Category: Industry
Second Tier
Coping with expansion needs, software engineering service provider, Virtusa is extending its Colombo base into the World Trade Centre. CEO Cris Canekeratne says, the WTCs size would allow Virtusa to scale up its operations in Colombo, along with access to ready to use infrastructure, including internet bandwidth.rn rnMonies to expand into the WTC will be […]
Little Teaser
Singapores Changi Airport has shown interest in actively participate in developing and managing Sri Lankas airports.The Board of Investments said in a statement that Changi Airport Chairman Boon Swan Foo had expressed his sentiments during a meeting with BOI Chairman Arjunna Mahendra on Wednesday.rn rnFoo had shown interest in Sri Lankas airport expansion programme and […]
Re-Dialing
Telecom policymakers are re-considering the option to set up national points of interconnection, to fix the current impasse in reaching call termination agreement.rnrnSetting up national points of interconnections will allow in-discriminatory access to all operators, including External Gateway Operators (EGO) to terminate calls locally.rn rnThe third option is being brought back, as efforts to urge […]
Angry Tones
Local telco operators have teamed up, to oppose a possible merger between Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Bell.In a hard-hitting letter, operators endash Celltel, Dialog, Suntel, Hutchison and GoTel Networks endash have protested of an impending monopoly situation, if the merger goes through.rn rnThe four protesting operators command a subscriber base of over 1.2 mn […]
Adding Wings
The Civil Aviation Authority says it is processing applications to allow local firms to operate a few international schedule flights from Sri Lanka.The international operations will materialise through charter flights to neighbouring countries, the aviation watchdog said in a statement on Tuesday.rn rnThe watchdog says move is part of the government decision to shift towards […]
Air Support
Private operators who want to build an Airport in Southern Sri Lanka are asking the government to arrange loan facilities to part fund it, Southern Development Minister Ananda Kularatne said.The Airport & Aviation Services Ltd (AASL), a state owned firm that owns and operates Katunayake International Airport has just concluded a feasibility study, which has […]
Hambantota Crossroads
Canadian consultants studying the Hambantota Port project have come up with a US$ 1,700 mn three-phased development plan as being feasible.Southern Development Minister Ananda Kularatne said the cost also includes US$ 240 mn for a breakwater and dredging. rn rnMinister Kularatne says government steering committee is now examining the report prepared by the Canadian firm […]
Hit Rates
Industry analysts are betting on a competition driven drop in overseas calling rates for the upcoming holiday seasons. Competition in prepaid calling cards segment is expected to drive the drop with more of the 31 licensed overseas call operators coming out with their card options.rn rnIn addition, analysts say international call rates can fall by […]
Cherry Picking
A Compensation Fund for contributors who suffer financial loss resulting from fraud, theft, misappropriation or negligence of monies, will also be set up, from a cess being charged on the industry.rn rnEmployees will also have the option of switching funds, to ensure they get the best return for their retirement nest egg, according to a […]
Faster Connection
LankaClear, the cheque clearing arm of the Central Bank, plans to set up ten regional centres to speed up payments and settlement systems.Known as lquote cheque image clearing and truncation, the system clears cheques faster by electronically capturing a cheques image and cuts lead times from ten to two days.rn rnThe main features of image […]
Private Tutor
State side educationalists could soon receive tuition from private sector firms on what the industry needs from the university system. rnThe project builds on the success of a private sector driven mentoring effort for university students, helping them acclimatise to the sector. rn rnThe initiative will expose state side educationalists to the culture, workings and […]
’85
Celltel, the countrys No 2 mobile operator announced plans to invest US$4 million to increase coverage. This is the companys 4th phase of expansion.rn rnCelltel hopes to grow its network to 250 base stations and improve coverage in the south coast. rn rnPhase 5, which is to begin early next year, will more than double […]