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E M L Consultants lists on the Colombo Stock Exchange

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E M L Consultants Limited (EML-N-0000) commenced trading on the Empower Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday. The company listed 90,900,000 Ordinary Voting Shares and has been classified under the Industry Group “2020 – Commercial & Professional Services”.

Commenting on the listing, the CEO of CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike congratulated and welcomed the company to the Empower Board. “2021 has been a significant year for the primary market of CSE, in terms of the capital that has been raised, as the exchange has facilitated over 30 new listings amounting to nearly Rs. 100 Bn, surpassing the Rs. 66 Bn of capital that was raised last year.”

Managing Director/Executive Director of E M L Consultants Limited, Avanthi Jayatilake, welcomed the new shareholders via secondary market trading to the company and added, “As an entity representing SMEs in Sri Lanka, I appreciate the work that SEC and CSE have done by creating a dedicated listing platform for SMEs in the country. We chose the path to an introductory listing as opposed to an IPO, because we are more interested in earning the status of a listed company, which will enhance our corporate image and reputation, and that will improve our chances of securing projects internationally, with international donors. And certainly, at a later stage, we may look for further issuances of shares to raise capital when we are ready to move to international competition.

“In conclusion, let me give an insight into the future business plans of the company. We certainly will be moving into the international business area, in the region first and then we can really look into the Pacific as well as the South East Asia. We would also like to compete in all types of infrastructure projects, where we can collaborate with the investors and the development partners. And let me finally invite secondary market investors to purchase shares of E M L Consultants Limited.”

Representing Atarah Capital Partners (PVT) Ltd, Manager to the Introduction and Sponsor of the listing, Managing Director, Rohan Senewiratne noted “There are few unique attributes on this listing. Firstly, there are no companies listed on the CSE, who are operating in the consultancy space. Therefore, congratulations to E M L Consultants Limited for setting the pace and I’m hopeful that other companies will follow suite. Secondly, E M L Consultants Limited is an SME sector company. One would agree that an SME, in its growth stage of business, would want to have an IPO and raise capital. However, EML instead decided to list by way of an introduction. The reason being, their long years of operating history, required that they earn the status of being a listed entity, so that they would be on a better position, when they bid for local and international contracts in the consultancy space. E M L Consultants Limited has a very senior leadership team, spanning over 30 years of experience as described in the introductory document. It is fitting that I also acknowledge the efforts of the CSE and the SEC to bring about the Empower Board which has paved the way for companies like E M L Consultants Limited to list on the empower board of the CSE.”



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Business

HNB renews partnership with Prime Group for exclusive home loans

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HNB Assistant General Manager - PFS, Kanchana Karunagama (fourth from left) and Prime Group Director – Corporate Affairs, Nalinda Heenatigala (fifth from left) exchanging the MoU in the presence of other officials

Paving the path for aspiring homeowners, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, HNB PLC, renewed its long-standing partnership with local real estate giant Prime Group to offer investors exclusive deals and benefits.

The partnership will offer customers a range of benefits, including special interest rates during the September and October promotional period. The exclusive offer extends to all properties across Prime Group’s extensive portfolio, including highly anticipated Prime Residencies projects, such as The Grand Ward Place, The Beachfront Uswetakeiyawa II and 43 by the Sea on Marine Drive, Dehiwala.

“Building your own home in Sri Lanka can be quite a challenge. The escalating costs of construction, driven by rising inflation, have added to the struggle. We at HNB remain steadfast in our commitment to empower every Sri Lankan to own a home of their own. As such, we are delighted to partner with Prime Group again to offer our customers affordable financing options and exceptional services,” HNB Assistant General Manager – Personal Financial Services (PFS), Kanchana Karunagama, said.

Delivering the best value to its customers, HNB will offer special interest rates during the promotional period. Prospective homeowners can make use of convenient and flexible repayment options tailor-made to their budgets, together with doorstep mortgage advisory services provided by the Bank’s dedicated agents, who will assist with the legal documentation needed for the facility.

