Oman Air and Travelport announce new seat assignment booking functionality to benefit travel agents

Oman Air and Travelport 

Travel agents booking Oman Air via Travelport’s Galileo and Worldspan distribution systems will now be able to benefit from new functionality, which allows them to manage the seat selection process in a ‘live’ and interactive environment.

The Interactive Seat Assignment functionality – jointly unveiled by Travelport, the leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, and Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman – will provide agents with greater ease in booking Oman Air content and help improve customer service.

In practice, Interactive Seat Assignment allows agents to request seat maps and assign, change or cancel specific seats in a real-time environment, whilst maintaining full control with the ability to accept or decline seat assignments. Oman Air CEO, Wayne Pearce, said: “We aim to ensure that Oman Air offers both customers and travel agents the greatest possible convenience and I am sure that the opportunity to select and assign seats using Travelport’s systems will be warmly welcomed. 

The system also offers the opportunity to reduce costs, enabling Oman Air to continue offering outstanding value throughout our network of more than 40 exciting destinations.” “Seat maps and advance seat assignments are becoming basic expectations amongst travel agents providing a high level of service to travellers”, added Will Owen Hughes, Senior Director, Supplier Services, Middle East and Africa, Travelport. “Managing these services can consume valuable airline resources, if they are not automated. Travelport systems reduce and often eliminate these costs, enabling travel agents to improve their service to their passengers, as well as to the airline.”

About Travelport (www.travelport.com)

Travelport is a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to companies operating in the global travel industry. With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2012 net revenue of more than $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution system (“GDS”) business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands, its Airline IT Solutions business and a majority joint venture ownership in eNett. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company. Follow Travelport on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Travelport 

About Oman Air (www.omanair.com) 

As the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air offers comfort and luxury in every class, together with the superb warmth and hospitality for which Oman is famed. Since Oman Air was founded in 1993, its network of services has expanded to include a range of the most attractive and fascinating destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. And with each route originating in Oman, Oman Air is playing a major role in increasing the number of travellers to the Sultanate and providing a thriving gateway for business and tourism.

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People’s Bank Receives ISO Certification

People’s Bank Receives ISO Certification

People’s Bank Sri Lanka

People’s Bank has been awarded with the ISO 9001:2008 accreditations from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) in recognition of the quality of its Trade Service products which enables its customers with a secured and efficient import and export services. The Trade Service department provides a centralised processing mechanism unit for Sri Lanka’s largest commercial banking network with 730 branches and service centres; catering to the needs of a customer base of over 13 million with easy-to-use banking facilities that enable them to venture across borders for import and export transactions from any of the People’s Bank outlets located island wide. 

Quote from Mr. N. Vasantha Kumar, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, People’s Bank added, “The People’s Bank Trade Services Department have stepped up the game in export and import services by obtaining the ISO 9001-2008 certification; servicing the largest network of 730 branches island wide, we are determined to serve our customers better by implementing service standards on par with international standards. I must thank our Trade Services team that have worked tirelessly to ensure that we met all the requirements set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, to enable us to serve our customers better.”   

The stringent criteria set by the SLSI were all met at the highest order by the staff and systems implemented at People’s Bank to obtain the ISO 9001-2008 certification. The systems implemented empower the staff to process letters of credit,  post  import facilities that include: import bills, post import facilities and foreign and local guarantees and exports products for their customers in an efficient manner.

Speaking at the presentation of the certificate Mr. Lalith Senaweera, Director General Sri Lanka Standard Institution said, “Firstly I’d like to congratulate the team from People’s Bank for receiving the ISO certificate; in today’s business environment the banking industry is rapidly changing, customers are becoming more demanding and there are rapid advancements in technology and regulatory requirements are forever changing, therefore it is a challenge for all banks to keep up with the latest trends. It is essential in today’s context for any organization to adopt proper quality assurance systems to maintain a standard and we are happy to say that People’s Bank Trade Services has met all the requirements to receive ISO Certification to ensure their customers receive the best of service standards.” 

