Category: Industry
Chop-A-Tour
Eight companies have shown interest in starting domestic helicopter operations from December, catering to the tourist boom expected during the winter season.The Civil Aviation Department is expected to give the green light to these operators, as soon as inspections into technicalities of the helicopters and operational matters are sorted out.rn rnDeccan Aviation Lanka, backed by […]
Well Cell’85
Celltel, the countrys No 2 mobile operator announced plans to invest US$4 million to increase coverage. This is the companys 4th phase of expansion.rn rnCelltel hopes to grow its network to 250 base stations and improve coverage in the south coast. rn rnPhase 5, which is to begin early next year, will more than double […]
System Shutdown – Updated
A court injunction brought on by CINTEC staff, has blocked the wind-up of the former IT regulator.About 18 of its staff members took the regulator and the state to courts, calling their dismissal unfair and without warning.rn rnGoverning authorities had offered an early retirement scheme, with maximum compensation ranging between Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 600,000, […]
Frequent Flyer
SriLankan Airlines will add two more A340s to its fleet to cater to growing passenger numbers in the coming winter season. The fleet expansion will allow SriLankan to add eight more frequencies to key European destinations and Malaysia.rn rnOfficials say they are anticipating a significant pick up in demand on the routes where frequencies were […]
Water Test
A forward market interface for the agro sector is part of an initial set of ten pilot projects, picked to kick off the e-Sri Lanka initiative. The pilot projects will test the waters before embarking on a grand scale migration towards electronic information dissemination, rural and state sector empowerment.rn rnThe Information Communications and Technology Agency […]
Quick Fix
Ceylon Hospitals Ltd., the owning company of Durdans Hospitals, plans to use some of its IPO proceeds to expand its satellite labs.The hospital is raising Rs. 240 mn this month to retire some debt, add another 27 beds and put in new state-of-the-art equipment.rn rnThe hospital is offering 4.5 mn voting shares at Rs. 25 […]
Growth Cell
Cellular operator Celltel Lanka, pumped in a further US$ 4 mn to beef up its capacity and extend its reach along the South and Eastern coast.The fourth phase of its GSM expansion, will see the countrys second largest cellular operator increase its base stations from 170 towns to 250 towns.rn rnCelltel, which pioneered the pre-paid […]
Indian Ringtone
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) signed up with Indias teleco operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to route its international call traffic through Sri Lanka.BSNL has a countrywide network services over 43 million fixed line customers plus its recently rolled out mobile venture has so far attracted over four million users.rn rnA partnership with SLT will […]
Paradise Calling
Cathay Pacific could add a fifth flight to Sri Lanka, with cargo and passenger numbers picking up. Airline officials here to celebrate 10 years of operations out of Sri Lanka, say demand in and out of the country is moving up with the peace process taking root. rn rnA bulk of Cathays business out of […]
Banyan Shoot
Banyan Tree on Friday picked up its third Sri Lankan leisure venture, taking up a majority holding in John Keells Holdings Beruwala Walk Inn, the parent company of Hotel Swanee. The global leisure industry giants paid Rs.47.75 per share for the 69.9% stake and will now work with JKH to refurbish and reposition the seaside […]
Dusting Cobwebs
Kicking of January 2004, state sector employment policies will be rewritten to drill in productivity and efficiency. The US$ 3 million World Bank funded Public Administrative Management Programme(PAMP) will install a set of new processes, procedures and mechanisms that will govern all subsequent recruitments, transfers, promotions and employment terms and conditions.rn rnThe Ministry of Public […]
Cash Injection
Ceylon Hospitals Ltd., the owning company of Durdans Hospitals, got stock exchange approval Thursday to raise Rs. 240 mn through an initial public offering.The hospital is offering 4.5 mn voting shares at Rs. 25 and 6.375 mn non-voting shares at Rs. 20 each to the public this month.rn rnListed on the main board, Durdans will […]