Author: lbostgadmin
Changing Winds
Shifting its revenue balance away from interest-income, Seylan Bank will introduce new fee-based products to its current product offer. SeyLink, its version of bancassurance was launched this week in this effort, with its group company Ceylinco Life, to offer life assurance and other life related products to customers in over 60 branches.rn rnThe service has […]
Seamless Exit
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, rolled out its new global electronic ticketing system last week, ushering in coupon-free travel to and from Colombo and 26 other destinations throughout its global network. This will provide Emirates passengers travelling to and from Sri Lanka with a convenient, secure and paper-less ticket option for the first time.rn rnEmirates […]
Green Exchange
The Banks Public Debt Dept., sought offers from the market to raise US$ 250 mn worth of Sri Lanka Development Bonds.rn rnThe Central Bank will roll over US$ 91.5 mn worth of paper when it comes up for renewal on June 28 and issue fresh bills for the balance US$ 158.5 mn. rn rnThe issue, […]
Breaking The Ban
Sri Lankas Tamil Tigers have asked India to reconsider its extension of a ban on the rebels imposed over the assassination of former premier Rajiv Gandhi.The Tamil National Alliance, the rebels proxies in parliament, said the ban raised the concern of the islands minority Tamils about Indias commitment to ending the three decades of bloodshed […]
Upside Down
The government is taking a second look at the labour retrenchment package due to stiff opposition from unions and employers, a top minister said.The previous government pushed through a labour retrenchment formula together with an insurance scheme in the guise of an 18-month dole.rn rnIn the run up to Aprils polls, the former Labour Minister […]
Distant Lights
Light House Hotel is hoping to double its earnings for the current financial, though somewhat restrained by limitations in room capacity, a broker report says.Earnings by Light House grew steadily during the last couple of years and the nine months results of the financial year 2004 have already hit the full year 2003 levels.rn rnldblquote […]
Running Late
The government component in the proposed Colombo South Harbour projects has propelled to about US$ 300 million from around US$ 220 million quoted earlier.The new Freedom Alliance Government is expected to start courting bilateral donors for the funds by June.rn rnThe additional costs are to cover reclamation work in the proposed port, space that will […]
Steady Walk
A growth in fee-based income and faster recoveries helped the Bank of Ceylon double its bottomline for the quarter ending March 31, 2004.The state-run banks net profits jumped 109.6 percent to Rs. 371 mn, over Rs. 177 mn reported during the corresponding period 2003.rn rnBut the banks revenue was flat during the year at Rs. […]
Aid Direct
The World Bank handed out Rs. 4 million of grant money directly to eight non-governmental organizations recently.This model of directly supporting community-based work is a new concept promoted by the World Bank who in the past has only directly lent to governments.rn rnThe bank says there were over 300 applications of which they chose 8 […]
Staying On Top
Management experts say the rapidly changing business environment is pushing organizations to constantly restructure to stay ahead.Companies in Sri Lanka they say need to focus more on the special skills of people to be competitive in the global economy.rn rnldblquote Leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship are the areas we need to improve ourselves in. Historically we […]
Sams View
India and Pakistan were the main beneficiaries in moves by the United Sates to have South Asian allies after the events on September 11. International affairs experts say that smaller but more open Sri Lanka is also seeing some spin-off effects of US moves to push its agenda.The United States is the largest donor in […]
’85
Colombo is unusual for a capital city in having a large number of wetlands.rnAround Kotte for example a number of wetlands still remain.rnBut these natural assets are deteriorating by the day. rnWhile in developed countries billions are being spent on re-creating nature reserves to enhance the quality of life of city dwellers, Sri Lankans are […]