the pulse - issue 03
DESCRIPTION
Walkers Whittalls Quarterly Employee NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
The Pulse
Leisure Inbound- Employee Newsletter
Inside this issue
Volunteer recognition
Sports AGM
Goodbye Glennie
Avurudu Celebrations
Greta Company = Good
Friends
New faces at Inbound
Sports
Puzzle
Volume 1 Issue 3 Leisure Inbound- Employee Newsletter July 2013
YPTDC of China appoints Walkers Tours as their Official Tourism Partner
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Team China along with the officials of the YPTDC Prabath receiving the certification from Director General
of YPTDC Mr. Cheng Zhenglong.
We’ve Moved! New Office - New Beginning
Walkers Tours and Whittall Boustead (Travel) Limited moved to No. 117, Sir
Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2 on the 23rd of July 2013.
Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Commission (YPTDC) of China has appointed Walkers Tours as their official
Tourism Partner.
JKH Foundation recognizes volunteers
JKGSC recognizes Sportsmen and women
John Keells Foundation recognized employees
of the group who volunteered throughout the
year for various CSR projects. Amongst them
were our very own who received certificates
of Gold, Silver and bronze.
Standing left to right: Shazli, Maheshi, Chantelle,
Shanelle, Jayamali, Marini and Milhan
Manesha, Michelle, Shanelle, Marini, Onella, Kelum, Jayamali, Vasantha, Namith, Mevantha, Shazli, Geshan, Kavindi, Heshan, Stephani
John Keells Group Sports Club
recognized all employees who
participated and won at the mercantile
level in various sports. Few of our very
own too were recognized.
Basketball: Thushan, Rashmika
Swimming: Shannelle, Dilini, Asitha, Stephani
Badminton: Shivanthi, Prabath,
Anushka, Sasala Athletics: Gayanga, Asitha Rugby: Vasula, Anushka
Standing: Thushan, Vasula, Anushka, Prabath, Asitha, Rashmika Seated: Stephani, Shannelle, Dilini, Shivanthi, Sasala, Gayanga
Goodbye Glennie
Inbound Avurudu Celebrations
Whittall Boustead (Travel) Limited
hosted Walkers Tours for a day of
Avurudu Celebrations on the 30th of
April 2013. The day’s proceedings
began with the lighting of the
traditional oil lamp followed by the
practice of exchanging beetle leaves
known as “Ganudenu”. Afterwards the
breakfast table was open to all for
feasting. The table was filled with
many sweetmeats and the famous
Milkrise along with the Sri Lankan
curries.
All Ladies and Gents of Inbound were
clad in traditional attire to celebrate
the Sinhalese New Year in Sarongs
and Kandian Sarees. After the happy
feasting the crowd was lead to the
Walkers lobby to take part in the day’s
events and games. Starting off the
proceedings was the parade of
Avurudu King and Queen. While
Shenuka was chosen as the Queen
Heshan was voted King.
This event was followed by games
such as Lime and Spoon, Balloon
Contest and Yoghurt Eating contest.
The day came to an end with the most
interesting event of the celebration
which was the Face Feeling
competition. Nilu from Walkers,
known to own the talent was claimed
victorious.
WW: Great Company = Good Friends
Discussions between friends about the
places that they’ve never seen yet
promote in their day to day work were
what sparked the idea to go on a tour
around Sri Lanka. Making a long
weekend longer by taking a day off
work Imran, Riyaz, Marini, Shannelle,
Ryan, Milhan, Jayamali and Hemal set
off on their journey. Completely funded
by themselves they ensured that they
practice what they preach with this trip.
The Pulse editorial team investigated as
to why this initiative was taken.
How was it initiated?
Certain members of the group had
realized that they’ve never been to
some of the places they promote. “I’ve
never been to Knuckles Range. Yet I
promote it in my tours” states Riyaz
Firdouse. Further discussions with
other friends seemed the same. Imran
Manan wanted to go to Yala & Horton
Plains, two places he hadn’t visited.
The plan was sent to everyone but very
few confirmed to the plan. Finally a
handful got together and raising the
budget themselves this idea grew into a
reality.
Where did you go?
Arriving in Kandy in the Observation
Carriage of the train the group had a
hearty breakfast before going straight
to Knuckles in a pre-booked van.
The night was spent relaxing under the
stars and they woke up to watch the
sunrise from the roof of the hotel. With
barely any sleep the group headed out to
Knuckles Range for a trek. Stamina and
endurance were tested in this
challenging trek, many were exhausted
and some almost left behind in the
beautiful landscape.
No stay in Nuwara Eliya can be
complete without a visit to Horton Plains
and Worlds End. The group was
energized by hot rottis’ sold at the
entrance before heading to one of the
most adventurous treks of their lives.
