Category: Shipping and Transport

Under the airport expansion plan covering some 700 acres, the two runways will have to be constructed leaving a 1.8 km distance. The distance is necessary to allow two of the biggest aircrafts to land at the same time.These jumbo planes are capable of carrying up to 500 passengers in addition to cargo.rn rnThe airport […]

The government plans to award the contract to build the Colombo-Matara superhighway later this month, top officials said.Transport Minister Tilak Marapane says construction on the long protracted Southern highway is likely to begin as early as November.rn rnThe Manila based Asian Development Bank has come forward with a US$ 90 mn loan while the government […]

Officials say a breakthrough in discussions with the Board of Infrastructure Investment (BII) is imminent, with the deal being finalised as early next week. rn rnWork on the highway began on a design and build basis two years ago by a Korean based construction company Keangnam, on a Treasury allocation of little over Rs. 10 […]

Private sector assistance is being sought for a nation wide motor vehicle emission reduction programme that will get off ground in January next year.In a phased out project, extended till June, all of the 1.5 mn-registered vehicles on Sri Lankas roads are being geared to meet with emission criteria laid out by law.rn rnThe Registrar […]

Keeping in line with its court promise, the Public Enterprise Reform Commission called for fresh bids to infuse private ownership into the cash starved 13 state transport companies.PERC said it was offering a 39 percent equity stake, out of the shares currently held by the Treasury on behalf of the government.rn rnProspective investors have to […]

The Public Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC) will shortly re-advertise the government quote s intensions to infuse private ownership into 13 cash strapped state bus companies.rn rnThe move to re-advertise the proposal comes following a court ruling on Tuesday, directing the government to give a clear indication as to how much it hopes to sell in […]

The government once again shelved plans to dispose 13 state run bus companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange until further notice.rn rnrnThe Public Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC) said Monday the divestiture of a 39 percent slice in the 13 transport companies has been put off.rn rnA petition filed in court against the transaction, pointing out […]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Monday lent US$ 30 mn towards uplifting the productivity and financial viability of the plantation sector.Around US$ 10 mn of this would go towards setting up a Plantation Development Fund to invest in convertible debt and equity instruments of plantation companies.rn rnPlantation companies will be eligible for the balance US$ […]

The final details for the sale of a 39 per stake in the sate owned bus company is being worked out for September 24. The stake will be auctioned over the Colombo Stock Exchange to the highest bidder.rn rnSecretary to the Ministry of State Transport M. Susiriwardena says eight of eleven companies who submitted expressions […]

The government is to call for private proposals to develop a light rail transit system for urban travel in the Western Province.The Urban Development Authority will shortly seek cabinet approval to kick off the project. rnrnUDA Director General Lakshman Jayasekera told Lanka Business Report that the LRT system is estimated to cost about US$ 500 […]

The Shippers Council membership has launched a fresh campaign to get vessel operators to include the Terminal Handling Charge in to the freight rate. Shippers say that this will enable them to transfer the over US$ 100 a container handling fee, to the freight payee. rnrnFOB exporters like the garments sector are the worst hit […]

Department officials say the near pristine conditions of the airstrips could have the Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Koggala and Wirawilla airstrips opened up for commercial use as early as end September 2002.rn rnHowever, all remains in the hand of the ministry and the success of the peace process, officials add. rn rnMeanwhile industry analysts say the domestic […]