Atom LED Televisions launched in the Middle East

Colombo port volumes dropped by 2.2% in January this year compared to the same period in 2011 with shipping experts saying it needs to improve its competitiveness and efficiency. "We have had a serious capacity problem, and this is currently being improved,” says Shippers Academy CEO and Ports and Airports Strategic Enterprise Management Agency Senior Consultant Rohan Masakorala, who also believes that increasing cost competitiveness and efficiency are key factors that need to be tackled. He pointed out that the labour issues of efficiency at the Colombo port needs to be tackled as most workers are found to be "lazy". In this regard, while increased motivation to perform better is necessary, workers also need training programmes to equip themselves to face challenges of meeting upto expectations in comparison to other regional ports. The drop in volumes was experienced at a time when the volumes from Asia to Europe increased by 6% in the same month despite the recession in Europe that also caused freight rates to increase by 30%, officials said. However, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Wickrama told the Business Times that volumes from Asia to Europe had dropped due to the extended winter in Europe.

He noted that there was no congestion at the Colombo port today with productivity having increased since the SLPA purchased new equipment worth US$101 million. The domestic volume had observed a growth of 11% in January while trans-shipment had dropped by 9% and South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) volumes also dropped by 7.2%. However, other officials at the SLPA, who declined to be named, note that Colombo port efficiency was the reason shipping lines were losing confidence in Colombo. While Mr. Masakorala opines the challenge is to boost the level of productivity to around 30 moves per hour to reach upto international standards, and other officials believe the port needs at least 27-28 moves per hour, authorities are currently working on increasing moves upto an average of only 25 moves per hour. The constraints on the Colombo port were mainly due to the lack of required training for its workforce who therefore displayed inefficiency.

SLPA officials said that with the new Maersk CMA joint venture the two new loops that would be introduced in March were likely to omit Colombo and instead have selected Singapore and the Port Kelang in Malaysia as their transshipment hub. Meanwhile, commenting on vessels bypassing Colombo, which the authorities believe is not happening today, Mr. Masakorala said this was mainly due to the water basin's inability to handle a number of ships. He noted that the continuous delay in the Colombo South Harbour has caused this as currently there are restrictions and limitation in the water basin area. It was pointed out that during the monsoon period most vessels would bypass Colombo; and also the feeder vessels would have to stay in the outer harbour if a mother vessel is operating which is given priority over others.

ATOM, Sri Lanka's fastest growing brand of designer LED technology, has launched the ATOM LED and 3D at stores in Bahrain.

"Being a Sri Lankan company, we are proud to be able to show the world what Sri Lankan innovation, branding and technology is capable of achieving," said Ashan de Livera, CEO Atom Technologies, at the widely attended launch event recently in Bahrain, according to a statement issued by the company.

"Just as we have done in Sri Lanka, we will not be competing on price instead we will be providing high quality, affordable technology. We have always benchmarked ourselves against the best in the industry, helping us to be ahead of the curve, offering cientele superior quality and better

The brainchild of a dynamic group of young Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, ATOM says it collaborates with visionary innovators and product designers in the USA, Korea and Asia to custom build an advanced suite of products, using top quality components sourced from leading international manufacturers

support," he added.

Asif Jiffry, Director Marketing, Atom Technologies said they have also received interest from Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and will be looking to expand aggressively over the next year, but added that, "our focus will always be in ensuring adequate support which is why we conduct regular training as well as cutting edge resources to all our local staff." The brainchild of a dynamic group of young Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, ATOM says it collaborates with visionary innovators and product designers in the USA, Korea and Asia to custom build an advanced suite of products, using top quality components sourced from leading international manufacturers. Apart from building stylish TV'S and providing an extensive support infrastructure, ATOM focuses on future technologies including interactive TVS and Giant Screens.

The Serendib Group-driven Avani Bentota Resort and Spa last week announced the arrival of its 1000th guest, two and a half months after its launch on 1st December last year.

Located on the southern coast, Sri Lanka’s first-ever Avani property – Avani Bentota Resort and Spa – was launched by Serendib Leisure in partnership with Minor International. This property which is the former Hotel Serendib Bentota, underwent a massive Rs. 650 million refurbishment and now exudes a chic and contemporary ambiance, a company statement added.

The hotel is situated on what is described as “the best beach strip along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline” and is 64 km from Colombo and 96 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. Originally designed by Sri Lanka’s celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, the Avani Bentota Resort and Spa reflects a modern and chic ambiance. It retains Bawa’s signature style and offers an unmistakable Dutch-colonial charm.

Ranil de Silva - Managing Director, Serendib Leisure Management Ltd said, “Serendib Leisure has invested heavily in its hotels with the recent renovations and upgrades, and endeavors to provide an enhanced guest experience at all our hotels. The launch of Avani Bentota Resort and Spa is part of Serendib Leisure’s moves to rejuvenate its hospitality offering, and thereby caterto thevaried needs of local and international travellers.” Serendib Leisure owns and manages a wealth of hotels and resorts in several strategic tourist locations within Sri Lanka. They are Club Hotel Dolphin – Waikkal, AvaniKalutara Resort (former Kani Lanka Resort and Spa) – Kalutara and Hotel Sigiriya – Sigiriya.

Avani is part of Minor Hotel Group (MHG), a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 37 hotels and 36 serviced suites under the Anantara, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana, Oaks and Minor international brands in Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, UAE, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Government misguided by tourism industry “cartel” : Inbound tours chief

The government is being misled by a “cartel” that is looking towards making higher earnings without assisting the industry’s overall growth, a tourism industry expert said.

Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators President Nilmin Nanayakkara has said that the country and the local tourism industry were not reaping the benefits accrued to them due to the minimum rates structure imposed by the government.

He told the Business Times that this led to unfair competition and closed windows for job opportunities thereby reducing sales opportunities for hotels suppliers.

At a time when Sri Lanka was losing on Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) tourism from India and Pakistan to others in the region, he said this was a growing trend.

Minimum rates have caused a stir in the industry as city hotels were looking at making a fast buck by limiting occupancy and keeping rates competitive, he said explaining that this resulted in hoteliers restricting employment.

With employment maintained to provide for a limited number of visitors, hotels are not passing on the benefits gained from the industry to the country, he said.

In this respect, city hotels were charging higher rates while maintaining occupancy at around 50%, Mr. Nanayakkara pointed out.

On the other hand, it was believed that another position taken by the city hotels was in offering ad hoc discounts during low occupancy periods thereby undermining prospects of new opportunities within the industry.

Increased occupancies would inevitably result in an increase in business opportunities for restaurants, three wheelers, bars, shops, and a host of other stakeholders.

In this regard, he opines that a move towards allowing for demand and supply to take hold within the market would enhance occupancy levels in city hotels thereby providing space for job placements and better prospects for hotel suppliers within the sector.

On the contrary, it is however, likely to impact on the profit margins of the hoteliers, Mr. Nanayakkara observed adding that these hoteliers “have schemed for personal gains and benefits” and have undermined government plans of offering more jobs.