Lanka Biz Blog

எந்தவொரு செல்போன் வலையமைப்புகளிடையேயும் ஒரே இலக்கத்தை பாவிக்கலாம் Mobile Number Portability - very soon

2010-05-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

உங்கள் செல்போன் சேவை வழங்குனரின் சேவை பிடிக்கவில்லையா? ஆனால் செல்போன் இலக்கத்தை மாற்ற விருப்பம் இல்லையா? இன்னும் 6 மாதத்தில் உங்களுக்கு தீர்வு கிடைக்கும்.

இலக்கங்களை வலையமைப்புகளிடையே மாற்றிக்கொள்வதற்கு தேவையான கட்டமைப்புகளை செய்வதற்காக உலக வங்கி; இலங்கை தொலைத்தொடர்புகள் ஒழுங்கமைப்பு ஆணைக்குழுவுக்கு 472,000 அமெரிக்க டொலர் மானியம் வழங்கியுள்ளது.

இது தொடர்பான தீர்மானத்தை 2007ஆம் ஆண்டு இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் எடுத்திருந்தது.

Want to change your mobile service provider but still prefer using the old number? That would be a reality very soon with the implementation of the World Bank-aided Mobile Number Portability (MNP) programme.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC), has received a grant of US$ 472,000 from the Institutional Development Fund (IDF) under the World Bank to develop its knowledge base and implementation capacity, enabling it to design and implement this programme, a senior official of the TRC told the Business Times.

MNP enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another. Number portability has the potential to substantially enhance the benefits of competition to consumers, he said, adding that the new system will be introduced in six months.

The World Bank grant will also be used to engage a consulting firm to assist it in the establishment of the necessary regulatory framework for implementing. However private mobile service providers are of the view that they would have to upgrade their infrastructure to enable appropriate re-routing of calls to subscribers who have ported (exited) from their network.

The manner of handling such routing and data management is critical as any inefficiency here will directly lead to inefficiency in transmission and switching capacity, and could in some cases also lead to lost calls.

The industry requires the maintenance and updating of a repository of ported number database — either at an individual network or at a central level. This involves additional costs for operators initially, and on an ongoing basis, Dialog telecom sources said.

The Sri Lankan government decided in August 2007 to introduce number portability for cellular phones in Sri Lanka.

டயலொக் இன் பெயர் மாறும் Dialog intends to change its name

2010-04-17T03:57:00.000-07:00

இலங்கையின் செல்போன் சேவை வழங்குனரான டயலொக், அதன் தாய் நிறுவனம் பெயரை மாற்றிக்கொண்டதன் காரணமாக தனது பெயரையும் அக்சியாடா என்று மாற்றிக்கொள்ளவிருக்கிறது.

Sri Lanka's dominant wireless operator Dialog Telekom intends to change its name to Dialog Axiata, following the renaming of its Malsyaian parent firm, a stock exchange filing said.

The proposed name "will accurately reflect its corporate identity," Dialog said in a statement.
The proposed name is a combination of the brand 'Dialog' and the name of the parent firm, Axiata Group Berhad in Malaysia.

The parent firm was earlier called TM International and renamed as Axiata Group in May 2009.

Dialog Telekom said the name change is subject to approvals from shareholders and the company registrar.(LBO)

ஹேலீஸின் கட்டுபாட்டில் கொன்டினென்டல் ஹோட்டல் - Hayleys purchase city hotel

2010-03-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

சிலோன் கொன்டினென்டல் ஹோட்டலை ஹேலீஸ் வாங்கியது

நாஹில் விஜயசூரியவின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருந்த பெரும்பான்மையான் பங்குகளை வாங்கியதன் மூலம் ஹேலீஸ் நிறுவனம் கொழும்பு கொன்டினென்டல் ஹோட்டலின் 51% ஆன பங்குகளுக்கு உடமையாளராகியுள்ளது.

ஹேலீஸ் நிறுவனம் ஏற்கெனவே ஜெட்விங் நிறுவனத்துடன் சேர்ந்து 6 ஹோட்டல்களை நிர்வகிக்கிறது.

Hayleys PLC declared its intention to get into ‘big time’ leisure when the company bought a 51 % stake in Ceylon Continental Hotel’s owning company, Hotel Services PLC’s on Friday for Rs 1.9 billion.
Colombo's first 5-star hotel which has changed hands in recent years saw Nahil Wijesuriya, the Chairman at Hotel Services shedding 51% out of his total 75% to Hayleys. Mr. Wijesuriya said that he doesn’t want to sell the balance stake he owns. “We are left with 24% and we see a huge upside potential with the involvement of the Hayleys Group in Continental," he told the Business Times.

Industry sources said that Hayleys’ decision to set up Hayleys Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Ltd (exclusively reported in the Business Times last week) as its sixth sector confirms its bid to expand the reach into leisure and become the third (biggest) player in the market. “This is the leisure arm of Hayleys PLC and it will manage Continental,” an industry source said, adding that Hayleys major shareholder, businessman Dhammika Perera is behind this decision to buy Continental.

A Hayleys official said that the company wants to expand in the leisure industry with a strong focus on hotels, inbound tourism and aviation. He said that Hayleys is scouting for properties around the island in a bid to capitalize on the tourism boom, and the Continental purchase is its first, independent hotel stake. Hayleys, together with Jetwing, own six hotels –Tropical Villas, Jetwing Beach, Hunas Falls, Lighthouse and they own a land at Nilaveli as well.

டியூலக்ஸ் நீதிமன்றத்தில் - Dulux sued by competitor

2010-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

பிரபல பெயின்ட் வகையான டியூலக்ஸ், மற்ற நிறுவனங்களை பாதிக்கும் பிழையான் விளம்பர வாசகம் ஒன்றை பாவித்ததன் காரணமாக நீதிமன்றத்திற்கு இழுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. "சர்வதேச பாதுகாப்பு நியமங்களுக்கு அமைவான ஒரேயொரு பெயின்ட் வகை" என்ற வாசகத்தை எதிர்த்து மக்சன்ஸ் நிறுவனம் வழக்கு தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளது.

Paint AkzoNobel Paints Lanka (Pvt) Ltd has been taken to court over its position that its ‘Dulux’ brand is the only brand which conforms to international safety standards for lead and basing its claim on the global study ‘Lead in new decorative paints’ issued by IPEN and Toxics Link, two NGOs.
The plaintiff, Macksons Paints Lanka (Pvt) Ltd filed the case in the commercial high court of the Western Province on March 8 alleging that AkzoNobel has carried out its campaign through various forms of media and advertising campaigns and is asking for a judgment and decree of Rs.10 million as damages with legal interest.

AkzoNobel’s campaign comes at a time which is peak season for the paint industry, immediately prior to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which falls in April. According to court documents, Macksons was granted an enjoining order and interim injunction till March 23, preventing and/or restraining the defendant and its agents from marketing the ‘Dulux’ brand as the only safe brand.

AkzoNobel Managing Director Gerald De Saram was overseas and couldn’t be reached for comment.
According to the petition, the attorney for the plaintiff stated that the report ‘Lead in new decorative paints’ issued by the NGO said that there are nine major companies producing paints in Sri Lanka including Macksons. The report stated that the NGO has tested ex-facie in terms of the report, paints from four brands but not of the plaintiff’s. The report has named the products of the companies and the companies of which the paints have been tested and concluded that the defendant company’s paints were the safest.

The petition said although the plaintiff has been named as a major producer of paints, its products have not been tested. ‘Acting on this self serving report, the defendant company has launched a campaign which will be seen by advertisements to state that of all the paints tested in Sri Lanka, only the product of the plaintiff conforms to international safety standards,’ the proceedings state.

It added that the defendant’s campaign has been designed with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mind which is a peak time in April. The attorney stated that the defendant’s advertisements amount to unfair competition which is misleading the public. He further stated that Macksons paints have also been tested and reports clearly show that they conform to international standards.

According to court documents, lead has traditionally been used as a raw material in the manufacture of paints and is mainly used as a drying agent and found in chrome pigments. The use of lead is mainly found in enamel paints whereas water based paints such as emulsion paints generally do not contain lead unless some chrome pigments or specialty additives are included in certain colors. Research carried out in the industry has revealed that lead may be harmful to the human body, especially to children.

ஓமான் எயாரில் பயணிக்கும்போது டுவிட்டலாம்

2010-02-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

ஓமானின் தேசிய விமானசேவையான "ஓமான் எயார்", தனது சேவை மீண்டும் ஆரம்பிப்பது சுற்றுலா துறையின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு முக்கிய பங்காற்றும் என கூறுகிறது.

ஓமான் எயார் இன் நாளாந்த சேவைகள் இன்னும் 6 மாதத்தில் ஆரம்பிக்கப்படும்.

கடந்த நவம்பர் மாதம் முதல் கொழும்பு - மஸ்கட் இடையே வாரத்திற்கு 4 நாட்கள் சேவை இடம்பெறுகிறது.

மார்ச் முதல் எயார்பஸ் A330 விமானங்களில் மொபைல் போன் பாவிக்கவும், இணைய சேவையை பெறவும் முடியுமாக இருக்கும். இது சகல தர (First, Business and Economy classes) பயணிகளுக்குமானதாகும்.

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, said that re-commencing its flights to Sri Lanka would help the country's tourism industry grow. The airline will commence daily flights to the country within six months.

Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air Peter Hill, addressing the media yesterday during his first official visit as the CEO of Oman Air, said that it was great to be in Colombo and asserted that the future was great for the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka has everything that tourists have in mind and we see great potential in bringing more and more tourists to Sri Lanka," he added.

Hill said that flights to Colombo were launched in November last year with four weekly frequencies between Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, and Colombo.

"Sri Lanka has proven to be a welcome addition to the ever-expanding Oman Air network. We have reasons to believe that our customers are thrilled with this destination, as Sri Lanka has everything a tourist wants to explore, experience and see. Together with the new A330 aircraft that are deployed into this segment and the spectacular natural beauty that the place is known for, our valued customers can surely have an enjoyable holiday," he emphasised.

Hill went on to say: "Our service to this destination is also viewed as a boon by the many Sri Lankan expatriates working in Oman, who have started using our services. Sri Lanka is a place that can be visited the whole year round and is rated as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. With Oman Air's exemplary services and products, I am sure this will open up a whole new experience for discerning travellers, especially in Oman."

Commenting on the delay in launching its flights to Colombo, Hill said that there was a misunderstanding for some time, following which the Government of Sri Lanka had resolved the matter.

"At the time we requested landing rights in Sri Lanka, the national airline was already enjoying rights in Muscat. There was a misunderstanding and that was rectified and now we are back in Sri Lanka," the CEO said.

The airline said it would be offering the full connectivity suite (Mobile On Air and Internet On Air) on its commercial wide-body aircraft when it starts to unroll full mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity across its brand new Airbus A330 fleet, towards the beginning of March 2010.

This move will enable passengers in First, Business and Economy classes to make and receive mobile phone calls, SMS, use email and the internet and keep up to-date with social networking media such as Facebook and Twitter.

பிஜே இன் புதிய 2 ஹோட்டல்கள் - PJ banks on tourism boom with two new hotels

2010-02-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

பிஜே ஹோட்டல்ஸ் நிறுவனம் "அபோரிஜினல்ஸ் பீச் ரெசோர்ட்" என்ற பெயரில் 505 அறைகளை கொண்ட ஹோட்டலை கிழக்கிலும்

"பிஜே ரோயல் லைன் ஹொடேல்" அன்ற பெயரில் 1002 அறைகளுடனான ஹொட்டேலை ஹம்பாந்தோட்டையிலும் அமைக்கவிருக்கிறது.

Tapping into the tourism boom Prasanna Jayewardene's PJ Hotels plans two more mega projects adding over 1500 rooms to their existing numbers with several more projects in the pipeline.

The 505 roomed PJ 'ABORIGINAL'S BEACH RESORT' in the East coast and 1002 roomed 'PJ ROYAL LINE HOTEL' in Hambantota are now in the concept stage of PJ Hotels Development, according to a press release from the company. It also stated that several more large projects would be added as well.

"For us the time could not be better to go fast forward with all our new hotel developments" said PJ Hotels Chairman Prasanna Jayewardene, adding "President Mahinda Rajapakse has not emphasized tourism in the second phase of his Mahinda Chintanaya" because rightly his focus is on all aspects of development of the people of the country. It is left to entrepreneurs and private business to do the business of tourism while the government looks after the broad frame."

