The Cabinet of Sri Lanka is as follows:

Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake – Prime Minister & Minister of Internal Administration
Hon. Milinda Moragoda – Minister of Justice and Law Reforms
Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama – Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs
Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena – Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development
Hon. Arumugan Thondaman – Minister of Youth Empowerment & Socio Economic Development
Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe – Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights
Hon. Douglas Devananda – Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare
Hon. Nimal Siripala De Silva – Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena – Minister of Cultural Affairs
Hon. Champika Ranawaka – Minister of Environment and Natural Resources
Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa – Minister of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotion
Hon. Tissa Karalliyadde – Minister of Indigenous Medicine
Hon. Rajitha Senaratne – Minister of Construction and Engineering Services
Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama – Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon. (Mrs.) Ferial Ashraff – Minister of Housing and Common Amenities
Hon. Prof. G. L. Peiris – Minister of Export Development & International Trade and Acting Minister of Posts and Telecommunication
Hon. Maithripala Sirisena – Minister of Agricultural Development & Agrarian Services Development
Hon. A. H. M. Fowzie – Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development
Hon. D. M. Jayaratne – Minister of Plantation Industries
Hon. Susil Premajayantha – Minister of Education
Hon. P.Chandrasekeran – Minister of Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication
Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah – Minister of Water Supply and Drainage
Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitharana – Minister of Science and Technology
Hon. D. E. W. Gunasekera – Minister of Constitutional Affairs & National Integration
Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen – Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services
Hon. P. Dayaratne – Minister of Plan Implementation
Hon. R. M. Dharmadasa Banda – Minister of Supplementary Crops Development
Hon. M.H. Mohomed – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
Hon. John Seneviratne – Minister of Power & Energy
Hon. (Mrs.) Sumedha Jayasena – Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs
Hon. Milroy Fernando – Minister of Public Estate Management & Development
Hon. Jeewan Kumaranatunga – Minister of Land and Land Development
Hon. Dullas Alahaperuma – Minister of Transport
Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi – Minister of Youth Affairs
Hon. Athauda Seneviratne – Minister of Labour Relations and Manpower
Hon. Gamini Lokuge – Minister of Sports and Public Recreation
Hon. Bandula Gunawardena – Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs
Hon. Keheliya Rambukwelle – Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare
Hon. Piyasena Gamage – Minister of Vocational and Technical Training
Hon. R. M. S. B. Navinne – Minister of Rural Industries & Self-Employment Promotion
Hon. Janaka Bandara Tennekoon – Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils
Hon. Felix Perera – Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Hon. R. M. C. B. Rathnayake – Minister of Livestock Development
Hon. Prof. Wiswa Warnapala – Minister of Higher Education
Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa – Minister of Irrigation, Water Management & Minister of Ports and Aviation
Hon. Kumara Welgama – Minister of Industrial Development
Hon. Nandana Gunatilake – Minister of Tourism

According to above list, there are two Ministers responsible for trade in Sri Lanka, Professor Peiris and Bandula Gunawardena. The Minister visiting Manchester on 1st Septemeber 2009 is Professor Peiris who is responsible for Export Development and International Trade, a significant responsibility, yet I cannot find a website dedicated to his Ministry. I will be meeting the Minister during his visit, and plans to have discussions with Trade Commissioner of Sri Lankan High Commission in London about setting up UK Sri Lankan Business Council, which may learn from UK India Business Council, which I am a Board Member of (the North West of Next Gen).

Interesting times lay ahead. Now is the time to get behind the Sri Lankan government to rebuild the whole country not just the affected areas due to terrorism in the past.

