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Sri Lanka Navy’s first women para jumpers conquer the skies

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For the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Navy, the first group of women para jumpers, consisting 02 lady officers and 03 women sailors, successfully completed their basic parachute course at the Sri Lanka Air Force Parachute Training School, Ampara on 21st June 2023.

Going by an idea mooted by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, this particular group of women grabbed the opportunity to follow the first ever basic parachute course, marking a historic milestone for gender equality and women’s prowess in the Sri Lanka Navy.

In view of representing the Defence Services Free Fall Parachute (Skydiving) Tournament with a Sri Lanka Navy team of women para jumpers, a group of lady officers and women sailors were attached to Sri Lanka Air Force Parachute Training School, for their basic parachute course. Having qualified from a special mental and physical fitness test in this regard, the lady officers – Lieutenant Iresha Madushani and Lieutenant Prasadi Nadeeshani and women sailors – Woman Able Physical Training Instructor Ayesha Wijayarathna, Woman Ordinary Seaman Maheesha Ranasinghe and Woman Ordinary Seaman Kaushi Thisera successfully completed the basic parachute course. The course was held from 24th April to 21st June 2023 at the Sri Lanka Air Force Parachute Training School, Ampara.

The Basic Parachute Course No. 52 at Sri Lanka Air Force Parachute Training School was followed by 43 personnel (both men and women) from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Special Task Force. On successful completion of theoretical classroom sessions and ground training, they mastered essential skills such as aircraft exit procedures from An-32 of the Sri Lanka Air Force, form 800 – 1000 high in the sky to the premises of  Air Force Parachute Training School, Ampara. The five successful jumps they made also included a night parachute jump and a tactical equipment jump.Following successful completed their basic parachute course, this group of women para jumpers of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected take part in the Skydiving Course scheduled to commence at the Air Force Parachute Training School, Ampara on 02nd July. Highlighting the growing recognition of women’s capabilities in traditionally male-dominated fields, they will take part in joint operations, training exercises and parachute displays in due course, attached to the Parachute Pool of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Minister Manusha Warns Public of Fake Foreign Job Scams

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Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, today urged foreign employment seekers not to get duped by racketeers who promise lucrative foreign employment while indicating that they are closely connected to him, one of his family members or personal staff.

The Minister stressed that foreign employment seekers should not give money to such fraudsters and added he will not take responsibility for such actions.

The minister further stated that he has no involvement in any such transaction and that no member of his family or any official of the ministerial staff are involved in the business of running foreign employment agencies.
The Minister stated that it is reported there are illegal money-collecting rackets operating in various parts of the island, while promising foreign employment seekers lucrative jobs in overseas countries.

The minister stressed that he is actively intervening to take strict legal measures to prevent such frauds, and urged the public to contact officials to verify their source of employment before committing to any financial transactions.

Also the Minister stressed that permission to send workers for foreign jobs has only being granted to licensed foreign employment agencies registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and foreign employment seekers should only deal with such agencies.

Upon information received by Port Control Unit of Sri Lanka regarding the reefer container bearing number TRIU 8424604 arriving on board the vessel “wide Juliet” coming from Karachchi, Pakistan purportedly containing narcotics concealed in potatoes.

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Upon information received by Port Control Unit of Sri Lanka regarding the reefer container bearing number TRIU 8424604 arriving on board the vessel “wide Juliet” coming from Karachchi, Pakistan purportedly containing narcotics concealed in potatoes.
On receipt of said information, officers of Port Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs got hold of the suspected container which was on board the vessel reached port of Colombo port around 4pm on 15.which had been retained on Board the vessel.
Refer container was examined on 21. and found fresh potatoes. Suspected 12 nos. of parcels concealed inside the ventilator cover of the reefer container were traced at the examination of the container. It has been revealed that the 12 parcels contained Heroin weighing 16,193 grams with a street value of RS. 647,720,000/-
Investigations were carried out by the officers of Port Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs with the assistance of Customs Narcotic Control Unit.
Investigation were carried out on the instruction of Senior Director of Customs of Mr. Sudath de Silva, Senior Deputy Director of Customs Ms A.G.C. Seneviratne, by Deputy Directors of Customs Mr. H. M. N. S. Rajaguru, Mr. N.S. Kumanayaka, Assistant Superintendents of Customs Mr. K. M. B. N. Wijepala, Mr. J. T. A. Jayakodi, Mr. S. Nithipan, Ms. H. M.N.I.N.Bandara, Mr. B.R.Epitawala.
The production and the suspects will be handed over to Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigations.

