Mankiwwa

Mankiwwa the Social Change application of Sri Lanka. If you have not heard of Mankiwwa as a Sri Lankan you should. It's a mobile application that you can lodge complaints and social services. This is made for citizen empowerment to report anything from a roadside water leak, illegal garbage dumping, taking it all the way to a roadside accident or a robbery.

Mankiwwa has won so many social accolades over the past year. Getting them noticed in the social change and digital infrastructure circles of Sri Lanka.

This is not the reason why they are silent heroes, it is because they travel all over Sri Lanka trying and getting appointments with local authorities to educate them of the application and trying to sign them up. It is because they are empowering citizens silently where they already have users reporting such incidents and local authorities having a spark of light to green light the application.

They also have been taken note by Child Protection in Sri Lanka. They are trying hard to change Sri Lanka one person at a time, one authority at a time.

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

Cheers!

LISWITH

By the People, For the People Mobile App ; Mankiwaa

People are taking charge. With the initiation of a ground breaking app, Mankiwwa has entered Sri Lanka.

Mankiwwa is a mobile app which is made with sole purpose for us the public to report day to day incidents to your local authorities.

This helps you reports day to day incidents like garbage or leaks of the road, emergencies on the road due to an accident or the collapse or a tree, the is taking steps into disaster management and even more serious issues like missing persons.

The app is truly simple basically take a picture of video under the specific incident, e.g.: robbery, broken road, landslide, or an unrecognized parcel and submit. It picks up you location (where location has to be on, on your smart mobile) and app informs the relevant authority.

Due to the sensitivity of the reports submitted the user shall always remain anonymous. The dashboard shall alert you on incidents that require announcements but no images or videos shall be ever displayed.

This is empowering us the public to take charge of our immediate surroundings. ManKiwwa is on the go on approaching government bodies, and other official authorities to make way to this by people for the people mobile app island wide.

LISWITH

Tips for Presentations

Hi there,

• Do not use technical jargon, talk common language. Make it simple for any laymen to understand the point you are trying to get through
• Presentations should be about a DREAM, do not sell the common day to day. Make your idea sound like a dream, make the listener envision it want it.
• Keep the slides simple, short. Do not bore the listeners, with current age the attention span of a human has reduced. Don’t capture them fast, they already have phased out.
• Dress to impress, sorry your degrees, status, or your wallet is not what you it’s simply you. That’s presentation skill too is a requirement not only what you are about to explain.
• Do not call anyone Sir or Madam, keep it Mr. or Ms. the moment you Call Sir you have already said you are inferior, no one takes anyone seriously unless from a point of authority.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Ven. Ajahn Brahm; the Business Community and Professionals.

This is a short blog post, things I heard on my amazing experience listening to Ven. Ajahn Brahm.

There were certain things he explained which was valuable advice and eye openers wanted to share with you briefly my experience.

Have empathy towards your leader, you would not know not what that person of authority goes through. Would you be able to do or react the same in the same position?

Don't take decisions from a point of fear.

Teach yourself to go to work thinking of making another happy (smile, kindness, educate)

The boss is the bottom of an inversed pyramid, they are support system to all.

Amount of hours worked is not productivity, after a while the mind gets exhausted does not become productive. Hence rest whichever way you can take a break.

For innovation to happen sometimes ideas should come from other mindsets than from the same trade. Two different mindset ideas synergizing as one.

How to criticize an employee. Sandwich method, first layer give them praise, appreciate their good and dedication then comes the BUT filling, you say what they did wrong, what they haven't improved on. Last layer is the thanking for been there and their loyalty.

Any employees’ top performance is only 70%, 30% is what the leaders join in to improve their employees.

Have meetings of what worked, not what failed. Find the reasons why it worked, motivate your business other family. What made today a happy day a good day not the days when it didn't. Focusing on mistakes cultivates negativity.

Difficulties of life is where we grow.

Hope this was an interesting read for you.

LISWITH, Over and Out!

Startup Pavilion

Infotel 2017, Startup Pavilion.

This is a place for all entrepreneurs from different trades to be at get inspired.

I saw many familiar faces all with new ones. Everything from Robotics educational services for youngsters, E wallets, Sri Lanka produced gaming, B2B total solutions, Doctor Services via video chat, Enterprise retail solutions, VR experience for a apartments or hotels, and Social Media gurus who take care of your online marketing solutions.

YES!!! Sri Lanka is going places.

This is was great to see young generation getting together under one roof and showcasing their hard work.

What I see as an outsider was that they lacked the support of the trade. No one told them how to create leads, that when they speak to a potential user they should be enthusiastic about it, that no one will walk to their stall and ask Hi! What does you company do? They had to believe in themselves and fuel that inner fire to set fire to each person that spoke to them. Word of mouth the oldest form of marketing. They were not mentored to market themselves along with their product. Not taught to educate a novice what they do.

