May 2013
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Chief Operating Officer/Director's Message
East), operational difficulties – the list
goes on. These are all the challenges we
must accept in a business as diverse as
ours, and I know we can trust the Finlays
team to work hard to meet them in the
coming months.
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the second 2013 issue of our
in-house magazine.
Time flies and it is hard to believe that
we are already in May. As we get through
the second quarter we should reflect
on what has happened so far in 2013.
After a strong performance in 2012, we
have had a challenging start to this year.
As a group we are just about meeting
our targets, but a combination of many
factors is making this year a difficult
one for many of our businesses. We face
increased competition, unrest in some
of our markets (especially in the Middle
Contents
An Unending Pursuit of Success! 2
CSR News 3
Timber News 4
Competition / ;r`.
5
Occupational Health & Safety
6
Chai Cup 2013
7
Cathay Pacific News
8-9
Announcements
10
FCS News
11
Outbound training 2013
12
On a brighter note, on 22nd March we
opened the third phase of our Cold
Store at Welisara, which gives us greater
capacity to serve our customers. It is a
world-class facility and the best of its
type in the region, something of which
we can all be proud.
Speaking of pride, I am always struck by
how people I meet in Sri Lanka always have
a very positive view of Finlays. Clearly the
company has a good reputation, and this
can only be driven by the way we carry
out our business. It is a credit to all our
staff that the company has such a good
name locally.
You may have noticed recently that a
lot of attention is being paid to safety
in the workplace. At all our sites, there
are new signs, road markings, and speed
bumps, all designed to make the working
environment safer for the employees
of the company and visitors. However,
safety doesn’t improve just because we
have installed new hardware. We must
also update the way we think about
safety and encourage people to practise
it. Soon we will take every employee of
the company through a presentation of
our new initiatives in this field. In the
meantime, please work hard to keep
safety awareness at the forefront of
everything that we do.
Finally, well done to the Finlays Cricket
Team, who got through to the knockout
round of the Colombo Mercantile Cup
after being unbeaten in five matches.
Sadly we lost out to the Hilton Residences
Team in our last game, but hearty
congratulations are due to Kapila and
his teammates for progressing so far. We
look forward to seeing them holding the
cup high next year.
Sam Swire
Flash
Phase 3 expansion of Finlay Cold
Storage (Pvt.) Ltd.
See page 11
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
An unending pursuit of success!
Finlays Medical Camp continues successfully
for the second consecutive year
‘Health is the greatest of all possessions’
states Isaac Bickerstaff and is seconded
by the 5S committee members of Finlay
Tea Solutions. The committee, for the
second consecutive year organized the
‘Finlays Medical Camp’ on the 17th of
February at the Welisara tea complex
for the employees and their families of
Finlays Tea and Finlay Cold Storage.
The CSR initiative under the 5S project
of Finlays Tea, recorded 202 participants
this year. The turnout was two folds
compared to last year. Twelve doctors
(10 doctors from North Colombo
Teaching Hospital, 1 doctor each from
General Hospital Colombo and the Base
Hospital (Embilipitiya), a Dentist from
Durdans and an Optician from Ray Bands
volunteered their time and services to be
a part of this great cause.
The medical camp provided free medical
services including consultation and
medicine and ran a free dental and an eye
clinic, for the employees.
The presence of Mr. Sam Swire, Mr. Romesh
Moraes, Mr. Nishan Wickramaratne, Mr.
Errol Bernard and Dr. Roy Perera as the
distinguished invitees, was an indication
of their true spirits towards the well being
of our employees who bear the blood and
sweat of Finlays.
The committee is truly thankful to
Dr. Madawala for the support given at
all times and being the pillar of success
behind the ‘Finlays Medical Camp’.
Having completed a successful day, the
committee also organized tokens of
appreciation for the doctors and lunch
was served for the invitees and doctors.
The
5S
champion,
Mr.
Prasanna
Kurukuladithya stated, ‘the success of
the event is because of my team and their
determination and commitment pledged’.
Hope to see you all at the next ‘Finlays
Medical Camp’ !