THE SURFACE TREATMENT PLANT DECLARED OPEN BY THE COMMANDER

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The newly established Surface Treatment Plant at SLAF Station Palavi was declared opened by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana yesterday (20 June 2023), marks a significant milestone in the enhancement of the engineering capabilities of the SLAF. The establishment of the Aircraft Overhaul Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake in 2015 was undertaken with the intention of providing a timely solution for the comprehensive overhaul of Chinese origin aircraft.

The Surface Treatment Plant, constructed as a mandatory workshop for the Wing, plays a crucial role in facilitating the surface finishing of spares during the overhaul process of F-7BS/GS and K-8 aircraft. The design of this workshop was executed by the expert team from China National Aero – Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), while the construction and equipment installation were carried out under their supervision.

The Surface Treatment Plant encompasses a wide range of surface finishing capabilities, adhering to the aviation standards. These capabilities include various types of surface finishing methods such as Electroplating (including Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Cadmium Plating, Nickel Plating, Bright Nickel Plating, Tin Plating, Zinc Plating, Silver Plating, Black Zinc Plating), Anodizing (comprising Passivation of stainless steel, Chemical conductive anodizing, Sulphuric acid Anodizing, Chemical oxidation of aluminium and its alloy, Chrome acid Anodizing, Hard Anodizing) and Chemical Treatment (encompassing Phosphating, Bluing and Passivation of copper).

The successful implementation of this state-of-the-art Surface Treatment Plant not only enhances the engineering capabilities of the SLAF but also supports as a valuable resource for sister services and external organizations. The facility can be extended to cater the surface treatment needs of organizations such as the Port Authority, Sri Lankan Air Lines and other relevant entities.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, members of the Air Force Board of Management, Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Overhaul Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake, as well as representatives from the China National Aero – Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), officers and cross-section of airmen.

Kirsche Capital opens new clothing store in Colombo 3

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Kirsche Capital opens new clothing store in Colombo 3 recently with an investment of over Rs.3 million. 

Longtime best friends turned business partners, Dr. Sarah Fazy and Shareefa Thahir, are proud to announce the grand opening of their latest venture, Kirsche Capital. This exciting new clothing store, located at R. A. De Mel Mawatha in Colombo 3, aims to provide customers with affordable and trendy men’s and women’s ready-to-wear clothing.

Spanning an impressive 4,000 square feet, the Kirsche Capital store is conveniently situated directly in front of Abans Finance, making it easily accessible to shoppers. The brand is a fusion of two in-house labels, Divado and Cherry’s Closet, offering a diverse range of styles for both men and women. From bold and individualistic to playful and on-trend, Kirsche Capital empowers individuals to embrace and flaunt their unique style with confidence.

At Kirsche Capital, sustainability and ethical practices are at the core of their design philosophy. The brand emphasizes the use of sustainable fabrics and manufacturing processes, ensuring that customers can look good while making environmentally conscious choices. The store’s offerings cater to a wide range of needs, including formal, athletic wear, work attire, and casual clothing, all designed with versatility in mind.

Co-founder and Director of Kirsche Capital, Dr. Sarah Fazy stated, “Many have asked about my clothing style and where I get my clothes from. Kirsche is the embodiment of my passion for fashion, allowing everyone to shop for my unique style and designs. Get ready to express yourself with trendy and fashionable pieces that will make you stand out.”

Customers visiting Kirsche Capital can expect to find a wide selection of casual lifestyle and seasonless apparel and accessories. The store’s inventory includes t-shirts, dresses, tops, outerwear, pants, skirts, and more. In addition, Kirsche Capital showcases outfit sets, everyday basics, and Instagram-worthy trends, inspiring customers to express their confidence through fashion.

Co-founder and Managing Director Shareefa Thahir expressed her excitement about the store’s offerings, saying, “There’s a variety since we do have two different styles of clothing. We have go-to styles, which include multiple colours or patterns. We also have more feminine styles. We have created clothing that we like and what we think other people would like to wear. We also found a lack of these styles and designs, especially for men.” 

Every design at Kirsche Capital has been meticulously crafted with the highest quality standards in mind. The store’s spacious layout allows customers to browse, try on garments, and shop to their heart’s content. Boasting an elegant and luxurious interior with an artistic ambiance, Kirsche Capital delivers a unique shopping experience that is sure to delight fashion enthusiasts.

Kirsche Capital is open seven days a week, from Monday to Sunday, operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Customers are invited to visit the store at their convenience and explore the latest fashion offerings from this exciting new brand. For more information about Kirsche Capital, please visit their website https://www.kirschecapital.com/ or contact the store directly at +94112370123.

