Category: Shipping and Transport

Dubai based Emirates Airlines on Thursday unveiled massive new expansion plans to add new aircrafts and extra routes.This year it will add a record 11 new aircraft to its fleet and increase seating capacity by 25%, allowing it to start four new routes, add more flights on many current routes and launch radically new inflight […]

Selling the remaining seven bus company faced another breakdown, the deadline for applications pushed back once again.Meanwhile, the Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) has set a February 13 deadline to the IBIS Holdings to pay up for the six bus companies.PERC says the buyer has to 60% of the bid price by Feb. 13 with […]

The government is reconsidering its plans to build a second runway at the Katunayake international airport.The proposal ran into trouble due to heavy protests by residents who would loose their homes in land acquisitions for the new runway.rn rnPlans for the second runway at the countries only international airport were drafted to make the country […]

Three firms including Singapore based SBS Transit has shown interest to buy up a stake in the remaining seven state bus companies. The deadline to submit proposals for a 39% stake in the bus companies has also been put off to January 16, an extension by the Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) to factor in […]

Talks that started last year with US based Lockheed Martin for Air Traffic management, could bear fruit with an MOU to be signed shortly with the Board of Investment. In 2002, the BOI got an unsolicited proposal from a consortium including Lockheed Martin & Airways to take over the upper airspace management.rn rnThe proposal also […]

A network of highways is on the cards connecting Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Matara and with the commercial capital Colombo.The contract signing for the first of these the southern expressway linking Colombo with Matara took place recently.rnThe southern highway is partly funded by the Asian Development Bank.rn rnldblquote In addition there are other expressways proposed. One […]

The first phase of the Colombo-Matara Highway kicked off today with the contract handed over to Japanese based construction company, Kumagai-Gumi.The first phase of the four-year project is being entirely funded by the Asian Development Bank at a cost of Rs.8.6 bn.rn rnThe four-year project comes at a total cost of Rs. 21 bn, with […]

The last day to submit expressions of interest for the 39 percent stake in the remaining seven bus companies have been put off till January 10, 2003. The original deadline was set for December 20, 2002.rn rnPublic Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC) Director General Deepal Guneratne told Lanka Business Online that three parties had shown interest […]

Bids to construct the Colombo Kandy expressway closed Monday, with thirteen parties expressing interest for the project.Early December, the Board of Investment sought investors to finance, construct and manage the highway on a Build, Own and Transfer (BOT) basis.rn rnThe BOI said the project should not exceed a 25-year period.rn rnThe new highway, like the […]

The Colombo South Harbour project will set sail in January 2003 when consultants to draw detailed engineering plans are appointed. Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman, Parakrama Dissanayake told Lanka Business Online that details of the short listed candidate were submitted to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its approval prior to cabinet endorsement.rn rnA US$ […]

The government is offering state guarantees to raise funds for working capital and investments, subject to preset conditions as an added incentive to bidders taking up stakes in the remaining bus companies. The Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) re-issued its invitation over the weekend to take up a 39% stake in the remaining five cluster […]

Colombo Dockyard appointed safety supervisors to improve working conditions in its docks. The company, which is seeking new opportunities in boat building and dry dock operations, says the improved safety conditions will also help increase productivity. rn rnThirty specially trained safety supervisors were appointed while a safety management system has been implemented company wide.rn