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Celltel, the countrys No 2 mobile operator announced plans to invest US$4 million to increase coverage. This is the companys 4th phase of expansion.rn rnCelltel hopes to grow its network to 250 base stations and improve coverage in the south coast. rn rnPhase 5, which is to begin early next year, will more than double […]
Lacy Trimmings
When the mighty forces join hands, the results are potent. The House of MAS Holdings and The House of Noyon Dentelle de Calais of France have teamed up. The holy alliance will strengthen Sri Lankas position as a global centre for intimate wear apparel endash a far cry from King Kashyapas time when the comely […]
Shoot Out
State officials and peace brokers search for fresh avenues to drive through a lasting peace settlement with the separatist Tamil rebel faction holding on to most of the North and East of the island. rn rnAs another day ends without significant progress with the peace process, Sri Lanka prepares for another battle endash the fight […]
System Shutdown – Updated
A court injunction brought on by CINTEC staff, has blocked the wind-up of the former IT regulator.About 18 of its staff members took the regulator and the state to courts, calling their dismissal unfair and without warning.rn rnGoverning authorities had offered an early retirement scheme, with maximum compensation ranging between Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 600,000, […]
Frequent Flyer
SriLankan Airlines will add two more A340s to its fleet to cater to growing passenger numbers in the coming winter season. The fleet expansion will allow SriLankan to add eight more frequencies to key European destinations and Malaysia.rn rnOfficials say they are anticipating a significant pick up in demand on the routes where frequencies were […]
First Draft
Finance Minister K N Choksy told parliament on Wednesday that the government hopes to spend Rs. 352.7 bn in 2004 for development work.rnrnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 1rnrnrnrnrn Ofrnthis, Rs. 209.1 bn will be spent on recurrent expenses to maintain publicrnservices and Rs. 143.6 bn on capital expenses.rn Capitalrnexpenditure on foreign funded projects will be raised to Rs. […]
Bush Tourism
The tea plantation industry has identified 20 estate bungalows as potential sites for boutique tourist retreats. Mooted in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the project is also encouraging other plantation companies to diversify into tourism under an Asian Development Bank project that is looking to spread the risk and increase the profit centres […]
Quick Fix
Ceylon Hospitals Ltd., the owning company of Durdans Hospitals, plans to use some of its IPO proceeds to expand its satellite labs.The hospital is raising Rs. 240 mn this month to retire some debt, add another 27 beds and put in new state-of-the-art equipment.rn rnThe hospital is offering 4.5 mn voting shares at Rs. 25 […]
Water Test
A forward market interface for the agro sector is part of an initial set of ten pilot projects, picked to kick off the e-Sri Lanka initiative. The pilot projects will test the waters before embarking on a grand scale migration towards electronic information dissemination, rural and state sector empowerment.rn rnThe Information Communications and Technology Agency […]
Growth Cell
Cellular operator Celltel Lanka, pumped in a further US$ 4 mn to beef up its capacity and extend its reach along the South and Eastern coast.The fourth phase of its GSM expansion, will see the countrys second largest cellular operator increase its base stations from 170 towns to 250 towns.rn rnCelltel, which pioneered the pre-paid […]