Category: Banking and Finance

The Finance Ministry on Thursday appointed former Supreme Court Judge Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama as Sri Lanka’s first tax ombudsman.The Finance Ministry on Thursday appointed former Supreme Court Judge Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama as Sri Lanka’s first tax ombudsman. A Ministry statement said the appointment was in keeping with the 2005 budget proposal to appoint an independent […]

Mercantile Leasing Limited on Friday said its Board had approved a deal to merger with Nations Trust Bank.Mercantile Leasing Limited on Friday said its Board had approved a deal to merger with Nations Trust Bank. News of the merger pushed Mercantile Leasing shares up Rs.2.25 to Rs. 62.25 towards the close of trade. Shares in […]

Commercial Bank picked up its fifth consecutive Bank of the Year award given out by British magazine “The Banker”.Commercial Bank picked up its fifth consecutive Bank of the Year award given out by British magazine “The Banker”. A Commercial Bank statement on Wednesday said the magazine’s annual ratings, published in its September 2005 issue, followed […]

Sri Lanka’s main opposition warns that the current round of pre-election value-added-tax cuts would lead to more inflation in the future. Sri Lanka’s main opposition warns that the current round of pre-election value-added-tax cuts would lead to more inflation in the future. The United National Party charged that the VAT removal of diesel, LP gas […]

National Savings Bank (NSB) says deposit growth has slowed despite its strong franchise as a credit rating agency warned of higher market risk because the bank has subscribed to more government rupee securities.National Savings Bank (NSB) says deposit growth has slowed despite its strong franchise as a credit rating agency warned of higher market risk […]

The Asian Tsunami tragedy has already attracted around US$ 9 billion in money and other aid to the region but experts say systems and internal controls to manage this outpouring is not up to mark.The Asian Tsunami tragedy has already attracted around US$ 9 billion in money and other aid to the region but experts […]

The government says its top priority will be to increase infrastructure investment as it stated the budget making process for next year.The government says its top priority will be to increase infrastructure investment as it stated the budget making process for next year. Years of underinvestment by successive governments especially in rural infrastructure have contributed […]

State-run National Savings Bank’s credit profile could take a beating if the government continues to pump in low interest bearing rupee loans, Fitch Ratings Lanka said in a report on Wednesday.State-run National Savings Bank’s credit profile could take a beating if the government continues to pump in low interest bearing rupee loans, Fitch Ratings Lanka […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]