Category: Special Reports

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Central Bank said it is leaving its growth forecast for next year unchanged at 6 percent despite continuing uncertainty in both the political and peace fronts.It however warned that prolonged uncertainty could jeopardize economic growth. rn rnThe wealth creators in the economy, the private sector, that saw higher returns on their investments in the last […]

In Baththalangunduwa if you see someone going with a mamoty and a bucket dont think he is going to his vegetable plot or the paddy field. In fact, he wont even be a farmer; most probably he would a fisherman.He would probably be carrying a mamoty and a make-shift plastic bucket to have a bath.rn […]

When telephones started, love chats used to be long, but this new SMS culture its just a quickie. Mobile phones have changed us a lot.rnOn his way to work Indika checks on the closing price of a stock that he wants to buy in the share market. rn rnNot only can Indika check up on […]

The government sold off its holding in Sri Lanka Insurance Corp. to the Distilleries consortium for Rs. 6.05 bn. The new owners plan to list SLIC in two-years, to pave the way for the Dutch ING Group to take up an equity stake.A four-member team from ING, has started work to give SLIC a facelift, […]