Akushla Welagedara
Tsunami House deeds handed over
You will recall Finlays carrying
out a major CSR Project in 2005
where 22 houses were built in
Ambalangoda for those victims
of the 2004 tsunami. (The full
story can be found in the Finlays
Newsletter of November 2005).
The Land Deeds were in the name
of Finlays and it was agreed that
at a subsequent date, the deeds be
transferred to the 22 recipients of
these houses.
We are pleased to inform you that
during the first week of January
2013, the Deeds to these houses
were handed over to the recipients
at the Finlay House Training Centre.
Daphne Pieris, lawyer responsible
for drafting the Deeds, Chris Martyn
and Dalrene Thirukumar were in
attendance at the distribution.
Dalrene Thirukumar
2
May 2013
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
CSR News
Back to School programme
Kukulkatuwa
Back to School programme which we commenced 5 years ago
continues with generous support from M/s. Sadiq Ibrahim
family and the M/s. Hassan Al Bazaz family. Finlays Colombo
PLC fully sponsored a new Library project as well.
Our association with the Kukulkatuwa village is over 5 years
where we conduct English classes at the Sri Raja Maha Gal
Viharaya, Kukulkatuwa.
The team from Finlays Colombo PLC received a very warm
welcome from the villagers when they made a visit to
Kukulkatuwa on 15th December 2012.
Stationery requirements for 153 children were distributed.
Vauxhall Street
We have been conducting a Back to School Programme for the 3rd
consecutive year at the Sri Bodhi Viharaya - Vauxhall Street Colombo 02.
Finlays distributed stationery items for 50 children and started a
Library for the children.
Nishan Wickramaratne
May 2013
3
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Timber News
Timber
Exhibition
The Pest Control and the
Timber Divisions from the
Environmental
Services
Sector took part in an
Exhibition
organized
by
the Sri Lanka Institute of
Architects, which was held
at the BMICH from the 21st –
24th February 2013.
The focus was to create
awareness of the importance
of
preserving
timber,
controlling pests and also to
generate leads and capture
new business in those
segments.
Timber Division
The Finlays stall at the exhibition
UN Habitat’s visit to the Finlays
Timber Preservation Plant
The Timber division had
a group of 20 delegates
from the United Nations
Habitat who are involved
in construction projects
in the North & East of
Sri Lanka. The group
consisted of Engineers,
Masons and members of
the
rural
development
committee.
Remarkably
on the dawn of the same
day a fully loaded truck
departed the premises
of our Timber division in
Wattala to Mullaitheevu
to deliver approximately
14 cubic metres of treated
timber to a site - building
in Seelawatura
Mr.
Ranil
Jayawardane
(Manager - Timber Division)
conducted a familiarization
program for this group
together with Ms. Darminee
Wijayaratnam (Sector Sales
Manager) explaining it in
Tamil. They covered areas
such as identifying the
type of timber, testing
the density of the wood,
differentiating timber that
4
May 2013
is treated, the importance of treating
timber, chemicals that are used and the
process of the treatment by vacuum
pressure impregnation.
Deputy Project Manager of UN Habitat
Mr. Piyal Ganepola thanked Finlays
and stated that it was a very useful
opportunity given to them in creating
awareness of the timber treatment to
the group of people involved in the
Indian Housing Project implemented
by UN Habitat.
Some of the projects the Timber
division is currently engaged in are
treating timber and exporting it to
Kurumba Maldives, Hotel Sheraton
and Vellasaru which are a part of the
Universal Group in Male.