Today I am writing to inspire all of you at the Startup Pavilion, bring your "A" GAME everyday.

Show people proudly what your passion built and what places you are heading, don’t shy away from educating anyone you meet what you do, what you product does, and how you are the next big thing.

Cheers to all you BRAVE Ladies and Gents who are taking part in this amazing showcase called the STARTUP PAVILION.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Leader Dreamer

This is a short thought I am writing today. What is the most important duty of a Manager and Leader in your work, home or society? I'll let you think.

Think of your dream, what do you want in your life. This dream does not have to linked to your career or family. I am talking about YOU, what do you dream?

How many of us have a clear dream of what we want? This dream you are envisioning now, might be unachievable as of now. But this is what you want your life to be, how you want your tale to be told.

Most of us are vague on this YOU dream. This is something your Sunday should put serious thought to.

Now coming back to the most important duty as manager or leader, is to teach your team to dream. Dream epic big, dream desperate and dream clear.

This dream as a leader should be asked by you, advised by you, and mentored by you.
Now you smart people are thinking; wait if he is working under me, and he dream is home of his own how do I help? This is not part of my job.
It is part of your job, it is how you nurture your team. It's not normal day to day work questions, but this is the guidance and experience you carry they are reaching out for.

As a leader teach them to dream, once they do nurture them to achieve it.

Cheers

LISWITH

Success Growth : what do we do to achieve it?

Recently a life event reminded me of an experience that was shared with me, which has such great meaning and understanding. 

There was a training, and the trainer handed over balloons and pins to all the participants. Later he informed to blow the balloons tie and keep it with them. 

As the participants were blowing their balloons, he quietly went around them and drew an enclosed borderline boxing them in. 

When the participants were done, he said I have a timer as soon as I say 1,2,3 go it starts. Your duty is to protect the balloon you own and never step out of the boundary. It seemed very simple and easy. 

He said 1,2,3 go. The end of the word GO the participants were in so much energy, they went running and chasing to burst the balloon of the other. So much excitement, all you heard was the pop sound of balloons. 

It got interesting, the athletic dudes who survived till the last one minute of the round had a surprise heading their way. Then you saw teamwork the guys whose balloons had burst were racing as a team to the few people who had survived. The time eventually ended, around two people were left from the crowd with balloons on hands. 

The trainer said well done that was a lot of energy shown right there. 

He continued on to say, we are thought to compete since school. Be the first in the class, where is the missing two marks? Why only two A's? 

This is what we carry forward as an adult. I never specified to burst the other person's balloon, I said protect your balloon for four minutes. Your lizard brain initial kick in, was to bring down the other. Lifting the balloon with one hand you just ran. 

Then the mentality escalates, multiple people who have not succeeded on the goal got together to bring the survivors down, amazing teamwork don't you think? 

Now can I ask the participants who are still holding the balloon what did you different? One replied, he just concentrated on protecting the balloon. This says at no time was he trying to bring down the other but worked on achieving his goal. 

I'll leave you thinking right there. Today and now think ponder, what change do you want to inflict, what change are you trying to influence.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Unspoken hero of the Sri Lankan Theatre industry Mr Obinamuni Gamini De Silva

Well I have been inspired by him often. He was a great mentor, my thanks to him would not be never be enough. He was the silent inspiration for me been a poet.

This is the tale of Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva, he is unspoken hero for the Sri Lankan stage theater. He was student at his younger age at the Shakespeare Institute at Stafford Upon Avon. Later which he came back to Sri Lanka to start giving back to his home. He is patriotic in his own way. Once arriving back he started translating Shakespearean plays to Sinhala. He got to work beside Sri Lankan actors such as Kamal Adaarchchi, got mentored by great minds such as Professor Carlo Fonseka, and was the initial mentor for actors such as Nayana Kumar and Sarath Dickumbura. He too has performed in-front of one of the greatest Presidents of Sri Lanka Hon. J. R. Jayawardena.

He has successfully translated and produced Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet in Sinhala. He is lifetime member of the Sinhala Institute of Culture. Was a judge in the panel of Drama headed by the cultural ministry; Island wide Drama competition. He too is a senior member at SUNFO (Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organization).

Since 1989 I have personally seen the struggle of a man who dedicated his whole life to art. He knows no other way of life, no other form of passion, no greater calling than his love for the arts, been that producer, been that man who translated such great work of literature.

No matter what you shall always see him perform his dramas every April 24th. His final dream is to produce Othello in Sinhala as a movie.

He is an unsaid hero to the theater and drama of Sri Lanka, never been identified nor ever given the light to shine. I take this time as the greatest form of idolizing a hero of Sri Lanka Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva.

