Category: Shipping and Transport

An ambitious three-year expansion drive to upgrade the Bandaranaike Airport into a regional air hub officially got off ground Wednesday. The Airport is being expanded in two phases.The first will be development of existing terminal facilities and phase two will focus on adding another runway to the airport.rn rnThe Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) […]

The government has picked up Rs. 262 mn as dividends from SriLankan Airlines, after the national carrier reported a Rs.2.1 bn group profit for the financial year ending March 31, 2003.SriLankan Airlines said Wednesday that it has declared a 10 percent final dividend for the financial year 2002/3.rn rnThis is the third instance the airline […]

Two of the largest port operators in the region are keen to invest in the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) operated by the Ports Authority. Hutchison Port Holdings and PSA the state owned Singaporean port operator has already shown interest to the BOI to invest in the booming Colombo port.rn rnWestport of Malaysia, which is part […]

An ambitious feasibility study covering 13 key projects in the South has just been completed, with consultant Programme Development International keen on vying for the project. The Hambantota infrastructure project is a large-scale development effort that identifies several independent profit centres to be set up in the Hambantota and Moneragala region.rn rnIncluded in the US$ […]

A top travel agent has claimed Rs 90 mn from Pramuka Bank for damages suffered as a result of the banks closure last year.Superlink Chief Ranjith Silva says he is awaiting a reply from the bank for the letter of demand sent late last month.rn rnThe travel agency says it got into severe difficulties due […]

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 […]

Government is going to wind up the operations of a state owned road construction firm in a bid to encourage private sector competition.Road Construction and Development Company (RCDC) is planning to offer a voluntary retirement deal to its 2000 employees before its operations are wound up.rn rnThe Treasury has agreed to fund the VRS and […]

The countrys investment promotion agency has signed up external consultants to help kick start the Colombo-Katunayake expressway project.The consultants will provide financial and technical advice on the feasibility of the project.rn rnConstruction of the half-built expressway was halted with the government deciding to go for a public private partnership after getting cash strapped.rn rnThe Board […]

The Malaysian government is in talks to fund the Rs.30 bn Colombo-Kandy Highway, on a Build, Own and Transfer basis (BOT), starting 2005. Malaysian officials are expected to come back with a proposal to assist the project, with construction of the highway likely to be contracted out to a Malaysian party.rn rnThe government has developed […]

Road Development Authority says concession documents for the Colombo endash Katunayake Expressway project will be ready in 16 weeks.PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation (SMEC), were contracted to develop the legal framework on Wednesday.rn rnThe previous administration decided to build the expressway with its own funds, despite being severely cash strapped, after donors and private […]

Rising profits from ground handling and an accounting policy change helped SriLankan Airlines buck the international trend to report a Rs. 2.1 bn (US $ 21mn) group profit for the financial year ending March 2003, but its air transport operations are still in the red.rnrnrnrnrnrn2003rnrnrnrnrn Withoutrnthe profits of its catering subsidiary, the airline on its […]

SriLankan Airlines tied mobile usage to its frequent flyer rewards programme endash Skywards, tying up with local mobile operator Dialog GSM. The partnership will offer Skywards members reduced rentals and free services along with other special privileges in using the mobile network including frequent flyer miles calculated on the total spend.rn rnSriLankan officials say the […]