Stranded in this spooky town
Stoplight is swaying and the phone lines are down
Snow is crackling cold
She took my heart, I think she took my soul
With the moon I run
Far from the carnage of the fiery sun

Driven by the strangle of vein
Showing no mercy I’d do it again
Open up your eyes
You keep on crying
Baby I’ll bleed you dry
Skies are blinking at me
I see a storm bubbling up from the sea

And it’s coming closer
And it’s coming closer

You shimmy-shook my boat
Leaving me stranded all in love on my own
Do you think of me
Where am I now
Baby where do I sleep
Feels so good but I’m old
2000 years of chasing taking its toll

And it’s coming closer
And it’s coming closer
And it’s coming closer
And it’s coming closer

This newsletter covers:

1. Next Event: Tech StartUps and Digital Advocates – UMIC, Manchester on 22nd July
2. Membership
3. Sponsor an Administrator
4. Your Feedback
5. Partner Events (The Insider, Chinwag and Technology World 2009)
6. Contact Details
7. Our Partners

1. Next Event: Tech StartUps and Digital Advocates

Programme: 22nd July 2009 – 6 to 9pm
Venue: UMIC, Grafton Street, Manchester

Two sessions, each with four early stage technology companies pitching to a panel of digital marketing agencies with the hope of convincing their account directors (digital advocates) to introduce the companies to their clients. 5 mins pitch followed by 10 minutes grilling.

It became clear recently (at Futuresonic09 in May 09, Craig McGinty et al) that marketing agencies lacked knowledge about the innovative digital products launched by UK based tech companies, and especially those based in the North. As early stage tech companies lack commercial credibility necessary for securing medium to large customers, many have not explored the commercial opportunities presented through working with media agencies. This event intends to explore and build partnerships between the tech startups and digital media agencies.

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/jul09

Current Needs:

- Panelists
- Pitching companies
- Sponsors

Costs for attendance:

- Members: £15+VAT
- Non Members: from £25 to £30+VAT
- At door: £40

Costs for pitching:

- Members: £60+VAT
- Non Members: £80+VAT

Includes free entry for two employees including the presenter

2. Northern StartUp 2.0 Membership

Cost: £10+VAT per month and pay £15+VAT per event

NS20 was created to support startups across the north with an ecosystem of peers, investors, service providers and support organisations. With your support the group has grown significantly over the last two and a half years to over 1500 like minded individuals. We hope that you have found it valuable and will continue to do so by becoming a Member. In return for your membership we are offering a range of additional services and benefits:

- Service Discounts: e.g. Accountancy (2 startups signed up) and legal services
- Product Deals: free software for startups through Microsoft BizSpark Programme (4 startups signed up). More deals in discussion
- Digital Content: coming soon
- Training and Workshops: coming soon
- Investment readiness: coming soon
- Corporate finance: coming soon

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/membership

3. Sponsor an Administrator

NS20 has evolved in to one of the key organisations promoting tech entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom. We now need a full time Administrator to help us deliver a consistent service. The revenues we collect from event attendance and odd sponsorsorship are hardly sufficient to cover our costs let alone pay a full-time employee. Therefore we have no choice but to seek new sponsorship towards financing our first employee. We believe we can recruit a young graduate for about £20,000. We are interested in hearing from organisations who might be interested in supporting this initiative.

For more information: http://www.nwstartup20.co.uk/recruitment

4. Feedback

Nick Rhind has come on board to help us improve your on-line experience. Both Nick and I are very much interested in hearing your thoughts on how to improve the website, and appreciate if you could add your thoughts at http://startup20.uservoice.com

5. Partner Events

Business Finance Conference 2009

Date: 29th June 2009
Event registration: http://www.insidermedia.com/event/business_finance_conference_2009/index

The Insider Business Finance Conference will bring together funders with businesses. The Northwest Regional Development Agency will be discussing its new publicly funded Venture Capital and Loan Fund and wider access to finance services at this event. And we want this positive event to introduce businesses and advisers to the wide range of funds available from banks and other financiers in the present market. We will be presenting a day packed with opportunities for banks, the public sector, private businesses, angel investors and leading business figures to meet and learn about the new landscape for business finance in the North West. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to raise finance for businesses or to stimulate growth. It is also at the centre of a major debate about the future of finance and business in the North West.

