Category: Other
Fresh Cuppa
The Tea Association plans to re-haul criteria used to fund new Ceylon tea brands, when it takes over some of the Tea Boards functions this month.Every year, the Tea Board doles out a quantum of money to exporters keen on establishing a brand and who meet the selected criteria. “For example, the Tea Board evaluates […]
Long Shot
Development bank DFCC, is counting on its subsidiary Commercial Banks Bangladesh operations to give its bottomline a major boost.Thanks to its Bangladesh unit, Commercial Bank is expected to contribute Rs.539 mn towards DFCCs earnings, pushing its bottomline up by 10.3 percent to Rs. 1.2 bn for the 2004 financial year, says HNB Stockbrokers.rn rnIn the […]
Forward March
John Keells Holdings is expected to notch a Rs. 1.69 bn net profit for 2004, after undergoing a restructuring exercise to improve its margins.The diversified conglomerate, has just finished a restructuring study by the Boston Consultancy Group, which has highlighted areas to exploit greater synergies and improve operating margins.rn rnFollowing the intense lquote inward looking […]
Budget Blues
Sri Lanka has 216 state owned enterprises and fiscal transfers to these in 2001 amounted to a whopping US$ 446 million-about 3% of the islands GDP.Transfers to public corporations totaled US$ 43 million while statutory boards gobbled up US$ 244 million. rn rnWorld Bank says the problem is that these state enterprises are not held […]
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 […]