Category: Industry
Collect Call
Telecom operator Suntel has seen its earnings jump 305 percent to Rs. 505 mn, though revenues were flat at Rs. 3.425 bn as at end Dec. 2003.Sri Lankas second wireless operator said falling interest rates cut debt servicing costs and helped swell its bottomline.rn rnFinance costs fell to Rs. 1.757 bn from Rs. 2.640 bn […]
On Test
The much-hyped third generation cellular services will soon be a reality, with the first of three trial networks launched by Dialog GSM on Tuesday. Though only on a test basis, CEO Dr.Hans Wijayasuriya says it creates an opportunity for Sri Lankans to interact with new age technology and offer application providers a platform to test […]
Be Generous
Commercial Bank of Ceylon is in talks with its Unions to ask them to contribute part of their earnings towards a bank pension schemeInitial discussions made some headway, with Unions agreeing not to include employees who join after January 1, 2004, from contributing to the Fund.rn rnThe Pension Fund is presently, non-contributory to employees, while […]
Hard Sell
Modeled on the likes of top branded resorts like Banyan Tree, Jetwing Hotels is revamping its hotels and spas into three core brands endash Eco, Ayurveda and beach holidays.The group is making a determined shift up-market, in efforts to lure the discerning high spenders with more than just the best package deal.rn rnldblquote In the […]
Good Show
The Seylan Merchant Bank (SMB) Groups earnings rose 344 percent to Rs. 50.29 mn over revenues of Rs. 565 mn for the fiscal year ending Dec.31, 2003.In unaudited results released recently, SMB Groups Net Income rose by 22 percent to Rs 668 million from Rs 546 million in the corresponding period in 2002.rn rnMeanwhile, the […]
Bigger Capacity
Dubai based Emirates Airlines said Monday, that it was adding five new services to Colombo in March, substantially increasing seat and cargo capacity to and from the Indian Ocean island.The new services routed Dubai-Colombo-Male-Dubai commence March 20 and will bring the total number of services operated by the airline to Colombo to 22 a week.rn […]
Chartered Standards
Institute of Charted Accountants is working on two new accounting standards to improve disclosure and measurement of complex financial instruments, at the heart of spectacular bankruptcies in the US.Accountants say these two standards modeled on IAS 32 and 39 will make reporting on derivatives more transparent.rn rnThe complex nature of derivative and other financial instrument […]
Precautious Bank
Peoples Bank provided a massive Rs. 1.7 bn for its property portfolio to comply in advance with a new Central Bank ruling.Provisions for bad debts by banks are made after deducting the value of the collateral for the loan.rn rnUnder the new mandatory haircuts announced by the regulator, banks will only be allowed to setoff […]
On the back of IT
Leading IT companies including Oracle, Sun Microsystems and Intel are planning to open offices here on the back of one opened by Microsoft, a top bureaucrat told LBR.Three large call center projects are also slated for launch within next two months, one a captive center for a top insurance firm and two by leading Business […]
High Note
State-run Bank of Ceylon ended 2003 on a high note of Rs. 1.642 bn in net profits, even as revenues fell 7.5 percent to Rs. 22.034 bn.rnrnrnrn rn Highlights of financial statements as at endrnDec. 31, 2003rn rn rn rn rn Bank rn Group rn rn rn rn rn Dec. 03 Rs. mn rn Dec. […]
Good Show
The advertising industry is riding the spending wave from the last two years of economic growth and the SLIM awards organisers are looking at maintaining momentum despite new food advertising regulations coming in on April 1st.Advertising agencies say that most clients loosened budget strings last year and became more adventurous with advertising messages and methods […]
Zooming Up
Eagle Insurance Co.s Risk Management Division has secured international recognition for processes developed to execute products and services.Risk management is a Specialised Management technique that identifies an firms exposure to risk, give solutions for controlling it or put in place a mechanism to pay for losses should the risk escalate to a catastrophic incident.rn rnAn […]