The Pearl Protectors Hold “Turtle Talk 2” at the Pink Salt, Dehiwala

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The Pearl Protectors organised “Turtle Talk 2“, in light of World Sea Turtle Day on the 18th of June 2023 from 3pm to 5pm at popular beach restaurant “Pink Salt” in Dehiwala, to an audience of avid sea turtle enthusiasts. The Pearl Protectors are a youth-led marine conservation volunteer organisation that focuses on reducing plastic pollution and conserving the marine environment. They are committed to raising awareness about the fragility and beauty of marine ecosystems.

Turtle Talk 2 began with an informative awareness session regarding the varieties of sea turtles species that roam the world’s seas and visit Sri Lankan beaches, laws protecting sea turtles, ex-situ and in-situ conservation methods, and the numerous threats that are faced by sea turtles from man made pollution, especially from entanglement in fishing nets, ghost nets and plastic debris floating in the sea. The first presentation was given by Shalanka Ranjula (TransBML Project Lead) who explained in detail on the topic of sea turtle anatomy and engaged in a lively Q & A session with the audience.
Maleesha Gunawardana (Advocacy Lead), raised awareness of the threats to sea turtles, especially from the recent X-Press Pearl shipping disaster and from plastic pollution. Maleesha explained that while more should be done to protect the sea turtles in coastal regions. She noted that as per the Fauna and Flora Ordinance, private sea turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka are deemed as illegal, where adult sea turtles were kept in overcrowded cement tanks, but yet they are still allowed to operate without expertise, monitoring or regulations. Ending the highly engaging “Turtle Talk 2” was Lenin De Silva (Research Lead) who educated those present on sea turtle health, necropsies and accident management with an educational slideshow.
Sri Lanka witnesses 5 of 7 sea turtle species coming ashore to nest as they are genetically adapted to return to the same shorelines of birth to lay eggs.Turtle Talk 2 gave an insight into the serious issues that are faced by sea turtles on our beaches. Team leaders explained that the Pearl Protectors are very much involved in protecting sea turtle eggs, by organising nightly beach Turtle patrols on a roster basis while working alongside the Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials in re-nesting eggs in secure locations.

For more information on The Pearl Protectors and the work it does, visit the website: https://pearlprotectors.org/

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will be the chief guest All Ceylon YMMA Conference 73rd Annual Convention

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The 73rd Annual Convention of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference will be held on 24th June, 2023  at 10.00 am at the “Crystal Auditorium” Capital City Hotel, Bank Road, Badulla. It will be held under the patronage of National President of the YMMA Conference Ihsan A. Hameed.  Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva will be the chief guest and State Minister of Education A. Aravindh Kumar will be the guest of honour.

The All Ceylon YMMA Conference, a National youth and youth serving community-based organization, providing leadership in building a strong socio-economic development institution and to serve the community and the country. They have a network of more than 175 Member YMMA Branches throughout the country with more than 10,000 members.  They are an Incorporated Body established by an Act of Parliament No. 31 of 1968 as a Government approved non-profitable and non-political charitable organization founded on 30 April 1950 by late Dr. A.M.A. Azeez, educationist, first Muslim civil servant and former Senator.

The Convention will be attended by reputed dignitaries, leading personalities and members of the branches. They have had the privilege of welcoming other foreign dignitaries to grace the event.

”Hotel Show Colombo 2023 Returns After 3 Years with a New Theme: Produce of Sri Lanka”

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Sri Lanka’s Largest Hospitality Trade Exhibition will be held for the 15th time on 21st, 22nd and 23rd of July 2023 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre at the BMICH. It is organised by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association together with CDC Events. The media launch of the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 was successfully held at the Ramada Colombo Hotel on 31st May 2023. The Hotel Show will be taking place after a lapse of 3 years and with the resurgence of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and the increased demand for hotel supplies and services,the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 will be providing a platform to showcase all hotel supplies and services under one roof.

The Hotel Show Colombo 2023 will provide support to the small and medium sectors who can find new business openings in the international markets through the increased number of foreign buyers visiting the exhibition.There will also be concurrent events taking place including the The National Barista Championship, National Room Stylists Challenge, Ceylon Tea Master’s Cup, Bar Champs- Bartenders competition and several industry centric Master Classes, to make this event one of the most liveliest and colourful exhibitions to take place this year in Sri Lanka.

While the exhibition will focus on its new theme : “Produce of Sri Lanka”. There will be over 175 stalls from all over the world showcasing products and services ranging from kitchen equipment, linen,housekeeping equipment,leisure and entertainment. Mr. Trevin Gomez, the Chairman of the Organising Committee stated: At a time when tourism is just starting to peak, many hotels and resorts will be looking to upgrade and refurbish their facilities. Keeping in line with this year’s theme: PRODUCE OF SRI LANKA, the organisers wish to give prominence to Sri Lankan made products and services in order to give a boost to the economy”.

