Category: Industry
Mobitel Clarifies
Mobitel Private Ltd said a statement it regretted any embarrassment caused to the Attorney General or the Telecom watchdog as a result of a news item that appeared in the media, early in December, saying a case against the operator had been dismissed after it was withdrawn.Mobitel says it only learnt later that a fresh […]
On Hold
Capital market regulator SEC is holding back approval of Nawaloka Hospital IPO over the company decision to pre-allocate two thirds of the issue.SEC Director General told LBR they are talking to the company about its intention to pre-place Rs. 200 million worth of shares from its planned Rs. 300 million IPO.rn rnSEC Director General said […]
Less Is More
A legal expert told members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICASL) that fiscal concessions are important to encourage companies to play a more active role in society. Justice Mark Fernando, delivering the 8th Annual Oration on Taxation of the institute said in the long run increased tax relief would encourage better private sector participation […]
Will Reveal
Peoples Bank, which has negative net assets, says they will go public once they get their credit rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka.Sampath Bank and Seylan Bank also said they will go public with their credit ratings once they get them from Fitch Ratings Lanka, in line with a budget requirement that has not yet been […]
Stop, Look & PAY
The Western Provincial Council says motorists in the province have defaulted paying revenue license fees valued at more than Rs. 1 billion.One third of the 1.8 million registered motor vehicles in the country are in the Western Province.rn rnBut authorities have found that 375,000 motorists have not paid their license fees.rn rnTo bring them back […]
Close Tabs
The insurance watchdog is seeking Finance Ministry approval to start a dedicated insurance supervision division.Presently, the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) has only two consultants on its cadre. The rest are shared with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) secretariat.rn rnldblquote A dedicated insurance unit within IBSL will enhance the effectiveness of supervision, dblquote […]
Good Job
The Ministry of Labour announced on Thursday, that over 2,500 unemployed graduates are assured of permanent employment within the private sector under its Sarasavi Saviya programme.Sarasavi Saviya, a programme that re-trains and finds placements in the private sector for unemployed graduates, reported that within three months the programme had gone beyond its targets for one […]
Brick Hunt
rnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 1rnrnrnrnrn Thernbulk of state housing banks shares are held with the National HousingrnDevelopment Authority.rn ldblquote Theyrnown around 90 percent and they have indicated that they want to sell up to 30rnpercent, dblquote HDFC Banks CEO, C A Sarathchandra told a public accounts reviewrnon Thursday.rn Sarathchandrarnhopes to privately place the shares within the next […]
Cherry Picking
Peoples Banks restructuring committee is likely to be choosy in its search for a strategic partner who will inject capital to the bank.ldblquote It wont be an open tender process, dblquote Bank Chairman Lal Nanayakkara told members of the Public Review Committee at the Finance Ministry on Thursday.rn rnldblquote Investors will be carefully screened and […]
Parental Consent
Sri Lanka Telecoms board on Wed. gave its blessings to acquire wireless local loop operator Lanka Bell.The dominant fixed line operator declined to name the bid price, but industry analysts put a price tag of just under US$ 20 mn based on per-line cost assumptions for Lanka Bells 44,000 customers.rn rnSLT will initially take a […]
First Steps
The first steps in a million dollar deal to link small and medium entrepreneurs with European markets got off the ground late Wednesday.Initiated by European Industrial Services, the promoters hope to channel in around US$ 50 mn worth of investments through joint ventures or wholly owned subsidiaries.rn rnEuropean Industrial Services (EIS) has tied up with […]
Interesting Option
Peoples Bank says it will consider lowering interest rates on some Rs. 12 billion outstanding from the Ceylon Electricity Board, if a proposed debt-restructuring plan seeking payment guarantees for part of the loan goes through.The debt restructuring plan covers a Rs.7 billion medium term loan, to be eventually settled by tapping into CEBs monthly collections.rn […]