Back to the Front

It is past 9 in the evening. Most people would be kicking up their heels in front of the TV after a long days work.rnBut for a group of young employees at the call center Hello Corp. the days (nights!) work is just starting.rnThey work the night shift because their customers are on the other […]

Twin Sharing

ldblquote In a strategic move AHOT and Crescat Developments are to be merged by early February in order to take advantage of Crescat Developments BOI status, dblquote said HNB Stock Brokers in its January review of the group.rn rnThe Asian Hotels Corporation (AHOT) owns the Colombo Plaza Hotel and Crescat Developments and has controlling interest […]

Pls Comply

The telecom watchdog has asked the Treasury to remove Sri Lanka Telecom chief, who has been charged for breaking immigration laws to help an alleged underworld figure.Thilak Ranavirajah, Telecommunications Ministry Secretary and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Chairman, has written to Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte seeking SLT Chairmans removal.rn rnState-run news channels said Ranavirajah has sought […]

Religion and Economics

Economists who measure and comment on growth generally ignore the political and social forces that have a heavy bearing on the economy. A century ago Max Weber, a founder of sociology observed that the ldblquote Protestant work ethic dblquote was what made northern Europe and America rich.rn rnThe Protestant work ethic emphasized thrift and willingness […]

Making Love

Politics came to a head last week with a signing of a key alliance deal between the SLFP and the JVP. But commentators said cohabitation still remained the best available option. The SLFP-JVP alliance was quick to criticize the government but had little to offer in terms of alternative proposals.rn rnThe alliance remains sharply divided […]

Yellow Light

A consortium led by the Asia Capital and Richard Peiris Group were given time till July 22 to infuse cash and resurrect Pramuka Savings & Development Bank.As reported by LBO on Wed. the Monetary Board has decided to allow Pramuka to resume business from July 22, subject to its new investors complying with certain concerns.rn […]

Buying Time

The Central Bank has extended the suspension of Pramuka by another six months, to give monetary authorities extra time to restructure the bank.ldblquote The six months extension is subject to several conditions. But it gives the bank management the powers to recover loans, dblquote Central Banks Deputy Governor, Manik Nagahawatte told Lanka Business Online.rn rnThe […]

On the Spot

Deregulation of motor insurance premiums has fuelled innovation and profits. rnUntil recently motor insurance was unprofitable due to regulation of premiums by the government. Private insurance companies were hesitant to sell motor insurance as a result.rnNow things have changed. The insurance companies now offer many benefits to motor insurance clients-like Ceylinco Insurances On the Spot […]

ERP Burp

Computers started making an impact on business productivity and speed over two decades ago. Manufacturing companies were some of the first to get software packages to help them automate and better plan the process while enterprise wide deployment happened afterwards with Enterprise Resource Planning or ERPs.rn rnBut experts say the challenge is to get computer […]

Fine Incoming

The telecom watchdogs case against Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd is likely to be settled out of court, with the cellular operator suggesting a compensation package, which includes paying a million rupee fine. Sources close to the deal told Lanka Business Online on Friday that the cellular operator has also agreed to bear the regulators legal fees […]

Taking Money

Parliament is due to pass a new law in February, to round up all financial institutions currently not governed by the Central Bank. The new system will legalise and supervise all small scale financing activity including lending and taking public deposits.rn rnCentral Bank last year named about 40 firms who were accepting deposits outside its […]

Hot Mix

Plantation companies are keen to push through a long over due productivity pegged wage formula when estate worker wages come up for negotiations in June 2004. The June negotiations will be a deciding factor for the plantations companies survival as they prepare for a tough year ahead. Work on possible productivity pegged alternatives are already […]

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