The scenery was breathtaking as always
but what really made this trip
memorable was the forbidden swim in
Bakers Fall. Dripping wet the group
depart to Ella via the Bandarawela –
Ohiya road. Not normally used by tour
guides this road is chaperoned by Red
Pine Trees a rare sight to see in Sri
Lanka. A yummy lunch awaited the
group at 98 Acres in Ella. After lunch
the group left for Tissamaharama,
Katagamuwa to experience Mahoora
Luxury Camping. Situated close to
places that are abundant with Sri
Lanka’s most treasured animals,
Mahoora Luxury Camping allowed our
group to experience camping in the wild
with the comfort of luxury. A BBQ in
the night completed the day of fun,
mischief and adventure. The morning
began early with a jeep safari in Yala
National Park with Mahora Eco Team.
The boys set off in one jeep while the
girls and Imran decided to board
another. Sadly only one jeep saw a
leopard while the others’ rarest animal
was a crocodile basking in the sun. After
a late breakfast the group returned to
Colombo.
What did you learn?
Many things were shared between the
members of group that would never crop
up in the workplace. Such as the snoring
that cut into their very little sleep or how
physically unfit the group was.
Any message to the others at
Inbound?
“I think everyone should rediscover Sri
Lanka” says Imran. There is a lot that
hadn’t been known by this group about
Sri Lanka, and each other. This trip
revealed a lot.
”Everyone should travel with their
friends” states Jayamali “The experience
is different”
Did you become closer after the trip?
“Definitely” says Marini.
An important milestone of these tours is
for the team to bond afterwards, both in
work and outside office. This was
achieved on this trip. There were many
intimate moments of the trip that
strengthened the bond between the team.
New faces of Inbound
Ridma Withanage
"I'm very pleased to work with a well reputed company like this where I can
develop my career"
Johan Siriwardena
"Great place to work and looking forward to a growing career”
Savith Warnapura
“I’m glad that I got this opportunity to work in such a reputed company and hoping for a bright
future.”
Sachintha Fernando
“So far so good“
Poornima Ranasinghe
“I feel so blessed to be a part of John Keells”
Johan Siriwardena
"Great place to work and great friends”
Thisara Devasurendra
"Good people, Good vibes”
Manavi Gunewardana
“It is like a dream come true to join JKH and I feel so lucky to work in a Pleasing environment like this.”
Athula Wickremasighe “It's great opportunity for me to be a member of this organisation. I enjoy
working here.”
Kumendra Dharmadasa "The tag line speaks for its self; it is truly “More than just a work place”
Ahamed Nizar
“A dynamic place to work!”
Ian Fernando
"I would like to think this opportunity I got to work in this organization is a blessing from heaven."
Nuwan Hettiarachchi
“I love my job”
Sachini Kularathne
“I’m glad that I got this opportunity to work in this amazing organization with great people”
Thishani De Silva
“I'm proud to be a part of the walker’s team because it enhances my skills and
abilities towards success in my career life"
Sachini Abeywickrema
“Walkers Tours is the best place to work!”
Mandakini Gunewardhana
“A career is wonderful, Walkers Tours is the best company to work while enjoying”
Our Netball Team in Maldives
The Women’s Leisure Inbound
Netball Team was successful in
winning the 2013 Intercompany
Netball Tournament as well as
bagging the Silver at the Travel Trade
Netball Tournament. These
achievements were rewarded with a
weekend at Chaaya Island Dhonveli in
Maldives.
This was indeed a trip to remember as
it was a first for a few to travel abroad
and the beautiful Maldives being the
destination. The ladies experienced a
speed boat ride, snorkeled in crystal
clear water and danced the night away
at a beach party to the beats of the
well-known Baila music. All these
were followed by a Dolphin watching
experience which will never be
forgotten by the team. Returning back
to Colombo after two days of a well-
deserved reward the ladies had many
stories to share with the team. Their
experience at Maldives could not be
limited to words, hence the pictures to
bring to life their experience at the
beautiful Maldivian Island
Inbound brings the cup back home
Travel Trade Badminton Tournament
Travel Trade Hardball Cricket 6’s
Travel Trade Beach Volleyball
Travel Trade Bowling Tournament
First Inbound Crossword Winners
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Inbound Crossword No.02
The following crossword is based on employees at Inbound. Good luck guessing the names of your colleagues.
Print out the completed crossword and hand over to HR. Prizes awaits the first five correct entries sent in on or
before the 31th July 2013
Across
1. Married to a West Indian
2. Winner of Zonta Jane M. Klausman
Award
3. Both parents are academics
4. One of the photographers of Inbound
5. Represented Sri Lanka at the world inter
university swimming meet
6. Who drives a Kia Rio
7. Husband works for Ceylon Brewery
8. Who went to St. Thomas’ College
9. Who studied in Canada
10. Who used to be a member of Voice Print
Down
1. Who studied in Bangladesh
2. Who won the Ride Gold Medal
3. Middle name is Ananda
4. Athlete
5. Born on the 2nd of March
6. Ruggerite who played No. 8 in School
7. Married to a person in the forces
8. Brother of Rashenka
9. Twin
10. Represented JKH in Basketball
11. CIMA Graduate