He continued with "The war with all its negatives and destruction has now given us the positive of only a basic tourist development which gives the opportunity to leap forward learning from our neighbours and new market trends to make us highly competitive
"I believe we can have 10 million arrivals by the end of the decade in 2020. The 10 day stay we are used to will drop to 2-3 day stays due to our future markets being regional. The impact of this kind of numbers will be far reaching and almost every citizen will feel it." Jayewardene also insisted that they would look for other larger projects in the near future. "We are looking at all our current projects in the planning stage, to be completed by 2016, the year the President has set a target of 2500 arrivals for" As a policy the PJ Hotel group will concentrate solely on Sri Lanka where they see the greatest opportunities and find the operating climate not only comfortable but also very conducive.

இலங்கையில் ஆடைத்தயாரிப்பில் முதலீடு செய்யும் ஹொங்கொங்

2010-02-24T04:12:00.000-08:00

ரூபா 35 மில்லியன் முதலீட்டில், மார்க்ஸ் அன்ட் ஸ்பென்சர் நிறுவனத்திற்காக பெண்களுக்கான ஆடைகளை தைக்கும் தொழிற்சாலை ஒன்றை ஹொங் கொங் நிறுவனம் ஒன்று இலங்கையில் நிறுவ இருக்கிறது.

ஐரோப்பிய யூனியனால் ஜிஎஸ்பி பிளஸ் வசதி இலங்கைக்கு நிறுத்தப்பட்டு சில நாட்களில் இச்செய்தி வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

இத்தொழிற்சாலை நுவரெலியாவில் அமையும்

The Board of Investment, Sri Lanka’s investment promotion agency, said it had given approval for investors, including a Hong Kong firm, to set up clothing factories for export.

The announcement came just days after the European Union said it would withdraw duty free access given to Sri Lanka because of concerns over alleged human rights abuses.

The BOI said in a statement that it had signed an investment agreement for 35 million rupees with Interfashion Limited, a firm sponsored by Banke Textile Asia of Hong Kong. “The company will manufacture high-value ladies formal wear for Marks & Spencer and Tesco.”

The company expects to operate with a 60,000 production capacity a month.

The production facility, located at Nuwara Eliya in the central hills, will provide initial employment for a workforce of 250 which is expected to be increased up to 1,200.

BOI approval entitles investors to concessions like tax breaks and duty free imports of machinery and raw materials while further incentives are given to firms setting up plants in rural areas.

The BOI also said it signed another investment agreement with Trendywear Adhikarigama which will invest 315 million rupees to put up a plant to manufacture ladies high fashion garments for the export market.

60வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்டோரின் வைப்புகளுக்கு 20% மேலதிக் வட்டி Banks to pay Extra Interest

2010-01-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

ஜனவரி முதலாம் திகதி முதல் அமுலுக்கு வரும் வகையில் 60வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்டோரின் வைப்புகளுக்கு 20% மேலதிக வட்டி வழங்கப்படும் என இலங்கை மத்திய வங்கி அறிவித்துள்ளது

The Sri lanka government has, with effect from January 1of 2010, decided to pay a 20% bonus interest to senior citizens on rupee deposits maintained in licensed banks, the Central Bank said on Friday.

All Sri Lankan citizens above the age of sixty years will be eligible to receive an extra bonus interest on their local currency savings and fixed deposits held in approved banks. Bonus interest shall be equal to 20% of the interest that accrues after January 1 on rupee deposit accounts of senior citizens, subject to a limit of Rs. 120,000 per year, per person. “The relevant instructions to licensed banks in this regard have been issued, today,” the bank statement said.

Keywords: Bank, Deposit, Interest

திருகோணமலையில் பாரிய இரும்புத்தொழிறசாலை - Australian steel plant in Trincomalee

2009-12-12T21:11:00.000-08:00

அவுஸ்த்திரேலியா நிறுவனம் ஒன்று திருகோணமலையில் பாரிய இரும்புத்தொழிறசாலையை ஆரம்பிக்கவிருக்கிறது.

Sri Lanka is slated to get a US$ 2.4 billion steel plant investment from some Australian investors soon, according to informed sources. “It will most probably be set up at the Heavy Industry Zone scheduled to be put up in the East – Trincomalee and would begin after the land is sorted out,” one source told the Business Times.

He said it is a Board of Investment (BOI) project and that a team from Australia visited the BOI and had discussions with its officials. BOI officials were unavailable for comment.

டீ பெஃக்டரி ஹொட்டேல் பெயர்மாறுகிறது - 'Tea Factory' to be re branded

2009-12-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

பிரபல்யமிக்க டீ பெஃக்டரி ஹொட்டேல் எதிர்வரும் டிசம்பர் 15 இல் ஹெரிடன்ஸ் ஹொட்டேல் ஆக பெயர்மாறுகிறது.

கைவிடபபட்ட தேயிலை தொழிற்சாலை ஒன்றை ஹொட்டேல் ஆக மாற்றியதனால் இந்த ஹொட்டேல் டீ பெஃக்டரி ஹொட்டேல் என அழைக்கப்பட்டு வந்திருந்தது.

இந்த ஹோட்டலில் வகை வகையான தேயிலைப்பெட்டிகள் ஒவ்வொரு அறையிலும் வைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும். (tea bag அல்ல).

இது ஹெரிடன்ஸ் மதுரை ஹோட்டலை நிர்வகிக்கும் இல்ங்கையின் பிரபல்யமிக்க எயிட்க்ன் ஸ்பென்ஸ் குழுமத்தின் அங்கமாகும்.

Sri Lanka's popular hill country hotel, The Tea Factory, is being re-branded as a Heritance Hotel on December 15, the owning company, Aitken Spence said this week. This is the natural outcome of the successful development of an abandoned tea factory building into an eco-friendly, world class hotel, it said.

With its branding as a Heritance resort, The Tea Factory joins Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Ahungalla and Heritance Madurai as a hotel of choice for the contemporary, eco-savvy tourist. Already popular with visitors as Sri Lanka's first theme hotel with its heritage of tea, the hotel's refurbishment has added comfort while its new focus has resulted in rare refinement, the statement said.
The company said every bedroom on the four floors of the former tea drying lofts has been refurbished to a warm and reassuring cosiness. The board floors have deep pile carpets; the furniture is wooden and practical; and the compact bathrooms have an added sliding glass door for the shower/bathtub.
Each room has its own tea/coffee set up, together with boxes of leaf tea (no tea bags!) for a taste of the hotel's own brand of tea. Even the bottled water comes from the hotel's own spring where a certified water plant, disguised as a plantation bungalow, produces 4,600 bottles a day for all the Aitken Spence hotels.
At the hotel, hot water and central heating are provided by biomass from locally farmed gliricidia wood instead of from atmosphere-polluting, imported diesel.
Waste and water management is based on sustainable recycling processes; vegetables are organically grown or sourced locally, generating income for the area.

ஹோலிடே இன் ராமடாவாக பெயர் மாறுகிறது - Holiday Inn rebranded, as Ramada Hotel Colombo

2009-12-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

ஹோலி டே இன் ராமடாவாக டிசம்பர் முதல் பெயர் மாறுகிறது
The Holiday Inn Colombo will be rebranded and launched in its new avatar as Ramada Hotel Colombo December 1. The owners of the star class property, Alhambra Hotels Limited, will bid farewell to the Holiday Inn family on November 30 as the agreement between Alhambra and Holiday Inn.

The Holiday Inn Hotel group is moving towards an operating model that focuses on hotel management in Asia Pacific Region which has prompted the Board of Alhambra to remodel its operational strategies for the hotel. On November 10 Alhambra Hotels Ltd. embarked on a new partnership by entering into a long term Franchise Agreement with the Wyndham Hotel Group to license the property under the Ramada Hotel Brand.

முஸ்லிம் பயணிகளுக்காக ஒரு இணையத்தளம் - Website launched for Muslim travellers

2009-11-22T21:31:00.000-08:00

உலகின் முதலாவது முஸ்லிம் பயணிகளுக்கான இணையத்தளம் கடந்த மாதம் சிங்கப்பூரை சேர்ந்த நிறுவனத்தால் தொடக்கிவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இவ்விணையத்தளத்தில் முஸ்லிம் பயணிகளுக்கான விடயங்களுடன் ஹோட்டல் அறைகளை முன்பதிவு செய்யும் வசதியும் உண்டு.

Crescentrating
Crescentrating - Your gateway to Halal Friendly Travel.
www.crescentrating.com/

A Singapore-based company called Crescentrating, recently launched the world’s first web portal for Muslim travellers with rates for hotels and other travel and tourism facilities.
The company said in a press release that the visitors to the website could book rooms of the Crescentrated hotels online. The website also provides information required for Muslim travellers.
The website which was launched at ITB Asia in Singapore last month has already attracted nearly 60 hotels from 10 countries (Singapore, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Qatar, South Korea and Sri Lanka) who have signed up for getting their properties listed in the website. These include brand names like Accor, Ascott and Fairmont, the press release said.

WIMAX இணைய சேவையை வழங்க தயாராகும் SLT - SLT TO PROVIDE WIMAX INTERNET SERVICE

2009-11-20T17:59:00.000-08:00

WIMAX புதிய தொழிநுட்பம் மூலம் இணைய சேவைகளை வழங்க SLT முடிவுசெய்துள்ளது. SLT குழும நிறுவனமான ஸ்கை நெட்வேர்க் இனூடாக அமெரிக்க டொலர் 12.8 மில்லியன் முதலீட்டுடன் இச்சேவை எதிர்வரும் மார்ச் 2010 முதல் நான்கு கட்டங்களாக இச்சேவை வழங்கப்படும்.

முதற்கட்டத்தில் கொழும்பு கம்பஹா களுத்துறை பிரதேசங்களில் இச்சேவை வழங்கப்படும்.

முதற்கட்டத்தினூடாக 11,000 வாடிக்கையாளர்களை ஈர்ப்பது இலக்காக நிர்ணைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஏற்கெனவே டயலொக் நிறுவனம் சேவையை வழங்குவது தெரிந்ததே..

A subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) aims to attract US$12.8 million to provide broadband internet facilities using the latest Wimax technology with islandwide coverage.

In this respect, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka granted investment approval for Sky Network to provide latest Wimax – wireless broadband services.

Sky Network is an investment of US $ 12.8 million for the first two phases. The venture will provide broadband internet facilities using the latest Wimax technology Wimax 802.16e. The company expects to provide coverage to the entire island in four implementation phases.

CEO Mahinda Herath stated that the company is the first to provide Wimax 802.16e services in Sri Lanka.

Sky Network is a subsidiary of SLT, with SLT being the major shareholder of the company. The venture is a complementary business to SLT. Sky Network will be providing the Wimax services to parts of the country where ADSL services are not offered by SLT. The venture will commence operations in March 2010 and will provide services to Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts in Phase 1. Herath stated that the venture expects to have a customer base of 11000 Wimax customers under Phase 1.

BOI Chairman/Director General Dhammika Perera signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to SLT Chairperson Leisha De Silva Chandrasena.

ரேணுக்கா எக்ரி பூட்ஸ் பங்குகளை வாங்கலாம் - Renuka Agri announces IPO

2009-11-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

ரேணுக்கா குழுமத்தின் ரேணுக்கா எக்ரி பூட்ஸ் ரூபா 270 மில்லியனை திரட்டும் முகமாக சாதாரண வாக்குரிமையுள்ள பங்குவழங்கலை ஆரம்பித்துள்ளது.திரட்டப்படும் நிதி இந்நிறுவனத்தின் கடன்களை அடைக்கவும் புதிய முதலீடுகளை செய்யவும் பயன்படுத்தப்படும்.ரூபா 2.25 முகப்புபெறுமதி கொண்ட இப்பங்குகளை வாங்குவதற்கு குறைந்தது எண்ணிக்கை 1000 ஆக இருத்தல் வேண்டும்.

Renuka Agri Foods, a Renuka Holdings company, yesterday announced its Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 120,000,000 ordinary voting shares of the company, worth Rs. 270 million.

Issued at Rs. 2.25 per share with a minimum subscription of 1,000 shares, the IPO aims to reimburse long-term borrowings from DFCC Bank and finance new investment for the company. Executive Director of Renuka Holdings Shamindra Rajiyh speaking at the presentation on the upcoming IPO stated that the returns from the IPO would be utilised to pay off three loans taken from the bank amounting to Rs. 47 million and invest in several projects to enhance the company's productivity.

