Category: Banking and Finance

Air Sahara will begin charter flights to Colombo from New Delhi on Friday, becoming the first domestic carrier to fly out of India. This follows a recent decision to deregulate Indo-Lanka travel after the last meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.rn rnTravel Director of Air Saharas local agent Jetwing, Sunil Pieris, says […]

MasterCard International on Thursday came out with a credit card primarily designed for Sri Lankas burgeoning teenage market.Hatton National Bank, its local partner hopes teenagers would make use of this opportunity to learn basic banking habits of accountability, responsibility, ownership and financial discipline.rn rnAptly named lquote Hot Shots, the card is targeting teens over 15 […]

Hatton National Bank Ltd said on Thursday nine-month group profits nearly tripled as it notched gains from its bond portfolio and saw a pick up in credit demand. Group post-tax profits jumped 229 percent to Rs.1.192 bn for the nine months ending September 30, 2003, from Rs. 368.532 mn during the corresponding period.rn rnRevenues during […]

Hatton National Bank, had its long-term national rating, down graded to SL A- by Fitch Ratings Lanka on Thursday.This decision comes after HNB was put on a ratings watch in July, to allow Fitch to do a review on the banks capital.rn rnldblquote The rating reflects the banks weaker capital position, due to a relatively […]

Tourism officials played down government claims of 2000 tourists cancelling bookings, after political chaos and reports of beefed up security.ldblquote So far we have had some 2000 tourists cancel their bookings and more cancellations pouring in dblquote , Cabinet spokesperson Professor G L Peiris told reporters on Thursday.rn rnPeiriss comments come, just two days after […]

Effective steps to create a tax compliance culture, focus revenue generation measures where there is a capacity to pay and to target relief measures where they would have the greatest impact, are among a comprehensive set of recommendations by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for the forthcoming national budget.The countrys premier national accountancy body has […]

Union Assurance Ltd has reported an upsurge in net profits, largely aided by its booming investment portfolio.For the nine months ending September 2003, the insurance firm says its net profits shot up 2,300 percent to Rs. 99.7 mn.rn rnThe investment portfolio which belongs to its Life and General fund, grew 31.7 percent to Rs. 3.4 […]

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has pumped in Rs. 100 mn to upgraded its IT infrastructure and processes, with one of the latest retail banking solutions in the world, to underpin future growth and expansion initiatives.The bank has installed the ICBS (International Comprehensive Banking System) Version 7.2 developed by Fiserv, which has been designed to […]

Insurance regulator with the national accounting body is trying to put forward a recommended accounting practice for the insurance industry.The Recommended Accounting Practice Guidelines will be short of an accounting standard, but could be adapted as one later.rn rnThe move with the cooperation of the insurance industry is primarily aimed at streamlining accounting practices and […]

Central Bank Governor called for the adoption of International Accounting Standards in the countrys bid to become a financial center for the region.While local accounting standards are derived from the IAS, firms interested in foreign cross listings or raising funds abroad still have to publish accounts in accordance with international standards.rn rnldblquote Sri Lanka Accounting […]

The Employees Trust Fund on Wednesday signed on with Seylan Bank to offer low cost housing loans to its 2.2 mn members.The state provident fund has lent Rs.250 mn to Seylan Bank initially, with a promise to raise the limit, depending on the banks performance.rn rnTo be eligible for the lquote Viyana housing loan scheme, […]

Policy makers could slap on a windfall tax on commercial banks if they dont narrow their interest rate spread within six weeks. Prof. G.L Peiris told reporters on Thursday that commercial banks are slow to comply with the governments strategy to achieve single digit lending rates.rn rnIn addition, Prof. Peiris says the wide interest rate […]