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The Official Newsletter of
the Aitken Spence Group
Issue 06
p8
Aitken Spence
Hotels wins
136 medals
at the Culinary
A match made
Arts 2010
in Travel
Heaven
p4 p2
Edible Route
From kitchen
trainee to
Director F&B
Read Gemunu
Goonewardena’s
inspiring story
of leadership
and success
1
A Match Made in
An approachable, easy-
Travel Heaven
going man, Gehan Perera has
worked with Aitken Spence
Travels his entire career and
has played a significant role in
the company’s growth and its
relationship with TUI.
When he joined the company just after
school, the 18 year old had no intention
of staying in the travel business; this was
to be a short stint of two years, before he
started on his tertiary education. Three
decades later, listening to Gehan speak of
Aitken Spence Travels, the partnership with
TUI and his career in the travel industry,
one cannot help but think that had he fol-
lowed his intended path, he would certainly
have missed his calling!
separately and yet, together. For, whilst TUI AST’s marketing initiatives and procedures
was reaching beyond its German borders, have been shared with other companies in
into other German-speaking markets and the TUI family and in 2008, the company
later spreading its arms to become an was adjudged the Best Handling Agent
international entity, the operators it was by TUI Germany in the small destination
acquiring were already agencies under category. The biggest testament, however,
the AST umbrella. By the mid-90’s, 55% of is the confidence TUI has in AST’s manage-
AST’s business came through TUI, one way ment. Despite a shareholder’s agreement
or another. that entitles TUI to management involve-
ment, the group chooses not to be directly
Long before TUI became the largest involved. AST, in turn takes this confidence
operator in the world, Gehan had foreseen seriously and since the merger, the budgets
growth in consolidation and knew that TUI set by TUI have been met and exceeded,
would be a giant in the future. Wanting year after year.
Gehan recalls that “It was the late Mr. R. to leverage AST’s position as the “best
Sivaratnam, (later to become Group Chair- agency” in the TUI group, negotiations The benefits of the union with TUI have
man), who was instrumental in getting the were started to form a joint venture. The not stopped at Travels however, as Aitken
TUI agency,” and when he joined the com- early negotiations of the mid-90’s fell Spence Shipping has since acquired the
pany, not only was the agency in its early through and in the meantime, TUI became agency for Hapag Lloyd, the fifth larg-
days, TUI itself was still a young German an international company; still, Gehan did est shipping agency in the world and a
company formed by a merger between four not let go of his vision for a more enduring member of the TUI group.
German tour operators and known more partnership.
formally as Touristik Union International. By With peace returning to the country, Gehan
1980, TUI was the market leader in Germa- In 2003, the environment in Sri Lanka being is optimistic, saying that “business can be
ny, thereafter growing in leaps and bounds favourable, discussions restarted and a grown exponentially as you cannot have a
to become the world’s largest integrated joint venture agreement was reached on better partner than TUI to grow our busi-
travel company. Now headquartered in the 1st April, 2004. The contract was for a sale ness in all fronts in Tourism.” He recognises
UK, TUI Travel Plc caters to over 30 million of 50% of AST to TUI, a merger that was to however, that it is the professionalism and
travellers a year and employs over 50,000 be effected over a five year period. excellent teamwork of the staff that has
people worldwide. made Aitken Spence Travels the number
Obvious pride shows in Gehan’s expres- one inbound operator in Sri Lanka for
Aitken Spence Travels became the agency sion as he points out that the relationship the last five years and it has an excellent
for TUI whilst still in its infancy, having only with TUI was built on mutual trust and foundation that will ensure the company’s
been in existence less than two years, at respect. TUI’s consideration that AST is a future growth.
the time. Within four years however, AST well-managed company was made patently
had grown to become the third largest obvious by the fact that the full sale went Gehan M. Perera is the
operator in Sri Lanka. through in three years, instead of the Managing Director, Aitken Spence
allotted five year period, and this, whilst Sri Travels and Director, Aitken Spence PLC
The partnership with TUI, proved to be a Lanka was in the throes of a bloody civil
prudent venture as each company grew war.