“We intend to make investments in plantations, distribution infrastructure and new technology in connection with the company's main business activities,” said Rajiyh.

Focusing on organic growth and selective acquisitions, investment in the plantation sector is said to be for a new coconut plantation in the Eastern Province.

“The time is right for an IPO now as we are very interested in building up a new plantation in the east, given the availability of high yield land.

Furthermore, with improvements in the financial sector with the stock market performing well, we are sure to reach success,” he said.

“The IPO is also a significant step towards its vision of becoming the premier manufacturer and marketer of branded coconut-based non-traditional foods both locally and internationally,” he noted.

The share subscription list opens on November 27. Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka is managing the IPO while the placement agent is Capital Alliance.

The benefits of this IPO are many, according to Rajiyh, who stated that there would be no income tax charged until 2015 and thereafter a 15% tax reduction was available for the next 12 years since it was a BOI approved project.

Renuka Agri Foods has quality certificates from Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), ISO 22,000 and British Retail Consortium Standards, making it the only certified coconut company.

The company has maintained a year-on-year average growth of 78% over the last five years, reaching 52 markets globally. The largest buyers are from US, Middle East, Western Europe and Japan. A major part of revenue was recorded from the export sector, wih a 43% yield from Europe alone.

Financial forecast on conservative assumptions expect a 16% year-on-year growth during 2011 to 2014, with an 29% increase in the GP margin during this time. A revenue growth rate of 12% is also expected during the next five years, with marketing expenses to increase by 5% from the 1.8% recorded in 2008/2009.

ஒலுவில் துறைமுகம் அடுத்தவருடம் தயார் Oluvil Port ready by next October

2009-11-16T22:09:00.000-08:00

தென்கிழக்கின் மிக நீண்ட நாள் எதிர்பார்ப்பான ஒலுவில் துறைமுகம் எதிர்வரும் ஆண்டு ஒக்டோபர் மாதமளவில் தயாராகிவிடுமென இதன் கட்டுமாணப்பணியை மேற்கொள்ளும் டென்மார்க் நிறுவனம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.1.4 கிலோமீட்டர் நீளமான இத்துறைமுகம் வர்த்தக துறைமுகமாகவும், மீன்பிடி துறைமுகமாகவும் பயன்படுத்தப்படும்.வர்த்தகத்துறைமுகப்பகுதியில் ஆறு 10,000 டொன் கப்பல்களை ஒரே சமயத்தில் கையாள முடியும்.

The construction work on the Oluvil Port will be completed in October next year. One third of the construction is now complete, Project Manager Hans Jorgen said at a special press conference held at the Oluvil Port premises recently.

The Oluvil Port comprising a stretch of 1.4 kilometres will include a commercial harbour and a fisheries harbour.

The Project Manager said on completion the commercial harbour could handle six vessels of ten thousand tons simultaneously. The construction is carried out by Denmark’s MT Hojgaard Company.

அப்பலோ ஹொஸ்பிடலின் பெயர் மாறுகிறது Apollo Hospital changes its name

2009-11-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

LHCL இனால் நிர்வகிக்கப்பட்டுவந்த இலங்கையின் அப்பலோ ஹொஸ்பிடல் இன்று முதல் லங்கா ஹொஸ்பிடல் ஆக பெயரிடப்படுகின்றது.

LHCL இன் பங்குதாரராக இந்திய அப்பலோ நிறுவனம் இருந்தபோதும் அப்பங்குகளை இலங்கையின் வர்த்தக பெரும்புள்ளியான ஹரி ஜயவர்தன இலங்கை காப்புறுதிக்கூட்டுத்தாபனத்தினூடாக கொள்வனவு செய்திருந்தார்.

இலங்கை காப்புறுதிக்கூட்டுத்தாபனத்தின் தனியார் மயமாக்கம் ரத்துச்செய்ய்ப்பட்டதனால் புதிதாக ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்ட நிர்வாக குழுவின் தலைவராக பாதுக்கப்பு செயலாளர் கோதாபய ராஜபக்ஷ செயற்படுகிறார்.

இவ்வைத்தியசாலை இதுவரை அப்பலோ என்ற பெயரை பயன்படுத்துவதற்கு ராயல்ட்டி அடிப்படையில் கட்டணம் செலுத்திவந்தது.

Apollo Hospital, managed by Lanka Hospitals Corporation Ltd. (LHCL), will change its name to Lanka Hospitals from tomorrow, the company said.

Officials said LHCL did not wish to pursue the royalty agreement between Apollo India and LHCL for the use of Apollo’s name which came up for review recently, after its ownership changed. Earlier Apollo, partly owned by the Indian-based hospital chain, was acquired by the Harry Jayawardena-led Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC). Once SLIC reverted back to the state after the Supreme Court ruled against its privatisation in mid-2009, a new director-board and management was appointed. The board of directors of which Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is chairman, will preside at a press conference tomorrow to announce the changes.

ராஜரட்னத்தின் பங்குகளை வாங்க வெளிநாட்டவர்கள் ஆர்வம்

2009-11-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

பங்கு தரகர்களை அடிக்கடி தொடர்புகொள்ளும் வெளிநாட்டு நிறுவனங்கள் மற்றும் பிரபல முதலீட்டாளர்கள் இலங்கையில் ராஜரட்னம் முதலீடு செய்துள்ள பங்குகள் விற்பனைக்கு வருகிறதா என்று அறிய அதீத ஆர்வம் காட்டுகிறார்கள் என அறியக்கிடைக்கிறது.

ராஜரட்னத்தின் பங்குகள் விற்பனைக்கு வருவது பங்குச்சந்தையை மீண்டும் உற்சாகப்படுத்தும். இது பங்கிச்சந்தையை மேலும் வளர்ச்சியுறச்செய்யும். இருந்தும் ராஜரட்னம் வாங்கி விற்பதில் ஆர்வம் காட்டதவர் என்பதால் விரைவில் இப்பங்குகள் விற்பனைக்கு வரும் என்று எதிர்பார்க்கமுடியாது என பங்கு தரகர்கள் கூறுகிறார்கள்.

Foreigners eye Rajaratnam’s stakes

Many foreign institutional and high networth individual investors are interested in US based Galleon Fund Manager, Raj Rajaratnam’s shareholdings in local listed entities, according to brokers. “There are many foreign funds who are interested in Rajaratnam’s shares in local firms. We are getting calls from them periodically over the last few days asking whether any of his shares are for sale,” a broker said.

He said that Mr. Rajaratnam’s share sales are likely to move the market positively. “His stocks are illiquid.

He does not trade actively. Therefore there are many buyers for his shares and if there are trades in his shares the market will move the market up,” he noted. However he said that it is highly unlikely that Rajaratnam will sell any of it soon.

“There has been no indication so far for a sale,” he said. Rajaratnam, charged in the US for insider trading, has shares in top bluechips and firms with low capitalisation.

ஸ்டான்டட் சாட்டட் வங்கியின் இலங்கைக்கான நிறைவேற்றதிகாரி துபாய்க்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

2009-11-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

சர்ச்சைக்குரிய ஸ்டான்டட் சாட்டட் வங்கியின் இலங்கைக்கான நிறைவேற்றதிகாரி க்ளைவ் ஹாஸ்வெல் துபாய்க்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

இலங்கை பெற்றோலிய கூட்டுத்தாபனத்தினுடனான ஒரு பக்கச்சார்பான ஹெஜ்ஜிங் ஒப்பந்தக்கள் காரணமாக ஸ்டான்டட் சாட்டட் வங்கி சர்ச்சைக்கு உள்ளாகியிருந்தது.

இவ்வொப்பந்தம் மூலமாக ஸ்டான்டட் சாட்டட் வங்கிக்கு மிகப்பெரும் இலாபம் கிடைத்தது. அதற்காக ஏறத்தாள ரூபா. ஒரு பில்லியன் பெறுமதியான ஊக்கத்தொகையை வங்கி ஹாஸ்வெல்லுக்கு வழங்கியிருந்தது.

ஹெஜ்ஜிங் சர்ச்சையில் உள்ள 4 வங்கிகளில் அடுத்ததான சிட்டிபேங் கடந்த ஜூன் மாதம் தனது நிறைவேற்றதிகாரியை ஜப்பானில் நிறைவேற்றதிகாரமற்ற பதவி ஒன்றிற்கு மாற்றியிருந்தது.

Controversial Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) CEO Clive Haswell is being transferred from his post in Sri Lanka, well informed sources said. They said Mr Haswell has been transferred to a regional position in Dubai, staff were informed through an internal notice on Friday.

SCB has been embroiled in controversy over the past year due to the oil hedging deals the bank entered into with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) which experts described as one-sided and favoured SCB and four other banks.

Allegations have also been made against Mr. Haswell by SCB’s former Head of Corporate Relations in a sworn affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court a few months ago that he persuaded former CPC Chairman Asantha De Mel into entering the contracts to secure huge profits for the Bank, a commission of approximately Rs.1 billion and bonuses for himself and other top management.

Mr. Haswell has served as SCB Sri Lanka CEO since 2007 after taking over from former CEO Vishnu Mohan. Another bank involved in the hedging contracts, Citibank, saw its CEO Dennis Hussey transferred to Japan in June 2009 to a non-CEO position.

டீகோ கட்டணங்கள் குறையும்

2009-11-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

மீண்டும் பெயர் மாறும் டீகோ சந்தையின் கணிசமான வாடிக்கையாளர்களை கவரும் முகமாக குறைந்த கட்டணத்திட்டங்களை எதிசலாத் அறிமுகம் செய்யுமென எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

.. செல்டெல் என்ற பெயரிலிருந்து 3 வருடங்களுக்கு முன் மாற்றம்பெற்ற டீகோ மீண்டும் பெயர் மாறுகிறது. பெரும்பாலும் அது எதிசலாத் ஆக மாற்றம் பெறும். இந்த மீள் அடையாளப்படுத்தல் மிகப்பெரிய முதலீட்டுடன் செய்யப்படும்.

இது தொடர்பாகவும் இலங்கைக்கான திட்டங்களை வரைவதற்காகவும் எதிசலாத் உயர் அதிகாரிகள் இலங்கைக்கு வந்துள்ளார்கள்.

எதிசலாத் டீகோவை வாங்கிய மறுதினமே அதன் வங்கிக்கடன்களை முற்றாக அடைத்ததாகவும் தெரிகிறது.

Colombo’s third largest mobile operator Tigo, recently bought by UAE’s Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (ETC- Etisalat) from Millicom International Cellular, will be changing its name again, three years after Millicom changed its name from Celltel to Tigo, according to both Etisalat and Tigo sources.

“The Tigo name will be changed. ETC will probably rename Tigo as Etisalat, which is their service brand name,” an ETC source told the Sunday Times FT. The source said that this rebranding exercise will be done with a large investment, but declined to comment on how much.

He said that the company is also slated to launch its 3G (third generation) network early next year. “A top Etisalat team is slated to visit the island this month and will discuss the plans for Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that the team visiting Sri Lanka will discuss mobile services and brand name together with its corporate identity change.

A Tigo source said that ETC a day after completing the sale with Millicom settled all the bank loans of Tigo, but he declined to comment on the amount that was settled.

Analysts said that Tigo’s new parent with an estimated US$ 9.1 billion net assets and a US$ 3 billion net cash inflow from operations boasts of a US$ 3 billion cash and cash equivalents at the end of this financial year. “With a parent company with such deep pockets we can assume that the tariff structure for Tigo’s operations going forward may not meet much pressure in the initial stages and could focus on capturing market share with low tariff schemes,” an industry analyst noted.

ஜோன் கீல்ஸ் ஹோல்டிங் இன் 2009 முதல் அரையாண்டு அறிக்கை

2009-10-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

JKH குழுமத்தின் 2009 ஆம் நிதி ஆண்டின் முதல் அரையாண்டு இலாபம் 38% ஆல் குறைந்துள்ளபோதிலும் எதிர்பார்த்ததை விட மேலான நிலையில் உள்ளது.மொத்த வருமானம் 2%ஆல் குறைந்துள்ளபோதும் கடைசி காலாண்டில் அது யுத்த முடிவின் பின் நாட்டின் நிலை தேறியுள்ளதால் 5% கூடியுள்ளதும் சுட்டிக்காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது.இலங்கை பொருளாதாரத்தில் முக்கியமான அனைத்து துறையிலும் கால்பதித்துள்ள இந்நிறுவனம் யுத்தத்தின் பின்னான காலப்பகுதியில் அதிக முன்னேற்றம் காணும்.சில்லறை வியாபாரத்திலும் உணவுப்பண்ட வியாபாரத்திலும் வட கிழக்கில் தன் நிலையை மேலும் உறுதிப்படுத்தும் அதேவேளை திருகோணமலையில் உள்ள கிளப் ஓசியானிக் ஹோட்டலை தரமுயர்த்துவதும் இந்நிறுவனத்தின் தற்போதைய இலக்காகும்.

Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings (JKH) said on Thursday that pre-tax profits for the six months to September 2009 fell by 38 % to Rs 1.86 billion compared to the same period in 2008, with the company saying the result was much better than expected.

The results were released a while ago soon after Colombo Stock Exchange closed its trading for the day at 2.30 pm. “Though our results were not as good as last year, they are well above what was expected at the beginning of the year, given the improved environment. We are confident that the full potential that this opportunity affords us will be realised in the near future,” said JKH Chairman Susantha Ratnayake in a statement to stakeholders.

Revenue for the same 2009 period fell marginally by 2 % to Rs. 21.30 billion but revenue for the last quarter (July-September) rose by 5 % to Rs 11.23 billion due to the improved situation (in the country).

Ratnayake said that given the exposure to key segments of the economy and JKH’s strong balance sheet, it was well positioned to benefit from the opportunities that the new environment presents (after the end of the conflict).

He said the group has already invested in increasing its presence in the North-East in the Consumer Foods and Retail Industry Group and the Financial Services Industry Group and will be upgrading the Club Oceanic Hotel in Trincomalee from December.

ஓமானுக்கும் இலங்கைக்கும் இடையே; விமான சேவை தொடர்பாக முறுகல்

2009-10-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

ஓமான் அரசு; சிறீலங்கன் விமான சேவையின் விமானங்கள் அந்நாட்டில் தரையிறங்குவதையும், ஒமானின் வான்பரப்பை பாவிப்பதையும் தடைசெய்யப்போவதாக மிரட்டியுள்ளது.

ஒமான் எயார் இலங்கைக்கான சேவைகளை மீள ஆரம்பிக்க அனுமதி கோரியிருந்த நிலையில் சிறீலங்கன் விமான சேவை இலங்கை அரசு அக்கோரிக்கையை மறுதலிக்க ஆலோசனை வழங்கியமையானது ஓமானின் இந்த மிரட்டலுக்கு காரணமாகும்.

Oman has threatened to cancel SriLankan Airlines flights to its capital Muscat and block the use of its airspace for SriLankan flights if the Sri Lankan government fails to adhere to a bilateral agreement between the two countries, the Sunday Times learns.

The crisis follows the Sri Lankan government's refusal, on the advice of SriLankan Airlines, to allow Oman Air, that country's national airline, to resume flights to and out of Colombo, seven times a week, which is agreed under the agreement.

"This issue has reached a diplomatic level," a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told the Sunday Times. Oman Air sources said the airline had been informed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, currently in Vietnam, would resolve the impasse on his return.

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan government has been informed that if the issue persists, Oman authorities will cancel the bilateral agreement and block the use of its airspace for SriLankan flights to other destinations like Europe, and stop SriLankan flying to Muscat. SriLankan flies to Muscat via Doha (Qatar), twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.

Airline industry sources say that if SriLankan Airlines loses airspace rights over Oman, it would have to take a detour to Europe including crossing war-torn countries like Afghanistan.

Oman Air, which pulled out in 2004, was due to resume flights on October 10 but postponed the launch saying it has not received approval as yet and cited October 17 as the new date to resume flights. The airline could not keep to the new date too as the issues remained unresolved.

At the centre of the dispute are allegations that two former SriLankan Airlines, CEO Peter Hill and Chief Commercial Officer Barry Brown, who are now serving in the same capacity with Oman Air, are trying to penetrate SriLankan Airlines' market share with a vengeance; It is also alleged that Oman Air has grabbed some of the Sri Lankan national carrier's key staff, and is asking for too many flights and want to break into the national carrier's market, according to SriLankan sources.

But the Oman Air sources say the issue is more about SriLankan Airlines concern over possibly losing a share of its European sector traffic because Oman Air has faster onward connections to Europe from Muscat in addition to better and newer aircraft with revolving seats. "That is the crux of the matter, not the number of frequencies," said one Oman Air source.

The CAA official said the bilateral agreement on air services between Oman Air and the Sri Lankan government in 1981saw Oman Air start two flights a week to Colombo. In 2003, the agreement was amended to permit seven flights a week for both airlines. But Oman Air continued to operate only two flights per week till they pulled out in 2004, saying the route was uneconomical (due to the security situation).

The Oman Air source, however, said that under the 1981 agreement the volumes (the number of flights) was to be mutually decided by the two parties but didn't have a specific number. In 2002, there was a signed contract between the two sides which provides for seven flights a week for both sides. "That number has been mutually agreed and has to be honoured," he said.

Countering this view, the CAA official said the agreement also had clauses which allow a reduction in the frequencies if the demand drops. SriLankan Airlines says there is no demand for seven flights and has asked the CAA to reduce it to two flights, which is what has been offered to Oman Air.

The CAA official said SriLankan Airlines, about two months ago, protested over Oman Air's request for seven flights a week on resumption of services.

"SriLankan said that there is no market demand for seven flights between Oman and Colombo. They also said that the SriLankan sales team in Germany and Britain had been recruited en-bloc by Oman Air and this was among 16 SriLankan staff handling these important markets for the national carrier. They said this was done in a bid to grab SriLankan Airlines' market and that Mr. Hill and Mr. Brown are behind this," he said.

Gihan Karunaratne, Country Manager for Oman Air, was not available for comment.

நட்சத்திர கசினோ திறப்பு பிற்போடப்பட்டது.- opening of casino postopned

2009-10-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

ஜனாதிபதியின் பாதுகாப்பு பிரிவின் உத்தரவுக்கமைய சிலோன் கொன்டினென்டல் ஹோட்டலின் கசினோ திறக்கப்படாமலே மூடப்பட்டது.

ரூபா 180 மீலியன் செலவில் நிர்மாணிக்கப்பட்ட இந்த கசினோ, கடைசியில் ஒரு நைட் கிளப் ஆக திறக்கப்பட்டது.

இந்த கசினோ இங்கிலாந்தின் FEE Entertainment இனால் நிர்வகிக்கப்பட இருந்தது.

A brand new casino to be opened at the star-class Ceylon Continental Hotel (former Inter-continental) in Colombo's high security Fort area has been stalled on the orders of the Presidential Security Division (PSD).

The hotel, owned by businessman Nahil Wijesuriya had contracted a well-known casino owner of yesteryear, Nalin Fonseka, to start a gambling den at the hotel. The opening of the US$ 1.6 million (Rs. 180 million) casino scheduled for Friday night was cancelled as orders came from Hanoi where President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on an official visit.

According to sources close to the casino operators, no reasons were given by the PSD for the cancellation even though the required taxes had been paid and licences obtained to operate the casino. These sources said they feared rival casino operators were instrumental in getting the opening stopped.

Ceylon Continental Hotel consultant Milinda Hettiarachchi said that they were only told the opening was 'postopned'. A night club, however, was opened at the same venue instead of the casino., The casino was to be managed by a British-based company called FEE Entertainment.

கொழும்பு நகர ஹோடல்களில் ஒரு இரவுக்கான குறைந்த கட்டணம் Colombo Hotel Rate

2009-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

கொழும்பு நகர நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டல்களிடையே ஏற்பட்ட விலை குறைப்பு போட்டியை நிறுத்தி சிறிய ஹோட்டல்களை பாதுக்கக்குமுகமாக நவம்பர் 01 முதல் ஹோட்டல்களின் அறை வாடகைகளுக்கான குறைந்த தொகை நிர்ணயம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

5 நட்சத்திரம் - US$75 ++ (அதாவது வரிகளுடன் US$93)
4 நட்சத்திரம் - US$60
3 நட்சத்திரம் - US$45
ஆக இருக்கும்.

இதனை மீறும் ஹோட்டல்கள் பாரிய தண்டப்பணம் செலுத்தவேண்டியிருக்கும்

Undercutting of room rate charges among five star hotels in Colombo has adversely affected smaller hotels and forced the government to enforce a compulsory minimum room-rate structure from November 1 with stiff penalties for offenders.

Any violation of these rules will be subject to a penalty of $1,000 plus the difference between the official rate and the lower 'illegal' rate sold by the guilty party, according to Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) S. Kalaiselvam. Under the new rates, all five star properties will charge US$75 ++ (taxes), which works out to a total US$93 per room and for lower star categories it would be US$15 less. This means a four star hotel will charge US$60 (excluding taxes) and the three star hotel US$45 per room night.

"We will monitor the rates daily and ensure enforcement," Mr Kalaiselvam said, adding that any tour packages that have been sold prior to October 24 will be exempt from the November 1 rates. "But this concession will be given only for three months (till end January) and from February 1 even pre-Oct.24 contracts must follow the new rates," he said, adding: "All city hotels have agreed to this pricing mechanism."

But hoteliers said their understanding is that earlier agreed contracts are valid for the entire contracted period and not just for three months after November as stated by the SLTPB

M. Shanthikumar, President of the Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association, told the Sunday Times, that all hotels had agreed to the new rates coming into effect on November 1, adding, “Our understanding is that already signed contracts are valid at the old rates for as long as they have been contracted, specific dates given and bookings confirmed. These old rates are valid throughout the contracted period.”
At least three hotels the Sunday Times called last night were unsure about the new rates.

The receptionist at the Galadari Hotel said current room rates were $85 with breakfast but that these might change in December. She didn’t know what the new rates were. The Hilton said current room rates were $105 nett with breakfast for a single and $115 for a double but the receptionist said the new rates after November were yet to be finalized. The Cinnamon Grand receptionist said the new rates for November were yet to be worked out while current rates are $124 nett.

Some tour operators say this could have an impact on the business as packages have been sold beyond three months. "We need to see how to resolve this issue as already-agreed packages will have cost more to the operator after February," one operator said.The Tourism Ministry intervened after small hotels complained that five star properties were involved in severe undercutting in room rates, even after city hotels got together and came up with a self-regulatory mechanism.

Mr. Shanthikumar said that the Association had a ‘gentlemen’s’ agreement among its members to have a pricing mechanism but that arrangement failed after eight months as hotels were charging different rates.

According to the general manager of a small, three-star hotel, who didn’t want to be named, the undercutting has worsened with five star hotels offering rates as low as US$35-40. "Some hotels were cutting into our markets with their low rates and better facilities and we were losing guests,” he said

He said he was happy that the Tourism Ministry was taking over the minimum pricing mechanism as this would ensure a level playing field, adding: "How could we survive when big hotels and small hotels charge the same rates?"

SundayTimes

இலங்கையில் மீட்டர் ஆட்டோ சேவை

2009-10-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

அழையுங்கள் 0712 500 800 அல்லது 0772 299 299

முதல் கிலோமீட்டருக்கு ரூபா 50/- உம், அதன்பின் கிலோமீட்டருக்கு ரூபா 30/- உம் அறவிடப்படும்.காத்திருப்பதற்கு மணித்தியாலத்திற்கு ரூபா 90/- அறவிடப்படும்.

நாட்டில் பொதுவான போக்குவரத்து வாகனமாக ஆட்டோக்கள் இருந்தபோதும் ஆட்டோ சாரதிகளின் ஒழுக்கமற்ற நடவடிக்கைகள் காரணமாக பிரயாணிகளிடையே சந்தேக மனப்பான்மை காணப்பட்டது.

இச்சேவை உல்லாசப்பிரயாணிகளை நோக்காக கொண்டு ஆரம்பித்தாலும் உள்நாட்டு மக்களும் இச்சேவையை பாவிக்கமுடியும்.

உல்லாசப்பிரயாண தினத்தில் செப்டம்பர் மாதம் 50 மீட்டர் ஆட்டோக்களுடன் இந்த சேவை ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டது.

இந்த ஆட்டோ சாரதிகளுக்க விசேட அடையாள அட்டையும் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது,

Tourist friendly ‘tuk-tuks’ have hit the roads of Colombo, to ensure safe transport for foreign visitors.
While 3-wheelers are the common mode of transport in the country, tourists have complained about extortionate prices charged by 3-wheelers, reckless driving and sometimes even harassment. The Tourist Friendly Tuk Tuks project is aimed at providing safe, ow cost and quality transport services for foreign visitors to Sri Lanka.