Timber Division
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Competition
Funny Caption
January 2013 contest
ch.%dyS lKavdhu(
ljqo wmamd fï w¨;a kegqï lKavdhu
wms oCIhs' wms oCIhs' bkaIqjrkaia wms oCIhs'
fldhs foag;a wms oCIhs'
we;a;gu fuhd, kgkjo@ ke;akï
kegfjkjo@
U. B. R. Udawatte
Finlay Cold Storage
i¾( fudlo fï lÜáh ixo¾Ykhlgj;a mqreÿ
fjkjo@
<uhd( msiaiqo i¾@ wms fï ueÉ tl Èk,
kgkjd
i¾( we;a;o@ uu ys;=fj irU ixo¾Ykhla
mqreÿ fjkj lsh,'
F. K. S. P. Silva
Tea Export
And the winners are…
wmrdfoa" fuhd, l;r.u fmryer ldf,g
±ïud kï lShla yß fydhd.kak ;snqkd'
Krishan Kurera
Insurance Division
<ufhla( wehs wxl,a wr whsh,hs wlal,hs w;a
Wiaif.k bkafk
wxl,a( uu ys;k úÈyg mqf;a''' ta f.d,a,kag
ljqre yß flfkla o`vqjula §, fjkak we;s
<uh( ta;a wxl,a ta f.d,af,d fiaru yskd
fj,dfk bkafk
wxl,a( tl;a o`vqjula fjkak we;s <ufhd'''
S. M. D. Dilanjaya
Finlay Cold Storage
1st Prize - LKR 5,000
fï mdr ÿkak;a nefÜ'
<uhd( iSfh iSfh Tfydu fmdâvla bkakflda wr
n,kak wr w;k lÜáhla kgkj
,nk mdr lkak fjhso okakE'
Sameera Perera
Tea Export Division
ishd( Th jf.a kegqula kï uf.a Ôúf;ag
±l, kE''' fld,af,d' wfma ldf, ;snqfk oywg
ikakshhs fidlß kegquhs ú;rhs'
S. H. A. P. Pushpakumara
Tea Bag Division
2nd Prize - LKR 3,000
Thdf.a lKavdhfï Tlafldu i;=áka kgoaÈ Thd
ú;rla fudlo nr l,amkdjl
ux fï l,amdkd lf¾ fï lÜáh kgk keá,a,g
yÈiaisfhj;a jeá, ;=jd, jqfkd;a lShla
bkaIqjrkaia f.jkak fjhso lsh,d'
J. M. C. J. Senaratne
Tea Bag Division
fuhd, w,q;a rElv lKavdhula jf.a'
wfmdhs kE''
fuhd, rElv oel,j;a kE'''
we;a;gu lsõfjd;a ldf,lg miafi jyskak ,`.
tk ksid i;=gqfjkak t<shg oeïu'
Krishan Kurera
Insurance Division
mqyqKqlre( fudlo lÜáh TÉpr Wvmkskafk
lyô,sh wef`.a .Ejqkdo@
;r`.lrejka( i¾ wmg wjqreoaolg tl
ojihsfk fufyu Wvmkskak fjkafk'
Funny Caption Competition
May 2013
úlg jels ;r`.h
uehs 2013
Amal Dharshana
Finlay Cold Storage
3rd Prize - LKR 2,000
wd'''' ma'' fma'''fï uy;ajre ál fyd`og uvjkak
oiaihsfka' uy;a;fhda uf.a ó yrla ál fï
ojiaj, lef,a mek,' ux fï l,amkd fldf,a
l=Ur
q uv lrk l%uhla .ek' uy;a;h,g ÈjH
f,dal iem iïm;a ,efnkak ug l=Ur
q uv lr,
fokak'
J. M. C. J. Senaratne
Tea Bag Division
m<uqjekakd( fudlo fï bkaIqjrkaia wxYfha
lÜáh Wv mekf.k o`.,kafk
fojekakd( wehs okafk keoao@ thd,fk *skaf,a
F5 2012 ch.%dylfhd' Th tafl i;=g iurkjd'
m<uqjekakd( wd''' tal ñila" uu ys;=fj 2012
foieïn¾ fndakia tl *skaf,a wmg nv msfrkak
,enqk ksid tafl i;=g iurkjd lsh,'
E. D. Sumith Ranasinghe
Tea Bag Division
Commended Captions...
10 Consolation Prizes–LKR 1,000
wjqreoaog tl mdrhs lÜáh wms tlafjkafka
todg wms .eyeKq msßu fíoh keye i,lkafka
ish¨ fokd ys;a i;=áka ;r`.h ch meka ìî wm yeu i;=áka ch.kafka
úisfrkafka
H. M. S. Udaya Kumara
Finlay Cold Storage
lKavdhï idudðlhd( yqf¾æ yqf¾æ wms Èkqjd'''
oCIlñka wms Èkqjd
lKavdhï kdhlhd( u,a,s jeäh lE.ykak tmd'
uu ;du fmdfrdkaÿ fjÉp .dk ÿkafk keye'
U. Basil Ravindra
Finlay Cold Storage
Cathay Pacific South Asia, Middle East
and Africa regional kickoff conference
was held on the 11th and 12th of January
in Hyderabad. The Colombo team’s
performance included a tribal dancing
act.