What does a Business Traveler seek?

I see so many city hotels coming up around Sri Lanka and globally.

This means the Mice and Business traveler markets are a large portion of the current tourism industry.

Has anyone thought what are the key factors influencing the business traveler mind. In the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to busy bee business traveler reviews, on what they weigh when making the decisions.

Location: yes, it should be a city Centre, accessible easily as they are always on a tight schedule.

Breakfast: the first and mostly the last meal taken at the hotel. This carries a long way.

Internet connection: that's not chargeable. The whole point of a business traveler hotspot is the fact they are able to stay connected.

Executive lounge: this is a work and play place this lounge is where they kickback and work. Light music, and couple of good wines this is a lounge. People often mistake concept of a lounge and bar.

Customer service: no repeater shall be ever referred to as Sir but as Mr. X. This is captivating the client to come not to a hotel but back home. 6 days in a hotel and regular staff do not know your name or preferences, you start thinking twice. Can you remember so many clients? That is whole point of the Hospitality industry.

Rewards: business travelers love to be rewarded this is upper hand which the international chains have over local establishments do not. This means opportunity for them to start up.

The room: should be clean, the bathroom should be great and the bed should be comfortable. This is key factor the whole point of a business traveler after a hard day of work comes back to rest calmly.

Value adds: free laundry and dry cleaning this is comes very much in handy because they shall always pack light.

Now we have discussed the flag screen TV or the coffee machine, the porcelain wear. Wait do these matters? Yes they do, but on a decision making point of view nope!

What do hotels who concentrate on the business traveler end do rest of the year. The many operational restaurants, bars, and the convention halls that are rented out for meetings, balls and weddings.

Now thinking of the key factor, we spoke ROOM, they main sources of income can be a hindrance for the client never return. Loud music that doesn't end, the noise of footsteps next to your room, and endless chatter of the drunk folks.

Should these events be stopped? No no no. This would be a direct hit on the substantial revenue generated monthly. How can this not be a disturbance to staying guests, I suggest sound proof the rooms.

Well those are my inputs, next time you travel on business let me know your input.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Maldives

I lack the stones to be one

Many years back a gentleman I love and respect immensely wanted me to be an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur, dictionary states: a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.

My background is that I am taught, influenced and educated by some of the greatest entrepreneurs and minds of the current age. It's a daily influencing factor to think bigger, think of society, and the lives and people you shall touch.

My life I have learnt hard work, ever since a child my father always mentioned that a man works hard.

Now getting back to the answer to the initial question of do I want to be an entrepreneur, my answer was I lack the stones to be one.

My life experiences taught me of certain fears, one been letting people down. An entrepreneur word itself is a risk. The self-made MBA anyone can own is been a true entrepreneur.

Yes my whole life I do dream to be one. This is written to inspire people to be an entrepreneur, written so I and others learn to conquer fears to achieve greater dreams, written to show a focus is a 24 X 7 job there is no time one can drop the ball.

Cheers to conquering your dreams.

YOU NEVER LOSE UNTIL YOU GIVE UP

Liswith

Challenges

This is something I am still struggling to face head on.

Many years earlier into my working career I learnt sometime I am given tasks that are beyond me.
Firstly, I was very discouraged, simple thought process your washing your hands-off work and dumping on me. Years later anger turned to frustration this sent on a resentment spiral of people.
With the experience years of work grew, I learnt I am feeding my mind at a fast speed pace. A pace that left me constantly hungry, I always need to breakdown and know the why and the how? Most people now portrait this obsession of mine, as a negative.

How I over challenges that were put up against me like a wall was purely selfish. I understood what is taught to you, what you self-learn or any hurdle you over is a benefit on you. What is learnt by you cannot be stolen, this is all you. This was you hard work that paid off not for others but for yourself, this is greater experience that can make you a better employee and a person.

This constant hunger let me over most challenges put up against me, the first thought I always now think is what can I get off this lesson that I am trying to overcome. Don’t let is misguide you thinking I face all of my challenges head on and with confidence yes, I shall have a smile upside down but yet try to accomplish it. There are many challenges I have not faced yet and still have to face.

This trait can make you a more reliable friend, family member or employee.

Next challenge, think what can I learn off this to my life’s curriculum vitae.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Innovate > Micro Manage

Well this was an idea spark kind of thing I wanted to share. This is about us Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka, Sri Lankans are genetically being great at Innovation, simplification of the day to day progress. May it be grounding medical advances, or services at your fingertips, and even simple things like finding shortcuts in day to day operations. We can think out of the box to minimize human effort, ever thought why. I thought and came to only one conclusions we are freaking lazy, lazy as it comes so when boxed in between moving yourself around to get things done or at your fingertips. We chose to, yes you guessed right the non-movement. While the other part of world makes shoes that self-tie themselves, we are streamlining our lives to move less.