“The new service, ‘Tourist Friendly Tuk Tuk’ is a scheme to introduce metered taxies, with accepted tourist standards, for the benefit of visiting foreign tourists to Sri Lanka,” said the Director International Relations and Research, of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Malraj Kiriella.

The project, launched in September to celebrate World Tourism Day, started by enlisting about 50 metered 3-wheelers from the All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association. The tourism authorities say the programme is open to any 3-wheelers that meet its criteria.

For easy identification and to distinguish them from normal three wheelers, the tourist trishaws are decorated with colour paintings using a Sri Lankan art style. The trishaw paintings show various tourist attractions in the country and are bordered by a traditional ‘liyaval’ pattern, said tourism officials.
The drivers of these tourist trishaws are issued a license by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority’s (SLTDA), after completing a specially designed training course. It is mandatory to display the ‘driver’s photo identification,’ also issued by the SLTDA and to display charge rates for the passenger to see.

The tourist friendly trishaws can be hired by contacting the Call Centre of the All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association, on the hotlines: 0712 500 800 or 0772 299 299.

“We follow an operating model where the passenger is assured of safety, fair price and good quality service. This is why the tourism authority chose us for the ‘Tourist Friendly Tuk Tuk’ project,” said the President of the All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association, Lalith Dharmasekara Vithanage.

The Association already operates about 150 metered trishaws, based on a standard pricing model, for domestic consumers. The Association says its metre-based charging system protects consumers from unfairly high three wheeler charges. Because the three wheelers are all centrally controlled and monitored, these trishaws also offer better security for passengers, especially women.

“We offer the same rates for tourists as well as locals. Our price is Rs 50 for the first kilometre, and Rs 30 for every additional kilometre. Our waiting fee is Rs 90 for 1 hour. So this is only Rs 1.50 per minute. The price is shown on a metre near the drivers’ seat. So this way, the customer knows how much to pay at the end of the journey,” said Mr Vithanage.

The Tourism Authority plans to gradually expand the Tourist Friendly Tuk Tuk service inside Colombo and also to other popular tourist destinations in the island. Meanwhile, the Three-Wheeler Drivers Association is looking at expanding its services for domestic consumers as well as tourists.

மிலேனியம் IT நிறுவனத்தை லண்டன் பங்கு பரிவர்த்தனை வாங்கியது - MillenniumIT acquired by London Stock Exchange

2009-10-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

நேற்று மிலேனியம் IT இனால் இந்த தகவல் உத்தியோகபூர்வமாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இதன்மூலம் இவ்வணிகத்தில் ஜாம்பவான்களான NASDAC OMX மற்றும் NYSE. ஆகியவற்றுடன் போட்டியிடும் வாய்ப்பு கிட்டும். இத்துறையில் 3 வருடத்திற்குள் முதல் இடத்தை பிடிப்பது இலக்காக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

எச்சந்தர்ப்பத்திலும் மிலேனியம் IT இனால் நிர்வகிக்கப்ப்டும் இலங்கை பங்கு பரிவர்த்தனையின் செயற்பாடுகளில் பாதிப்பு வராது என்றும் உறுதியளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

MillenniumIT yesterday announced its full acquisition take-over by the London Stock Exchange PLC which would enable MillenniumIT to expand its services to leverage a global exchange technology sales business.

The transaction will facilitate MillenniumIT to acquire a larger business market with the brand name and better balance sheet which posed a significant redundancy in its potential capacity so far. The CEO of MillenniumIT, Tony Weerasinghe addressing the media stated that a large share of business has been lost due to the low balance sheet and the brand name which had to compete against giants in the industry such as NASDAC OMX and NYSE.

“We have the equivalent technology the leading bodies market as well as the expertise; we also build the systems to the same cost however they sell at a higher price value due to the brand name. We are thus positive that with the London Stock Exchange backing us, we would be able to enter the market successfully as it has not just given us a stronger balance sheet but also a persuasive brand name,” Mr. Weerasinghe said.

Stating that he sees the deal as a strategic deal where both parties would be benefited, Mr. Weerasinghe acknowledged that their goal is to be No.1 in the field in 2-3 years.

“We always win at the committee level but at board level, we always lose. We were not considered due to our balance sheet. We have an asset value of US$15 million and have always had a double digit growth.”

This completion also administers a new and high performance trading platform and an agile in house IT development capability in the London Stock Exchange. “MillenniumIT will transform our in house IT development capabilities by giving us proprietary ownership of our technology, allowing us to be more responsible to our clients needs, delivering enhancements and innovations more quickly and at lower cost,” the CEO of London Stock exchange Group, Xavier Rolet said.

“We were on the lookout for technology solution that would help us modernize and upgrade our tool kit and out of 18 potential solutions we identified, MillenniumIT stood out with its technology, services, structure, management and future ambition,” he said.

This is also an opportunity for Sri Lanka to leave its footprint in this sector, raise awareness and compete worldwide.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Sri Lankan companies to raise capital and increase the growth potential,” Mr. Rolet said.

The group will begin its transfer of clients to MillenniumIT’s trading system from the end of 2010, replacing TradElect, Infolect and other interfaces. The new platform will allow the Group to enrich its functionality and reduce IT development and operational costs, resulting in estimated annual savings of at least 10 million Euros from FY2011-12.

This strategic alliance will not affect any of the business MIT has carried on thus far therefore the automated trading services of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Securities and Exchange System (SEC) undertaken by MIT will not falter at any point of time.

டீகோவை எதிசலாத் வாங்கியது Etisalat Buys Tigo

2009-10-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

Emirates Telecommunication Corp. (Etisalat), which bought Millicom's Sri Lankan mobile operations, said on Saturday it planned investments in the firm in an effort to dominate the Asian country's market.

வாசகர்கட்கு டீகோ விற்பனை பற்றிய செய்திகளை Lanka Biz Blog உடனுக்குடன் வழங்கிவந்தது.

தற்போது டீகோ, UAE இன் எதிசலாத் இற்கு விற்பனையாவது உறுதியாகியுள்ளது.

$207 மில்லியன் பெறுமதியான இவ்வர்த்தகம் நாளை (Oct 20) முழுமைபெறும்.

அரபுலகின் 3ஆவது பெரிய தொலைத்தொடர்பு நிறுவனமான எதிசலாத், சொந்த நாட்டில் தனியுரிமையை இழந்தபின் வெளிநாட்டு முதலீடுகளில் ஆர்வம் காட்டுகிறது. தற்போது இந்நிறுவனம் 18 நாடுகளில் செயற்படுகிறது.

எதிர்வரும் மார்ச் மாதம் முதல் 3G சேவையை வழங்குவதற்கு டீகோ ஏற்கெனவே அனுமதி பெற்றுள்ளது.

Millicom International said on Friday that Etisalat would wholly acquire Tigo, its Sri Lanka business for $207 million and that the deal would close by Oct. 20.

Etisalat, the Arab world's third biggest telecoms firm, operates in 18 countries including Egypt and India. It is one of a number of Gulf Arab telecom operations that have expanded overseas after losing their monopolies at home.

"(Etisalat) plans to invest in this company to ensure that it has the dynamism to take the leading position in the market in the next few years," chairman Mohammed Hassan Omran said in a statement.

Tigo is the second largest mobile operator in Sri Lanka and was licensed in March to offer third generation services.

"The acquisition promises attractive returns as the Sri Lankan government is increasing its effort to promote foreign investment in all sectors," Omran said.

He said the acquisition "offers great opportunities for synergy with our other operations in the region, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India".

The Abu Dhabi-based firm said last week it aims to sell bonds, possibly Islamic, this year or by early 2010 to help finance its overseas expansion.

It is awaiting the outcome of bids for a fixed and mobile phone licence in Libya and has said it remains interested in entering Morocco's telecom sector.

மலிவு விலையில் விற்பனைக்கு வரும் பழைய பிரித்தானிய தூதரகம் - British High Commission property for sale

2009-10-18T02:24:00.000-07:00

கொள்ளுப்பிட்டி காலி வீதிக்கு அருகாமையில் அமைந்துள்ள பழைய பிரித்தானிய தூதரக கட்டடம் விற்பனைக்கு வந்துள்ளது.

அமெரிக்க தூதரகத்துக்கு அருகாமையில் அமைந்துள்ள 434 பேர்ச்சஸ் காணியுடன் கூடிய இந்தக்கட்டடம் விற்பனை முகவரான அவுஸ்த்திரேலிய நிறுவனத்தினதும் இலங்கையில் பிரபல ஏல விற்பனை நிறுவனத்தினதும் கணாணிப்பின்கீழ் விற்கப்படும்

இந்தக்காணிக்கு இவ் அவுஸ்த்திரேலிய நிறுவனம் ஏறத்தாழ ரூபா. 1 பில்லியன் விலை நிர்ணயம் செய்துள்ளபோதும், இலங்கை நிறுவனங்கள் ஏறத்தாழ இதைவிட இரண்டு மடங்கு பெறுமதி மிக்கதாக கருதுகின்றன.

இதனைவாங்குவதற்கு ஜோன் கீல்ஸ் ஹேல்டிங் அடங்கலாக 10 நிறுவனங்கள் போட்டி போடுவதாக அறியக்கிடைக்கின்றது.

Ten bidders are vying to purchase the premises of the former British High Commission, informed The property industry sources told the Sunday Times FT on Friday.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) officials confirmed the company has put in a bid and is in the process of submitting all the necessary documentation.

The land, approximately 434 perches of prime waterfront land, adjoins the American Embassy and sits opposite Temple Trees. Expressions of interest for the property were first called for in June 2008 and then again in July 2009 to encourage more interest, according to British High Commission officials who spoke to the Sunday Times FT in July 2009.

When bids were called in June 2008, an Australian property developer called Savills was selected as the exclusive marketing agent along with Sri Lanka’s Schokman & Samarawickreme, to sell the property. At that time, the Savills website was giving a benchmark of Australia $9.5 to $10 million which is around Rs.1 billion although local real estate agents said it could be worth double that amount.

டீகோவை வாங்க முயற்சிக்கும் துபாய் நிறுவனம்

2009-09-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

துபாய் தொலைத்தொடர்பு நிறுவனமான எதிசலாத் டீகோ நிறுவனத்தை வாங்குவடற்கு முயற்சிப்பதாக உத்தியோகபூர்வமாக அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்நிறுவனம் 18 நாடுகளில் இயங்குகிறது.

மொரோக்கோவில் மெடிடெல் நிறுவனத்தை வாங்கும் முயற்சி வெற்றியளிக்காததால் இப்போது அது இலங்கை மீது கவனம் செலுத்துகிறது.

மிகவிரைவில் எதிசலாத்தின் நிறுவனம் ஒன்று இந்தியாவிலும் தொடங்கவிருக்கிறது.

DUBAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) said on Monday it had submitted a binding offer on Sept. 4 to buy a 100 percent share in Millicom, Sri Lanka – known as Tigo.
The statement on Abu Dhabi's bourse website did not give further details and the United Arab Emirates company, which operates in 18 countries, was not immediately available for comment.

“The offer for Millicom's Sri Lankan operations follows Etisalat's failed bid for a stake in Morocco's Meditel and underlines the firm's determination to expand into emerging markets beyond the Gulf Arab region,” an analyst said.

"Etisalat is in Pakistan and Afghanistan and is about to launch in India so this deal would make sense and would be an extension of its footprint, but we need more details on the bid and there are other players involved," said Simon Simonian, Shuaa Capital telecoms analyst.

Simonian said emerging markets such as Sri Lanka offer low penetration and high growth potential, but are more difficult to operate in than developed markets such as Europe. The Abu Dhabi-based telecom firm is 60 % owned by the UAE government, the world's third biggest oil exporter, and the emirate of Abu Dhabi controls 90 % of the country's oil reserves.

Lankan mobile network operator is said to be worth between $150 million and $200 million.

யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில் ஏக்கர் காணி தேடும் எயிட்கன் ஸ்பென்ஸ்

2009-09-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

எயிட்கன் ஸ்பென்ஸ் நிறுவனம் ஹோட்டல் துறையில் தன் பங்களிப்பை அதிகரிக்க உள்ளது.