Mr. Jayantha Newnhella, Deputy General Manager, International Banking, People’s Bank added, “Our team at People’s Bank Trade Services have achieved great heights in quality standards today, I am very proud of my team that have put together and implemented the quality standards set by the SLSI. The certification will enable us to improve the operations and increase our standards of delivery. It will also be instrumental in setting up an efficient and service oriented work culture allowing the team to strive and offer the best possible service to all our customers. Such commitment and dedication of our team members will enable the division to maintain and increase the standards of delivery and efficiency of our services in the future.”     

The Trade Services Department provides services for many exporters and importers who are aggressively venturing out across the borders. People’s Bank’s network of over 300 correspondents in 103 countries to give their business the global edge with cutting edge technology, commitment, and decades of superior experience in handling high value transactions our staff is fully equipped to enhance customer value. They enable their customers with speedy settlement of international commercial transactions providing safety for the parties involved.

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Women - Out of The Frame Photographic Exhibition

Women - Out of The Frame Photographic Exhibition

Out of The Frame

The Women - Out of The Frame Photographic Exhibitionwill be held from 5th to 10th July 2013 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Undertaken by Sri Lankan photographer Menika van der Poorten   in conjunction with the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka this landmark photography project and exhibition on women provides the ideal platform to showcase the talent of 45 photographers (men and women) from across the island, and beyond, both professionals and enthusiasts.

These photographers’ perspectives help to change the way we see women. The photographs selected for this exhibition capture a moment or moments revealing the complexity of women’s lives - whether it is women from different walks of life in the same frame, women living in a war and conflicted affected environments or elders going about their daily routine.

The project’s aim is to provide photographers in Sri Lanka a platform to present images that ‘go beyond the traditional, objectified and stereotypical portrayal of women common in mainstream media’. Submissions came from Battaramulla, Batticaloa, Bemmulla, Trincomalee, Hikkaduwa, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Vavuniya,  Warkapola and beyond, achieving one of the project’s main objectives which was to reach out to photographers countrywide, particularly those who, due  to war, had limited access to this type of cultural exchange. As Cynthia Cohen’s study Creative approaches to Reconciliation illustrates, “investment in the arts and cultural work are critical to promoting coexistence and reconciliation in the aftermath of violent conflict.”

As a country emerging from a thirty-year conflict, visual media is pivotal in shaping opinions and perceptions. During the period of the exhibition a series of presentations and workshops that support the education, and development of conceptual and technical photographic skills, will be conducted. The workshop programme will encompass digital workflow, telling a story through photography and will encourage discussion and debate on context, ethics and the importance of visual media in making meaning.

“To say that photographs lie implies that they might tell the truth; but the beauty of their nature is exactly to say nothing, neither to lie nor not to.”

—Stanley Cavell (1985)

An exhibition catalogue will be available and the exhibition website (www.outofthrframe.lk) will be launched to coincide with the opening of the exhibition. These exhibition and workshops are supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the National Peace Council, and the Goethe Institute.

For more information on this project and exhibition email outoftheframe.sl@gmail.com

or visit Face Book:  http://www.facebook.com/outoftheframesrilanka

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Sri Lanka to introduce new Technology subject for GCE A/L

Sri Lanka to introduce new Technology subject for GCE Advanced Level

New Subject Stream of Technology

Sri Lanka introduce the new Subject Stream of Technology to the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level curriculum initially in 200 schools island wide, news source said.The new Technology stream will be introduced in 200 selected Secondary Schools equipped with Mahindodaya Technological Laboratories. The schools have been selected to have at least one such school for each electorate.The program is introduced with the collaboration of National Education Commission, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development and the University Grants Commission.

Initially the teachers of the University of Vocational Technology of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development will be assigned for teaching the new subjects that will be introduced in the new stream.A joint proposal put forward by the Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena and Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma to proceed with the arrangements to set up the schools to teach the Technology stream has been approved by the Cabinet of ministers.

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The AYS Gnanam Construction Training Academy signs MOU with NAITA and receives accreditation from TVEC

The AYS signs MOU with NAITA and receives accreditation from TVEC

 

The AYS Gnanam Construction Training Academy signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Apprenticeship & Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) at a ceremony held at Cinnamon Grand. The Group also received a certificate of accreditation from the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) for the training programmes being held at The AYS Gnanam Construction Training Academy to empower local masons, ensuring that they receive the proper training and the accreditation to support them.

