Category: People & Events

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Samsung Sri Lanka unveiled its stunning addition to the flagship Galaxy line up – the Galaxy S20 Ultra, S20+ and S20. The new range of devices offers compelling features which will re-define the smartphone experience and change the way we capture our world. Ardent Samsung fans who wish to be the first in Sri Lanka to own this amazing next generation device can now pre-order the Galaxy S20, S20+ & S20 Ultra between 28^th February and 12th March 2020 and get exciting offers!

Changing How We Capture

Now, more than ever, we capture our lives and tell our stories through our smartphones—and that is why the camera is the single-most important feature for consumers purchasing a new smartphone. Designed for the way we live, the Galaxy S20 introduces an entirely new camera system—powered by AI and with our biggest image sensor yet—to bring out the best in every image and every moment with;

• Details in Stunning Clarity: With a larger image sensor available on the Galaxy S20 series, camera resolution is significantly increased. S20 Ultra has a 108MP camera whilst S20 and S20+ have a 64MP camera. Another benefit is that the larger sensors take in more light, so you get rich image quality even in low light situations. The S20 Ultra takes things a step further with the option to shift dynamically between a high resolution 108MP mode and a 12MP mode, thanks to nona-binning technology which combines nine pixels into one at the sensor level.
• Groundbreaking Zoom Capability: With the Galaxy S20’s Space Zoom technology that uses a combination of Hybrid Optic Zoom and Super Resolution Zoom, which includes AI-powered digital zoom, even when you are far away you can zoom in close. Use up to 30X zoom on the Galaxy S20 and S20+, or step-up to the revolutionary folded lenses on the S20 Ultra, which uses AI powered, multi-image processing to reduce quality loss at high zoom levels so that users can experience Super Resolution Zoom up to 100X with a clearer view ever than before.
• Single Take, Multiple Possibilities: Single Take lets you stay in the moment, while you capture the moment. Thanks to its AI camera technologies, the Galaxy S20 can capture a number of photos and videos, such as Live focus, cropped, Ultra Wide and more that captures your moment the best.
• Pro-Grade Filming Capability: The Galaxy S20 offers stunning 8K video shooting, so users can capture their world in true-to-life color and quality. When you are done shooting, stream your video to a Samsung QLED 8K and enjoy its best-in-class viewing experience or grab a still from an 8K video and turn it into a high-res photo.

Commenting on the launch, the Managing Director of Samsung Sri Lanka, Kevin You said, “We are proud to have established a legacy of leadership as the number 1 smartphone brand in Sri Lanka in terms of market share.  Samsung is dedicated to provide our users with new and exciting ways to capture the world as they see it using our leading edge technology. Our latest flagship Galaxy S20 series pushes the boundaries of innovation that Galaxy fans can eagerly look forward to.”

The Galaxy S20 series can be pre-ordered at Damro, Singer, Singhagiri, Softlogic Retail and island-wide authorized dealers of Softlogic Mobile Distribution and John Keells Office Automation which can be easily identified by the Samsung logo placed outside the shop and through online portals; Daraz.lk, ClicknShop, MySoftlogic.lk and Network Partners Dialog and Mobitel.

To celebrate another transformative year for the team, Sysco LABS hosted its annual year end party at Water’s Edge Colombo. The event brought together more than 450 employees for a night of celebration and camaraderie in the spirit of transformation; recognizing the evolution the company has gone through and their roadmap to transform the foodservice industry.

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• For Colombo-Delhi-Colombo flights, the introductory return fares start from LKR 35,512
• For Colombo-Bengaluru-Colombo flights, the introductory return fares start from LKR 24,900
• Colombo is GoAir’s 1st international destination launch in 2020

Colombo, 26 February 2020: In continuation of its expansion in South Asia, GoAir – Asia’s most trusted, punctual and fastest growing airline – has announced its new direct flights from Colombo to Delhi and Colombo to Bengaluru. GoAir’s maiden flights to the capital city of Sri Lanka will commence from 20th March 2020. The airline has introduced these two new routes with attractive return fares starting at LKR 35,512 for Colombo-Delhi-Colombo flights and LKR 24,900 for Colombo-Bengaluru-Colombo flights. 