இதன் அங்கங்களாக நிலாவெளியில் உள்ள அதன் 105 ஏக்கர் காணி அபிவிருத்தி செய்யப்படும். இதற்கு வெளிநாட்டு நிறுவனக்களின் பங்களிப்பும் வரவேற்கப்படுகிறது.

அத்துடன் ஹோட்டல் ஒற்றை அமைப்பதற்காக அந்நிறுவனம் யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில் 6 ஏக்கர் காணியை தேடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது. ஆயினும் யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில் அவ்வளவு விசாலமான காணியை நகர்ப்பகுதில் வாங்குவது கஷ்டமான காரியமாக இருப்பதாக தெரிகிறது .

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Aitken Spence Holdings PLC is on a mega hotel expansion drive both in Sri Lanka and in other markets, according to company officials. “We are trying to develop our 105-acre beach frontage land in Nilaveli and we are considering various possibilities with this property,” Malin Hapugoda, Managing Director Aitken Spence Hotel Management (Pvt) Ltd told the Sunday Times FT.

He said this property has 2 km of beach land which is ideal for a luxury hotel and they have not ruled out the possibility to develop it with prospective foreign partners. He said that the nearly 11-acre plot near Heritance Ahungalla will also be developed soon, adding that the company is also negotiating to purchase a property in Jaffna town. “We are not hunting for a large property like Nilaveli here, but a substantial property of about six acres,” he said.

S. Yogarajasingham, CEO Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam (Jaffna) told the Sunday Times FT that the biggest issue is that there are no ‘big’ lands for sale in Jaffna. “Last week some Aitken Spence officials were looking for a land to put up a hotel in the city,” he said, adding that they called him to inquire about it. “They wanted about five to six acres in the city to build a hotel or a rest house as there is an unprecedented demand for these in the Jaffna peninsula.”

Mr. Hapugoda said that Aitken Spence is currently in discussion with Six Senses Resorts & Spas (which is a resort and spa management and development company with properties in six countries including Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, Jordan, and Spain) to develop the island they own in Ahungalla.
“It is a 27-acre island situated in Madhu River. We have revived talks with Six Senses to build eco-friendly luxurious villas in this island,” he added.

He also said the company is contemplating to brand Tea Factory as Heritance Kandapola (as it is situated at Kandapola). He said that Aitken Spence will invest more in Indian properties. “We own eight hotels here, three (management and part equity) in India and five are managed in Oman,” he said, adding that the company has plans to go to Cochin, Qatar and Dubai by next year. “We are planning to manage the hotels in these places,” he said. He said their fifth hotel in Oman, Desert Nights Camp was opened this month.

He said the company has tied up with an Indian partner to build a luxury floating villa type hotel in Cochin. “The construction is going on at the moment and we will open the hotel in November 2011,” he said.

மொட்டரொல்லாவின் புதிய Mobile Phone - Cliq

2009-09-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

அண்மைக்காலமாக நஷ்டத்தில் இயங்கிய மொட்டரொல்லாவின் வர்த்தகமானது கூகிள் உடனாக அது தயாரிக்கப்போகும் புதிய Mobile Phone உடன் லாபத்தில் இயங்கும் என பங்குதாரர்கள் கருதுகிறார்கள். இவை Cliq என பெயரிடப்படும்.

இப்புதிய Mobile Phone ஆனது FaceBook மற்றும் Twitter என்பவற்றை பாவிப்பதற்கு இலகுவானதாக் இருக்கும்.

இலாபத்தில் இயங்குவதற்கு மொட்டரொல்லா ஒரு காலாண்டுக்கு 2 மில்லியன் Mobile Phoneகளை விற்க வேண்டிவரும்.

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Motorola Inc shares rose 6.5 percent on Friday on hopes the company could turn around its loss-making handset business with the new cellphone it developed with Google Inc.

The market's initial response to the announcement was modest and the shares closed up just 1.5 percent on Thursday, but many analysts took a closer look at the phone --called Cliq in the United States-- later in the afternoon and issued upbeat reports.

Analysts were particularly positive about the phone's features like easy access to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. RBC analyst Mark Sue raised his price target on the shares to $10 from $8.

"Our initial take is favorable, and it seems that Motorola is carving out a niche in the crowded smartphone market by focusing on socially minded demographics as opposed to enterprise users or pro-sumers," Sue said.

The Cliq goes on sale in the United States through Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile USA in the fourth quarter, and it will be branded Dext in the rest of the world. France Telecom's Orange plans to sell it in Britain and France; Telefonica in Spain; and America Movil in Latin America.

Motorola is launching another phone using Google's Android software later in the year, and Wall Street sees the series as its last big hope to regain the market share lost to rivals like Apple Inc's iPhone, as well as those sold by Nokia and Samsung.

While many analysts' first impression of the phone on Thursday had been that it was no iPhone killer, many said it could still help revive the business.

"We believe Motorola needs to sell about 2 million smartphones a quarter to return to profitability in handsets, and the Cliq is a good first step to achieving this level," said Morgan Keegan analyst Tavis McCourt.

Motorola shares were up 52 cents to $8.49 in late morning trading. They briefly touched a high of $8.62.

1600 ஹெக்டயர் பரப்பளவில் ஹோட்டல்

2009-09-10T02:37:00.000-07:00

நேற்று இலங்கையில் யுத்தத்தின் பின்னான மிகப்பெரிய சுற்றுலாத்துறை முதலீட்டின் அடிக்கல் நாட்டப்பட்டது. 1600 ஹெக்டயர் பரப்பளவில் அமையப்போகும் "சிக்ஸ் சென்ஸ்" குழும ஹோட்டலில்; மிதக்கும் உணவகம், ஹெலிகாப்டர் இறங்கு தளம் என்பனவும் அமைய விருக்கின்றன.. இது 100,000 பேருக்கு தொழில் வாய்ப்பையும் சுற்றுலா துறைக்கு மூன்று மடங்கு வருமானத்தையும் தரும்.

இலங்கையின் கற்பிட்டியில் அமையப்போகும் இந்த ஹோட்டலில் அறை வாடகை US$ 350 முதல் US$ 1,000 வரை இருக்கும்.

இரண்டு கட்டமாக நடைபெறும் நிர்மாண பணிகளில் முதல் கட்டம் US$75 மில்லியன் பெறுமதியானது. இதன் முதற்கட்டம் 2011.11.11 இல் சரியாக நேரம் 11.11 இற்கு திறந்துவைக்கப்படும்.

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Sri Lanka Tourism is set to undertake its first post war mega project worth Rs.40 billion by an internationally reputed chain of hotels, Six Senses.

Spanning 1600 hectares, the proposed luxury resort will include a premium leisure and spa club, floating restaurants and even a helipad. This venture will also offer jobs to some 100,000 persons and would increase threefold the country’s earnings on tourism.

The absence of such internationally acclaimed hotel chains in Colombo has posed a major setback to Sri Lanka’s tourism trade in the past.

However, this is about to change for Sri Lanka with the Six Senses hotel chain coming on board to open up a luxurious boutique resort at Dutch Bay, Kalpitiya.

Coming at an opportune time, the resort will house 60 mangrove boutique chalets located on inland water bodies. This is a joint venture between Six Senses and Swarna Dweep.

Hotel chains such as the Meridian, Ramada and Marriott have in the past all left the island, seeking greener pastures. A few airlines, namely British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, have also followed suit.This has led to a loss in international participation which has negatively affected the tourist trade. Currently, Hilton is the only international hotel chain with a presence in Sri Lanka.

The price range of the new hotel would start at USD 350 for smaller chalets while larger villas will cost approximately USD 800-1000, said Chairman of Dutch Bay Resorts, Neil de Silva. “We hope to have a 40% occupancy rate and if it increases we hope to increase the cost of smaller chalets to approximately USD 500.”

The time is right to get ahead and get going, especially in the tourism sector, where the authorities have great hopes for a possible ‘up swing’ in the industry. The government is counting on a major contribution from tourism to the national income.

Minister of Tourism Promotion, Faizer Mustapha stated on Tuesday that the new resort, to be opened in 2011, will not only help in the development of Kalpitiya, but also act as an exemplary body to woo other international bodies to invest in Sri Lanka. “International interest in Sri Lanka is a much needed factor for future development.”

“This would also help in realizing the goal set by the President of 2.5 million tourists by 2016; especially because we only have 17,000 rooms as opposed to the 5,000 more needed to host such a capacity,” said the Minister. Dutch Bay Resorts, aptly named for its location, also aims at attracting high yield tourism which Sri Lanka has not yet engaged in to a serious extent.

“Indonesia, Thailand, Maldives, etc. have taken over high-end tourism, while Sri Lanka lost on that opportunity due to its internal situations. However, this resort will cater exclusively to these high-end tourists - mainly Arabs, Europeans, and Sri Lankan expatriates,” said Mr. de Silva. “We hope to impose mandatory requirements, such as the growing of vegetables and fruits for the resort by people in the adjoining areas, which would invariably benefit and uplift living standards of local residents as well,” he said.

This area has been earmarked by the government for high-end tourism.

He also stated that the project will go underway in two Phases; Phase1 would cost USD 75 million while Phase 2 would cost some USD 100 million. “Phase 1 will be launched in 2011.11.11 at 11.11 am, with two storied signature villas, a plunge in pool, etc., while Phase 2 will consist of 80 villas and will house hideaway boutique chalets and signature villas managed by Six Senses under the commercial name ‘Six Senses Hideaway at Dutch Bay.’

The foundation stone of the building was laid yesterday at the premises secured by the Six Senses group last year.

டீகோ விற்பனைக்கு - Tigo for sale by March 2010

2009-08-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

டீகோ விற்பனைக்கு
இலங்கையின் தொலைபேசி சேவையான டீகோ தன் சேவையினை எதிர்வரும் ஆண்டு முதல் காலாண்டில் முடிவுக்கு கொண்டுவருகிறது.

டீகோ மூன்றாவது பெரிய கையடக்க தொலைபேசி சேவையை வழங்கும் நிறுவனமாகும். இது 2 மில்லியன் வாடிக்கையாளர்களையும், 200 மில்லியன் அமெரிக்க டொலர் பெறுமதியானது எனவும் மதிப்பிடப்படுகிறது.

இதன் கட்டமைப்புகளை வாங்குவதற்கு எயார்டெல் மற்றும் டயலொக் இன் தாய் நிறுவனமான அக்சிடா உள்ளிட்ட நிறுவனங்கள் விருப்பத்தை தெரிவித்திருக்கின்றன.

Luxembourg-based telecom operator Millicom International Cellular Asia’s sale of its Sri Lankan operations, Tigo will be concluded by the first quarter of next year, a senior Millicom official said.
“We expect to complete the sale of Celltel Lanka Ltd, (the holding company of Tigo) by March of next year,” Perigreen Riviera, Head of Communications, Millicom told the Sunday Times FT in a telephone interview. When asked about media reports whether Bharti Airtel will buy the company, he said Millicom has had several Expressions of Interest (EOI), but declined to comment on the number of EOI, or who had sent them.

Malaysia's Axiata, which owns 85% of the dominant player Dialog Telekom, is also believed to be in one of the contenders. Last month the parent company said it had received expressions of interest for its Asian assets and that it had appointed Goldman Sachs as advisor for the transaction. Tigo is Sri Lanka's third largest mobile network with over two million subscribers and is worth US$150-200 million, industry officials say.

மொபைலில் - Lanka Biz Blog Now on Your Mobile

2009-08-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

வர்த்தக செய்திகளைத்தரும் லங்கா பிஸ் ப்லொக் இனை இப்போது உங்கல் மொபைல் ஊடாகவும் பார்வையிடலாம்.

http://lbizblog.mofuse.mobi/

Lanka Biz Blog Launched its mobile version

டயலொக் புதிய சாதனை - அதி கூடிய நஷ்டமடைந்த நிறுவனம் - Dialog: Rs.9.5 billion loss for 1H09

2009-08-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

2009 இன் முதல் அரையாண்டின் ரூபா. 9.5 பில்லியன் நஷ்டம்.

இலங்கையில் 2009இன் முதல் அரையாண்டில் பதிவாகிய மிகப்பெரிய நஷ்டமாகும்.

2008 இன் முதல் அரையாண்டின் ரூபா. 1.2 பில்லியன் இலாபம்.

