Category: Banking and Finance

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has put aside Rs.25 mn to set up a social responsibility trust to foster community development projects islandwide.Sri Lanka’s most profitable privately held bank said it would contribute one percent of its post tax profits each year to feed the Trust. For the six months ending June 30, the Commercial Bank […]

Fitch Ratings Lanka has assigned an AA-(sri) entity rating for DFCC Vardhana Bank, a subsidiary of DFCC Bank.Fitch Ratings Lanka has assigned an AA-(sri) entity rating for DFCC Vardhana Bank, a subsidiary of DFCC Bank. With a ‘stable ratings outlook’, an AA- (sri) rating indicates low credit risk and a strong capacity to honour financial […]

Hayleys AIG insurance says an expression by Ceylinco Insurance to acquire its life business has been passed down to its shareholders; the AIG group and local conglomerate Hayleys.Hayleys AIG insurance says an expression by Ceylinco Insurance to acquire its life business has been passed down to its shareholders; the AIG group and local conglomerate Hayleys. […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the national accounting body ICASL will introduce a new governance code for listed companies with some mandatory provisions.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the national accounting body ICASL will introduce a new governance code for listed companies with some mandatory provisions. A co-chair of the ICASL and […]

Government gave strong indication that prices of diesel will go up soon saying Sri Lanka can’t afford the current “subsidy binge”.Government gave strong indication that prices of diesel will go up soon saying Sri Lanka can’t afford the current “subsidy binge”. The Finance Minister also said plans to get a third player for down stream […]

The Inland Revenue says a new tax – the Economic Service Charge (ESC) – will be enforced on companies from next week.The Inland Revenue says a new tax – the Economic Service Charge (ESC) – will be enforced on companies from next week. “We will advertise for companies to pay next week,” said Commissioner of […]

Sri Lankan firms are now allowed to buy shares or convertible debentures in Indian companies under Foreign Direct Investments, the Reserve Bank of India said Tuesday.Sri Lankan firms are now allowed to buy shares or convertible debentures in Indian companies under Foreign Direct Investments, the Reserve Bank of India said Tuesday. The move is subject […]

The Mahapola Trust Fund will test its luck at the lotteries game again, with a court injunction against its partnership with US lotteries operator GTECH Holdings withdrawn in August. The Mahapola Trust Fund will test its luck at the lotteries game again, with a court injunction against its partnership with US lotteries operator GTECH Holdings […]

Ceylinco Insurance says it is in talks with Hayleys AIG to acquire its life insurance business in Sri Lanka.Ceylinco Insurance says it is in talks with Hayleys AIG to acquire its life insurance business in Sri Lanka. Hayleys AIG, which has over 6,000 life policyholders at present, plans to concentrate on general insurance in the […]

Local financial sector, dominated by banks, has been growing at a healthy pace for decades.Local financial sector, dominated by banks, has been growing at a healthy pace for decades. Over the last five years banks with their access to cheap deposits have also made in-roads to specialized areas in the financial sector like leasing. The […]

The government is expected to give its verdict on People’s Bank’s restructuring proposal in three-weeks time detailing capital injection plans.The government is expected to give its verdict on People’s Bank’s restructuring proposal in three-weeks time detailing capital injection plans. The technically insolvent bank is asking to issue long-term convertible bonds to meet Central Bank’s minimum […]

President Chandrika Kumaratunga says pyramid style network marketing schemes have drained over US$ 50 mn from the country and warned tough action against government officials who promote them.President Chandrika Kumaratunga says pyramid style network marketing schemes have drained over US$ 50 mn from the country and warned tough action against government officials who promote them. […]