Chinwag – Digital Mission UK Tour: Manchester

Date: 1st July 2009
Event registration: http://dmmanchester.eventbrite.com/

As part of a series of regional workshops to publicise the Digital Mission trips to the USA in 2009/2010, the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Chinwag will be visiting Manchester on Wednesday,1st July. Digital Missions are a series of trade missions organised by Chinwag and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). They are specifically designed to help UK-headquartered digital SME’s expand internationally, understand foreign markets, attract investment, find partners and develop business relationships. The seminar will be followed by an informal networking session with drinks and nibbles, providing the opportunity to grill any of the speakers or previous attendees that you didn’t catch in the Q&A session.

Technology World 2009

Date: 23rd and 24th November 2009
Conference Site: http://www.technologyworld09.com/

We have negotiated with UKTI for ten stands at heavily discounted prices for our Members. edocr.com will be taking one stand. Stands must be secured before 1st September 2009

As one of the largest technology ‘speed meeting’ events in the UK, Technology World has helped over 500 buyers and sellers to do business each year. The event provides a highly effective platform for companies to identify and build new international business and partnership opportunities. It brings together UK and non-UK based companies from across the globe to do business via a 2 day, focused ‘speed meeting’ event.

+ Stand shell scheme (3X3), including name plate with 3 exhibitor passes. Full price: £800. Our price: £350
+ Pod, one of the three compartments, shared with two other businesses. Full price: £600. Our price: £200
+ Day Delegate, Full Price – 1 Day £100; 2 Day £170. Our price: 1 Day £60; 2 Day £80

As part of the partnership, edocr.com will provide a virtual exhibition (visit http://www.edocr.com/organisation and select Technology > Tech Events > TechnologyWorld09) where you could access marketing collateral of exhibitors before, during and after the conference.

6. Contact Details

Email: Manoj Ranaweera
Mobile: +44 7769734491
Skype: ranaweeram
Twitter: @manojranaweera

Team:

+ Business Development – Phil Tapsell – TechVenture Solutions
+ Marketing – Tom Cheesewright – And Digital
+ Public Relations – Fiona Barker – BarkerPR
+ Website – Nick Rhind – CTI Support Network

7. Our Partners

Do contact if you wish to explore partnering with us either on annual or event basis.

This article was written in response to the story appeared on Telegraph

FACTS:

1.  I organised an event titled "Tech Mission London 09" on 8th June 2009 hosted by Stewart Townsend of Sun Microsystems in London. If there were any deficiencies of the event, then I am the one who should be blamed for such an outcome. I am yet to hear a single negative comment from startups and investors who attended the event.

2. This was the first time that Northern StartUp 2.0 held an event outside the North West, and it formed a critical part of its geographical expansion. After all, eveo Ltd which runs Northern StartUp 2.0 is a commercial entity, setup to develop an ecosystem for early stage tech companies, a wholly owned effort by me, but now supported by the growing community of over 1500, partners and the team. It is also going through a period of transition from a hobby to a commercial organisation. Still at it’s infancy, having run the first event in November 2006, it is perhaps one of the few organisations in the UK, trully committed to developing an environment for tech entrepreneurs to succeed.

3. The key objective of this event was to provide an environment for tech companies and investors from both the north and the south to share knowledge and best practise and explore partnership and investment opportunities. The event featured a keynote speech by Michael Birch, a free-flow workshop (3 break-out groups) and Dragons Lair.

ARTICLE:

According to Milo Yiannopoulos, "Point was to stimulate debate, but I genuinely believe northern companies are crippled by lack of good quality connections and advice. It was a supportive article! Conclusion was that we need to give more support to the North."

