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Guinea Pigs
State-run Bank of Ceylon has picked up the mandate to manage surplus government cash in excess of Rs. 10 billion, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday. State-run Bank of Ceylon has picked up the mandate to manage surplus government cash in excess of Rs. 10 billion, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday. The surplus funds of government corporations are […]
Weak Signals
Fixed line giant Sri Lanka Telecom reported a 55 percent drop in its after tax profits, on the back of higher operating costs and provisions to the telecom development fund. Fixed line giant Sri Lanka Telecom reported a 55 percent drop in its after tax profits, on the back of higher operating costs and provisions […]
No Room
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health is trying to broad base mental health treatment facilities, because mental hospitals have run out of room.Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health is trying to broad base mental health treatment facilities, because mental hospitals have run out of room. “We are trying to open hospitals in the periphery and at least […]
Next Stop
An August 01 railway fare hike will cut the commuter service’s losses by an estimated Rs.500 mn, but increasing recurrent costs could keep losses high. An August 01 railway fare hike will cut the commuter service’s losses by an estimated Rs. 500 mn, but increasing recurrent costs could keep losses high. Railway’s General Manager Priyal […]
Foggy Policies
Slow port development is the threat to the local economy, not Sethusamudram, say local ship agents.Slow port development is the threat to the local economy, not Sethusamudram, say local ship agents. “Sethusamudram is not a threat to the Colombo port, if the Colombo South port, behind SAGT, is ready by 2009,” said Chairman of the […]
Re-dial
Dialog on Tuesday tapped HSBC for a Rs. 2.46 bn five year loan to pay back its Malaysian parent. Dialog on Tuesday tapped HSBC for a Rs. 2.46 bn five year loan to pay back its Malaysian parent. The loan carries a SLIBOR +1.4 percent interest payable over the five year period in equal semi […]
Tighten Belts
Asia will feel the weight of economic adjustments in China and the US, warns Asian banking giant HSBC.Asia will feel the weight of economic adjustments in China and the US, warns Asian banking giant HSBC. Addressing the local business community in Sri Lanka, HSBC’s chief economist for the Asia Pacific region, Arup Raha said monetary […]
Laughing Gas
Laugfs Gas will cut Rs. 101 off its 12.5 kg retail cylinder price, after the Govt., last week removed the 15% VAT Value Added Tax) on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).Laugfs Gas will cut Rs. 101 off its 12.5 kg retail cylinder price, after the Govt., last week removed the 15% VAT Value Added Tax) on […]
Lease Tease
Leasing companies and mortgage banks are raising more money through debt issues to take advantage of higher demand for credit and to cap their own interest rates. Leasing companies and mortgage banks are raising more money through debt issues to take advantage of higher demand for credit and to cap their own interest rates. However […]
Sri Lankan rupee heads down faster than expected
Sri Lanka’s exchange rate has started to depreciate faster despite the Central Bank using its reserves to defend the currency.Sri Lanka’s exchange rate has started to depreciate faster despite the Central Bank using its reserves to defend the currency. From November 2003 the Sri Lanka rupee fell rapidly as government fiscal discipline slipped and dollar […]