Since the 2004 union, busi-
ness has grown from 30,000
to 60,000 inbound travellers
per year. The majority of the
company’s business comes
from outside its TUI associations
and the company is consistently
quoted as an example within
TUI, as being one of the best,
both in management style and
service.
2
Board Appointments
Mr. R N Asirwatham Dr. M P Dissanayake Mr. Vipula Gunatilleka
was appointed Board of Aitken Spence was appointed to the Board of Aitken was appointed to the board of Aitken
PLC and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings Spence PLC on 1st September 2009. Spence Group Ltd on 1st January 2010
PLC on 1st September 2009. Dr. Dissanayake is the Chairman/CEO of as the Chief Corporate Officer. Mr. Vipula
Mr. Asirwatham was the Senior Partner Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd and Chair- Gunatilleke is a Fellow Member of the Insti-
and Country Head of KPMG Ford Rhodes man, Ace Cargo (Pvt) Ltd. He is a former tute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka,
Thornton & Company from 2001 to 2008. Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Jaya the Chartered Institute of Management
Further he has been the Chairman of PERC Container Terminals and Sri Lanka Port Accountants of UK and the Certified Public
and the Bank of Ceylon. Presently, Mr. Management Consultancy Services. He Accountants of Australia. He obtained a
Asirwatham is the Chairman of the Faculty served on the UNCTAD panel as an Expert Masters Degree in Business Administra-
of Taxation of the Institute of Chartered on Ports and Shipping and is a co-Chair- tion from University of Colombo and is a
Accountants of Sri Lanka, Chairman of the man of the Transport Cluster of the National GE-trained Six Sigma. His professional ex-
Financial Services Stability Committee of Council of Economic Development and a perience in Sri Lanka and overseas spans
the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Chairman of member of the Faculty Industrial Consulta- over two decades, holding senior positions
the Steering Committee for the Sustainable tive body of the University of Moratuwa. He in Dialog Telekom, Sri Lankan Airlines,
Tourism Project funded by the World Bank is also a Past Chairman of the Institute of General Electric (Australia) and Hayleys.
for the Ministry of Tourism. He is also a the Chartered Shipbrokers and Past Chair-
member of the Presidential Commission man of the Chartered Institute of Logistics
on Taxation and a member of the Ceylon and Transport (Sri Lanka).
Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council.
A Capacity To Endure
factors being focused on in a corporate The diverse activities of the group pose a
sustainability strategy. In a drive to challenge in itself, for the nature of each
ensure the long term viability, profitability company’s business dictates the aspect of
and integrity of business, the Corporate sustainability it should adopt. Whilst certain
Sustainability Team in conjunction with the companies within the group such as Aitken
SBUs have taken it upon themselves to Spence Hotels are able to champion sustain-
build on the strengths of each individual able strategies which have an environmental
company, guiding the group on the path of impact, other companies may decide to
corporate sustainability. The team is led by champion health and safety, governance,
Mr. Ravi De Silva, whose vast experience innovation, quality and human resources.
and knowledge on the topic of sustainability, A deep-rooted belief that “As a leading
is consulted on sustainability strategising corporate in Sri Lanka, with a global
and implementation. reach, it is our responsibility to maintain
Dr. Fernando says that sustainability sustainable practices,” is one that must
in business makes the company more be both instilled and cultivated. Each
competitive, and, therefore, improves the subsidiary has its own “sustainability
Sustainability, the carbon footprint and bottom line. Globally customers, investors, representative,” who works in tandem
carbon neutrality have become the “buzz financing institutions, governments with the Business Development unit to
words” of business today, but few truly and interest groups are increasingly help inform and assist their colleagues
understand the need or the multi-faceted demanding greater levels of transparency in formulating an enduring and practical
significance of sustainability in today’s in business conduct. Likewise, businesses strategy for continuance, one that is
business climate. Dr. Rohan Fernando which embrace corporate sustainability customised to each entity’s separate needs.
says that the Corporate Sustainability stand to gain with more loyal customers, The road to sustainability will be neither
Team champions the need for sustainability enhanced business opportunities and short, nor easy, but if travelled properly it
in the current global context, adding that
mutually beneficial partnerships with will most certainly be a rewarding one for
“Sustainability is not about doing good; it is
key stakeholders. Hence, as a leading Aitken Spence.