Delhi and Bengaluru offer direct connectivity to the popular pilgrimage – ‘The Buddhist Circuit’ that includes places such as Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Rajgir in Bihar and Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. GoAir has direct flights to Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Patna (Bihar) from Delhi and Bengaluru. 

Speaking on the new flight announcement, Mr. Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir, said: “Our entry into Sri Lanka is in line with the growth strategy that we adopted since 2018 for international markets. GoAir has placed a firm order of 144 A320neo aircraft and we will be receiving one aircraft every month on average for the next 7-8 years. GoAir has been rated amongst the top 10 most punctual airlines in Asia by Cirium and we have earned four-out-of-four star ratings from 1.4 million passengers in the US-based APEX survey. The passengers rated GoAir as the best overall in-flight experience, cabin service, seat comfort, cleanliness, and food & beverages. Customers from Colombo will now experience the same superlative service and comfort when they fly GoAir.  I would like to thank the Government of Sri Lanka, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the officials of Bandaranaike International Airport, and last but not least our GSA partner Aitken Spence for the strong support that we have received in Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Rohan Fernando, Director and Head of Business Development and Plantations, Aitken Spence Plc said “Royal Spence a fully owned subsidiary of Aitken Spence is extremely pleased to be associated with this airline partnership of GoAir marking Sri Lanka as its 10th international destination. Aitken Spence has been in the business of representing Airlines for over 40 years with representations in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh. As you may know, Aitken Spence has built its business foundation on partnerships when its founding partners began business 150 years ago. Today, the company is one of the leading, most financially stable and diversified conglomerates in Sri Lanka operating in the sectors such as Hotels, Travel, Maritime Services, Logistic Solutions and Power Generation in Sri Lanka. The Company has significant interests in Plantations, Insurance, Financial Services, IT, Printing and Garments. We are confident that this partnership will grow to serve the local market and serve the growing demand for India as a destination.”

GoAir is the aviation foray of India’s 283-year-old Wadia Group that comprises leading brands including 156-year-old Bombay Burmah, 140-year-old Bombay Dyeing, 101-year-old Britannia Ltd., 65-year-old National Peroxide Limited, the decade old Bombay Realty and many others. GoAir currently operates 300+ daily flights and the airline has carried 80 million passengers since its inception in 2005. 

GoAir flies to 36 destinations that include 27 domestic destinations namely Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Kannur, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Port Blair, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar and Varanasi, as well as 9 international destinations namely Phuket, Male, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok, Kuwait, Dammam and Colombo. 

GoAir’s daily flight (except Wednesday) G8 39 will depart from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10:35 hours (local time) and will reach Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo at 14:10 hours (local time). The return flight G8 40 will depart from Colombo at 15:10 hrs (local time) on all days (except Wednesday) and arrive in Delhi at 19:00 hours (local time).

Sri Lankan travelers can explore Delhi’s famous attractions such as India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort etc as well as can make a spiritual & religious tour to Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, and Iskcon Temple. They can also make an excursion to nearby destinations such as Agra and the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 

GoAir’s flight G8 47 will depart from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport at 20:05 hours (local time) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and at 20:20 hours (local time) on Saturday and will reach Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo at 21:55 hours (local time). The return flight G8 48 will depart from Colombo at 23:00 hrs (local time) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and arrive in Bengaluru at 00:30 hours (local time).

Bengaluru offers a great nightlife and Sri Lankan tourists can also explore 19th-century Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. They can also plan a quick 2-3 days getaway to nearby tourist destinations such as Coorg, Ooty, Mysore, Yelagiri Hills, Nandi Hills etc. 

The sales window is already open and tickets can be booked on www.goair.in, GoAir mobile app, GoAir airport counters, and through the local GSA Royal Spence Aviation reachable on 0112308308.