The Academy is dedicated to the memory of Tokyo Cement Group's founder Chairman, the late Deshamanya A.Y.S.Gnanam. The ultra-modern facility caters for 50 residential trainees and includes a workshop for practicals, a lecture hall, dining hall and dormitory. The Academy is also open to school leavers looking for a career and will offer theoretical as well as practical training. The A.Y.S. Gnanam Construction Training Academy is affiliated to the National Apprentices and Industrial Training Authority and is registered in the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC).

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Sri Lankan President’s Secretary answers questions on a Twitter

Sri Lankan President’s Secretary answers questions on a Twitter

Twitter Q&A

Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga will answer questions on a Twitter Q&A session next week,Wednesday, 19 June, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.The chat will take place via the official Twitter account of President Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa).

Submit your questions with #AskLW. www.twitter.com/PresRajapaksa.The session will run up to one and half hours.

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Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya promoted as General

 Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya promoted as General

Sri Lanka Army

Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya has been promoted to the rank of General by President Mahinda Rajapaksa,with effect from June 1st, the Army news source said.

General Jagath Jayasuriya is currently serving as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. 

Commander Jagath Jayasuriya prior to his appointment as Commander, served as the Commander of Security Forces Headquaters- Wanni during the final Ealam War, with overall command of the SLA offensives in the Wanni region during 2008-2009 that led to the victory of the Civil War.

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Sangakkara ton helps Sri Lanka crush England by 7 wickets at The Oval

Sri Lanka crush England by 7 wickets at The Oval

 

Champions Trophy 2013

Kumar Sangakkara smashed a brilliant unbeaten 134 off 135 balls as Sri Lanka registered a thumping seven-wicket win over England to keep themselves in the hunt for a semifinal berth in the Champions Trophy 2013 group A match played at the Oval.

England posted a formidable total of 293/7 thanks to half-centuries from Jonathan Trott (76), Joe Root (69) and Alastair Cook (55) apart from a terrific cameo of 33 from 13 balls by Ravi Bopara. 

Now Sri Lanka level with England on two points each, one behind group leaders New Zealand. Australia, the fourth team in the group, has one point. 

Sri Lanka takes on Australia at the Oval on Monday.

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OMAN Air Sponsors the Gulf Flight Safety Committee AGM

OMAN Air Sponsors the Gulf Flight Safety Committee AGM

OMAN Air

Oman Air hosts the Gulf Flight Safety Committee on 10 June, sponsored by Oman Air, NEXUS Flight Operations Services and MedAire/International SOS.  The Gulf Flight Safety Committee (GFSC) was originally founded in Oman in 2004 by a group of Gulf based Safety Professionals from various aviation companies located within the GCC region.  This group is made up of over 250 members representing 80+ organizations within the region.  The group meets quarterly to promote safety improvement initiatives, including coordination with international organizations and bodies such as ICAO and IATA.

New elections during the GFSC Annual General Meeting held here in Muscat resulted in the following Executive Board; Chairman, Capt. Mohammed A. Malatani, Co-Chairman, Capt. William Mermelstein and Secretary/Treasurer Capt. Mark Trotter. “We are very pleased to have the support of Oman Air and the city of Muscat to host our Annual General meeting, and participation by the Royal Air Force of Oman and the Police Air Wing” says newly elected Chairman Capt. Malatani.  As a result of this annual meeting the membership agreed to a slight name change as the Gulf Flight Safety Council to better reflect the mission and goals.

                                              

Capt. Malatani also extended his thanks to Janab Al Sayyid Capt. Manin Al-Said, General Manager Quality & Safety of Oman Air for their hospitality in hosting the GFSC in Muscat, Oman.

The meeting comes one day before another important regional safety event.  The International Civil Aviation Organization and International Air Transportation Association (CAO/IATA) events come as an initiative under the Regional Aviation Safety Group (RASG-MID) to enhance safety in the Middle East. The purpose of Safety Management Workshop is to; share best practices and lessons learned for Safety Management Systems (SMS) and State Safety Programs (SSP); provide break-out sessions for sharing of safety data and SMS/SSP implementation; and promote safety data tools and enhance safety culture.