about doing good business.”
conglomerate with a dynamic global outlook
Whilst most understand the environmental it is natural that Aitken Spence builds on its Dr. Rohan Fernando is the Head of
aspect of a sustainable business, many heritage to aggressively pursue a group- Business Development & Plantations
are unaware of the economic and social wide sustainability strategy. and Director, Aitken Spence PLC
3
The Edible Route
In January 1975, Gemunu for service, this he does by speaking to today is that my chefs in all the hotels are
each individual, getting to know them and much better than me.” He is proud to see
Goonewardena was a kitchen encouraging their aspirations. It is only then the immense talent of the people who
trainee, starting his career at the work in the different properties and to have
Neptune Hotel, shortly after the watched them grow and develop from
property’s opening. He continued trainees to managers, now training others
working at the Neptune, whilst in turn, passing on and sharing knowledge,
he says, “It’s like a tonic to see what they
attending hotel school and in 1983 have achieved.”
he joined the newly opened Palm
Village for a brief period before Moreover, Mr. Goonewardena stresses
being posted back to the Neptune that his journey has not been made alone,
nor without help and that he will always be
Hotel, this time as Executive Chef.
grateful to the company, superiors (past
and present) and to his colleagues for their
Aitken Spence sponsored a course
support, encouragement and values. Citing
conducted by the Culinary Institute of colleagues Amal Nanayakkara (now Gen-
America in 1985. In 1987 he migrated to eral Manager Training) and Ravi De Silva
Australia where he worked and studied (whose sustainability principles guide the
before returning to Aitken Spence in 1991 group’s activities) as particular examples,
as a consultant. Now a Director, Gemunu Mr. Goonewardena adds that his work
Goonewardena fervently believes in coach- has been facilitated by all departments,
ing and empowering staff and “Developing from training and engineering to finance,
people through work.” that the steps that have been put in place purchasing and marketing; he says he is
to guarantee that clientele are assured of truly appreciative of everyone he has had
On his return from Australia, Gemunu had the same high quality standards at any the pleasure of working with as each and
been given the task of streamlining Food & Aitken Spence hotel. All suppliers have everyone has contributed in some way, to
Beverage operations at all the hotels. He been given specifications for each product make his career and his ideas for improve-
did this by setting up standard operating purchased and food is stored separately ment, a success.
procedures and putting in place minimum so as to preserve their unique individual
quality standards for food and beverage flavours. In addition to internal checks
operations; his expertise was called on and procedures for ensuring high quality
to give direction on proper infrastructure food, Aitken Spence also has ISO 22000
facilities for new hotels and for creating a certification in several hotels and is working
working environment that was conducive, towards making this a norm for all hotels in
by allocating proper resources and giving the group.
leadership. Today Gemunu Goonewardena
is heavily involved in ensuring that F&B staff Gemunu Goonewardena’s love of his job
are well-trained. and his loyalty to Aitken Spence is evident
when he speaks of his role in staff training,
When asked how he went about the daunt- saying that each individual must be trained,
ing task of streamlining F & B operations moulded and allowed to grow. He says
in all the properties, Gemunu cites three “You have to believe in people,” and when
main tasks. The first and foremost he says asked what he felt his greatest achievement
was to train the staff by inspiring a passion was he simply says, “My biggest pride
Sure We Can
TNT is one of the top three express compa- TNT’s CSR project was proving to be
nies worldwide and has been represented truly sustainable not only for the lives and
by Aitken Spence in Sri Lanka, for over 26 livelihoods affected by circumstances but
years. Recently, TNT and Ace Xpress have also for the company’s future business.
conjunctively opened an office in Vavuniya, For, it was not long before the WFP had
which will help serve their growing number established that the integrity and efficiency
of clientele in this region. However, when of TNT and Aitken Spence Cargo would
Jerome Brohier starts talking about TNT, make them an ideal commercial partner and
one soon realises that there is so much made a request for the handling of transport
more to TNT’s activities than just courier and distribution. In an emergency situation,
services. TNT assists WFP through a range of activi-
On a worldwide scale, TNT has been ties varying from vehicles to manpower.
