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Sri Lanka and Vietnam plan preferential trade deal
July 17, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and Vietnam are moving towards a preferential trade deal removing non-tarrif barriers and increasing improving air links between the two countries, following, the foreign ministry said. Sri Lanka and Vietnam is also co-operating on defence and maritime security, the statement said. Joint Commission meeting of Sri Lanka and […]
Sri Lanka in push for stronger economic ties with US
July 17, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is pushing for stronger economic ties with the United States which will strengthen overall diplomatic relations between the two countries, a top diplomat said. “At this point we have a very straightforward and genuine relationship with the US,” Sri Lanka’s envoy to the United States, Jaliya Wickremasuriya said. […]
Sri Lanka money markets tight, rupee steady
July 16, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cash markets were tight Monday with overnight gilt backed money quoted at 9. 55/65 percent very close to the Central Bank’s policy rate despite some excess liquidity, and the rupee was steady against the US dollar, dealers said. The rupee opened somewhat wide at 133.70/90 to the US […]
Maritime Map
July 15, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is at the centre of the “next great shift” in the shipping and ship building industry that is underway, the head of the world’s largest classification society said. The island’s location, big port construction projects and plans to expand its hub role, makes it well-placed to emerge as […]
Rubber futures falls to 4-month low: report
May 16, 2012 (LBO) – October rubber futures in Tokyo fell to a 4-month low of 265 yen a kilogram (3,317 dollars a tonne) before settling at 270. 1 yen on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange, a media report said. Bloomberg newswires said rubber was still up 2. 5 percent in 2012. September futures on the […]
Sri Lankans baptise new fish genus for atheist Dawkins
July 16, 2012 (AFP) – Sri Lankan scientists have identified a new genus of fresh water fish and named it after the evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins. Lead researcher Rohan Pethiyagoda said the new genus, named Dawkinsia, comprises nine species that are found only in South Asia and are characterised by long filaments […]
Sri Lanka and India economic ties: time running out: envoy
July 16, 2012 (LBO) – While Sri Lanka was delaying the signing of an economic partnership deal, despite India being prepared to offer concessions, similar deals were being rapidly wrapped up with other countries and regions, India’s envoy to Colombo said. Sri Lanka and India worked out a draft agreement for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership […]
Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 21-pct in June
July 15, 2012 (LBO) – Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka rose 21.6 percent to 65,245 in June 2012 from a year earlier, with arrivals up to June rising 18.7 percent to 452,867, data from the state tourism promotion office showed. In the first half of 2012, the top generating market was India, with 85,426 up […]
Debate brewing over Sri Lanka tea blending plans
COLOMBO, July 15, 2012 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s tea industry is deeply divided over plans to boost earnings by importing cheaper leaves for blending and re-export, over fears the changes could water down the “Pure Ceylon” brand Pure Ceylon — using the country’s colonial-era name — is to tea what single malt is to whisky, […]
Sri Lanka suggests single clearance document for regional trade
July 14, 2012 (LBO) – A single document that harmonises different regulations of South Asian countries for clearing cargo would help boost regional trade, Sri Lanka’s external affairs minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris said. Trade among countries of the South Asian region was far below its potential and simplified procedures were needed to increase volumes, he […]