Signed & Sealed

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, […]

Oil Rush

An international road show to offer blocks for oil exploration in the Mannar Basin is expected to kick off early next year. Model Petroleum Resource Sharing Agreements and model exploration licences have already been developed.India is keen to take over an initial two blocks through state owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp., if Sri Lanka […]

Monopoly Class

An Emirates-Govt. MOU to lift ground handling and catering monopolies has come under fire, forcing officials to rethink concessions. Officials say the MOU in effect prevents new players, through a continuing monopoly on terminals, ramp handling and key passenger routes. The MOU will also eat into Airport revenue through lost franchise fees from SriLankan, with […]

In 2003 – Calling Bell

After months of intense courtship, Sri Lanka Telecom said it plans to take full control wireless local loop operators Lanka Bell. SLT declined to name the bid price, but industry analysts put a price tag of just under US$ 20 mn for Lanka Bells 44,000 customers.SLT will pump new money into Lanka Bell, to deploy […]

Cherry Picking

Peoples Banks restructuring committee is likely to be choosy in its search for a strategic partner who will inject capital to the bank. Chairman Lal Nanayakkara says screened partners may be invited to invest, instead of having a tender that is open to all comers.With a Rs. 3 bn equity deficit, and a Rs. 8 […]

Stretch Factor

Sri Lanka will venture overseas with its first attempt at branded rubber – Lankaprene, a premium quality crepe product. The low protein product is positioned as an alternative to synthetic options that is petroleum based and so priced higher. Sri Lanka is the only producer of crepe rubber in the world. Lankaprene will be used […]

In 2003

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Safe Bet

Sri Lankas first indexed backed commercial paper, linked to the All Share Price Index, was issued to the market on Wed. Structured by National Wealth Corp., the initial Rs. 100 mn paper was issued by Lanka Orix Leasing and Mercantile Leasing. Referred to as the lquote Bull & Bear paper, the initial tranche was snapped […]

Twelve Ways To Spend

lquote Twas the 12 days of Christmas and lovers in that timeless carol, braved high seas (with a fat wallet) to bring their true love 12 unusual gifts. Care to follow their lead the local way? A Partridge in a Pear tree rnThe Grey Partridge is found north of Puttalam, according to Gehan de Silva […]

In 2003

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Rough Road

Reckitt Benckiser (Lanka) Ltd put up shutters for its in-house manufacturing and logistics plant with immediate effect, due to haemorrhaging losses. Popularly known for its products like Dettol, Mortein, Harpic and Disprin, Reckitts profitability has plunged in recent years due to intense competition.Reckitt says it will outsource 80% of its supplies through third parties locally. […]

In 2003

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