involved in social responsibility activities During the fiercest fighting in the North, TNT Jerome says that the fact that they work not
for many years, and although, every TNT vehicles carrying food and other necessities just with the UN WFP, but also with many
country office is required to donate a small were allowed into the war zone bearing other NGOs is a testament to the work
sum to the CSR fund, it was the 2004 WFP flags on the side of the trucks and with ethics of the company in an industry where
Tsunami that first brought Sri Lanka to the personnel wearing both TNT and WFP arm “incentives” are a norm, Aitken Spence
attention of TNT’s corporate “help” radar.
bands. Cargo combines hard work with creativity
During the first eight months following the
Aitken Spence Cargo now provides supply in order to ensure that all services are sup-
Tsunami, TNT volunteered to assist the UN
plied in compliance with the international
World Food Programme, not only did the chain solutions to three key NGO’s operat-
and local laws and ethics.
company volunteer logistical services, but ing in the North and East and particularly in
funds were donated as well. Over 24 million the Manik Farm IDP camp. Solutions range
rupees worth of assistance was given with from providing warehouse personnel who Jerome Brohier is the Country Manager
financial aid being completely donated by help manage the WFP warehouse, to sup- TNT Express and Director Ace
TNT offices worldwide. plying transport and logistical vehicles. International Express
4
Cooking His Way to the Gold
the food is of a consistently high standard. dena for the high food standards at Aitken
Dimuthu is the only chef in the world to Spence hotels and says, “I have to always
have won five gold medals at the World salute, double salute, Mr. Goonewardena,
Culinary Olympics and four gold medals in because we are always together, all the
the Culinary World Cup, beating competi- chefs and the GMs working together, shar-
tion from countries such as France and ing knowledge; he is very approachable,
Italy, renowned for their culinary excellence. even a trainee can speak to him at any
Dimuthu’s accomplishments, both as a chef time.”
and in culinary art, have won him worldwide
recognition and he is often called upon to When asked his advice to young people
train others, locally and internationally. wanting to be chefs Dimuthu says they
Dimuthu loves his job and enjoys cooking; must be prepared to work long hours and
experimenting with and formulating his to work hard; he goes on to explain that
own recipes, creating magic on the palate he trained for two to three years in order
and ensuring that guests of Aitken Spence to enter the Culinary World Olympics,
Hotels come back time and time again for even going so far as to formulate his own
the exquisite dishes he prepares. Dimuthu recipe for the sugar structure. Dimuthu
also loves to share his knowledge and he encourages would-be chefs to continuously
Hailing from Mathugama, Kalutara, Chef says he does this by being heavily involved upgrade their knowledge and to strive
Dimuthu Kumarasinghe says that he always in training kitchen staff, not just in the ev- for excellence, this he claims, is almost
wanted to be a chef. He was first intro- eryday task of preparing meals for guests, automatic when one has a passion for the
duced to Aitken Spence Hotels, when his but also training and moulding those who work. “I love my job, so I don’t get tired
elder brother, already a chef, approached would like to test their skills at culinary when I work. Even my wife gives me a lot of
Mr. Gemunu Goonewardena and explained contests. In fact, Mr. Gemunu Goonewar- support.”
that his younger sibling was looking for a dena had this to say about Dimuthu, “We’re
job. very proud of him, actually; he is one of the
best human beings I have come across; he Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe is the
Having started his career as a trainee, always develops the other guy.” Group Skills Development Chef,
Dimuthu has worked hard, putting in twelve Aitken Spence Hotels and Heritance
to fifteen hour days trying to ensure that Dimuthu in turn credits Gemunu Goonewar- Hotels & Resorts.