I think this is a true power, we have been given that gift to push push push the world, in a way to give more time to actual things that require our attention and remove time spent of tedious tasks. This kind of innovation is only creating such great entrepreneurs in our motherland.

With the blessing to innovate, we were blessed with an insecurity too that we are the best at micro management.

May it be British rule mentality which never left us, we are very insecure of what we build, create. Firstly my idea shall be stolen, showing great failure that you yourself have zero faith in your idea or product. Secondly follows never will I teach what I learnt to another, may it be a subordinate or competitor. We encourage such dependency that's unhealthy, subordinates do not know problem handling or even thinking for themselves. Competitors are treated like vultures, we never can be transparent with another as our minds plotting their demise: not thinking me and my competitor can work towards a common win win goal situation.

Lastly this micro management experience level gained, disrupts your growth. You become the FBI hound sniffing out issues, taking away your valuable time that you need to initiate your first blessing we spoke of Innovate.

Think of these words that I observed and let me know was my observation sound.

Over and out.

LISWITH

Maldives Political crisis: Tourism Industry greatly affected as Tourists book for Peaceful Mauritius

The Maldives Archipelago is in crisis, this small island of a population of 500,000 inhabitants will now see its tourism industry seriously affected by the ongoing political crisis. Maldives usually welcomes about 1 million tourists yearly who come to enjoy the nice beaches and excellent climate. This archipelago located in the Indian Ocean is also one of the favorite destinations for international celebrities. The travel operators all over the world are monitoring the situation in Maldives closely.

Maldives tourism faces $100 Million loss because of political crisis and riots
The Maldives unrest is in all media worldwide, the tourism industry is greatly affected. Resorts have noted more than 500 booking cancellations because of the political instability in the country. Although the Tourism Ministry has released a statement that the political unrest in the country is now under country and the political gatherings are done only at night, this will not be enough to convince foreigners to come to the archipelago.
 
Tourists who had booked for Maldives hotels and are now reluctant to go the unstable country are most welcome to come to Mauritius. Mauritius is an island where there is no political instability and tourists can walk during the day as well as night without any fear. Accommodations on the island is typified by luxury beach hotels and there are even private islands. Mauritius also has a lot of great attractions and shopping malls.
 
 
Quoted from : http://www.mopays.com/maldives-political-crisis-tourism-industry-greatly-affected-as-tourists-book-for-mauritius/
 
Rgds
 
Liswith

A380 Hits up Lanka

Unexpected turns on events brings Sri Lanka the landing of their first A380.

The unscheduled visitor was EK414/8JAN on AKL-SYD-DXB. Apparently the aircraft had to re-fuel and seems to have selected Singapore first, but then switched to Colombo.

Liswith

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/5352816/

Visa ETA Sri Lanka

IMPORTANT NOTICE

With effect from 1^st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering in to Sri Lanka. Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information.

The ETA system will be effective from 31st December midnight 2011

" The ETA system will be effective from 31st December midnight 2011 and all those who obtain visa thereafter will be expected to use the ETA system paying the relevant processing fee.

However ,for those who obtained visa using ETA prior to 01st January 2012 there will be no processing fee as long as they arrive within the visa validity period.

For those who arrive without obtaining visa through ETA after 31st December 2011 there will be a facility to obtain "on arrival visa" by paying the relevant ETA processing fee."

Read more :

http://www.immigration.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151&Itemid=196&lang=en

http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/apply.jsp?locale=en_US&app=current

Rgds

Liswith Obinamuni

Sri Lanka Implements E Visas

Please be aware of the new regulation. Make sure all are informed of this to avoid hassle at the respective airports. We have not received any official announcements as yet but this was on the Sri Lanka news portal. For any inquiries, advise pax to contact the Sri Lanka High Commission on 3322845.

Sri Lanka to start e-visa for 78 countries

Sri Lanka will start electronic visa approval for 78 countries with a online portal being opened after September 30, but Singapore and Maldives nationals will continue to be given on arrival visas at entry points.

The online visas could be applied through http://www.eta.gov.lk/ , Sri Lanka's department of immigration and emigration said.

The border agency said applications have to be submitted in English but explanatory information would be given on the site in nine languages.

'Electronic travel authorization' could be sought by applicants themselves, a third party, a registered agent and Sri Lankan embassies.

Air and ship crew and citizens of Maldives and Singapore would continue to get 'visa on arrival' facilities at entry points.

Both Maldives and Singapore give visa on arrival facilities to Sri Lankan nationals.

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=605463282

Rgds

Liswith