SRI LANKA. The final of the first-ever Alpha Asia Heroes Awards was held on Friday night at the Grand Ballroom of the Colombo Hilton Hotel in Sri Lanka.
For the glitzy, Oscars-style ceremony Alpha Orient Lanka adapted a localised version of the acclaimed UK Alpha Heroes employee incentive and awards scheme.
The concept aimed to provide reward and recognition to staff across the Sri Lankan businesses who have shown consistently outstanding performance and to promote them as examples to the whole company.
Alpha Orient Lanka employs a total of 350 personnel. In total, 17 individual and team awards were presented to over 50 winners who received cash prizes totaling US$50,000.
The company invited all its employees, with the exception of volunteers needed to work the night shift at the duty free shops, to the glamorous event.
The overall Alpha Asia Hero Individual Award went to U.M.N. Ravidhashana (Ravi).
Invitees and staff were entertained by two popular local bands, Misty and Bathiya & Santush. The latter sang their emotional tsunami song that has been a big hit in Sri Lanka since the devastation caused by the 26 December tsunami. The event had been postponed to after Singhalese New Year out of respect for the victims of the tragedy.
More than 30 representatives from international travel retail businesses who supported the scheme were present on the evening. Over 40 firms signed up to sponsor this year’s awards and have shown keen interest in supporting the event again in future years, Alpha Orient Lanka said.
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An emotional night of celebration culminated with U.M.N. Ravidhashana (Ravi) – pictured right – being named Overall Alpha Asia Hero of the Year | |
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Alpha Orient Lanka employs a total of 350 personnel. In total, 17 individual and team awards were presented to over 50 winners who received cash prizes totaling US$50,000 | |
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Alpha Asia Managing Director Paul Topping (left) said: “To me, my team are all heroes but tonight 50+ of them are very special heroes, selected by their colleagues.” | |
Alpha Airports Group UK was represented by Group Human Resources Director Glenys Laycock, Group Communications Director Avril Appleyard and International Buying Director Martin Petchey.
Alpha Asia Managing Director Paul Topping said: “To me, my team are all heroes but tonight 50+ of them are very special heroes, selected by their colleagues.”
Alpha Orient Lanka Limited hopes to conduct this event annually. Parent company Alpha Airports Group hopes to extend this scheme to all of its businesses around the world by the end of 2006.
Here is a full list of nominees and winners:
Front of House Individual Award – Airport Staff
Nominees:
Sumith
Damien
Resiri
Nilantha
Winner: R.C. Fernando (Resiri)
Front of House Individual Award – Trade & Retail
Nominees:
Sadique
Clifford
Nilantha
Lalith
Winner: C.G.C. Nilantha
Front of House Team Award – Trade & Retail
Nominees:
King’s Super Team
Arpico Team
Liberty Plaza Team
Trade & Retail Management/Sales Executive Team
Winner:Trade & Retail Management/Sales Executive Team
Perfume Consultant Individual Award
Nominees:
Christine
Nelum
Nirmalee
Sudarsheni
Winner: W.P. Sudarsheni
Trade & Retail Sales Executive Individual Award
Nominees:
Rohan
Gregory
Gayan
Dushyanthan
Winner: S. Gayan Fernando
Sales Coordinator/Promoter Individual Award
Nominees:
Dayana
Angali
Shermila
Chithra
Winner: D.A. Shermila Bomnawela
Back of House Individual Award
Nominees:
Sheen
Sarath
Arafath
Chaminda
Winner: Sarath Liyanage
Back of House Team Award
Nominees:
Accounts Department
Human Resources
Administration (DFS)
Feeder Bond
Winner: Accounts Department
Service Support Individual Award
Nominees:
Thulasi
Waruni
Rafeek
Priyantha
Winner: O.A.M. Rafeek
Service Support Team Award
Nominees:
Merchandise Department
Stock Control Department
Wharf Department
Trade & Retail Office
Winner: Wharf Department
Head Office Manager Individual Award
Nominees:
Prabha
Ranjaka
Senaka
Kishore
Winner: P.K. Munasinghe (Prabha)
Airport Manager Individual Award
Nominees:
Queenie
Chandrani
Ravi
Somalatha
Winner: Q.A. Wanigasooriya (Queenie)
Head Office Supervisor/Executive Individual Award
Nominees:
Roshani
Dilki
Winner: K.R.S.R. Alwis (Roshani)
Airport Supervisor/Executive Individual Award
Nominees:
Upendra
Hemachandra
Ruklanthi
Asoka
Winner: A.L. Serasinghe (Asoka)
Front of House Team Award – Airport
Nominees:
Shift A
Shift B
Shift C
Shift D
Winner: Shift A
Overall Alpha Asia Hero Team Award
Nominees:
Airport Shift A
Airport Shift B
Airport Shift C
Accounts Department
Winner: Airport Shift B
Overall Alpha Asia Hero Individual Award
Nominees:
Ravi
Sarath
Somalatha
Nelum
Winner: U.M.N. Ravidhashana (Ravi)