A Woman of Substance
A bright orange sign on Mrs. Guneratne’s for the 21st Century” at the Lloyd’s Agency
desk reads, “I get by with a little help from Group Meeting in Chennai and in July 2000
my friends.” Purchased 25 years ago, with she was appointed the Area Representative
her first salary, the sign speaks volumes for the Indian Sub-Continent at the inaugu-
about this corporate prodigy who is a ral Global Conference of Lloyds Agents in
self-proclaimed people-person. Whilst she London.
admits to letting go of a few of the idealistic
notions she had as a 25 year old newbie, Always aiming for the skies, Nimmi
she proclaims that she has met some Guneratne was not happy to simply hold
“wonderful people” on the way and she is the Lloyd’s agency for surveying claims
still an advocate of the belief that people and pioneered the move to advocate the
work best when they are trusted. agency network to embark on pre-shipment
inspections with lobbying and support from
When Nimmi Guneratne speaks, one the Corporation of Lloyd’s. She was also
listens, for no other reason than the “joie instrumental in initialising the move which
de vivre” she exudes. As she re-counts lead to the Lloyds Network, broad basing
her career she often side-tracks, filling the the availability of the Cargo Surveying Profi-
conversation with interesting and witty ciency Certification process. It was through
anecdotes, of both a personal and corpo- this network that Aitken Spence was able to
rate nature and not one iota of negativity. formalise its status as the Lloyds Sub-Agent
Life’s little ups and downs have simply in the Republic of Maldives.
been learning experiences. In her words,
A corporate force, a dynamic personality, “At the end of the day, we all have to work When asked about her experiences at Ait-
a wife and mother, a woman; this is Nimmi as a team and in a corporate setup I have ken Spence and what she would take with
Guneratne, Chief Legal Officer- Aitken learned to respect the others’ views and her, she says that she is “Very very grateful
Spence PLC and Managing Director of more importantly be able to know and to Aitken Spence for all that it has done for
Aitken Spence Insurance. acknowledge the strong points of each me and when I leave, what will make me
other.” proud are all the people I have moulded
As a newly married law graduate, Mrs. and seeing how well they do.”
Guneratne joined Aitken Spence on a Currently heading up the insurance division
suggestion made by the late Mr. Ratna and holding the responsibility of Chief Le- And her parting words of advice to women
Sivaratnam. First assigned to the hotels gal Officer, Mrs.Guneratne’s assiduousness in the corporate world? Simply this, “If
section, the dynamic young woman was led her to sit for examinations in Insurance, you want to be treated as equal, think of
quickly moved into insurance where she adding to her wealth of knowledge and yourself as equal, and just go out there and
truly began her career, as a Marine Insur- experience. By the time she was made get the job done, but most of all, never stop
ance Executive in 1984. Just ten years later, Director, she was already a Fellow of the being a woman.”
the hardworking and multi-faceted Nimmi Chartered Insurance Institute of London, in
Guneratne rose to Director, a post that had addition to being a Bachelor of Law and an Mrs. Nimmi Guneratne is the Chief Legal
not been held by a woman in the over 120 Attorney-at-Law. Then, in December 1998, Officer, Aitken Spence PLC & Managing
year history of the company! she presented a paper entitled “A Vision Director, Aitken Spence Insurance.
5
NEWS AND HAPPENINGS IN BRIEF
Around t he Group
Al Falaj Hotel Staff Party Congratulations Elpitiya Plan-
21st February 2009 tations Rugby Team
Al Falaj Hotel celebrated the annual staff 28th March 2009
party. The chief guest was Mr. Maqbool The Dickoya Maskeliya Cricket Club
Hameed Al Saleh, Chairman of Oman (DMCC) held its Inter-Plantation Rugby 7’s
Hotels & Tourism Company (OHTC). tournament. The Elpitiya Plantation PLC’s
Maj Gen (Retd) Hassan Ihsan Nassib - Vice (EPL) Rugby Team were Runners Up.
Chairman and members of the board
along with the Chief Executive Officer
of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company
- Mr.D.Prithiviraj, Head of Operations
Mr. Althaf Mohamed Ali and Mr.Gajendran
Nadesan - the Resident Manager of Al Bar Tenders Challenge Trophy
Falaj Hotel were also present. There was at Browns Beach
a presentation of awards to employees in December 2008
recognition of their long service. The Bartender’s Challenge trophy which
was organised by the Negombo Hotels
Club and Periceyl Pvt Ltd. was held at
the Browns Beach Hotel. The event was
attended by many hoteliers.
