Rolls Royces and BMWs to be imported for CHOGM

Rolls Royces and BMWs to be imported for CHOGM

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 

The External Affairs Ministry has made arrangements to import 12 Rolls- Royce's and 100 BMW's cars for the use of the heads of state, scheduled to visit Sri Lanka to participate in the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November,news source said.

However it is not known whether these vehicles are to be re-exported after use. 

The price of the Rolls- Royce Ghost car varies between US$ 246,500 and US$ 290,000. (Rs.31,500,000 and Rs. 37,000,000). A Rolls- Royce Phantom Car costs between US$ 399,000 and US$ 470,000.(Rs.51,000,000 and Rs. 60,000,000). A BMW 5 Series car costs between US$ 58,000 and US$ 70,000.( Rs.7,500,000 and Rs. 9,000,000). A BMW 7 Series costs between US$ 73,000 and US$ 140,000 (Rs.9,000,000 and Rs. 18,000,000). 

It is usual to import Rolls Royce and BMW cars for such events. The prices mentioned do not include customs duty and shipping costs.

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NPC polls in first week of September 2013

NPC polls in first week of September 2013

Wayamba and Central PCs later

Polls for Central and Wayamba provincial councils are likely to be postponed.the government is planning to hold the Northern Provincial Council elections in early September and to conduct the polls for the Central and Wayamba Provincial councils later in the same month,news source said.
The official announcement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the holding of Northern Provincial Council elections is expected to be sent to the Elections Commissioner by the end of next month.

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Tokyo Cement’s new frontier - Sri Lanka’s first cement company to offer products online

Tokyo Cement’s new frontier - Sri Lanka’s first cement
company to offer products online

www.tokyocement.lk

Sri Lanka’s premier manufacturer of cement, The Tokyo Cement Group (TKYO), has reinvigorated their online presence with a fresh, new website that facilitates unprecedented access between consumer and cement manufacturer. The launch of this refreshed website will make Tokyo Cement the nation’s first-ever cement manufacturer to offer a direct-to-consumer online retail environment for cement and similar value added products.

Accessible at http://www.tokyocement.lk the website enables customers to order products online with the click of a button. Delivered at no cost to the customer within 48hrs of the order being placed from their factory to your door (within Colombo city limits). This service enables customers – especially
full time workers unable to go to the store during office hours – to deal directly with the company at their convenience, without concerning themselves with “shopping around” or organizing transport.

Tokyocement

Commenting on the launch, Dashantha Udawatte, Marketing Manager of Tokyo Cement Group had this to say: “Cement traditionally is a B2B, which over the decades has allowed us to nurture healthy, reciprocal relationships between us – the manufacturer – and our sprawling dealer network.

However, with the dawn of the information age comes the evolution of the consumer – those that hold corporations responsible for how they act and the quality of what they produce and that take greater personal responsibility for their purchasing.

The concept of selling cement and cement-based products online is to equip our consumers with the information of what different types of cement are used for, their applications and limitations. Our hope is that by helping consumers appreciate and compare the nuances of different types of building materials,
they will be able make informed decisions that are tailored to their needs. So by venturing into this new frontier of online retail, we hope that our refreshed web presence not only conveniences our customers,but informs and empowers them.”


www.tokyocement.lk offers an intuitive interface that guides customers to select the products they need and pay online. Payment methods include direct bank deposit or credit via Visa or Mastercard. The products available for online purchase are Tokyo Super Cement, Premixed Concrete, Tile Adhesives,
Plasters and Flooring or Waterproofing Solutions. The website will also feature a FAQ and an inquiries section to answer any queries from customers. Furthermore, customers are welcome to supplement their web experience with Tokyo Cement’s trilingual hotline number - 011 2030030.

Tokyo Cement Group is the market leader in cement manufacturing and is reputed for its role as innovator and pioneer in adding immense value in cement and other related products. Ensuring it operates in a sustainable manner, Tokyo Cement offers superior quality cement and related products at

competitive prices. It is also the pioneer of the “green cement” concept in Sri Lanka.

