.

The National Leadership seminar will continue during the weekend for AIESEC members only and will focus on topics like entrepreneurship, Education, HIV/AIDS, CSR and Energy. Workshops, discussions will be held based on these topics with the participation of the professionals in these areas.

A lot of external training conducted by companies are planned to enrich students soft skills knowledge in the fields of Change Management, Delegation, Training and Facilitation, Accountability and results etc.

Present in over 1100 universities in over 100 countries and territories AIESEC, the world’s largest youth run organisation, is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.

The international platform provides youth with leadership experiences, work abroad opportunities, supports learning and self-discovery.

Together with a focus on building personal networks and exploring the direction and ambition of their future, AIESEC has an innovative approach to engaging and developing young people.

In partnership with business and higher education, AIESEC has 60 years of experience in developing high-potential students into entrepreneurial, active learning, culturally sensitive and socially responsible leaders, which we call agents of positive change.