Category: Industry
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 […]
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$4 million to increase coverage. This is the companys 4th phase of expansion.rn rnCelltel hopes to grow its network to 250 base stations and improve coverage in the south coast. rn rnPhase 5, which is to begin early next year, will more than double […]
System Shutdown – Updated
A court injunction brought on by CINTEC staff, has blocked the wind-up of the former IT regulator.About 18 of its staff members took the regulator and the state to courts, calling their dismissal unfair and without warning.rn rnGoverning authorities had offered an early retirement scheme, with maximum compensation ranging between Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 600,000, […]
Frequent Flyer
SriLankan Airlines will add two more A340s to its fleet to cater to growing passenger numbers in the coming winter season. The fleet expansion will allow SriLankan to add eight more frequencies to key European destinations and Malaysia.rn rnOfficials say they are anticipating a significant pick up in demand on the routes where frequencies were […]
Growth Cell
Cellular operator Celltel Lanka, pumped in a further US$ 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 […]
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 […]