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