வருமானம் ரூபா. 900 மில்லியன் 2008 இன் முதல் அரையாண்டை விட குறைந்துள்ளது

In worse than expected results, Dialog Telekom PLC Group recorded a substantial net loss in the first half of 2009 with the company’s financial statements showing rising administrative, distribution and finance costs as well as operating losses.

The Group’s net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was Rs. 9.5 billion compared to a net profit of Rs.1.2 billion for the corresponding period in 2008. Stock brokers said this is the probably the highest loss ever recorded for the period of any company.

“Nobody was expecting good news from Dialog but these results are worst than expected,” one broker said. Brokers added that mobile penetration in Sri Lanka is high at around 60% and that Dialog is the market leader but due to intense and cut throat price competition between the five mobile service providers, Dialog has been unable to dictate prices.

The company said revenue also decreased for the current period to Rs.17.1 billion from Rs.18 billion the previous year. Dialog announced to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) this week that the Board of Directors resolved to undertake a one-off network modernization step aimed at converting its Core Network to 100% Next Generation Network (NGN) formulation.

The one-off modernization is expected to deliver Rs.1.5 billion to its profit and loss (P&L) on an annualized basis going forward. Dialog said modernizing specific elements of the Core Network requires a provision for impairment of legacy network elements. Accordingly, the company has provided for an immediate impairment charge amounting to Rs. 6,031,620,039 in the quarter ended 30 June 2009.

Stock brokers said the loss recorded by Dialog is partly due to this fixed asset Rs.6 billion write-off although even without the write-off, the company would still have made a huge loss for the period. However, one broker said it was not exactly clear what the write off was.

கற்பிட்டியில் பிரம்மாண்டமான ஹோட்டல் - President Resort to be built in Kalpitiya

2009-08-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

பிஜே ஹோல்டிங் நிறுவனம் புதிதாக 47 புதிய ஹோட்டலகளை அமைக்கவிருக்கிறது. இவற்றில் பெரும்பாலானவை வடக்கு கிழக்கு பிரதேசத்தில் அமையும். இவற்றுள் கற்பிட்டி பிரசிடன்ட் ரெசோட் 2050 அறைகளை கொண்டதாக அமையும். இன்னும் 4 ஏழு நட்சத்திர விடுதிகளும் கற்பிட்டி பிரதேசத்தில் அமையும். இந்நிறுவன்மே பிரபல்யமிக்க எலிபன்ற் கொரிடோர் ஹோட்டலையும் நடாத்துகிறது.

PJ Holdings is facilitating investment to the value of over US$ one bln to the hospitality industry.

Chairman PJ Holdings Prasanna Jayewardene said that it will be for 47 projects around the country but mostly in the North and East coast. By 2016 all projects will be operational.

Already we have started sourcing and procurement of land. The approvals will take about one year and then it will be development and construction.

The President Resort with 2050 rooms to be built in Kalpitiya will be the benchmark in the hospitality industry.

In addition there will be four seven star hotels with a yacht operating in Kalpitiya, which will see an investment of US$100 mln.

Once the hotels are operational there will be 3455 additional rooms which will cater to the target set by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attract 2.5 mln tourists a year to the country. He said that Sri Lanka has come to the place where it should be with the dawn of peace as all other requirements have been fulfilled which includes geography, hospitality of the people. As the country is in the centre of Asia our country will attract tourists from all over the world.

Jayewardene was confident that the North and East will be more developed compared to the South in the coming years and this will open up job opportunities in every sector.

He said that the potential Sri Lanka has to offer has still not been explored and we believe that with the campaign Re-discover Sri Lanka the country can attract 10 mln tourists annually within the next 10 years.

Jayawardene the founder and developer of Elephant Corridor hotel Sri Lanka has owned and operated tourist hotels, restaurants and hotel management companies as well as a shopping complex has over 40 years of experience in the hospitality trade.

ஹேலீஸ் நிறுவனம் லைட் ஹவ்ஸ் ஹோட்டலை விற்க முடிவு.. - Hayleys to shed Lighthouse?

2009-08-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

ஜெட்விங் நிறுவனத்துடனான பிணக்குகளை அடுத்து ஹேலீஸ் நிறுவனம் லைட் ஹவ்ஸ் ஹோட்டலை விற்க முடிவெடுத்திருப்பதாக தெரிகிறது இந்நிறுவனங்கள் இரண்டும் கூட்டாக 6 ஹோட்டல்களை உரிமை கொண்டுள்ளன.

Due to the recent dispute with Jetwing Hotels pertaining to Lighthouse Hotel, Hayleys PLC is considering selling its 27.3% holding in the hotel which is jointly owned with Jetwing, Hayleys sources said.

On Thursday, Hayleys said it sold its stakes in boutique hotel Vil Uyana (50%) and Seashells Hotel (49%), which they owned with Jetwing. “Both these entities are loss-making and we do not have considerable control. Also Vil Uyana was bleeding (losses) from day one,” one source said, adding that if Hayleys gets the correct price, they will sell it (Lighthouse stake).

Jetwing and Hayleys together own six hotels –Tropical Villas, Jetwing Beach, Hunnas Falls, Lighthouse and a property at Nilaveli as well. Early this year, the nearly 18-year relationship between Jetwing and Hayleys came under some strain with Jetwing’s purchase of a 7 % stake in Lighthouse, which ultimately raised Jetwing’s stake to 34%. Jetwing has gone to courts in a dispute over the mandatory offer.

Hayleys on Thursday also announced that it has increased its shareholding in Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills as part of the strategic restructuring of its group.

யாழ்ப்பாணம் சுற்றுலாதலமாக விருத்தி செய்யப்படும் - Jaffna to be promoted as a tourist destination

2009-08-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

யாழ்ப்பாணத்தை சுற்றுலா தலமாக சந்தைப்படுத்தும் திட்டம் வரையப்பட்டுள்ளது. இனி அப்பிரதேசம் யுத்த பாதிப்புக்குள்ளானதாக காட்டப்படாமல் மத ரீதியான சுற்றுலா தலமாக இயம்ப படும்.

The government hopes to promote war-torn Jaffna as a tourist destination soon.

Tourism Promotion Minister Faizer Mustapha speaking to Daily Mirror at the launch of the Hikkaduwa beach festival this evening said that Jaffna will be marketed for its diversity and not as a former war zone.

“We would like to have events in Jaffna and the East. We would not like to market Jaffna as a war zone, but to market Jaffna as another province in Sri Lanka which offers diversity. People in that area suffered due to terrorism and will like to move away from that part of history,” the Minister said.

He said that the Tamil Diaspora in UK and Canada have a great interest in attending events in Jaffna and promoting the place would in turn help Sri Lanka tourism.

மீன் வணிகத்தில் இலங்கை நியூசிலாந்து - Sri Lanka draws foreign investment for fish canning

2009-07-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

மீன்களை தகரத்தில் அடைக்கும் தொழிற்சாலை காலி நகருக்கு அருகாமையில் 13 ஏக்கர் நிலப்பரப்பில் அமையும்.

30 மில்லியன் தகரங்கள் என்ற இலக்கில் ஆரம்பிக்கப்படும் இவ்வுற்பத்தியில் 10% மாத்திரம் இலங்கை சந்தைக்கு விடப்படும்.

Sri Lanka has attracted foreign investment to set up a fish processing and canning plant near the southern port city of Galle, Media Minister Anura Yapa said.
The plant, on a 13-acre site, will be a joint venture with a local collaborator, he told a news conference.

Production in the first year will be 30 million cans, going up to 44 million in the second year and 57 million cans in the third year, Yapa said.

Ten percent of output is to be sold in the local market and the rest exported.

A government statement said the estimated cost of the project, a joint venture between the state-owned Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and Spirit Wind Ltd of New Zealand, is 50 million dollars.

The island's is attracting increasing investments with the end of the war, when government forces defeated the Tamil Tigers in May.

The government is keen to promote fisheries in an effort to exploit the ocean resources surrounding the island.

Restrictions on fishing imposed during the war, to prevent the Tigers taking cover behind fishermen for attacks, have been mostly lifted and the fish catch has increased

Airtel attracts 1 mn in over 100 days

2009-07-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the severe adversity it faced from competitors in an already established market the fifth mobile operator in the country, Bharti Airtel yesterday marked its achievement of 1 million revenue-earning subscribers within a very short time. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel Limited Sanjay Kapoor said that Airtel was able to achieve another first in Sri Lanka’s telecom industry by reaching 1 million customers within 171 days making Airtel fastest growing mobile operator in the country. “We made this mark in less than 6 months. This achievement further underlines our commitment and strategic intent to the people of Sri Lanka to deliver a technologically superior network and world class services at very affordable prices” he added.

Mr. Kapoor noted that inspite of several rumours about low tariffs and criticism about Airtel’s arrival in Sri Lanka, Airtel has had a major impact on the tariff reductions of the other four operators. “By the time we came in, we benchmarked several affordable packages with low tariffs” the Deputy Chief Executive Officer said.

“We are happy to have led the affordability drive in Sri Lanka. We express our gratitude to the people of Sri Lanka for accepting brand Airtel and we are indeed humbled by the overwhelming faith entrusted upon us" said Sanjay Kapoor.

Addressing the audience at the occasion Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel Lanka Private Limited, Amali Nanayakkara said that Airtel was able to redefine the telecom industry providing the opportunities such as ‘talk freely’ based on tariff plans. “As a result there is no more peak hours or off peak hours in local mobile services. Our ‘simple tariff’ plans all this and in turn, enabled us to become the fastest growing wireless operator in Sri Lanka”. Ms. Nanayakkara also said that Airtel was the first ever telco in the country to offer tailor-made packages through its ‘My Airtel, My Offer’ service. She added that Airtel further expanded its network during the last 6 months through reaching further 280 towns. We have already rolled out infrastructure in Eastern Province and start infrastructure development in North within 3 months’ she said.

Since its commencement of commercial operations in 12 January 2009 achieving the 1 million revenue-earning customer mark has been largely attributed to Bharti Airtel Lanka’s innovative offerings as well as the rapid expansion of its network coverage and distribution reach along with its service outsourced partners such as IBM, ismart and Huawei Technologies. Ms. Nanayakkara also highlighted that any customer who has generated revenue for the company for last the 30 days has been considered as a revenue generating subscriber.

Bharti Airtel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited, which is one of Asia's leading integrated telecom services provider with an aggregate of over 100 million customers. Bharti Airtel has been featured in Forbes Asia's Fab 50 list, rated amongst the best performing companies in the world in the BusinessWeek IT 100 list 2007, and voted as India's most innovative company in a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

காப்புறுதி துறையின் வீழ்ச்சி - Insurance sector declined

2009-07-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Despite insurance companies highlighting profits made in 2008, the overall growth in Sri Lanka’s insurance industry declined by 8.45%, from 20.56% in 2007 to 12.11% in 2008, according to the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL).

In its latest report analysing the country’s insurance sector, IBSL stated that, during the year under review, the overall gross written premium from long term and general insurance business added up to Rs.58,166 million (Rs.58 billion). The decline in premium income growth during the year has resulted in a lower GDP contribution of 1.32%, compared with the previous year.

According to IBSL, the industry’s main segment, general insurance, showed gross written premium of Rs.34,553 million, while income from long term insurance written premium stood at Rs.23,613 million.

During the year, the Shareholders’ Fund as at December 2008 grew by 28.34%, to Rs.25,055 million. The total assets of the insurance companies as at December 2008 also increased by 15.7% to Rs.155,994 million.

Commenting on the distribution of the assets of long term insurance business, IBSL stated that during the year the insurance companies operating in the country invested a total of Rs.48,405 million, or 49.53% of their total assets of Rs.97,730 million of long term insurance business in government securities, exceeding the minimum statutory requirement of 30% of total assets.

The insurance companies held their remaining assets in admissible investments, as required under solvency margins. All companies satisfied this requirement, according to the IBSL.

Analysing the market share of the various insurance companies, the IBSl said that Ceylinco Insurance PLC, with a premium income of Rs.8.26 billion, increased its market share by 1.94% to 34.97%. Sir Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited, with a premium income of Rs.4,498 million, experienced a decline in its market share by 2.56%, to 19.05%. Eagle Insurance PLC, with a premium income of Rs.4.342 million, maintained its market share at 18.38%. Union Assurance PLC, with a premium income of Rs.2,503 million, had a market share of 10.60%. Janashakthi Insurance PLC, with a premium income of Rs.1,339 million, maintained a market share of 5.6%.