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Vantage, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected men’s fashion labels, launched their brand new range of Vantage Innerwear at a gala launch event held at the Shangri-La, Colombo. The event took place at the Lotus Ballroom at Shangri-La, Colombo recently and witnessed the crème de la crème of Colombo’s elite fashion scene in attendance. Vantage is a top quality men’s clothing label under the umbrella of Sri Lanka’s premier clothing supplier, Ebony Holdings.

Vantage Innerwear reveals a range of top quality undergarments for men, providing varying and exciting designs in the style of Trunks. The trunk range of products includes the attractive Vantage stripes range, crafted from the highest quality fabrics which contain a 95% cotton and 5% spandex mix. Vantage Innerwear Garments are designed for optimum support and to provide free leg movement. They also feature very comfortable and stylish waistbands and are available in many attractive colours.

Speaking about the launch of Vantage Innerwear, Mr. Rasmi Raheem Chairman of Ebony Holdings mentioned, ‘Good things begin on the inside and with our vision to be a preferred fashion icon for discerning, fashion-conscious customers who demand the best from their attire, we feel that a line of innerwear is something that will be appreciated by our customers and also something that will help to more fully complete our line up. Constantly striving to provide our customers with the best, we are always on the lookout for new ways and innovative ideas to provide high quality products.

Vantage is one of the top-notch labels that come under the umbrella of Ebony Holdings. Their portfolio of high quality men’s clothing labels also contains the very popular Ebony and Flash labels, all of which are at the forefront in setting the latest fashion trends in men’s wear clothing. The company’s commitment to quality and exceptional service has earned it much respect and esteem from its ever growing, loyal customer base. The company continuously strives to improve their offering and meet the needs of their discerning clientele.

Mr. Raseen Raheem – Managing Director at Ebony Holdings added that, ‘We have an unwavering commitment to quality. Every step in our manufacturing process is closely monitored to ensure the highest quality end products. They say that charity begins at home and so great attire should begin with the highest quality innerwear and that is what Vantage provides. We also feel that there is a real need for high quality innerwear in the market at affordable prices and we have moved to fulfil this requirement of our customers.’

Ebony Holdings is one of Sri Lanka’s premier clothing suppliers and boasts a comprehensive distribution network spanning across the island. Vantage, Ebony and Flash products are available at a multitude of retail establishments across Sri Lanka and this accessibility is a core strength for the company, allowing them to reach out to customers all over the country and provide them with the latest fashions at affordable prices. In the future, the company plans to further establish itself as a dominant player in Sri Lanka’s clothing market, through its unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

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Vivo unveiled the all-new V15Pro smartphone in Sri Lanka. The V15Pro is the first model post-NEX to incorporate the industry’s first Elevating Front Camera with upgraded AI technology, which combines a stunning full-screen smartphone with an intelligent personal assistant that understands its user.

Mr. Kevin Jiang, CEO of Vivo Sri Lanka, said, “Innovation is one of our core values. Aside from the industry’s first Elevating Front Camera, which gave us the ultimate bezel-less display, we are always looking to bring other game-changing features, such as higher-quality cameras and smarter AI services that transport the mobile experience to a new dimension. The V15Pro is a clear example of our commitment in bringing immersive advanced products to consumers of all walks of life.”

The Elevating Front Camera with a Larger Screen Display

The V15Pro carries the same Elevating Front Camera from the NEX, but better. V15Pro comes with a staggering 32MP Front Camera to capture excellent selfies. Design enhancements help the camera withstand wear-and-tear. The V15Pro with its Super AMOLED Ultra FullView™ Display now has a staggering 91.64% screen-to-body ratio, creating an immersive viewing experience for gaming and video viewing.

Photography Perfected with AI Triple Camera

With the AI Triple Camera, V15Pro allows consumers to take photos with stunning clarity and wider perspective thanks to the 48 Million Quad Pixel Sensor[1], 8MP AI Super Wide-Angle Camera, and a 5MP Depth Camera. The “four-in-one pixel” technology in the rear camera combines four pixels into one large pixel to deliver high quality 12MP photos even at night. The AI Super Wide-Angle Camera expands to a whopping 120 degrees[2].

The V15Pro offers AI photography features including AI Face Beauty, AI Portrait Framing, and AI Super Night Mode, which can take multiple photos at different exposures; shaky night shots are now a thing of the past.

