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In an ever changing world, Business Today has remained steadfast in its positive outlook on the country. The Business Today top corporate ranking was started in 1997, while we have journeyed a long way from the beginning, our fundamentals have remained the same.
We are honoured and proud to have His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka as our Chief Guest today.
As a statesman, he reflects the qualities and charisma of a strong leader. His political journey spans 51 years, where the experiences gained during this period has shaped him to be who is today.
Having interviewed President Maithripala Sirisena in 2014, then Minister, and having interviewed him as President in September 2018, it is apparent that he values the simplicity of life, culture and respect for all beings. He has a very calm approach and takes keen personal interest. The President has the qualities of patience, determination and courage.
The Chief Guest of the Business Today Awards has been the Head of State or Government. With the presence of the His Excellency, we have continued that tradition.
Our pioneering magazine Explore Sri Lanka is over 30 years. Having started in 1987, it is the only complimentary monthly magazine in the world to survive this long. Explore Sri Lanka has with great determination and passion promoted the country to the world even during difficult times, always ensuring that the positive of the country was highlighted.
The Business Today top corporate ranking was started in 1997, while we have journeyed a long way from the beginning, our fundamentals have remained the same.
Many clients who have been with us since our inception, who are in the audience today will remember the manner in which we worked, and formed and maintained our relationships. That approach has not changed over the years and continues to date.
We always work with everyone. If you look at this event too, we invite everyone regardless of their position, in politics, public sector or private sector. Whether they have been in high and influential positions, and no longer are or vice versa, does not matter to us. We will continue to show them the same respect.
Business Today was the first magazine in the world to introduce syndication with Harvard Business Review. We also have exclusive syndication with Financial Times. We have a longstanding and transparent relationship.
Business Today was listed in the book "Competitive Intelligence" as a source of competitive intelligence information in the global environment, along with the CIA, FBI, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal as well as the European Business Review to name but a few. We are honoured to have been mentioned in this book and be accepted among the global leaders in this sphere.
Business Today top corporate ranking was started 21 years ago and was conceptualized by Dinesh Weerakkody. It is the first recognition of its kind for public listed companies in Sri Lanka. Later, Keith Bernard and Shiron Gooneratne also became part of the process. We continued every year amidst challenges.
Although they are no longer a part of the process due to their commitments in public listed companies, we acknowledge their contribution from the inception of the awards. And, we continue to seek their advice and assistance.
We also thank Suren Rajakarier of KPMG Sri Lanka, for his continuous participation in the process.
Many companies that are in the Business Today TOP 30 are not advertisers. Companies cannot apply or pay to be selected. The ranking is purely based on their published financial information and social considerations.
We have been publishing Serendib, the inflight magazine of SriLankan Airlines since March 2010 as a monthly publication. This was a result of our struggle to bring the production and printing to Sri Lanka since the 1980s. President Ranasinghe Premadasa was able to only bring the printing to Sri Lanka in the 1990s. However, following his demise this too returned overseas. It was the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was able to ensure that the production and printing of the entire magazine was brought to Sri Lanka in 2010. We completely changed the magazine, previously Serendib focused greatly on another country, but we ensured that the magazine featured Sri Lanka and its frequency was changed to a monthly publication. Furthermore, we introduced Sinhala and Tamil articles to the magazine. The local languages were included on the cover as well.
We have been making a monthly payment to the Airline since we started the production and printing of the magazine, we do not receive any payment, airline tickets or freight from SriLankan. Even in recent times, it was with great perseverance that we were able to ensure that the production and printing of the magazine remained in Sri Lanka.
Our two international titles are Domus Sri Lanka and Time Out Sri Lanka. Domus Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan edition of the international architectural publication that was founded by Gio Ponti in Italy in 1928. Domus Sri Lanka is our first international title. We are a member of the Time Out global network. Time Out was established in 1968 by Tony Elliot. Usually Time Out is city based, but Time Out Sri Lanka is about an entire country not a city. This was a first for Time Out. Time Out is a multi-media platform and is present in 315 cities in 58 countries.
Arugambay, today has become a buzz word and a must visit destination in Sri Lanka...It was due to our great efforts and continous exposure provided through our publications that Arugambay has become a destination to visit throughout the year.