PERSONAL OPINIONS:

1. Irrespective of personal emotions, there is a north and south divide in terms of econmic transactions. This is largely due to London been the capital city with superb infrastructure and a very large population living in close proximity. This does not in anyway imply that Southerners are cleverer than the Northerners. The South has produced more startups as well as more successful exits, simply due to the sheer size of the cosmopoliton city, its infrastructure, etc.

2. Northern StartUp 2.0 have drawn speakers from the West and East coasts of America, Europe and London to the North West. We have attracted tier 1 VCs from Internet Capital (New York), Advent Ventures, DFJ Esprit et al to the North West. Michael Birch flew one day before to be part of Tech Mission London and spent well over 8 hours without knowing who would be there. He gave time, because he wants the community to cherish and create successful exits. Having contacted Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce.com), within 48 hours Tim Barker was confirmed as a speaker for our Cloud Computing event held in April 09. We may not be from the South, but we can equally build relationships with exceptional individuals.

3. Tech Mission London 09 was represented by Mark Blackburn, Marketing Manager of Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC). DSIC is key part of the north west ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs. Their aspirations are to create a culture closer to Silicon Valley. And I for one, has been key part of this strategy.

4. In terms of exits, we have number of key successes: Freeserve/Ajaz Ahmed (£1.6 billion to Wanadoo/Orange), Moneysupermarket.com/Simon Nixon (£760 million IPO), Surf Control/Steve Purdham (£204 million to Websense), Transitive/Alasdair Rawsthorne (£’000s million to IBM), Laterooms.com/Chris Allen (£120 million First Choice), plus.net/Lee Strafford (£63 million to BT) to name a few. Some of these individuals are engaging with the tech entrepreneurship community, e.g. Chris Allen is mentoring me with respect to edocr.com, a webmisson08 company.

5. In terms of history, the first computer was invented in Manchester. There is significant wealth in the North West, in particular, once trapped could help accelerate the growth of the tech entrepreneurship community. Others are better qualified to speak about the richness of the North and the hospitability of the people.

RESPONDING TO MILO

1. Northern tech entrepreneurs do not need saving. The event was about exploring mutual opportunities. e.g. It is likely that one of the London based tech startup who attended the event may be funded by one or more investors who attended the event. If I am flippant as Milo, I could argue that humble Northerners came to London to save London tech startups.  Both arguments are absurd to say the least.

2. I am the first one to admit that London is a great environment for tech startups. But if that’s the case, why do we keep seing the same tech startups at event after event? In this respect, London has not quite got it’s act right either. Just because you are based in London, does not automatically warrant success.

OPPORTUNITIES LOST

1. In one respect, being in London is a handicap in terms of competition, as clearly indicated by one of the guest comments. The mobility and willingness of the northern tech entrepreneurs allow them to not just trade in the north, but also be key players in the south without having to be based in the south. As many Southern companies do not venture out, they become the loosing side in terms of competition.

CONCLUSION

As a journalist, Milo is paid on publishing contraversy, as truth is considered boring by the media. Whilst we need the media to promote our activities, we should not be disheartened by such efforts. Thanks to Northern StartUp 2.0 and its partners, the team and growing community, we now have a trully compelling opportunity to create a sustainable ecosystem that any tech entrepreneur can benefit from without having to worry about where s/he is located. If Milo wishes to find out more about regional and national co-operations, there is nothing better than taking part in some of these activities before he brush us with "grim up North".

I have been glued to internet media channels and Twitter since yesterday morning to hear the end of LTTE and Prabhakaran. As the media was regugitating the same story over and over combining it with propaganda from pro-LTTE websites and old information from the UN and others, my frustration continued to grow. I came to the conclusion that the only way to get to the bottom of this story is to actually speak to the Sri Lankan Army.

Around 12:30 hrs UK time on Sunday the 17th May 2009, I telephoned one of my school friends from Sri Lanka, an Army Commanding Officer. He spoke to me about 2kms from the current battle zone. We spoke about the on-going battle and I shared with him how it is viewed by the British poiliticians and the media.