“The Gulf Flight Safety Council is pleased to partner with ICAO & IATA in our mutual goals of promoting safety in the region” added Capt. Mohammed Malatani, General Manger Safety of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and the new chairman of the GFSC.

About Oman Air

Oman Air is the flagship carrier of the Sultanate of Oman and an Official 4 Star Airline (Skytrax 2011). Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East, supporting the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors.

The airline currently operates direct international flights from Muscat to Gulf destinations, such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Tehran and Kuwait, as well as Cairo, Beirut and Amman within the wider Middle East region.

In addition, Oman Air flies to ten destinations in India (Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Kozhikode and Jaipur), Chittagong in Bangladesh, Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan, Kathmandu in Nepal and Colombo in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Oman Air flies to the Maldives, Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and operates services to Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Its European destinations are London, Milan, Munich, Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich.

Oman Air has also codeshare partnerships with Emirates Airlines giving travellers better connectivity and an extended range of services between Dubai and Muscat as well as with Qatar Airways allowing Oman Air’s customers to book flights from any of the 42 departure points within its network to Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Oman Air’s fleet currently consists of four Airbus A330-200s, three Airbus A330-300s, 17 Boeing 737-700s/800s, four Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s. Oman Air will be taking delivery of 6 new Boeing 737s as of 2014, as well as 6 Boeing 787s Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2015.

Oman Air’s outstanding aircraft interiors include its First Class Mini Suite, which provides each of the six First Class passengers with direct aisle access and converts to the longest lie-flat seat in the skies. The A330’s 20 award-winning Business Class seats each provide direct aisle access, ample storage space and the latest technological amenities. Economy Class seats offer adjustable head and leg rests, together with surprising amounts of leg and elbow room.

A state of the art in-flight entertainment system features individual seatback screens, audio and video on demand and live satellite TV. In addition, Oman Air has pioneered both mobile telephony and Internet connectivity on board its flights and this is available in all three classes. 

Superb new First and Business Class lounges have been opened at Muscat International Airport, featuring elegant and tranquil relaxation areas, complimentary spa treatments and à la carte dining. A lounge-to-aircraft limousine service has also been launched for First Class passengers at Muscat.

Oman Air’s commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in international acclaim, including: Best Business Class Seat in the World (World Airline Awards 2012); Best Business Class Seat in the World and Service Excellence, Middle East (World Airline Awards 2011); Best Luxury Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Awards 2011); Technological Innovation of the Year (Aviation Business Awards 2010); as well recognition in the TravelPlus Amenity Bag Awards 2010 (three Gold, one Silver), the Cellars in the Sky Awards 2010 (Silver), the KLIA Awards 2011, the 2009 Vision Awards (one Silver, one Bronze) and the Travel Industry Club Awards 2010 (Silver), TTG Travel Award 2011 as Commended Airline of the Year, Best In-flight Connectivity & Communications award in The 2011 Passenger Choice Awards in Seattle USA, The Airline of the Year Award at France's Lauriers d'Or du Voyage d'Affaires, Top Resa 2011 in addition to the Best First Class Female Amenity Bag and the Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag at the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2011. Oman Air was awarded The Best Business Class Airline, Middle East at the Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012.

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Sri Lanka and Slovenia ready to strengthen trade and economic relations

Sri Lanka and Slovenia ready to strengthen trade and economic relations

Strengthen trade and economic relations with Slovenia

Sri Lanka and Slovenia have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries at the conclusion of an official visit under taken by Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris to Ljubljana on Monday. 

According to a statement released by the External Affairs Ministry, the Ministers resolved to conclude agreements relating to investment promotion, avoidance of double taxation and air services. 

Minister Peiris also invited business leaders from Slovenia to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum, on the fringes of the Commonwealth  Heads of Government Meeting, which will be hosted in Sri Lanka in November.

During the visit, the Minister met with the Mayor of Bled and made a proposal regarding a twinning agreement between the cities of Bled and Kandy.

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Coca-Cola celebrates World Environment Day 2013

Coca-Cola celebrates World Environment Day 2013

“Give Back Life”

As part of Coca-Cola’s global commitment to sustainabilityof resources, Coca-Cola Sri Lanka celebrated World Environment Day on 5 June 2013. The companyplanned its celebrations around environmental conservation and protection by organising a PETcollection initiative, a debate competition for students and creating awareness on climate protection.

