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Next Leap
Cellular operator Mobitel plans to triple its customer base with the launch of digital services from next month.The Mobile operator has already got the nod from its parent SLT to rise up to US$ 50 mn in the capital market for the expansion.rn rnThe roll out is to be backed by a corporate guarantee by […]
Yo-Yo Reforms
The Asian Development Bank warned on Saturday that the governments rocky relationship with the powerful executive presidency is stalling economic reforms.“The absence of a bipartisan process makes it more difficult for us to be comfortable as to whether key reforms will take place,” ADBs Country Director, John Cooney told a media briefing.rn rnThe countrys present […]
On The Edge
Peoples Bank is waiting for a fresh lquote letter of comfort from the Treasury to sign off its 2002 financial statements.The Treasury last issued the letter on April 3 2002, but subsequently withdrew it, with the hope of finding fresh investors for Peoples Bank.rn rnThe bank has halved its Rs. 6 bn negative networth, after […]
Cash Connect
New interconnection rules came into effect on Friday, setting the ground work for external gateway operators to negotiate network access. rnrnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 1rn rnrnrnrnrn The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) on Monday rnissued the first batch of 21 External Gateway Operator (EGO) licences. rn rn EGOs are required to negotiate interconnection rates, rnpermission to terminate
Twisted Pair
Sri Lanka Telecoms (SLT) Japanese stakeholder NTT Communication says the government has violated is shareholders agreement by allowing new players into the international voice market.In a letter to the Mass Communications Ministrys Secretary on Friday, NTT says its fresh agreement with the government signed in November 2002 gave assurances that ldblquote no licences shall be […]
Last Round
A top IFC official who is on a routine visit to Sri Lanka, signed the deal this evening.rn rnUnder the agreement, IFCs will be represented on Commercial Banks board by a single board seat.rn rnCommercial Bank will also buy back 5 percent of its shares held by SLIC to start an employee share trust.rn rnBoth […]
Moving On
Mobitel will install a 200,000 line island wide GSM network by August, the first stage in its migration from its existing TDMA backbone. The migration could see mobile tapping the local financial market to raise the US $ 50 million it requires for the infrastructure project.rn rn”We are still evaluating sources of funding and raising […]
Final Call
Sri Lanka Telecom is moving towards a two-tier tariff band to encourage people to talk more and pay less.The proposal forms part of its bigger plan for a 15 percent overall tariff increase.rn rnThe telecom giant submitted its fifth and final tariff-rebalancing proposal to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) last July.rn rnSLT also wants the […]
High Jump
Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd on Wednesday notched a 25 percent profit growth and said it was taking a bold step to move towards triple bottomline reporting.Sri Lankas most profitable private bank said its turnover topped Rs. 8.1 bn, and post tax profits clocked in Rs. 1.3 bn during the period under review.rn rnldblquote We […]
Riding High
Citibank NA Sri Lanka branch topped the honours list by securing a SL AAA (Triple A) national rating from Fitch Ratings Lank for its implied unsecured senior debt.This is the first time a local bank has secured a Triple A rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka (FRL).rn rnldblquote A Triple A rating means we are resilient […]