In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology

V15Pro also incorporates the popular In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology now in its 5^th generation. With higher fingerprint pixel density and a more sophisticated algorithm, consumers can unlock their phones in a securely intuitive manner.

Smooth Intuitive Experience with AI

Use the new Smart Button on the side of V15Pro to unleash AI. One press activates the Google Assistant while two initiates the Jovi Image Recognizer. V15Pro also has its own customized voice commands developed in partnership with Google to answer to your needs.

Gamers will appreciate the upgraded Game Mode 5.0. It comes with the new Competition Mode that prioritizes game performance, and Dual-Turbo, which reduces frame-drop by 300% and increases smooth gameplay.

V15Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 675AIE Octa-core processor with 6GBRAM + 128GB ROM, ensuring ultra-smooth performance. The latest Dual-Engine Fast Charging technology charges to 25% in 15 minutes.

The V15Pro in Topaz Blue will be available in Sri Lanka from 14th March 2019.

About Vivo

Vivo is a leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile innovations and services. Vivo is devoted to forming a vibrant mobile internet ecosystem, and currently owns and operates an extensive network of research operations, with R&D centers in the US (San Diego) and China (Dongguan, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Beijing and Hangzhou). These centers focus on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, AI, mobile photography and next-generation smartphone design.

By the end of 2017, Vivo had over two hundred million users enjoying its mobile products and services around the world. Vivo is present in 18 markets globally and features offline retail stores in over 1,000 cities worldwide.

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[1] V15Pro’s main camera features 48 million physical pixels each 0.8μm large. To improve photosensitivity and picture quality, V15Pro uses professional “four-in-one pixel” technology to combine four adjacent pixels into a single 1.6μm large pixel, delivering high-quality 12MP photos

[2] AI Super Wide-Angle Camera is able to capture 108 degree photos after accounting for distortion

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PayMaster Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. – Sri Lanka, unveiled its flagship development, the PayMaster app at the official launch event held recently in Colombo. The app aims to revolutionize the way Sri Lankans transact when topping-up their mobile reloads and paying their bills.

The PayMaster app is an essential instrument as the island moves towards a cashless society; as it will lessen the burden on the current financial system by making it more seamless and efficient.  Moreover, the app which is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil Languages will empower everyday Sri Lankans, giving them the methods and means to transact in a way that saves time and money.

Speaking about the launch, Director and Co-Founder of PayMaster, Ransika De Silva said, “After a lot of hard work by our team, we are thrilled to launch the app in Sri Lanka right on schedule. The app’s customer-focused design gives users more options, greater ease of use and complete security. The app’s high level of transparency safeguards users, as well as their information, and ensures there are no hidden charges. It also provides an interface that is simple to use and is accessible to everyone.”

Gamification within the app is a hit among users, where Incentivization through significant rewards will prompt users to spend a considerable amount of time with the app, beyond its transaction potential.    

PayMaster Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. is a subsidiary of FirstPay Pte Ltd – Singapore. The organization was quick to recognize the immense potential inherent in Sri Lanka’s burgeoning tech sector. As well as to identify the market potential for developing more powerful systems, which can deliver a richer, interactive, more dynamic and flexible user experience. With the island having embraced a high-tech outlook in recent times, the timing of PayMaster’s official announcement is strategically advantageous. The initiative will also help pave the way for a FinTech culture within the island, creating opportunities for future growth.

Director and Co-Founder of PayMaster, Lasitha Ranaweeera, is optimistic about the app’s future and had this to say. “Today Sri Lanka has 27+ million mobile connections, complemented by 1.5 million credit card users and 21 million debit card users, indicating a huge untapped reserve of potential. Additionally, the app has been designed to comply with the highest international standards, making it the most advanced digital payment gateway of its kind in the island. The app’s growing popularity is attributed to its ease of use, as users can make payments with just the click of a button.”