Also speaking to media, Mr. Niraj de Mel, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board,stated that more should be done to increase public awareness of Sri Lankan tea, which is a major export, especially amongst the hospitality sector, and to educate the general public on tea pairings, tea mixology and the various types of tea available in the island. He noted that most F&B employees were more knowledgeable on the topics of wines rather than on homegrown tea blends.

The Principal sponsor of the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 is Cargills Ceylon PLC, and Pragmatic International is the Diamond Sponsor, while Suyamas International (Pvt)Ltd ,Venture Hotel Suppliers Pvt Ltd, and World of Outdoor Pvt Ltd are Gold sponsors.The sponsors were felicitated at the media launch by the organisers. The concurrent events of the exhibition will be held in Colombo, Negombo, the Cultural Triangle, and the Central and Southern regions in Sri Lanka. While the finals will be held at the Hotel Show Colombo. Judges of international repute will be flown in for the event.

For the past 25 years the Hotel Show Colombo has been driving and inspiring change in the hospitality industry. It is the largest and most influential hospitality exhibition in the South Asian region and is the essential meeting place for General Managers, Hoteliers, Interior Designers, F&B Managers, Front Office, Housekeepers and prospective buyers who are looking to access the products, information and inspiration to drive the leisure industry forward.

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa

Raigam Wayamba Salterns PLC

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2022/2023 Group – After Tax Profit (un-audited) up by 101%


The management of the Raigam Wayamba Salterns PLC (RWS), the one and only salt manufacturing company listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is delighted to declare that the group has recorded its ever highest performance with a remarkable growth compared to the preceding year during the financial year 2022/2023. These impressive results were revealed in the recently published 2022/2023 Provisional Financial Statements (un audited) of the group.Financial Highlights (In Rupees Million)

Audited 2023
Un-audited Change 2022
Audited 2023
Un-audited Change
Revenue 1,063 1,799 69% 1,147 2,126 85%
Profit before Tax 222 417 88% 277 555 100%
Income Tax Expense 50 86 72% 62 121 96%
Profit After Tax 172 331 93% 216 433 101%
Total Asset Base 1,174 1,824 55% 1,298 2,194 69%

Earnings & Net Assets per Share (In Rupees)
Company Group
2022
Audited 2023
Un-audited Change 2022
Audited 2023
Un-audited Change
Earnings per Share 0.61 1.17 93% 0.76 1.54 101%
Net Assets per Share 5.07 6.64 31% 5.74 7.88 37%

Raigam Wayamba Salterns (RWS) was established in the year 2005 as a subsidiary of the Raigam Group of Companies to grab the benefits of the opportunities available in the salt market in Sri Lanka, mainly the value added salt including table salt (powder) which was dominated by a few Indian Salt suppliers, despite the fact that Sri Lanka is surrounded by sea and plenty of favorable conditions required for the salt industry were existing. RWS had very accurately judged the future trends in the market, especially conversion of consumer choice from traditional crystal salt to powder salt and also many potential value additions.
The company’s long term and short term strategies were set with a futuristic vision based on above and could achieve targets as planned making all dreams a reality, but with lot of hard work and commitment.
In 2010 the company was converted to a listed company as Raigam Wayamba Salterns PLC opening opportunities to the general public to become owners of this venture, making an IPO of 80,000,000 shares at the rate of Rs. 2.50 per share, an affordable price for anyone to become a shareholder of the company by just investing Rs. 2,500 the minimum subscription. This share issue was very successful and oversubscribed by 20 times. Despite heavy fluctuations experienced in the capital market during the past the market price of RWS share stood steady and has recorded a natural growth backed by performance, net assets and the integrity of the management.
At the close of financial year 2022/2023, the real value of a share (net assets per share) remained at Rs. 7.88 as compared to the market value of Rs.6.90

Talent Show 2023

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RUZAIK FAROOK

The Talent Hub Academy had organized its 6th year Talent Show Exhibition which was held at the Hotel Galadari Ballroom on 10th Saturday June 2023. 

Talent Hub Academy is a Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) registered as a vocational training institute and Internationally recognized under the City and Guild certification which helps creating woman entrepreneurs under  various fields of education such as Cake Making, Stitching, Dress Making, Beauty Culture, Make up Artistry, Mehendi , Cookery and Pastry and Bakery.   

It was held under the patronage of the Directress of the Academy Ms. Fazliya Rameez.

Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission former Senior Career Counselor Ms. Chandima Rodrigo and Khiriya Girls College Principal Ms. Nazeera Hassanar were present as a guests of honour and views the exhibition. 

Nearly 260 students took part in the exhibition and they exhibited their talent at the exhibition.

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