ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raises $88million, creates awareness about Motor Neuron Diseases

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS has been the major topic which has gained considerable news in the last few days due to the Ice Bucket challenge. What is ALS you ask? This is a disease which gradually destroys nerve cells. These nerve cells are important as they affect our ability to move our muscles in order to eat, speak, move and breathe . Although the disease is incurable, medication and therapy is effective at slowing down its progression of ALS.

About the challenge: The Ice bucket challenge is a unique way to gain awareness and raise funds to a worthwhile cause, the ALS society in America. The challenge starts when a nominated person is given 24 hours to either donate $100 to the ALS Society or to douse themselves with ice water and then nominate 3 or more people to continue the challenge. This creates  a snowball effect where the message is passed on to enough people and funds are generated along the way. So far, the challenge has brought in a staggering $88million** so far compared to $2million it raised during the same time last year.

This challenge has been popular enough for big celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, Nina Dobrev, Jessica Alba, Richard Branson, Bill Gates and David Beckham to get involved in. Most recently, our very own Iraj Weereratne was reportedly the first to take the challenge in Sri Lanka and the likes of Randhir, Bathiya and Santhush, Otara Gunewardene, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara (see below) have followed suit. Needless to say, the ice bucket challenge has become a hit in Sri Lanka, a country where the dare did not even originate.

Our boys Sanga and Mahela get soaked for a good cause. Image credit: http://www.24newslanka.com

As a life  insurance provider, motor neuron diseases are covered by some of our policies*. We wish to take this opportunity, to request those who may have early signs and symptoms of ALS to get checked as soon as possible.

Have you been nominated to take part in the challenge? If so, we want to know about it. Send your videos to our Facebook page and  tell us in the comments who YOU wish to nominate.

Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

* Terms and conditions apply. Please check your individual policy for further information

** The total number collected by donations is correct as of the date of publication

75% of New Vehicles in Sri Lanka are Hybrids: Is our automobile industry turning over a new leaf?

New findings by JB Securities, as reported by the Daily Mirror, suggest that hybrid vehicles are being registered at an increasing rate. The report suggests that as many as 1942 out of 2551 registrations, a whopping 76% have been registered in July, up from nearly 1500 hybrid vehicles during the same time as June this year. The major beneficiaries are Toyota and Honda, with Mercedes and BMW lagging behind (Daily Mirror 2014).

In addition to this, electric cars also seem to be increasing in popularity as the Nissan leaf entered the Sri Lankan market last year (Sirimanna 2013) and local manufacturers are keen to capitalize on the popularity of these green vehicles by launching their own models (New electric car 2014).

So what seems to be causing this dramatic shift towards these eco vehicles? One suggestion is that young drivers are very concerned about the future, and are looking for ways to minimize their impact on global warming. The other is that green technology is ‘in’ and the general public looks at these vehicles as a more socially responsible investment due to the minimal damage it causes . Furthermore,  a study by the Dept. of Motor Traffic in 2012 revealed that registration for new hybrid vehicles was at 2500 new registrations (out of a total of nearly 400,000). Based on these facts and the progressive thinking mentality among Sri Lankans, we seem to be heading towards greener pastures as these vehicles may be here to stay.

Do you own an Eco-friendly vehicle? If so, tell us your experiences in the comments below! To learn more about protecting your green vehicle, check out our short brochure.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

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Sources

Department of Motor Traffic, 2012, Statistics: New registrations of Motor Vehicles-Fuel Type. [Accessed 20th August].

Hybrids boost July vehicle registrations,  Daily Mirror, 18 August 2014. [Accessed 20th August 2014].

New electric car seen leading shift to green cars in Sri Lanka, The Sunday Times, 26 January 2014. [Accessed 20th August 2014].

Sirimanna, B, 2013, ‘All electric Nissan leaf hits Lankan roads’, The Sunday Times, 25 August. [Accessed 20th August 2014].

Insurance: Why Bother?

Life is full of uncertainties. The cost of living changes often, people have good and bad days at work, the performance of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) varies annually, and then there is the small matter of insurance; insurance for your house, automobile, family and retirement insurance. If you are a business owner, this extends to your employees and business assets as well. This blog is dedicated to those who want a plain English guide to the seemingly complex world of insurance.

This begs the question, ‘Why bother with all these types of insurance?’ Most readers would feel that they lead a risk free life, have a house located in a low crime/crime free area, and generally admit to driving carefully (most of us, anyway!) on the congested streets of Colombo. However, things have a tendency to happen. Your car might break down en route to an important business meeting, your roof may spring a sudden leak in the middle of a thunderstorm, and your child may get badly injured while playing sports. That’s when you will wish you had insurance. Having the peace of mind in knowing that you and your family are protected against life’s uncertainties is an investment worth making.

Be Smart. Get Insurance and Get Covered… Just in case. Image credit: Rediff

According to the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (2013), there are currently over 20 companies which you, the customer can choose from. Within each of these firms, they offer a variety of options, to the point where you can get overwhelmed. Fortunately, with a few clicks it becomes much easier to compare the pros and cons of each supplier to establish whether their package fits YOUR individual needs. For example, an owner of a hybrid will be more inclined to look for motor insurance which caters to hybrid automobiles as that customer has a specific requirement which needs to be fulfilled.

Liked this article? Subscribe to our blog and leave a comment. We want to know the type of insurance you currently have (if any), and if you are satisfied with your insurance provider.

Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.