The PayMaster solutions team comprises of professionals with track records of success from both the tech and financial sectors. The team also has previous experience with high growth startups, which gives them a significant advantage. Based on their know-how and familiarity with the marketplace, as well as the technology, and their scalable go-to-market strategy, the team is confident of disrupting the digital payments market in Sri Lanka.

The organization is currently in the process of raising the half a million USD seed round for FirstPay in Singapore and have presently raised over 70% of the amount, with committed capital in place for the balance. With the app’s current popularity and a host of plans to increase awareness, PayMaster looks set to become the most popular method of payment in Sri Lanka.

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At an event held on Tuesday, 12 March, at the show apartment for TRI-ZEN on Vauxhall Street, Sri Lanka’s leading retail bank, HNB, announced the introduction of attractive mortgage packages exclusively for women hoping to invest in John Keells Properties’ newest development. This tie-up aims to bring to the table greater flexibility and convenience for female customers seeking to purchase their dream apartment.

Sri Lankan women play an increasingly greater role in the urban professional workforce, the industry is seeing demand from this segment develop – not just as a result of monetary capacity, but the confidence to purchase their own homes.

In response to the growing interest in TRI-ZEN by female investors, HNB, together with John Keells Properties, has introduced a long-term consumer borrowing package specifically for their female customers.

The attractive housing loan package resulting from the partnership offers funding of up to 80% of the purchase price of the apartment unit, payable with loan tenures going up to 25 years and grace period of 5 years for the capital repayment with a very attractive interest rate that could be fixed for 5 or 10 years. With just a reservation fee of 5% of the purchase price and a 15% of equity contribution by the investor over the construction period, the apartment can be secured following just a three-day loan approval process.

The new affordable and hassle-free HNB home loan package can be obtained through the Bank’s network of 251 branches operating across the country, and two dedicated mortgage advisors will be assigned to each buyer in order to further enhance the engagement between the developer and prospective borrowers. Also, a personalised doorstep mortgage advisory service will be made available to guide and assist in the processing and releasing of home loans.

“As women, we have to balance all sides of our lives as well as our families. To this end, where we live is key. We should, either live where we ‘work and school’; or ‘work and school’ close to where we live. Therefore, TRI-ZEN offers a very practical and an economical solution. It is further enhanced by HNB working forward with an attractive home loan scheme” said Mrs. Roshanie Jayasundera Moreas, Chief Marketing Officer of John Keells Properties.

 “At HNB we are dedicated to easing the financial burdens of potential property owners by providing them with only the most affordable, and hassle-free housing loan schemes,” said Mr. Kanchana Karunagama, Chief Manager/ Head of PFS of HNB. “Considering the growing contribution of women to the property market, and specifically the interest in the much-awaited TRI-ZEN development, we are pleased to have partnered with John Keells Properties on this exciting new offering.”

TRI-ZEN is a joint venture between John Keells Properties and Indra Traders (Pvt) Ltd. scheduled for completion in 2023, the centrally located 53-storey development will feature state of the art ‘smart-home’ apartments, key amenities, and convenience like no other.

In addition to the already-established versatility of the HNB mortgage packages, the bank is also offering for their female customers exclusive credit card offers, attractive insurance schemes, legal and other documentation assistance, loyalty card privileges, home improvement loans, and other special considerations.

The special insurance package offered by HNB Assurance for women includes a Mortgage Reducing Policy, Loan Protection cover, Life Insurance and Medical Cover. 

Female holders of HNB Credit Cards can also avail offers tailor-made for the TRI-ZEN development. Offers include the waiving off of the first year annual fee, a life time free Credit Card depending on the annual spend, year-round discounts at clothing shops, super market chains and on other women-specific products and outlets, a limited time cash back offer based on the amount spent, as well as a limited period 100% interest-free instalment plan of up to 12 months for purchases above Rs 10,000. HNB was recognised by the prestigious Banker Magazine as one of the Top 1000 banks in the world and is also the highest ranked local bank in this listing.  Over the recent past, HNB has also been adjudged Best Retail Bank 2018 by The Asian Banker Magazine in addition to being declared Best SME Bank, Best Digital Bank and the Best Cash Management Bank in Sri Lanka at the Asiamoney Awards 2018.