Four Musketeers

A deal finalised on Wednesday will transfer Rohan Pereras 54 percent holding in Pramuka Merchant to a four-man consortium.The paperwork is being processed, say the new shareholders, who plan to hold an emergency meeting in early February.rn rnSources estimate that the consortium put in over Rs. 5 million for the stake and expect a name […]

Gambling Ethics

Sri Lankas only two lottery firms are sprucing up their act as the private sector readies to take up the gamble. On Tuesday the National Lotteries Board (NLB), the dominant player, announce a series of self regulation measures and sales strategies aimed at propping up its annual earnings to Rs. 6.2 billion at the end […]

Other Options

State run Peoples Bank is looking at alternative options if its proposed capital raising exercise fails to attract the necessary funds.The bank needs Rs. 13.5 bn to cover past losses of around Rs.6 bn and bring its Tier I capital in line with local standards.rn rnTalks with the IMF and World Bank teams last week […]

Hands Off

The government is building barriers between politicians and state banks to prevent directed lending that eventually goes bad, a top official said.ldblquote Weve tried hard, as a matter of policy, to build a wall between independent autonomous boards of management of government banks and politicians, dblquote Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte said at an International micro-finance […]

Beware!!

The Central Bank on Tuesday announced a list of firms that were mobilizing public funds without Monetary Boards consent.Naming these institutions is part of the banks efforts to warn depositors not to part with their funds in un-regulated institutions.rn rnThe warning list includes: Common Investment Finance Co; D J Finance Co; Economic & Rural Resource […]

Rupee Hunt

Commercial Bank on Friday said it is raising Rs. 4 bn to meet general business expansion and redeem its Rs.500 mn debenture, which matures this year.Three billion rupees will be raised through five-year subordinated, unsecured, redeemable debentures, which carries an option of a fixed or floating interest rate.rn rnThe floating rate issue is priced at […]

Legal Blitz

Pramuka Banks Directors on Friday filed a writ application at the Appeals Court to overturn Monetary Boards decision to liquidate the bank.The move comes as Central Bank informed Janashakthi Capital to send a list of financial details they require of Pramuka Bank.rn rnOn behalf of Pramukas shareholders, Janashakthi Capital on Monday sought Central Banks approval […]

Buying Time

Distressed depositors of Pramuka Bank on Thursday secured a stay order to stop Central Bank from liquidating the failed savings and development bank.Thursdays court ruling prevents monetary authorities from going ahead with liquidation procedures until February 21.rn rnDepositors claim that Central Bank cancelled Pramukas licence without taking the interest of depositors or creditors.rn rnThe petitioners […]

Helping Hand

State run Peoples Bank plans to use its extensive pawning network as broader base to popularise micro finance activities throughout the country.With technical help from the German Technical Cooperations Rural Banking Innovations Project, the bank has todate lent over Rs. 350 mn since 1998. This makes it one of the largest public banking institutions in […]

Baton Change

Pramuka Banks key shareholders on Monday evening gave the Janashakthi Group the mandate to look at the possibility of resurrecting the troubled development and savings bank.Janashakthi is currently the largest Pramuka shareholder controlling 13.5 percent in the name of the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), and Acland Holdings Ltd.rn rnJanashakthi Capital, who will handle Pramukas affairs, […]

Two Suitors

Two local investor groups are talking to Peoples Bank to give it a badly needed equity injection while the government is seeking donor assistance for further reforms of the bank.The bank, which had its capital wiped out due to bad lending practices in the past, has been looking for up to thirteen billion rupees in […]

Whos Fault?

Pramuka Employees are accusing the banks auditors KPMG of certifying accounts, which were not true and fair when there were massive accounting frauds. They are particularly concerned about the illegal provident fund.ldblquote The audited accounts pertaining to Pramuka Bank have not portrayed a true and fair view of its state of affairs, dblquote says Sunimal […]

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