Category: Industry
Jetlag
Tough competition from bus services plying the North and East routes and the expected slowdown in the number of Sri Lankan expatriates returning to catch a glimpse of their once time home could force local operators to absorb the increased cost of jet fuel and keep ticket prices at the current levels. A senor official […]
Risk Return
In its strategy to concentrate its resources to grow its core competencies, the John Keells Group is outsourcing its entire insurance portfolio to Delmege Insurance Brokers.The Delmege-AON partnership that won the contract, will be called on to provide, in addition to regular insurance, specialized services including risk management, loss control and business consultancy.rn rnThe Keells […]
Spoilt Brats
The latest threat to Colombos privileged is small, pesky and deadly. Municipal authorities reveal that Colombo citys better off are under attack by dengue mosquitoes.rnrnThe Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) says that 70 percent of all reported dengue cases in Colombo now come from upper and middle class families.rn rnldblquote Four to five years ago 60 […]
Thumb Tags
Sri Lankans applying to enter the US will be electronically fingerprinted with effect Wednesday, as the US toughens security laws at its embassies and consulates in 120 countries. Together with the standard digital photograph, the fingerprinting process will be the second biometric indicator on all visas to the United States.rn rnldblquote It is designed to […]
Small Change
Putting its money where the community level work is, the World Bank today doled out Rs. 4 mn to enhance the work of eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The small grants programme deviates from the usual funding style of the World Bank, usually associated with mid sized to massive community projects rolled out by State representative […]
Disclosure
Sri Lanka was rated 3.5 on ten by top rating agency Dun & Bradstreet for willingness of its companies to disclose information. Amidst state politics and a tradition of privately held family businesses, South Asia is easily one of the most difficult regions in the world to collect information. rn rnSri Lanka is no exception, […]
Making Up
Commercial banks returning from a long holiday week soaked up the excess cash in the banking system, pushing up inter-bank interest rates. The inter-bank borrowing rate rose to the 7.75 per cent level, from 7.50 per cent on Monday and a flat 7.40 per cent throughout the previous week. rn rnMoney market analysts say heavy […]
Leg Up
Travel Agencies in Sri Lanka can now book travel on Jetstar Airways, Australias new low-cost domestic carrier, following an agreement between the airline and Galileo International, a leading global distribution services company and subsidiary of Cendant Corporation. Under the agreement, Galileo is providing a simplified level of GDS distribution to Jetstar to complement the carriers […]
Steady Beat
Sri Lanka Insurance Corp., clinched a AA-(sri) (AA minus) national insurer financial strength rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka, becoming the first insurer to do so.An AA-(sri) national insurer financial strength rating is given for SLICs ability to meet its policyholders obligations and benefits. rn rnFitch also gave the insurance giant an A+(sri) (A plus) national […]
Different Route
An action plan to clean up the local transport mess is lined up for Cabinet approval but private bus owners, currently paying up over million rupees a month as kickbacks to alleged gangsters that control bus routes, are not convinced of a change.The new Minister of Transport Felix Perera will present an action plan to […]
Smart Hutchison
Hutchison telecom says their local operation will connect an additional one hundred thousand customers to their GSM network when its commercially launched later this month.But the company says they dont plan to eat in to market share of other GSM mobile operators but would go after over 90 percent of people who do not own […]
The Big Two
Banking giant HSBC says emerging markets like India and China could change the way banking is done in Asia. A top regional CEO from the bank said the influence by these countries would be felt as they absorb an increasing amount of financial resources available in Asia.rn rnldblquote The influence of these two economies is […]