Fighting has not stopped as reported by the media. Yes, the coast line has been liberated as reported. He reckon that there are still about 1000 hardcore fighters left. The cornered group has fought fiercedly yesterday resulting in breaking the group to two, one headed by Prabhakaran’s son, Charles Anthony closer to the coast line and the other near to the lagoon.

He was not able to confirm whether Prabhakaran has been captured or killed. He reported about the diffcult terrain they are facing and seems to have great respect for LTTE’s ability to continue fighting against a well trained and supplied armed force. Just finding way around seems to be difficult due to the land full of shrubs, marshi lands and trees.

Whilst there was so much to speak, I did not really want to take too much of his time, as he has a battle to win. He could not also understand why the media and British politicians are so against eradicating terrorism from Sri Lanka. The only conclusion I can draw is that Labour MPs are scared of loosing votes due to the large Tamil population in the UK.

So what is next? The belief is that the remaining land will be liberated over the next couple of days, as almost all civilians have now been rescued by the Armed forces. I asked about the Channel 4 allegations about the rapes and killings. And this is what he had to say:

Sri Lankan army is a professional army. We are all Sri Lankans. The devastation caused by LTTE over the years is very hard to take in. The Army genuinely been active in saving everyone they could. People rescued by the Army include women and children and the sick and some of them walking with very severe wounds with infestations. Soldiers just want to help them.

Whilst my thoughts were similar, he was the first to say that the real battle starts after defeating the LTTE. Everything has to be rebuilt requiring a mammoth investment. Whilst Tamils, Sinhalease and Muslims live peacefully in the rest of the country, first the land has to be de-mined, infrastructre and houses built, before civilians can be allowed to return to their towns and villages.

The sooner we finish with Prabhakaran and his LTTE, the better for Sri Lankans and the humanity.

Tags: LTTE, Sri Lanka, Sri lankan Army, battle

Northern StartUp 2.0 is becoming a much discussed topic these days within the tech entrepreneur community in the North of England. Among those who have spent few hours trying to understand, why a 41 year old man is so excited about Manchester and the tech scene is none other than Mr. Imran Hakim who is perhaps best known as Mr. iTeddy, since he appeared on our TV screen requesting funding for a startup from a tough looking bunch of business angels, known as BBC Dragons.

Whilst these two characters are trying to work out the next steps in collaboration, it is interesting to note their three key differences, these being:

1. 31 years vs. 41 years (both yet to hit these later this year)
2. Over achiever vs. under achiever (very subjective, of course)
3. Twitter amateur vs. Twitter savvy (this may have something to do with selection of mobile phones used)

Here are three common traits observed by the older chap:

1. Unlimited energy (what is he thinking at 41?)
2. Asian (the young guy keep saying, are you not Indian then? Yes, I know it is shocking)
3. Passionate about Manchester (according to a recent Twitter poll, the older chap has no chance of becoming a Mancunian after living in Manchester for nearly 9 years)

On the 3rd note, the older chap has not yet decided on which football team to support since earlier days of supporting Newcasle United when it was promoted to premiership in mid 90s, whilst living and working in there.

So here is an extract of what Smarta is saying about this young lad from Bolton:

Imran controls a diverse business portfolio which includes a lens laboratory, spectacle frame distribution, optical retailing, management, recruitment and most recently a toy company with the development of iTeddy. His business experience ranges from restructuring existing loss-making businesses out of administration to become successful and profitable operations – to successfully negotiating licensing arrangements with global brands including Reebok, Longines and Revlon in order to secure distribution rights within given territories.

In his spare time, Imran works to encourage entrepreneurship, through speaking engagements and mentoring young entrepreneurs. He is now an active member of TIE, UKIBC, NWIDF and Bolton Primary Care Trust. He has also teamed up with fellow entrepreneur Ben Way, incubating and investing in start-up companies through ‘The Rainmakers’.

Tags: imran hakim, iteddy