Category:
Bonding Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today launched AsianBondsOnline, a one-stop clearing house of information on the rapidly growing sovereign and corporate bond markets in the region.rnrnThe ABMI aims to enable private as well as public sectors to raise and invest long-term capital while effectively managing maturity and currency risks. rn rnDeep, liquid bond markets mitigate […]
Fire Fire!
The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) is studying the Sri Lankan industry and international practices to modernize and reform the insurance regulatory framework in the country.IBSL is trying to bring modern regulatory practices to an industry that has seen little regulatory supervision during the last half century.rnWhen the IBSL took over, there were concerns […]
The Bright Side
US policy towards South Asia might offer a window of opportunity for peace and economic prosperity in Sri Lanka.rn rnOn December 7, 1941 Japan attacked the Pearl Harbor and dragged America into World War II, which shook US foreign policy at its base.rnOut of the ashes of the World War II the United States and […]
Knock Knock
The Colombo Stock Exchange is seeking donor funds to kick-start the derivatives market.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had earlier helped out with a consultant to study the possibility of introducing derivative trading through the CSE.rn rnWhile the consultants were of the view that the market was illiquid, they said that the introduction of tea futures […]
Jetlag
Tough competition from bus services plying the North and East routes and the expected slowdown in the number of Sri Lankan expatriates returning to catch a glimpse of their once time home could force local operators to absorb the increased cost of jet fuel and keep ticket prices at the current levels. A senor official […]
Teething Problems
rnrn The countrys largest telecom operator has failed to bill its customers since last December, due to delays in implementing its new US$ 20 mn billing system.rn With over 830,000 subscribers on its network, SLT is not expected to get is act right until August, says analysts Vajira Premawardhana and Shamlee Hasheem of Lanka OrixrnSecurities.rn […]
Profit Centre
Moving ever closer to a long proposed IPO, Software solutions developer Virtusa Corporation recently completed its Series D round of financing, securing US $20 million. The fourth round of funding for Virtusa was led by Focus Ventures, with participation from existing investors Sigma partners, Charles River Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners.rn rnThe fresh infusion increases […]
Chief Troubleshooter
Sri Lanka Friday named a former United Nations disarmament chief to spearhead new peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels.Jayantha Dhanapala, a UN undersecretary general for disarmament affairs until last year, was named secretary general of the governments “peace secretariat,” President Chandrika Kumaratungas office said.rn rnDhanapala, a Sri Lankan, was also named a senior adviser to […]
Not For Sale
Sri Lanka will terminate a divestment program initiated by the previous government, the treasury secretary said Friday.But the new government headed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga that came to power last month will increase public spending on poverty-reduction measures, which arent expected to widen the budget deficit, he said.rn rn”Privatization is not the policy of the […]
Risk Return
In its strategy to concentrate its resources to grow its core competencies, the John Keells Group is outsourcing its entire insurance portfolio to Delmege Insurance Brokers.The Delmege-AON partnership that won the contract, will be called on to provide, in addition to regular insurance, specialized services including risk management, loss control and business consultancy.rn rnThe Keells […]
Thumb Tags
Sri Lankans applying to enter the US will be electronically fingerprinted with effect Wednesday, as the US toughens security laws at its embassies and consulates in 120 countries. Together with the standard digital photograph, the fingerprinting process will be the second biometric indicator on all visas to the United States.rn rnldblquote It is designed to […]
Fresh Growth
Sri Lanka shipped out 12 mn kilos more tea in the 1Q of 2004, up from 65 mn kilos exported in 2003.Adding to the good news, the total value of the export orders reached Rs. 18 bn from Rs. 14 bn, increasing the average price per kilo to Rs.234.2 from Rs. 225 in the previous […]