Tea Factory PEP award
The Tea Factory (Hethersett Hotels Ltd)
was awarded Merit award for the promotion ADAARAN Resorts inaugu-
of eco efficient productivity (PEP) projects rates ADAARAN ‘Prestige’
by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Vadoo 4th January 2009
ADAARAN Resorts have unveiled their
Hilltop award latest property ADAARAN ‘Prestige’ Vadoo.
15th December 2008 The resort was inaugurated by the Honour-
Hotel Hilltop Kandy, won 2nd place under able Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
category of Medium Scale Service Sector at Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad at a function held on
the 5S Productivity Awards Ceremony 2008 28th March 2009 at the resort.
held at Swiss Residence, Kandy. Vadoo features 50 brand new villas includ-
ing 6 Japanese concept rooms on the
ocean and facilities that sets the standard
for a new level in luxury. ADAARAN Resorts
own seven properties in the Maldives.
Ruwi Hotel Staff Party
28th of February 2009 Food disposal at
Ruwi Hotel celebrated the annual Staff Tower Lunch room
Party. The event preceded with the an- The waste generated in the lunch room,
nouncement of Employees of the Year 2008 kitchen and restaurant are separated into
consisting of one Omani national and one paper & cardboard, food remains/organic Clean and Green Record
expatriate. The employees of the year were waste, lunch sheets & regifoam and plastics Propels Heritance Hotels &
awarded a week long fully paid holiday with at the point of disposal. Four separate bins Resorts Internationally
cross exposure in leading Aitken Spence are utilised and then sent for recycling,
composting or collection. This is a minimum
27th October 2008
hotels in Sri Lanka. Heritance Ahungalla and Heritance Kanda-
standard of environmental initiatives taken
lama bagged the top two awards under the
throughout the Group.
services category at the National Cleaner
Production Awards 2008, organised by
Browns Beach - the National Cleaner Production Centre
Beach rugby & motor racing (NCPC) recently.
tournament December 2008 Heritance Ahungalla was also awarded for
Browns Beach held a rugby tournament Excellence in Water Efficiency and Excel-
and a 4x4 racing car competition in its lence in Energy Efficiency. Ramada Resort
beaches for the first time. Teams from Kalutara, which is also managed by Aitken
well reputed companies participated in Spence Hotels and Heritance Kandalama,
the rugby tournament and the winner was received certificates of Merit for Energy
Lanka Bell. Efficiency.
6
Aitken Spence & TNT Sponsor Investment Guru Mark Mobius The Tea Factory to become a
Royal Rugby Fiesta 2008 Spends Weekend at Heritance Heritance Tea Factory
Royal Rugby Fiesta, the Beach Touch Ahungalla 23rd November 2009 3rd December 2009
Rugby Tournament organised by the Group Dr. Mark Mobius, Managing Director and Sri Lanka’s popular hill country hotel,
of 1991 of Royal College, was sponsored Mr. Dennis Lim, Senior Executive Vice The Tea Factory, is being re-branded as
jointly by Aitken Spence Cargo, the total President - Templeton Asset Management Heritance Tea Factory. This is the outcome
transport & logistics solutions company & Ltd. were welcomed at the Heritance of the successful development of an
TNT Express. Ahungalla. Widely regarded as one of the abandoned tea factory building into an eco
world’s leading fund managers, Dr. Mobius - friendly, world class hotel.
Aitken Spence Launches and his team from Templeton Investments
its Fifth Hotel in India with spent last the last two days of their stay in
the Opening of “Tamara” in Sri Lanka at Heritance Ahungalla.