The Company commemorated World Environment Day 2013 by handing over 33 PET collection binsto the Kaduwela Education Zone, to encourage students to collect and recycle plastic waste. Coca-Cola Sri Lanka began the ‘Give Back Life’ project five years ago on World Environment Day in 2008 to support plastic recycling. The project which is being worked out in partnership with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Biyagama Education Division and Kalhari Enterprises, Coca-Cola is taking the mission one step further by inculcating the habit of recycling amongst school children.

Students of the schools in the Biyagama Education Division

The first bin was handed over symbolically to W.L.R.K. Wijerathne, Principal - Munidasa KumarathungeVidyalaya, Kaduwela by Abhishek Jugran – Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Coca-Cola FarEast Limited. Also present at the event were Palitha Gamage – Programme Officer - National PostConsumer Plastic Waste Management Project - Central Environmental Authority, Aruni Premathilake,Assistant Director - Central Environmental Authority, P.H.C. Manel, Divisional Environmental Officer -Central Environmental Authority,Kaushalya Rajapakse, Managing Director - Kalhari Group and NeelikaTillekeratne, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited

Speaking at the event, Abhishek Jugran – Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Coca-ColaFar East Limited, stated” Coca-Cola believes in giving back to the communities in which it operates.World Environment Day gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability andenvironment protection, outlined in our Company’s  Vision 2020 statement as well as our ‘ME-WEWORLD’ sustainability framework. The PET recycling project “Give Back Life” was designed to managethe growing quantity of PET bottle waste in Sri Lanka. I hope that through our efforts in Kaduwela,Biyagama and other parts of the country, we are able to raise awareness and make some difference to the communities in Sri Lanka.

”Coca-Cola also partnered with the Biyagama  Educational Division to organise an Environment Day Debate Competition for students for the second consecutive year. The commencement of the debatingcompetition was graced by Duleep Wijesekara, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management in thepresence of I. Chandralatha, Divisional Director of Education, Biyagama, Abhishek Jugran – Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Coca-Cola Far East Limited and Ruwan Kumara, SHEQ Scientificand Regulatory Affairs Manager, CCBSL and Neelika Tillekeratne, Public Affairs and CommunicationsManager, CCBSL. . Students from grades 6-11 participated in the competition with the  themeof ‘Rakimu Api Parisaraya’ (Let’s Protect the Environment), to win the World Environment Day Trophy.

One of Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd.’s associates, Praneeth Mendis, who was part of aninternational expedition to Antarctica earlier this year with Sir Robert Swan, presented a first-handaccount of his excursion. Detailing his view of the deteriorating conditions caused due to climate changeand the negative effects of global warming, Praneeth discussed ways in which school students couldplay a part in impacting the environment by recycling waste, turning off electrical equipment, plantingmore trees, using water conservatively etc.

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka has  designed various sustainability programs under  the Coca-Cola Company’s global sustainability framework of ‘Me We World’, with an emphasis on Water and sanitation, Climate Protection and promoting Healthy Active Living. Coca-Cola Sri Lanka has a long standing partnership with UNDP and work with them on water and sanitation programs including the Every Drop Matters’ Project, the Kattankudy revitalization project and the conservation of the Kelani River basin. Coca Cola also partnered with Habitat for Humanity, to undertake a revitalization project in Batticaloa in 2011after the devastating floods by revitalizing wells and schools in the area. The Company also promotes grassroots level cricket through the ‘Coca-Cola Cricket Pathway’, a series of cricket camps organized with the Aravinda de Silva Cricket Foundation and Sri Lanka Cricket.

Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka

Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka refreshes thousands of consumers throughout the country with an exciting range of beverages including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Sprite, Fanta Orange, Fanta Portello,Fanta Cream Soda, Lion Soda, Lion Tonic Water, Lion Gingerale, Lion Ginger Beer, Schweppes Tonic Water, Minute Maid Orange, Minute Maid Mango, Minute Maid Apple and Minute Maid Mixed Fruit. The Coca-Cola System in Sri Lanka employs more than 700 people. Coca-Cola undertakes a number of community development and sustainability projects as part of the Company’s Vision 2020 Sustainability agenda.

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