Category: Industry
Fired Up
The Samurdhi movement came under fire for being over politicised and for its mediocre track record by a committee set up to review public institutions.But Samurdhi Director General Sunil Navaratne says the authority is being restructured with performance related targets being set to both employees and bank branches.rn rnPerformance will be judged on the sole […]
Hot Wiring – Updated
The telecom industry is buzzing of an impending marriage between Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Bell, the third private fixed operator.Industry analysts expect a memorandum of understanding to be signed within the next few weeks, but sources close to both telecom operators refrained from commenting over the possibility of such a move.rn rnTalks of a […]
Second Chapter
The Ceylinco Consolidated Group on Friday signed up with Rating Agency Malaysia Berhad or RAM, to launch Sri Lankas second credit rating agency.rnrnLanka Ratings Ltd will be jointly owned by Key Ratings Ltd (51 percent) and RAM 49 percent.rn rnThe company has an initial share capital of Rs. 35 mn.rn rnldblquote The joint venture will […]
Fast Track
Union Assurance Ltd has posted a mammoth 227 percent growth in net profits for the first six months ending June 2003.Post tax profits for the period rose to Rs. 61.4 mn as against Rs. 18.8 mn in 2002.rn rnConsolidated Revenue grew 16.3 percent to Rs. 1.07 bn during the period under review.rn rnUALs total investment […]
Flight Schedule
The government will advertise shortly for private investors to manage its upper airspace, offering also, operations and maintenance at the Bandaranaike International Airport. ldblquote We have taken a decision to re-advertise for upper airspace management together with operations and maintenance at the BIA as a single package dblquote , an official said.rn rnIncluded in the […]
Product Extension
Hatton National Bank is expanding its treasury operations with plans to start a fund management unit on the cards.Chairman, Chrishantha Cooray says the asset management company will be formed under aegis of HNB Securities Ltd.rn rnHNB Securities currently handles the banks primary dealer operations. rn rnldblquote We want to grow the fund management business slowly […]
Private Help
The countrys top business chamber is trying to raise private sector investments to support the governments development vision.Ceylon Chamber says their annual convention in October will focus on the governments Regaining Sri Lanka vision, which seeks to create two million jobs over the next few years.rn rnThe Chamber hopes that investments by the private sector, […]
Rallying Support
The Ceylon Chamber will mobilise private sector support for the states “Regaining Sri Lanka” initiative though its annual convention, which hopes to take the theme to its next level.The Chamber says local businesses are being risk averse and holding back on their capabilities until a permanent peace was established.rn rnOrganisers say to encourage the private […]
External Cleansing
The government has sought the Asian Development Bank and World Bank help, to do an impact assessment on the ongoing Samurdhi programme.Donor agencies have been critical of the selection process of welfare beneficiaries, as well as the lack of an exit mechanism, which resulted in more and more householders being added, until half the country […]
Non-elastic
Lack of funding could kill the rubber industrys research arm warns the Rubber Research Institute. RRI officials estimate that over Rs.23 million is urgently needed to upgrade the age old equipment and to improve other sections at the Institute. rn rnOfficials say without the new equipment, the RRI is unable to develop new research to […]
Card Games
Fast emerging as a serious player in the local banking segment, Nations Trust Bank on Tuesday launched its own credit card, to add muscle to its growing personal banking business.Nations Trust Bank (NTB) entered into an exclusive agreement with the American Express Bank to re-launch the American Express Card (AMEX) in Sri Lankan rupees. AMEX […]
Coming Clean
Seylan Merchant Bank Limited (SMB) has reported satisfactory growth in its financial results for the first half of 2003.In results released this week, SMB reported a consolidated pre-tax profit of Rs 16.7 million, a growth of 148 per cent over the Rs 6.7 million profits reported in the corresponding period of 2002.rn rnSMB also reported […]