Category: Companies
Lotus Renewables buys Hatton Plantations (HPL) in Rs1bn deal
May 28, 2019 (LBO) – Lotus Renewable Energy Group (LREG) has bought control of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) listed Hatton Plantations (HPL) in a Rs1bn stock market deal. LREG has purchased controlling interest in HPL for just over LKR 1bn at Rs8.3/share. They will be making a mandatory offer for the remaining outstanding shares at […]
Sri Lanka JKH revenue up 12-pct: EBITDA down 11-pct
May 28, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells Group’s revenue increased by 12 percent to 135.46 billion rupees while recurring earnings before interest expense, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 11 percent to 25.67 billion rupees, for the financial year 2018/19. Company’s Chairman, Krishan Balendra said in his review, “The decline in recurring […]
Safety of all passengers onboard is our highest priority: SriLankan Airlines
Statement from SriLankan Airlines Colombo May 27, 2019: SriLankan Airlines wishes to clarify and place on record certain facts with regard to a Social Media post that is currently being circulated on all mainstream social media; made by a SriLankan Airlines’ passenger on UL 605 from Melbourne to Colombo operated on the 23rd of May […]
BOI & Hutchison Lanka signs deal to set up warehouse facility to strengthen telco infrastructure
May 27, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment on Monday said they signed a supplementary Agreement with Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka to permit the enterprise to set up a warehouse facility to be used for storage at Diyabula Estate, Wattala. The Agreement was signed on behalf of the BOI by Mangala Yapa, Chairman of […]
Strong possibility of a rate cut; interest rate decline to boost stock market: Capital Trust
May 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy has hinted a strong possibility of a policy rate cut at the next monetary policy review meeting scheduled on 31 May 2019. According to the Governor there is a strong case for relaxing monetary policy. “All options are there, it could be a […]
‘s shareholding in JKH nears 10%
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Harry Jayawardena, perhaps Sri Lanka’s wealthiest man, now controls close to 10% of the outstanding shares in Sri Lanka’s most important company. The latest published shareholder list of John Keells Holdings (JKH) states that Melstacorp PLC is a 9.8% shareholder in the company as of March 31, 2019. Jayawardena controlled […]
Fitch upgrades Union & Cargills Banks; affirms 5 small & mid-sized Sri Lanka banks
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of Union Bank of Colombo to ‘BBB-(lka)’ from ‘BB+(lka)’ and of Cargills Bank to ‘A-(lka)’ from ‘BB(lka)’ with stable outlooks. The agency has also affirmed the National Long-Term Ratings of Amana Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation, SANASA Development […]
IMF wants SEC to streamline enforcement program; expedite high-profile criminal actions
May 23, 2019 (LBO) – International Monetary Fund (IMF) advises Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to streamline the current enforcement program and bring several high-profile criminal actions soon that will have a positive impact on the public’s confidence in the SEC as a regulator. Releasing the technical assistance report for enhancing the […]
CBSL intends to cut ownership limits of LFCs to 25-pct; invites stakeholder inputs
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank invites stakeholders to submit observations on the drafted master plan that intends to introduce ownership limits to the Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs). The Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions (DSNBFI) is in the process of introducing ownership limits for LFCs to strengthen the corporate governance […]
Hayleys revenue up 34-pct YoY to Rs.219Bn in FY 18/19
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hayleys PLC, group revenue expanded by 34 percent yoy to 219 billion rupees while operating profit before interest increased by 40 percent yoy to 15.9 billion rupees in the financial year ended 31st March 2019 (FY18/19). The group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FY […]
‘s private sector took a Pledge for Unity
May 21, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector representatives on Tuesday took a Pledge for Unity that they will work towards the goal of uniting people and inspire everyone in the country to do the same. The pledge was taken in all three languages by over 300 corporates who assembled for that purpose at […]
Ceylinco Life investment income grows by 16-pct to Rs.2.9Bn in Q1 2019
May 21, 2019 (LBO) – Steady growth of its life insurance business and strong investment gains have enabled Ceylinco Life to generate total income of 7.17 billion rupees in the first quarter of 2019, achieving healthy growth of 10.7 percent over the corresponding three months of last year. The life insurer has reported that premium […]