Send in your funny captions to HRD
Division. A Maximum of 3 submissions will
be allowed per person. The Deadline is
30th June 2013
lef;a meis*sla ol=Kq wdishd" ueofmrÈ.
yd wm%sldkq m,d;a i`oyd iïuka;%Khla
2013 ckjdß ui meje;aúKs' tys§ YS% ,xlsl
lKavdhu úiska f.da;%sl kegqï ixo¾Ykhla
mj;ajk ,§'
Tnf.a úlg jels udkj iïm;a wxYh fj; tjkak'
tla wfhl=g túh yels Wmßu úlg jels .Kk 3hs'
wjidk Èkh( 2013 cQks 30jk Èk'
May 2013
5
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Occupational Health & Safety
Fire and evacuation drill –
Colombo Office
The annual fire & evacuation drill was conducted with the
assistance of the Colombo Fire Services Department on 12th
December, 2012. The evacuation of persons from the buildings
was completed within two minutes, which met acceptable
standards.
Health And Safety Initiatives
1. Manual & Mechanical Handling was conducted for the Groupby Mr. J S M Jinasiri (Consultant Engineer, Government
Authorised Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspector) on 18th
January 2013 at the Staff Development Centre, Welisara.
2. OHS Committees, Representatives, Guidelines, Incidents and
Accidents Investigation for the Group was conducted by Dr.
Champika Amerasinghe (Director General of The National
Institute of Occupational Safety & Health) on 20th February
2013 at the Staff Development Centre, Welisara.
3. Defensive Driving programme for Motor Bicycle Riders of
the Group was Conducted by (Mr. W A Weeratungha Vehicle
Maintenance & Driving Specialist attached to the Automotive
Engineers Association) on 16th March 2013 at the Staff
Development Centre, Colombo.
4. O H S and Welfare was conducted for the Group - by Dr.
Champika Amerasinghe (Director General of The National
Institute of Occupational Safety & Health on 20th March 2013
at the at the Staff Development Centre, Welisara.
Mr. W A Weeratungha sharing his expert knowledge with the
Group's motorcycle riders
Training in Action
6
May 2013
Rifky Idroos
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Chai Cup
2013
“Chai Cup” is the annual cricket
match between Finlays Colombo
and Finlays Tea Estates. The
Chai Cup was held on 2nd of
March 2013 at the Pallekelle
International Cricket Stadium,
Kandy. Finlay Tea Estates beat
Finlays Colombo and won the
Chai Cup 2013.
Roy Kandeepan
Best Bowler
May 2013
7
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Take-Off with
A new GM for Cathay Pacific
South Asia, Middle East & Africa
On 21 January, Mr. Charlie Stewart-Cox
was appointed as the airline’s General
Manager – South Asia, Middle East &
Africa. Mr. Stewart-Cox is responsible for
overseeing the business and operations
of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair in the
three regions. He is based in Mumbai,
India.
SAMEA Kickoff
conference 2013
Having joined Cathay Pacific group in
September 1982, Mr. Stewart-Cox has
held a number of positions within the
airline. He was also the Swire group’s
General Manager, Group Public Affairs
from 1996 to 1997.
Mr. Stewart-Cox replaces Mr. Tom Wright,
who retired from the position after 27
years’ of service with the Group.
The conference included a number of presentations conducted
by the top executives of the airline focusing on achievements
during the year and the outlook for 2013.
The guest speaker at the conference was Mr. Rob Swan who
spoke with great commitment and passion on being committed
and passionate.
Each team was requested to reappear ready for the evening’s
performances. The Colombo team’s performance included a
traditional Kandyan dance, tribal dancing and a dedicated dance
for T20 Cricket.