According to the IBSL, life insurance business, as a percentage of the total population and the total labour force, increased by 27.8%. During the year under review, the issuance of new life insurance policies declined by 23.5% to a total of 555,886. Factors that may have contributed to this decline in growth during the year 2008 include the downturn in economic growth, increases in the price of fuel and commodity prices, which have resulted in lower personal disposable income and waning consumer confidence in finance and insurance companies.

The general insurance segment also declined by 9.3% during the year. According to the IBSL, the reduction in premium rates charged by the insurance companies due to aggressive competition and the global financial crisis may have contributed to this decline in growth.

The IBSL said that, during the year, the overall claims ratio remained at 64.92% , maintaining the same levels as the previous year.

Commenting on the performance of insurance brokers, the IBSL said the 54 brokers operating during the year, generated a premium contribution of Rs.8,781 million in the general insurance sector.

On its role in implementing supervision and regulation of the industry, the IBSL said that during the year under review, it had issued warnings to two insurance companies and 16 brokering companies, and directions to three insurance companies for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Insurance Act.

“We suspended the registration granted to an insurance company and subsequently re-granted it after necessary corrective action had been taken. We suspended the registration of three insurance brokering companies that failed to submit returns within the stipulated time period. We also cancelled the registration of a brokering company that had furnished false information,” said the Director General of the IBSL, Lasinee Seresinhe

காப்புறுதி துறை 8க்கும் அதிகமான வீதம் வீழ்ச்சியடைந்துள்ளதாக இலங்கை காப்புறுதி சபை தெரிவிக்கிறது.

According to the Director General, a total of 45 complaints were received during the year from policy holders on non-settlement by insurance companies. These complaints have been resolved satisfactorily.

The Chairman of IBSL, Udayasri Kariyawasam, said in his report that during the year under review, IBSL dealt with the needs of implementing regulations while facilitating the growth of the insurance industry under challenging conditions.

“We followed a worldwide trend involving a shift in emphasis from compliance based supervision to a new paradigm of risk based supervision. Risk based supervision supplements sound regulation with a focus on the volatile nature of the insurance business that can affect solvency and the ability to meet contingencies,” he said.

சுற்றுலா துறை அபிவிருத்திக்காக ரூபா 130 மில்லியன் - Tourism industry for resurgence with Rs.130 m promo

2009-07-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

ரூபா 130 மில்லியன் செலவிடப்படும் இத்திட்டத்தின் மூலம் CNN, Al Jazeera Discovery போன்ற தொலைக்காட்சிகளினூடாக ஐக்கிய இராச்சியம், பிரான்ஸ், மத்திய கிழக்கு நாடுகள், இந்தியா, சீனா போன்ற நாடுகளிலுள்ள மக்களிடையே இலங்கை பற்றிய பிம்பத்தை மீள் நிலை நிறுத்துவதே இத்திட்டத்த்டின் நோக்கமாகும்.

Sri Lanka Tourism, backed by an investment of Rs. 130 million, is set to re-emerge on the international stage.

The resurgence is expected to be generated by re-branding Sri Lanka’s image and positioning it through international media promotion. This was stated by Tourism Ministry Secretary, George Michael, in an interview with the Daily Financial Times yesterday.

Dismissing the media hype on the recently re-branded logo of Sri Lanka Tourism, he said that now it’s a matter of re-positioning a brand that has already been created.

Sri Lanka Tourism recently re-launched its logo from “Sri Lanka A Land Like No Other” to the new “Sri Lanka A Small Miracle”. The new logo has been criticised by certain sections.

The target market for the re-positioning of the Sri Lanka image on the international stage is set to attract viewers of CNN, Al Jazeera and the Discovery Channel in the UK, France, Germany, the Middle East, India and China.

The key message will be the safety factor that is assured to all travellers to Sri Lanka.

“The emphasis on safety, now unlike during the period of the war, is well established,” Mr. Michael said.

The resurgence of international visitors to Sri Lanka is likely to climb higher, to reach projected targets of Sri Lanka Tourism.

“The increase, even though it may be marginal, can be seen even now, with an 8% increase in June arrivals,” Tourism Secretary pointed out.

Winter figures are likely to increase expectations and hit the 500,000 mark by the end of the year, he said.

Meanwhile, the tourism industry is also targeting the domestic market that is likely to pick up very fast, Mr. Michael said.

“Even now, they (domestic travellers) are traveling to the east in large numbers,” he noted.In this respect, the immediate need is for the provision of necessary facilities and improved conditions of hygiene at places of accommodation in the east, the Tourism Secretary explained.

The tourism industry is currently working on building up on the required facilities and the necessary infrastructure.

Jaffna and the rest of the north of the country are also expected to be accessible, following the re-opening of the A9 road. “Therefore, travellers can look forward to visiting the north of Sri Lanka by the end of this year”, Mr. Michael said.

இலங்கை விமானப்படை சிவில் விமான சேவையை ஆரம்பிக்கிறது - Sri Lanka air force launches commercial flights

2009-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

ஒரு மணித்தியாலத்துக்கான கட்டண விபரம் இதோ

நான்கு இருக்கை கொண்ட பெல் 206 விமானம் $955

எட்டு இருக்கை கொண்ட பெல் 412 விமானம் $2334

12 இருக்கை கொண்ட MI 17 விமானம் $2830

15 இருக்கை கொண்ட Y 12 விமானம் $1029

Sri Lanka's air force has started domestic commercial flights using aircraft freed from regular transport missions to support government troops with the end of the war against Tamil Tigers.
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) officials said charter flights are on offer to tourist destinations and other towns in the island using helicopters and light fixed-wing transport aircraft.

No decision had yet been taken on scheduled flights.

They said the services will be provided through the air force's 'Helitours' commercial flight unit from Ratmalana, an airbase south of Colombo, and from Katunayake, the international airport north of the capital.

Sri Lanka's domestic aviation industry is expected to revive with the end of the war after govenrment forces defeated Tamil Tigers in May.

Three domestic aviation companies currently operate regular flights to the northern Jaffna peninsula, although tickets are said to be more expensive than on international flights between Colombo and Chennai in south India.

Another company offers helicopter charter flights that are said to be in demand by businessmen wanting to visit potential investment sites in the north and east.

Regular commercial flights to Jaffna began after the Tigers cut off the land route to the peninsula and are still in demand today given the difficulties and long time to go by road.

SLAF officials said an air force Bell-206 four-seater helicopter can be hired for 955 dollars an hour, a Bell-412 eighter seater for 2,334 dollars an hour, and the larger Mi-17 which can take about a dozen passengers for 2,830 dollars an hour.

A 15-seate Y-12 light transport fixed wing aircraft can be chartered for 1,029 dollars an hour.

ஹிக்கா பீஸ்ட் - ஆசியாவின் பெரிய கடற்கரை கேளிக்கை விழா - 'Hikka Fest' biggest beach show in Asia

2009-07-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

இம்மாத கடைசியில் ஆரம்பிக்கவுள்ள ஹிக்கா பீஸ்ட் இல் 10,000 க்கும் அதிகமானோர் கலந்து கொள்வர் என எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

கடந்த வருடம் ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்ட இந்த நிகழ்வு ரூபா. 120 மில்லியனை ஹிக்கடுவ சுற்றுலாத்துறைக்குள் ஈர்த்திருந்தது. இது சிறிய மற்றும் நடுத்தர நிறுவனங்களுக்கு தேவையா வியாபாரத்தை தந்திருந்தது.

இவ்வருடம் உத்தேசிக்கப்பட்ட செலவினமான ரூபா 20 தொடக்கம் 25 மில்லியன் நிதியில் சுற்றிலா அமைச்சு 10% த்தை வழங்க மிகுதி அனுசரணைகள் மூலம் கிடைக்கப்பெறும்.

ஜூலை 30 முதல் ஓகஸ்ட் 2 வரை, 4 நாட்கள் இந்நிகழ்வு நடைபெறும்.

மேலதிக விபரங்களை இணைய முகவரி www.hikkafest.com இல் காண்க

The annual Hikkaduwa Beach Festival set to take place at the end of this month is expected to attract over 10,000 beach fanatics and party goers and provide some much needed economic stimulus to a tourist destination that has fallen on hard times.

Last year’s inaugural‘Hikka Fest’ brought in over Rs.120 million to the Hikkaduwa tourism industry and helped empower the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the area. At a press briefing this week, Minister of Tourism Promotion Faizer Mustapha said the purpose of the Festival is to give a helping hand to the local population by kick starting the SME sector. He added that the unprecedented crowd last year made it the largest gathering of a beach festival in Asia.

Organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the total budget for the 2009 Festival is between Rs.20 million to Rs.25 million out of which less than 10% will be borne by the Ministry of Tourism, the rest through sponsorships. Mr. Mustapha said the private sector has shown confidence in the project. Managing Director of the SLTPB Dileep Mudadeniya said around 600 foreigners have purchased packages from India and the Maldives to attend the Festival.

“The main aim of the Hikkaduwa Beach Festival is to project the southern coastal strip as the entertainment strip of South Asia.” This year’s event will be held from July 30 to August 2 with a drum festival, themed parties with international DJ’s, a beach carnival and beach sports planned over the course of the four days.

The event is expected to attract a diverse demographic ranging from adults to children with special daytime activities organized for families and children. Themed entertainment nights will be one of the highlights with Space, Paradise, House Orchestra and RnB/Hip Hop/Retro being the main theme nights. It is also the first time that Space IBIZA, Paradise IBIZA and House Orchestra Paris will be on tour in Asia.

Tickets for the Hikkaduwa Beach Festival are priced at Rs. 2500 for a seasonal pass and Rs. 3500 for a VIP pass and are available through the SLTPB and other venues including the Amusement Park Street Mews, Commons and Bayleaf. For more information, visit www.hikkafest.com

தனியார் உலங்கு வானூர்தி பயணங்கள் அதிகரிப்பு - Helicopter flights on the rise after war

2009-07-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

யுத்தத்தின் பின்னான காலப்பகுதியில் தனியார் உலங்கு வானூர்தி பயணங்கள் 60% வரை அதிகரித்துள்ளதாக டெக்கான் ஏவியேசன் லங்கா அறிவித்துள்ளது.

இதற்கு முக்கியமான காரணம் வெளிநாட்டு முதலீட்டாளர்கள் முதலீட்டு வாய்ப்புகளை தேடி நாடு பூராவும் பயணிப்பதே காரணம் என் அந்நிறுவனம் தெரிவிக்கிறது.

முத்லீட்டாளர்கள் தென்கிழக்கை விவசாயம் தொடர்பான முதலீடுகளுக்காகவும், வடக்கு பிரதேசம் எண்ணை சுத்திகரிப்பு தொடர்பான முதலீடுகளுக்காகவும் ஹம்பாந்தோட்ட பிரதேசம் துறைமுகமும் பாதை அபிவிருத்தி தொடர்பான முதலீட்டு வாய்ப்புகளுக்காகவும் விரும்புவதாக தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

Domestic (helicopter) business is picking up after the war ended with more businessmen visiting various parts of the island looking for investment opportunities, an airline official.

"Local air traffic numbers (helicopters) are continuously improving because local firms, some with their joint venture partners and many other potential investors are visiting various parts of the island (seeking) to invest," Suren Mirchandani, Managing Director Deccan Aviation Lanka told the Sunday Times FT.
He said some investors are visiting the Northwest and the East coast mainly for tourism development.

The Southeast of the island is visited for agribusiness projects while the North is visited for oil refinery projects and Hambantota is a favorite destination for port and roads developments as well as other industrial investments,” he explained, adding that local domestic travel has risen by about 50% to 60% since mid May. "We have flown more than a dozen firms since the offensive ended, "Mr. Mirchandani said.

Speaking about Deccan's future plans, Mr. Mirchandani said that the company is looking at becoming a scheduled airline as opposed to being a charter airline. "We have plans to launch a commuter aircraft to operate to all airfields in Sri Lanka while providing an airfare that is affordable."

He said the company will be purchasing a brand new commuter aircraft with American technology by the end of the year for this purpose. “This winter we will be purchasing it and the entire investment along with the ground infrastructure is US$ 1 million,” he said, adding that this 6-passenger aircraft can serve all airports in the country in their (airports) current condition.

Deccan is also opening a representative office in Jaffna shortly. "This is to meet the rising demand," Mr. Mirchandani said, adding that the airline celebrates five years this month

Launch

2009-06-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

Launch of Lanka Biz Blog at 7pm of 11th June 2009