News
Another Japanese company pulls out of SL
Close on the heels of Mitsubishi Corporation winding up its operations in Sri Lanka, another Japanese company Taisei Corp, too, has decided to pull out as Sri Lanka’s economic crisis makes doing business difficult, said a report published by the Nikkei Asia on Saturday.
The report said: Trading house Mitsubishi says it will close its Colombo office at the end of March, citing “changes in the economic environment.” The office was set up to gather information and to serve as a liaison with the headquarters in Japan.
The company handles engineering, procurement and construction for power plants and trades in steel and chemical products in Sri Lanka. Projects already in progress will continue and be managed by staff in neighbouring countries.
In March 2020, engineering group Taisei won a contract worth 62 billion yen ($462 million at current rates) for the construction of a four-story passenger terminal building, an elevated bridge and more for the second phase of the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo.
As the economic turmoil deepened, the Japan International Cooperation Agency stopped lending to state airport operator Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), drying up funds for the project. The engineering company is negotiating with the airport operator to cancel the project and is in the process of liquidating the project. It has apparently booked losses on the project.
“We will refrain from commenting on individual projects,” the company said.
JICA is not expected to withdraw funding for the airport construction itself and will likely look for another company to take over. Sri Lankan media have reported that a Chinese company was interested in the project, but the JICA loan is conditioned on participation by Japanese companies.
News
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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