Coimbatore
Aitken Spence Hotels and Resorts Adaaran Prestige Resorts,
announces the latest addition to its portfolio Maldives, celebrate World
of hotels in India with the opening of Travel Awards
“Tamara” in Coimbatore. 21st November 2009
Adaaran Prestige Resorts celebrated
MMBL Money Master Helps winning the international travel industry’s
Former LTTE Child Soldiers Oscar as the “Indian Ocean’s Leading
22nd September 2009 Water Villa Group” at a special ceremony Heritance Kandalama
MMBL Money Master recently donated held at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo resort. Partners AFLAC to Uplift
shoes and socks for 113 children at the Adaaran Prestige Water Villas was awarded
School Library in Dambulla
Security Lodging and Rehabilitation Centre as “Maldives Leading Water Villas” for the
in Ambepussa. The centre helps rehabilitate second consecutive year. 21st July 2009
former LTTE child soldiers who had Sri Lanka’s most awarded resort Heritance
surrendered during the war. Ramada Hotel & Convention Kandalama will partner Sri Lankan charity-
Association for Lighting a Candle (AFLAC)
Centre, New Delhi – The Latest to provide schools books to the value of
Addition to Aitken Spence Rs. 50,000 and library equipment to the
Hotels March 2010 value of Rs. 100,000. The equipment will
Aitken Spence Hotels’ latest foray into the come in the form of tables/chairs/book
Indian market, takes the company to New racks and cupboards and will also include
Delhi, where a brand new property is due to colour washing of the library rooms to
open in April. Wewalawewa Maha Vidyalaya in Dambulla.
Aitken Spence Cargo Sector
Sri Lanka Bags Global Best Religious Day
Aitken Spence Cargo Sector Religious
Service Award for Small
Day was held this year at Vauxhall Street.
Destinations from TUI In keeping with the current situation &
November 2009 environment, this was held in a simple but
Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence Travels and meaningful manner, for extending blessings
the TUI Service Team in the country were to all the staff.
recognised by TUI for overall service
performance to its guests during Winter, Delivering in the hour of need
by winning the third place globally among Elpitiya Plantations’ Factories AIX 07th July 2009
small destinations. In 2006-07, TUI’s local Receive Coveted ISO 22000 TNT & WFP together over came many
partners Aitken Spence Travels were 12th January 2010 challenges to ensure the needed are
awarded the “best upcoming destination” Dunsinane Estate Tea Factory and New reached and no one’s left starving at ‘Manik
title by TUI. Peacock Estate Tea Factory of Elpitiya Farm’ at Chettikulam, the largest facility for
Plantations Plc have been awarded with the internally displaced people in Sri Lanka.
Desert Nights Camp among prestigious ISO 22000 Quality Certificate by
the Top Ten Desert Retreats SGS, Switzerland. These estate factories Managing commodity trucks, water
Aitken Spence-managed Desert Nights are owned and managed by Aitken Spence bowsers and ambulances, the dynamic set
Camp in Oman was recently named one Plantation Managements Ltd. of individuals of the TNT fleet management
of the top ten desert retreats of the world team tirelessly work in these trying
by The National in an independent study The Dunsinane Tea Factory, situated in conditions day and night.
conducted by the UAE-based regional Pundalu Oya in the up country, produces
publication. Desert Nights Camp is Oman’s quality CTC teas while New Peacock Tea BCCA
first and only luxury desert retreat. Factory, situated in Pussellawa produces Aitken Spence PLC was named the 2nd
black, CTC teas with coloury liquors. runner up in the Best Corporate Citizens
Both factories have produced almost 2mn Award 2009.
Bartleet TransCapital Joins kilograms of quality CTC teas per annum
MMBL Money Master to Offer since 1989.
the Western Union Money
Transfer Service
27th October 2009
Bartleet TransCapital has entered into an
agreement with MMBL Money Master to
offer the Western Union® Money Transfer
service through their branches across the
country.
Aitken Spence Q3 profits up Hilltop Awards
3rd February 2010 15th December 2009
Aitken Spence PLC’s third quarter financial Hotel Hilltop won first place under the
results showed a10 per cent rise in pre-tax category of medium scale service sector at
profits to Rs. 914 mn and a 14.3 per cent the 5S productivity awards ceremony and
rise in profit attributable to shareholders to also won the Landscaping Award by the
Rs. 541 mn over the same quarter last year. Kandy Municipality - 2009.