“As Prime Group, our mission is to empower Sri Lankans with the chance to achieve homeownership, allowing them to find stability and make the most of these challenging times. Therefore, it is a pleasure for us to partner with HNB in serving our customers,” Prime Group Director – Corporate Affairs Nalinda Heenatigala said.

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SLT-MOBITEL empowers Apple iPhone users across Sri Lanka to embrace 5G revolution

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SLT-MOBITEL is providing a groundbreaking opportunity, enabling customers with latest Apple iPhone devices to experience the best of 5G technology through its state-of-the-art 5G trial network. Apple users who have 5G compatible iPhone devices and with the latest iOS 17 update can now experience 5G when they are in a SLT-MOBITEL 5G trial zone.

Recognising 5G as a game-changer, SLT-MOBITEL was the first to trial 5G technology in South Asia in 2018 and has been at the forefront of the 5G revolution in Sri Lanka ever since. Recently, SLT-MOBITEL expanded its 5G pre-commercial trial network across main cities including Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle, and Jaffna, setting pathways for customers to seamlessly explore the possibilities of 5G technology.

Celebrating the new offering, SLT-MOBITEL is providing its customers with an amazing 10GB of free trial data on the lightning-fast 5G network. The trial data allows users to explore the capabilities of 5G without an initial cost and harness the full power of 5G technology, unlocking a world of new possibilities.SLT-MOBITEL extends a special invitation to customers who own 5G enabled iPhone 12 devices and beyond, to seize this exciting opportunity and become part of the 5G revolution by updating their eligible iOS device.

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SLPA poised as an exemplary model for SOEs, says its chairman

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A group photograph taken at the Annual Performance Review Meeting (APRM) of SLPA

Keith D. Bernard – the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), welcoming the attendees as chair, made this comments at the Annual Performance Review Meeting (APRM) of SLPA for the year 2022. The meeting was held on September 14, 2023, at its headquarters in Colombo.Entities incorporated under any statute other than the Companies Act must have an APRM every year where the annual report is presented. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was established under Act No. 51 of 1970.

In terms of the Guidelines for Corporate Governance of PED Circular No. 1/2021 dated November 16, 2021, it is important that the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) maintain continuous communication with their stakeholders at all times through mandatory requirements such as the Annual Report. Such disclosure of information ensures transparency and accountability without compromising any statutory or operational requirements of the entity.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of SLPA expressed his perspective on the organisation’s future direction. He acknowledged SLPA’s recent achievements and progress in completing the East Container Terminal (ECT) and stressed the need for strategic planning with government support for the future.

“At present, SLPA serves as the regulator, operator, and landlord of our ports. In our capacity as the landlord, we possess assets throughout the country, and all commercial ports fall under the purview of SLPA. Additionally, we compete directly with private operators as operators ourselves. Therefore, we must carefully consider whether our role as operators should remain independent or involve collaboration with other operators. It’s crucial that we approach this strategically and define our precise role in this sector for the future,” he said.

Bernard also highlighted the significance of conducting a self-assessment in the pursuit of good governance within the organisation.

“We have commendable ministerial support and boast a talented team of dedicated professionals who tirelessly work towards the success of our port. While we have encountered challenges in the past, we are confident that, leveraging our strengths, we can overcome any hurdles. SLPA has the potential to serve as an exemplary model for the private sector, leading the way and becoming a guiding beacon for all institutions in Sri Lanka,” he said.

The Additional Director General of the Department of Public Enterprises – B.A.T. Rodrigo, commenting at the event, mentioned that in comparison to the other state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Sri Lanka, SLPA is the leading SOE amongst them and has been a role model to other SOEs. He wished SLPA would continue doing so in the future. He also thanked the Chairman, the Board of Directors, and the Management of SLPA for arranging the APRM adhering to the good governance guidelines.

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