Category: Industry
Capital Position
Sept 29, 2010 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has confirmed DFCC Bank’s (DFCC) National Long-term rating at ‘AA(lka)’ with a stable outlook, a statement said. The agency has also affirmed DFCC’s senior debentures at ‘AA(lka)’ and subordinated debentures at ‘AA-(lka)’. “DFCC’s ratings are driven by its strong capitalisation supported by ongoing high profitability,” the rating […]
Fresh Capital
Sept 29, 2010 (LBO) – The Finance Company, a Sri Lankan finance company recovering after a run, is to raise 1. 6 billion rupees in fresh capital by attracting new investors and convert deposits into shares, a statement said. The Finance Company is recovering and had reduced losses to 431 million rupees in the June […]
Sri Lanka starts nuclear power study, talks with Russia
Sept 28, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has begun a study to build a nuclear power plant to meet growing electricity demand and is in talks with Russia and other countries to get technology and training, an official said. “We’re considering nuclear power as an option in our long-term generation plan for 2025,” power and […]
Sri Lanka gets more Jet flights
Sept 28, 2010 (LBO) – India’s Jet Airways said it plans to introduce daily flights to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo from Delhi and Mumbai to cater to the rising number of visitors to the island. The two new flights starting from November 5, are in addition to the existing daily Chennal Colombo service, with […]
Clearing Cargo
Sept 28, 2010 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Ports Authority which runs the island’s ports expects to be able to handle payments by port users online by January next year, an official said. It will eliminate the need for port users to visit the harbour to make payments, he said. Both its internal finance division […]
Credit Quality
Sept 27, 2010 (LBO) – RAM Ratings Lanka has confirmed the long term rating of ˜A’ for Lankaputhra Development Bank (LDB) but lowered its outlook to negative from stable on a rise in bad loans, a statement said. The long- and short-term financial institution ratings, confirmed at A and P1, are largely upheld by the […]
Metro Move
Sept 25, 2010 (LBO) – A rail-based metro system may be an option in part of Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo when passenger flows rise to levels that make it financially viable, an official said. There must be high density development in the city centre that will justify a rail-based metro system and it must […]
Ahletes set to arrive as things look up for Delhi
NEW DELHI, September 23, 2010 (AFP) – New Delhi’s beleaguered Commonwealth Games was set to welcome its first athletes Friday after receiving a much-needed boost when Team England said they would definitely be participating. The announcement came after the Commonwealth Games Federation signalled Delhi was succeeding in fixing the problems that have brought the event […]
Sri Lanka Taj airport hotel expanding, rebranded
Sept 24, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Taj Airport Garden Hotel, a 130 room hotel will be expanded with 100 more rooms and rebranded under the group’s ‘The Gateway Hotel’ as part of a renewed marketing push, officials said. “The rebranding will take place from January 2010,” general manager Mathew Thomas said. “In two months […]
‘s Taj hotels
Sept 24, 2010 (LBO) – India’s Taj group is looking for opportunities in Sri Lanka’s war-torn eastern coast and a city hotel it controls will also need 30 to 35 million US dollars to be upgraded to fit the group’s new brand portfolio, officials said. India itself sends more tourists to Sri Lanka than any […]
Vehicle Pact
Sept 23, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s SMB Leasing has struck a deal with Lanka Ashok Leyland, the local unit of the Indian vehicle manufacturer, to distribute its vehicles in the former north-east war zone, a statement said. Under the agreement SMB Leasing is to be the sole agent for Lanka Ashok Leyland in Sri […]
Upgrade Potential
Sept 23, 2010 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka said it has raised the outlook on Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank (SB) ˜AA−(lka)’ national longterm rating to positive from stable, indicating a potential for an upgrade in the next 1224 months. “This is based on structural improvements that have occurred within the bank since early 2009, across […]