Tokyo Cement’s 10 megawatt Biomass clean-energy power plant in Trincomalee is a first of its kind and frees the company from reliance on thermal power generation via the national grid. The company plans to open a similar plant in Mahiyangana which will contribute 5 megawatts to the national grid. Such progressive projects typify the company's approach to its business in terms of positive contributions to both the nation and the environment.

No stranger to being “the first”, Tokyo Cement has set up the country’s first automated cement factory.Coupled with Tokyo Cement’s silent mantra of “setting the standard” they surpassed the low-hanging fruit of local standardisation to become the first local corporation to achieve ISO 14001 Environment Management Systems certification, and the first cement manufacturer to achieve the ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems certification, all while surpassing UNFCCC’s strict protocols to accomplish 40,000tons of Certified Emission Reductions.

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BBS challenges Sri Lankan Minister over claim of Norwegian funds

BBS challenges Sri Lankan Minister
 over claim of Norwegian funds

BBS accuse Minister Wimal Weerawansa 

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) challenged the Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa to prove his accusation that it has raised funds from Norway or any international non governmental organization (INGO) or other western countries.


"If anyone could prove that our organization had taken money from America or Norway we will obtain pardon from the people and dissolve the Bodu Bala Sena within just two hours," the general secretary of BBS Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara Thero stressed.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa accused that the BBS has benefited from the funds donated by Norway for educational purposes.

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UNP drafts a new constitution for Sri Lanka

UNP drafts a new constitution for Sri Lanka

New constitution for the country

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) has taken measures to draft a new constitution for the country to address the current issues and decided to appoint a committee to draft the constitution. Parliamentarian and former Bar association President Wijedasa Rajapaksa is slated to be appointed as the Chairman of the committee,party sources said.

UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake said the committee would meet for the first time on May 29 to start the drafting of the constitution.
He said that all ethnic communities would be consulted and views of other parties would also be taken in to account when drafting the new constitution.
The party expects to present the draft constitution at the future elections to seek a mandate to enact it, UNP sources said.

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Sri Lanka ensures safety of fishermen

Sri Lanka ensures safety of fishermen

National Fishing Safety Plan

Sri Lanka has launched a national plan to ensure the safety of fishermen and fishing vessels at sea under the patronage of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

According to the Minister the plan formalizes the national approach to safety at sea in Sri Lanka and creates a strong foundation for activities which were previously taking place on an ad hoc basis while clarifying the responsibilities of relevant organizations.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry will take the plan forward and coordinate its implementation.

According to the Ministry, the National Plan has been developed with the active collaboration of all major stakeholders, including the National Aquatic Resources and Development Agency (NARA), Ceylon Fisheries Harbors Corporation (CFHC), Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Police, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and all fishing communities themselves.

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Samsung launches Galaxy S4 in Sri Lanka

Samsung launches Galaxy S4 in Sri Lanka

“The GALAXY S4 brings people together, makes everyday living better and sets the standard in mobile innovation” 

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of the much-anticipated Samsung GALAXY S4, the next generation handset that’s designed to bring people together and enrich everyday life, into the Sri Lankan market.

“The GALAXY S4 brings people together, makes everyday living better and sets the standard in mobile innovation” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. Announcing the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 in the Sri Lankan market, Mr. H K Chang, Managing Director, Samsung India Electronics Limited, Sri Lanka,stated: “At Samsung, we are committed to innovation and to our consumers. We are always listening to our consumers and innovating to give them products that meet their needs. This has led to the successful introduction of iconic devices like the Galaxy SII, Galaxy SIII, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 and today, we are proud to announce the launch of our flagship device and the much awaited , Samsung Galaxy S4 .”

Samsung GALAXY S4

About Samsung GALAXY S4 

Meaningful Moments - Gives Greater Enjoyment

An enriched life is one filled with meaningful moments and the GALAXY S4 captures those special times and allows users to share them with friends and family. The GALAXY S4 has the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED display to showcase images at their very best. Its 5-inch large screen has 441ppi for stunning viewing quality. 

Equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera, the GALAXY S4 enables users to take pictures in several exciting different ways. ‘Dual Shot’ allows simultaneous picture-taking of both front and rear cameras. Users can choose from a variety of frame effects which blend the two pictures naturally as well as outstanding shooting modes. ‘Drama Shot’ enables users to see all the action in one continuous time-lapse image. ‘Sound & Shot’ stores sound and voice in unison as the picture is taken so those special moments are captured in the truest form imaginable. While ‘Animated Photo’ allows the user to take a series of shots, and pick one part of the photo to move while the others stay still. 

samsung galaxy s4 smartphone

True Connections – Brings People Together 

Samsung GALAXY S4 understands the value of relationships, enabling true connections with friends and family regardless of where you are; more than a personal device that can be enjoyed by one user, it allows us to easily share and experience many of life’s pleasures together with loved ones. 

‘Group Play’ enables users to enjoy music, photos, documents and games with those around them without requiring a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal. Users can connect directly with others to share, play and co-create content and entertainment instantly. With ‘Share Music’ they can have the same song playing on multiple phones in sync to create the best party atmosphere. 

Effortless Experience - Makes Things More Convenient 

Smart enough to detect your face, voice and motions to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation, GALAXY S4 delivers effortless tasking, making life easier and hassle-free.

‘Air Gesture’ allows users to, for example, change the music track they are listening to with a wave of their hand.
‘Air View’ will preview photos and emails by hovering over the screen with your finger. 
‘Samsung Smart Pause’ enables you to control the screen by where you look. When you are watching a video, the video pauses when you look away then it starts right up again when you are back. 

Empowered Living - Takes Care Of Your Health and Quality of Life 

The GALAXY S4 empowers your life by keeping you up-to-date with health and wellbeing information using the new ‘S Health’ application. The combination of sensors built within the device systematically and automatically monitors your health, food, exercise, sleep and so much more to help improve your quality of life and help you stay fit and healthy. 

As well as monitoring, its ‘Samsung Adapt Display’ provides an optimal viewing experience, customized for each type of application, and ‘Samsung Adapt Sound’ offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user, to further make the most out of life. 

About the Content & Services 

‘ChatON’ for GALAXY S4 offers a holistic communication experience by combining fun and creative text messaging with a high quality mVoIP/Video Chatting service. You can enjoy high quality video and voice chat with up to two friends on a WiFi and mobile network, as well as easily switching from text chat to video/voice chat and vice versa. And for the ultimate sharing experience, the ‘Share Screen’ feature enables you to share your phone screen and the ability to control this with a friend during a one-to-one chat, without having to download and upload files to their device. 

Talking about the key proposition of the Samsung Galaxy S4, Mr. Chang stated: “The Galaxy S4 is a device that enables us to do more, it’s a companion that helps us experience life to the fullest and makes our life simpler and richer… That’s the promise of the Samsung Galaxy S4.” 

Commencing from 9th of May, 2013, the Galaxy S 4 will be available at the Samsung mobile channel in Sri Lanka. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Galaxy Grand and Galaxy Note 8.0 launched in Sri Lanka

Samsung today also announced the launch of the Samsung GALAXY Grand, a revolutionary smartphone that promises to redefine Smartphone experience for consumers. Samsung GALAXY Grand is powered by Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system and runs on a 1.2 GHz Dual Core processor. Even though it supports a massive 5.0” screen with WVGA TFT display powered with mDNIe technology, the device is incredibly slim and comes with an ergonomic design which makes is comfortable to hold. The device also sports the Multi Window feature that allows seamless multitasking and running of multiple applications simultaneously without having to switch screens. Its innovative Smart Dual SIM feature provides total communication flexibility, allowing users to manage two phone numbers from a single phone. The GALAXY Grand comes with various intuitive features that enable the consumers to seamlessly engage with the device.

Samsung today also announced the launch of its 8 inch tablet, Note 8.0 in Sri Lanka heralding a new era of intelligent ‘Note’ technology .Providing unrivalled multimedia performance within a compact one-hand-grip screen, the GALAXY Note 8 has the power and advanced technology to evolve the tablet experience and ensure you achieve new levels of efficient multi-tasking while benefitting from superb voice call functionality. Furthermore, the intelligent S Pen brings together the latest innovation and the ease of using a traditional pen and paper; creating a sophisticated mobile experience that will enhance life on the go. 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding US$183 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

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