Cathay Pacific South Asia, Middle East and Africa regional kickoff
conference was held on the 11th – 12th of January in Hyderabad.
The Colombo team was represented by Mr. Edward Coles-Gale
along with 9 staff from Sales & Marketing, Reservations &
Ticketing, Cargo and Finance departments.
8
May 2013
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
A special toast
for the Travel Agents
The airline division felicitated the top supportive travel partners
on the 7th of February at the Tintagel Colombo.
Ten travel agents were awarded at the ceremony with the
Diamond award going to Classic Travels, Silver award to
Mackonnon American Express Travels and the Bronze award to
Gabo Travels.
Merit awards were given to Aitken Spence Travels, Hemas
Travels, George Steuart Travels, Nkar Travels, Traveler Global
and Worldlink Travels.
The award presentation was followed by a gala dinner with the
presence Mr. Kumar Jayasuriya, Mr. Sam Swire and Mr. Charlie
Stewart-Cox, General Manager Cathay Pacific – South Asia,
Middle East & Africa.
Groomed to look good and feel great!
On the 9th of February, staff of the airline division participated
for a professional grooming workshop conducted by the Ramani
Fernando Salons.
With an aim to be successful in the professional environment
the objective of the programme was to educate staff on how
important grooming is and how to project a positive image. The
scope of the workshop included personal grooming, etiquette,
personal hygiene and body language etc.
Akushla Welagedara
May 2013
9
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Announcements
Name
Department
Designation
Date
Name
Department
Designation
Date
New faces
Mr. Bernard Stefan
Staff Officer
Insurance Div. Kandy Branch 1st February 2013
Mr. M A Mohamed Shahim
Calmic Division
Sales Executive
1st April 2013
We warmly welcome the following who joined
the Finlays family recently
Ms. Kathleen T Ekanayake
Airline Division
Assistant Accountant
1st February 2013
Mr. Rajee M Mahadeva
Pest Control Division
Service Executive
1st April 2013
Name
Department
Designation
Date
Ms. M A Shalani E Perera
Airline Division
Trainee Cargo Sales Officer
1st February 2013
Mr. T Jude Antonine
Pest Control Division
Sales Executive
1st April 2013
Ms. Fathimath Naeem
Finlays Maldives (Pvt) Ltd
Manager
15th December 2012
Ms. Shehani K Wijayanayaka Sales Analyst
Airline Division
1st February 2013
Goodbye
Mr. D A Newmen
Insurance Division
Branch Manager- Batticaloa
1st January 2013
Ms. M Sherony R Perera
Airline Division
Our best wishes to the following who left the
services of the Company recently
Ms. E N Malathi PremarathnaTr. Quality Beverage Packing Division Assurance Officer
15th January 2013
Ms. E A Roshani Edirisinghe Microbiologist
Beverage Packing Division 15th January 2013
Mr. M G Lahiru P PremarathneService Co-ordinator
Pest Control Division
15th January 2013
Ms. M N Asha Dilijan
Staff Officer
Insurance Div. Kandy Branch 1st February 2013
Corporate Sales Executive
1st March 2013
Mr. Tharindu P WickramatungaField Biologist
Pest Control Division
1st March 2013
Name
Department
Designation
Date
Mr. W A Shanaka S WeerasingheStaff Officer
Insurance Division
1st March 2013
Mr Sameera Udayala
Pest Control Division
Ms. D P S Nilagarathna
General Clerk
Rentokil – Hygiene Division 1st March 2013
Mr Tharindu D Hettithanthrige Cargo Surveyor
Marine Claims Division
27th March 2013
Mr. M U M Fauzan
Timber Preservation
Sales Executive
1st April 2013
Mr D Allen Pothupitiya Insurance Div.
Staff Officer
30th April 2013
Ms. K N Lakmali
Hygiene Services
Sales Executive
1st April 2013
Mr Hashan E Perera
IT Division
IT Executive
29th April 2013
Field Biologist
14th February 2013
Birthday celebrations
As a new initiative Finalys Colombo PLC , started to celebrate
the Birthdays of it’s staff members. The following pictures show
January 2013
the employees who celebrated their birthdays in the respective
SBU’s during the period of January – March 2013.
