Blue Chips to invest in North-East

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Blue Chip Companies have shown tremendous interest in investing in the North and East of Sri Lanka. This is in addition to several Board of Investment projects for which agreements have already been signed. Several high-rise apartment complexes have been planned by the private sector in addition to other major infrastructure projects that have already got off the ground.

John Keells Holdings PLC Chairman, Susantha Ratnayake, said that they were happy about the opportunities and have teams on the ground at present.

"Our plans for the North and East would include Leisure, Financial Services (Banking and Insurance), Property Development, Retail and Dairy. "We would also look at Infrastructure projects as they become available.Advertisements have come up in local newspapers calling for experienced staff to work in offices that are to be set up in Jaffna.

In addition, some hotel companies are also looking at

operating charter flights to the peninsula as and when there is a demand.

An official of the Private Bus Operators Association said that they have received inquires from several private bus owners in both Jaffna and Colombo to operate air-conditioned bus services. "We are awaiting the final clearance from the Defence Ministry," the official said.