7
Mercantile Touch Rugby Indian food festival - Aitken
Carnival Organised by HNB - Spence Hotels in Sri Lanka
25 Years
Aitken Spence PLC Winners of
the Plate division
Aitken Spence Rugby rose to glory by
Aitken Spence Hotel Managements invited
three of its top chefs from Aitken Spence
Hotels India to display their culinary skills
of service
at an Indian Food Festival held at Heritance
clinching the Plate title at the recently
Ahungalla, Heritance Kandalama and
2009
concluded Mercantile Touch rugby carnival
organised by HNB. Browns Beach Hotel. The visiting chefs Dr. Prashantha Perera
were in awe of the three hotels they visited Aitken Spence Travels
and vowed to return on holiday. The three
food festivals were an immense success Mr. Wickrama Dharmawardane
and featured a potpourri of Indian cuisine. Aitken Spence Shipping
Mr. K K Gamage Vasantha
Aitken Spence Insurance
Mr. P B Nihal
Aitken Spence Apparels
Mr. Asoka Jayasekara
Shipping & Cargo Logistics
Ms. Dineli Kisangi Wijeyasiri
Aitken Spence Cargo
TNT - Quiz Competition
Winners 2010
TNT Express team comprising Jerome Ms. Nimmi Guneratne
Brohier, Sutharshan Selvarajah, Heshan Aitken Spence Insurance &
Karunaratne, Kasi Adikaramge & Anushka
Aitken Spence Rated Platinum
for Corporate Accountability Chief Legal Officer
Perera were First Runners-up at the Sri
Lankan Garment Buying Office Association Aitken Spence PLC has been classified as Ms. Preenith Rukshini Hettiarachchi
(SLGBOA) Inter-company Quiz Competition among the four Platinum-level companies Aitken Spence Corporate Finance
2009. in the STING Corporate Accountability
Index published in the February 2010 issue Mr. L R P Jayasinghe
The TNT Express team in 2008 also
of Sri Lanka’s leading business magazine Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings
emerged First Runners Up. The team
comprised of Jerome Brohier, Sutharshan LMD in its cover story. Mr. M A De Silva Gunawardene
Selvarajah, Heshan Karunaratne, Kasi Aitken Spence Travels
Adikaramge & Dilmini Palipane. This event
is held annually among garment industry
stakeholders.
The 10 UNGC Principles
Launched in July 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is
a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to
aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted
principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-
Vauxhall Property Develop- corruption.
ments Ltd - CMC Honoured Aitken Spence joined the Global Compact on the 18th of May 2002 and now serves as
Citizen of the Year 2010 an active member of the business steering committee in the UN Global Compact Sri
The Colombo Municipal Council has
Lanka Network.
decided to confer an Honoured Citizen Card
to 100 distinguished ratepayers of the CMC,
in recognition of the valuable contribution Human Rights: Environment:
they have made towards city development • Principle 1: businesses should • Principle 7: businesses should
by paying the highest Municipal rates and
support and respect the protection support a precautionary approach to
taxes on time, during the past five years.
of internationally proclaimed human environmental challenges.
rights within their sphere of influence. • Principle 8: Business should under-
Aitken Spence Hotels reaf-
• Principle 2: businesses should take initiatives to promote greater
firmed as the Best Sri Lankan ensure that their own operations are environmental responsibility.
Resort Culinary Team by not complicit in human rights abuses. • Principle 9: businesses should
winning 136 medals at the encourage the development and
Culinary Arts 2010 Awards diffusion of environmentally friendly
Culinary Art 2010, an event organised by Labour Standards: technologies.
the Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka awards top • Principle 3: businesses should
restaurateurs and five-star hotel chefs at
uphold the freedom of association
the Sri Lanka’s biggest annual food and
hotel show held at the BMICH from Febru-
and the effective recognition of the Anti-Corruption:
ary 5th – 8th. Aitken Spence, Sri Lanka’s right to collective bargaining. • Principle 10: businesses should
leading resort operator once again main- • Principle 4: businesses should work against all forms of corruption,
tained its reputation for offering some of the uphold the elimination of all forms of including extortion and bribery.
best cuisine in the country. forced and compulsory labour.
• Principle 5: businesses should
uphold the effective abolition of child
labour.
• Principle 6: businesses should
eliminate discrimination in respect of
employment and occupation.
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