The Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbakaduwa (left) opened the new office of The Finance Company Kandy branch. The new premises are located in Trincomalee Street.
The Finance Regional Manager for Kandy area Deepal Weeresooriya said that his company now pays special attention to children to help them develop the savings habit and has started savings banks in schools. The Finance has also launched the “Raja Daru” deposit scheme for children. In addition the usual deposit and loan facilities are available in the new office in a more pleasant and customer-friendly environment that architect Gamini Dissanayaka had created.

Director Operations of The Finance Kamal Yatawara and other senior officials as well as several VIPs of Kandy were present at the opening ceremony.

Plans are afoot to have a Ceylinco Pastry Shop in the premises.

Kandy Hoteliers Bid Farewell to Suraj Perera

The Kandy Hotelliers Association wished farewell to its Secretary and Genereal Manager of Citadel Hotel Surja Perera who will shortly move to the Maldives in charge of overall operations of John Keels Hotels in that country. The President of the Association Raju Weerasingham speaking on behalf of the Association thanked Mr. Perera for his services as secretary in the past two years. The Genreal Manager of Hilltop Cyril Perera hosted the farewell at his hotel. The picture shows (from left) Gamunu Srilal (General Manager-Hunasfalls), Upul Leuke Bandara (Manager - Amaya Hills), Mr. Hiran Seneviratne (Manager Hotel Casamara), Cyril Perera (General Manager Hotel Hill Top), Timothy Paldano (General Manager Hotel Tree of Life), Suraj Perera (Resident Manager Chaya Citadel), Raju Veerasingham (Resident Manager The Grand Hotel & President KHA), Gamini Senanayake (Manager Hotel Suisse), Rodney Armstrong (Asstiustant Manager Mahaweli Reach Hotel), and Suresh Ratwatte (Assistant Manager Topaz/Tourmaline).

Buy from “Sthree” to Help Women

The Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Industries and Women's Affairs Mrs. Shirani Weerakoon recently declared open the first ever sales outlet in Kandy that exclusively carries products that women from all parts of the island produce. The shop, located next to Fashion Bug at 327 Peradeniya Road close to Haloluwa Junction, is an initiative of the Women's Development Centre (WDC).

The main purpose of the shop is to promote quality handcrafted items made primarily by Sri Lankan women. There are brightly coloured handloom sarees from Batticaloa and Kalmunai and handloom home décor items from Welimada, stunning silver jewelry from Galle, tasty chutneys and jams from Kurunegala, traditional "watti" trays and rice containers from Mahiyangana and recycled paper products from Hanguranketha.

The products from local entrepreneurs make up about half of the merchandise though. There are eco-friendly purses and handbags from Ampitiya, stylish batik wraparound skirts and home décor items by the Kandy City Mission, striking collage artwork by A.G. Dineshini of Katugastota and fashionable silk scarfs and shawls created by a talented woman in Kandy. There is also beautiful wood furniture handcrafted by people with disabilities at WDC's Vocational Training Center in Ampitiya.

Sthree is operated as a non-profit. Most of the products for sale at the shop are taken on consignment and the entrepreneurs are paid once the merchandise is sold. Sthree takes a small commission on sales to cover its overheads. The goal of the shop is to become self-sustainable.

WDC's goal of economic empowerment of women is part of their overall approach to preventing violence against women. Its community development programming now includes basic health education, including HIV/AIDS awareness, legal rights education, children's rights education, livelihood and entrepreneurship training along with provision of small loans.

WDC also works extensively with people with disabilities. Women with disabilities and women with children with disabilities face more challenges in life and due to their vulnerability are at a greater risk of violence. WDC has a large Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Center in Kandy for children with disabilities and 9 other satellite CBR Centers in the Kandy district. WDC also runs a Vocational Training Center in Ampitiya in partnership with the Central Province Ministry of Social Services for youth with disabilities. Sewing, needlework, candle-making and woodwork are taught for up to 2 years, depending on clients' needs.

In addition to its home base of Kandy, WDC is now active through its Women's Network for Development and Peace (WNDP) in several other areas of Sri Lanka including Hanguranketha, Matale, Kekirawa, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Vavuniya and Galle.

WDC is eager to support women and differently-abled entrepreneurs. If you have products you would like to sell at Sthree, please contact Indika at WDC (081)222-8158 to make an appointment to show your samples.