We have been using Apple since 1988, started reselling in the 1990s and opened BT Store in the early 2000s. We were the first authorised Apple reseller and service provider in Sri Lanka. The late Sir Arthur C Clarke was awarded the Robert A Heinlein Award for outstanding published work in science fact or fiction inspiring the human exploration of space. However, since he was unable to attend, the Heinlein Society contacted Apple USA to find a reliable company in Sri Lanka to set up a direct conference link. BT Options was the only company able to establish the link using Apple technology and the 90-minute live presentation was a great success. Appreciating our efforts, the President and the Chairman of the Heinlein Society, David Silver wrote a letter of commendation to Apple CEO Steve Jobs and the Board of Directors, which said, "Our particular compliments and commendations to one and only, very excellent and resourceful partner in Sri Lanka - BT Options."
After 2009, many big players including two telecom companies have entered the Apple market. However, we have survived in the market.
BT Active is our fully-equipped private gym. With cybex machines, we have a full-time fitness pro at BT Active providing personal training.
Arugambay was ranked at number eight in the Lonely Planet Best of Asia list. It is an achievement in an area where there are no large hotel operators.
Arugambay, today
has become a buzz word and a must visit destination in Sri Lanka. Yet, not so long ago this coastal town in the southeast of the country was considered seasonal and famed only for surfing. It was due to our great efforts and continous exposure provided through our publications that Arugambay has become a destination to visit throughout the year.
Our properties, Paper Moon Kudils in Whisky Point, in partnership with P Partheepan and, Arugambay Roccos in partnership with A M Naleem continue to do well, drawing guests throughout the year. A M Naleem has been in the tourism sector for over 30 years.
Arugambay is a unique location in the south-east of Sri Lanka. It is a place that provides wonderful experiences to guests because today's traveller is looking for that.
We opened our latest property Arugambay PodBay in September this year. The names at ArugamBay PodBay were inspired by the famous quote ‘Open the Pod Bay doors HAL' from the sci-fi movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey', which is based on the book by Sir Arthur C Clarke and the breakthrough Apple invention, the iPod by Steve Jobs.
ArugamBay PodBay is a creation of BT Options partnered with Don Jayasuriya. BT Options, completely transformed the property under a new concept.
We thank Mr Don Jayasuriya for having confidence in us.
Great challenges were faced during construction time, which delayed the progress. However, with a positive attitude and determination all obstacles were overcome and ArugamBay PodBay was opened for guests.
We thank Mr Harry Jayawardena for his continuous support and confidence in us even before we started Business Today. He has come for the event every year and has always shown his concern for us.
At Paper Moon Kudils, Arugambay Roccos and Arugambay PodBay all staff are from the area and they work tirelessly to ensure that guests have a wonderful experience.
We would now like to thank those who have supported us since 1987. Our appreciation to all our clients who have advertised in our publications and continue to have confidence in us. Our revenue is only through advertising sales in our publications and we do not offer contra agreements to any client.
Those who advertise with us know that we always ensure a good response and value for money.
Ven Galboda Gnanissara Thero, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, we thank you for your unwavering support and guidance throughout the years. Thank you for your presence here with us today.
Ven Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, we appreciate your support to us over the years.
Ven Diyapattugama Revatha Thero we appreciate your continuous support since the 1990s, which has been one of the reasons of the success of the company.
Ven Kirinde Assaji Thero, we thank you for your encouragement, problem solving efforts and long standing support to us.
We thank Mr Harry Jayawardena for his continuous support and confidence in us even before we started Business Today. He has come for the event every year and has always shown his concern for us.
We thank Mr Manilal Fernando for his support and encouragement.
We thank Mr Nithi Murugesu for his guidance and advice. We thank Mr Sudath Perera and Mr Premnath Dolawatte for their support.
Mr Charles De Silva and Mr A S Kaleel, for giving their properties to us and for their continuous support.
We thank Mr Thusitha Wijayasena for his concern and continuous support.
We have known Mr Chandra Mohotti for many years, we thank him for his support.
Concept, design and song selection for the event was by Glenda Parthipan. Event coordination was assisted by BT Options team.
We congratulate the Business Today TOP 30 2017-2018 for their excellent performance and the individuals receiving Special Recognition for their confidence in the country.
We thank everyone for being present here today and making this event a success.