March 2013
February 2013
04 consecutive wins for FINLAYS
Match 1 – Beat Galdari by 87 runs
Match 2 – Beat Bodyline by 31 runs
Finlays batting 1st scored 246 runs
Finalys scored only 108 runs in 27.4 overs
Rajeewa Perera -26, Rukshan Fernanado -48, Roy Sharan- 74,
R.Noordeen -21, Malshan Mendis – 20, Kapila Santhapriya – 23
Christopher Perera – 25 and Ishan Sennarathne – 14
Galadari 159 all out in 22.2 overs
Bowling - Malshan Mendis – 03 for 17, Christopher 03 for 12,
Kapila Santhapriya 01 for 19 and Neluka De Silva 03 for 16
Bowling - Malshan Mendis 3 for 26, MSM Fawmy 1 for 11 ,
Kapila Santhapriya 2 for 24, Christopher Perera 1 for 41 and Roy
Sharan 3 for 22
Bodyline 77 all out in 22.5 overs
Match 3 – Beat WNS global by 45 runs
Finlays Batting 1st, Finlays scored 205 runs in 30 overs
Finlays News is your newsletter. Its success depends on a
continuous flow of news on important happenings, activities
and initiatives in your division. We also welcome short
articles, jokes, quotes, etc. to make the newsletter a lively and
vibrant mode of communication.
Please e-mail all submissions to [email protected] by
Friday 26th July 2013. The next issue will be out on Monday
2nd September 2013.
To refer previous issues of
Rajeewa Perera – 17, Roy Sharan – 71 and R.Noordeen – 60 Not
out
WNS Global 160 all out in 27.5 overs
Bowling - Malshan Mendis 01 for 34, Christopher Perera 03 for
26, Roy Sharan 04 for 22
Match 4 – Beat Commercial Leasing by 03
Wickets
Commercial Leasing bating 1st scored 122 in 29.1 overs
Bowling - Malshan Mendis 03 for 21, MSM Fawmy 01 for 05,
Kapila Santhapriya 02 for 39 and Neluka De Silva 02 for 14
Finaly scored 123 for 7 in 28.4 overs
Rajeewa Perera – 41, R. Noordeen 20 Not Out and Christopher
Perera -17
Kapila Santhapriya
visit www.finlays.lk under Publication - Editor
10 May 2013
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
FCS News
Finlay Cold Storage launches its third phase
existing warehouse,
increasing
total
capacity to 12,500
pallets.
Since
commencement
of
commercial operations in 2005,
our
Temperature
Controlled
Logistics business continues to
play a pivotal role in the food
chain logistics industry in Sri
Lanka. From an initial 4,500
pallet position facility we doubled
capacity in 2007. Stage 3 will add a
further 3,500 pallet positions to the
The business model
for stage 3 focuses on
chiller and ambient
product segments which require temperature
in the range of + 20 C to +230 C specifically
catering towards fruits, pharmaceuticals and
bulk milk powder. Stage 3 will also consist of
4 rooms which are smaller in size compared
to the existing facility. This design will give us
the flexibility to segment products based on
qualitative requirements, whilst also freeing
up space within the existing facility to further
diversify our product portfolio.
Saveen and Fawmy
In the January 2013 Newsletter we
mentioned the commencement of site
construction work on 30th August 2012
of our stage 3 expansion.
We are pleased to report back that within
a space of 7 months the facility was
declared open on 22nd March 2013 by
our Chairman, Mr. Kumar Jayasuriya.
Training session
for the staff
Discussion on Health & Safety by Mr. U J P Jayasuriya
Employees of Finlays Cold Storage worked together to
create this beautiful Crib for Christmas 2012
Presenation on Serving Customers by Mr. M S M Fawmy
May 2013
11
In-House Newsletter of Finlays Colombo PLC
Outbound Training 2013
Designed & Printed by First Impressions 0777 320230
The Annual company wide outbound training took palce on the 8th and 9th of February
2013 at Belihuloya, facilitated by Academy of Adventure. A total of 47 Employes
participated from the Group.
12 May 2013