Author: lbostgadmin
Boom Times
The Seylan Merchant Bank (SMB) Groups earnings doubled for the first quarter ending March 31, boosted by its booming leasing portfolio.In results released this week, SMB Group reported a consolidated post-tax profit of Rs 10.4 million, up 100.30 per cent from the Rs 5.2 million reported in the first quarter of 2003.rn rnNet Interest Income […]
Hello There
Competition just got louder in the local telecom industry with Indian telco giant VSNL stepping up its operations in Sri Lanka. VSNL on Monday formally launched its international data and voice services here for the corporate and retail markets.rn rnHowever, VSNL has been busy behind the scene capturing overseas voice business since last year, when […]
Comeback
A draft Companies Act, thrown out by the former Government will be brought back to replace the 1980s piece of legislation governing businesses in Sri Lanka.Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told Lanka Business Online that plans to draw up a fresh draft was dropped by the Alliance Government.rn rnInstead the Government will move […]
Easy Game
Prasanna has just gotten himself registered with a lquote get rich quick scheme. He had to pay Rs. 3,000 to a company claiming to operate the world famous lquote Pentagono scheme.rnrn In return he has got three vouchers, which hernintends to sell to three of his friends.rn ldblquote My nephew sold me a voucher for […]
Gold Probe
Several persons who joined the referral marketing plan of the GoldQuest numismatics company, have been reportedly quizzed by the Central Bank for possible violations of Exchange Control regulations by the illegal use of credit cards.rnrn Central Banks Exchange Control Director, H ArnG Hettiarachchi confirmed that the Department was investigating creditrncardholders who made paymentsrnfor third parties […]
Clean Deal
Commercial Bank of Ceylon will scrap the commission charged on cheques drawn on its outstation branches starting June 1, 2004.This means that recipients of Commercial Banks outstation cheques will henceforth receive the full face value on these cheques.rn rnThis move supplements the existing practice where the commission on outstation cheques of other banks deposited with […]
Return of the Pharaohs
Central Bank has drafted new laws to combat pyramid schemes that are mushrooming around the country.Pyramid schemes use the same structure as multi-level marketing (MLM) where one entrant is required to bring in two or more recruits by the sale of a product or a voucher.rn rnBut Sri Lanka does not yet have specific provisions […]
No Pity for Prima
Treasury officials and monopoly flour distributor Prima were in talks to obtain a promised government subsidy while regulatory pressure was put on the company to keep flour prices down.The flour subsidy is one among the many subsidies the government is keen to maintain to shield consumers from rising international market prices.rn rnBut critics say the […]
Have Courage
The ADB says it is watching the economic management of Sri Lanka with much interest and called for lquote efficiency in economic management and lquote courage in policy making. rnrnVisiting ADB Vice President Mr Liqun Jin said the ADB would like to see ldblquote efficiency in economic management and courage in policymaking in Sri Lanka, […]
Chef De Plane
SriLankan Airlines Catering will tap the market for US$ 22.5 million to fund its new in-flight catering kitchen in Katunayake.A Commercial Bank led consortium is to finalise the borrowing plan, repayable over seven years, SriLankan Catering CEO Dilip Nijhawan told Lanka Business OnlineThe automated kitchen will cost a total of about US$ 25 million and […]
Scouting Trip
A delegation from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will be in town next week, to weigh Sri Lankas eligibility for assistance from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). A delegation from MCC will visit Sri Lanka from June 1- 5, the US Embassy said Friday.rn rnThe MCC is a U.S. Government corporation created in January, to […]
Aid Tied Down
An international donors meeting on Sri Lanka next week is expected to push for a resumption of peace talks between Colombo and Tamil Tiger rebels, the US State Department said.rnThe meeting in Brussels will be among Norway, Japan, the European Union and the United States, which are leading efforts to drum up financial aid for […]