Category: Industry
Getting Bigger
Ceylinco Life, Sri Lankas largest private insurer, has ended the year with a record Rs 2.360 bn in premium income.Figures released this week show that the company continued to outperform its closest rival by more than Rs.500 mn in terms of premium income, the firm said in a release on Monday.rn rnThe firms Life Fund […]
Waiting Room
Twenty one applicants vying to get into the external gateway operations industry got their licences today, including network operators Suntel, Lanka Bell, Dialog, Hutchison and Celtell.However, non network operators will have to wait till May 2003 to commence full operation, when the telecom regulator hopes to auction short codes – four digit numbers that will […]
Life Protection
Indias Life Insurance Corp. plans to set up an ombudsman to settle life insurance disputes as part of its efforts to encourage Sri Lankans to take up insurance policies.The Indian life insurance giant officially opened its doors for business over the weekend through its local unit LIC Corp. (Lanka) Ltd. rn rnThe local arm is […]
Cost Cutting
SriLankan Airlines expects to sharply cut its losses during the current financial year but said the group will be in the black.The national carrier said it expects losses of around US$ 10 mn to US$ 15 mn this year, sharply lower than the US$ 60 mn loss recorded during the last financial year.rn rnAs a […]
Hello There
SLT is announcing international direct dialing rate cuts of up to 25 percent, as the government finalises plans to offer an unlimited number of international gateway licenses.The dominant carrier also reported a 28 percent rise in profits for the last financial year slightly lower than analyst expectations.rn rnSri Lanka Telecom reported a group net profit […]
Hot Cakes
Developers of a new apartment complex say the demand for housing is on the rise with the upturn in the economy.Finance & Guarantee Property Developers say the large number of Sri Lankans returning to the island and the peace process is contributing to the growth in demand.rn rnldblquote Next five to ten years there is […]
Profit Warning
SriLankan Airlines, on Friday made a profit warning for the current financial year, but said group profits will remain steady as the previous year.rnAs a stand-alone entity, SriLankan has never made a profit in its entire history, but the Emirates led management is confident of turning things around for the financial year ending 2003/4.rn rnSriLankan […]
Thrills & Spills
Sri Lankas top accounting body gave its budding accountants some tips on how to market themselves in a changing working place.rnAptly titled ldblquote Managing The Rollercoaster, dblquote an engineer, a marketer and three accountants gave a ringside view and tips on how to survive the corporate world of tomorrow.rn rnBank of Ceylons Chairperson, Sumi Moonesinghe […]
Ringing Loud
Dominant telecom operator Sri Lanka Telecom on Thursday, said its net profits picked up by 28 percent for year ending December 31, 2002.SLTs group net profit ended at Rs.2.69 bn, slightly up against previous years earnings of Rs.2.1 bn in 2001. rn rnRevenues were up 15 percent during the period to Rs. 25.4 bn from […]
Debt Exchange
Maldivian conglomerate Universal Enterprises took a 57.16% stake in Mahaweli Reach Hotel, a deal to settle the Hotels dues to DFCC Bank.A rights issue for the shares in January sought to raise Rs. 269 mn, the outstanding amount from a Rs.305 mn loan taken from DFCC in 1994 for refurbishment. rn rnThe rights issue ups […]
Penultimate Lap
The government is expected to dispose 20 percent of its ownership held in Commercial Bank through Sri Lanka Insurance Corp. by end next week.Treasury approval has come through for Commercial Bank to buy back 5 percent and the International Finance Corp.s to take up 15 percent of this parcel at Rs. 165 per share.rn rnSEC […]
Reverse Gear
Sri Lankas 13 bus companies may continue under state control for longer, as attempts to bring in private management steers off course. Industry watchers say plans for a state lead restructuring programme were being touted as a contingency measure in case the Sri Lankan government fails to seal any deals.rn rnIf the state takes up […]