In a major development in Colombo Stock exchange, (CSE) the ownership of MTD Walkers PLC., one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Sri Lanka changed hands for the third time within a period of lee than one half years.
One of Sri Lanka’s two Casino Moguls Ravi Wijeratne Chairman-owner of conglomerate Rank Holdings has entered in to construction industry through buying Malaysia’s MTD Capital Bhd owned MTD Walkers PLC, a CSE disclosure said.
Accordingly in a filing to Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) released today by MTD Walkers PLC said that they received a letter dated 6th September 2019 on today (9th September 2019) from Hewawasamge Ravindranath Srilal Wijeratne (Ravi Wijeratne) had agreed with MTD Capital Bhd to purchase a majority stake amounting to 152,183,583 ordinary voting shares of the company constituting 90.78% through a voluntary offer to be made to all the shareholders of the company, in terms of the Takeovers and Mergers Code of 1995 as amended.
In March 2018, Anunine Holdings, led by Deshamanya Anurath Abeyratne and his family, has bought entirety of its 91% controlling stake in MTD Walkers PLC for an amount between US$ 8-10 million.
Several local banks sought injunctions against MTD Walkers PLC on Feb 6th, 2019 over the recovery of loans.
Published accounts reveal liabilities in the region of Rs. 18bn clearly stating that the sale price of UD$ 8mn is inadequate to settle all liabilities.
The renowned Indian & Japanese investor consortium has taken over the ownership of MTD Walkers from Malaysia’s MTD Capital Berhad shortly in a transparent share transaction in the CSE dispelling unwarranted rumors spread by interested parties, company sources said.
The deal was sealed folwing the infusion of US $25 million by the new investors, stock analysts said.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) halted trading of MTD Walkers’ shares In January this year after calling for clarification—albeit belatedly—about recent events at the troubled conglomerate.
Separately, the Commercial High Court issued enjoining orders in favour of eight banks, restraining MTD Walkers PLC from transferring any of its shares in any of its subsidiaries to its Malaysian parent company until it settles billions of rupees in debt to the lenders.
They are Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, Selyan Bank PLC, DFCC Bank PLC, National Development Bank PLC,Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank PLC and Nations Trust Bank PLC.
(LI)