Sri Lanka stocks end up 2.7-pct

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed sharply higher Wednesday on news the markets regulator who had cracked down on securities fraud had been removed, with indices rising steeply but tapering off towards the end of trading, brokers said. Hayleys closed at 387.80 rupees, up 16.80, with 166,600 shares traded, including one crossing […]

Bond Momentum

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s banking regulator has urged banks to borrow abroad using improved credit ratings and precedents set by sovereign bonds as local savings were inadequate to raise funds needed to maintain high growth. “The rating must be relevant, not just locally, but to the person in Boston, Japan and Singapore. […]

Kicked Up

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO) – Malik Cader, the director general of Sri Lanka’s securities and exchange commission, who came under fire for cracking down on widespread micro cap fraud and insider dealing has been made an advisor of the finance ministry. The SEC director general’s removal came a day after reports that a former mayor […]

Brand-addicted Indians propel luxury sector

NEW DELHI, November 2, 2011 (AFP) – India’s luxury sales are expected to expand by a scorching 20 percent annually until 2015, according to a new report, as brand-smitten consumers snap up big names to flaunt their wealth. Luxury sales were slow to take off in India a decade ago, disappointing retailers who had rushed […]

Google plans cheap websites for small Indian firms

NEW DELHI, November 2, 2011 (AFP) – Internet giant Google on Wednesday launched a low-cost scheme to help small Indian businesses start their own websites as the country’s booming economy increasingly moves online. “Businesses often believe that getting online is too complex, costly and time-consuming,” Google said. Firms would be able to set up and […]

Sri Lanka supermarket chain cuts waste with better logistics

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO) – Investing in better logistics and supply chain management helped Sri Lanka’s Cargills group to reduce wastage and improve efficiency at its Food City supermarket chain. Cargills deputy chairman Ranjit Page said the process ensures prices to consumers remain static and its outlets charge one price throughout the island. Farmers get […]

Sri Lanka recall Tharanga for Pakistan ODI

COLOMBO, November 1, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday included opener Upul Tharanga, and fast bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga in the 15-man squad for the one-day series against Pakistan. Selectors led by former skipper Duleep Mendis made seven changes from the Test squad that is currently playing against Pakistan in the […]

Sri Lanka expropriation law will violate economic freedom: opposition

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO) – A planned expropriation law violates economic freedoms of citizens and will scare away foreign investors, lawmakers representing Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party said. The law to expropriate ‘underperforming enterprises’ and ‘underutilized assets’ is being rushed to parliament on November 09 after being secretly written outside the state drafting […]

Sri Lanka minister in bid to fast track building starts

Nov 02, 2011 (LBO ) – Sri Lanka’s economic development minister Basil Rajapaksa urged state agencies to drop archaic rules and procedures that were delaying construction starts, and the ease of doing business in the country. Analysts point out that in many laws enacted in Sri Lanka after independence, a clause relating to ‘minister’s concurrence’ […]

Sri Lanka stocks end down 0.6-pct

Nov 01, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed lower Tuesday with a large transaction in Hayleys boosting turnover, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index fell 0.59 percent (37.40 points) to 6,281.85, while the more liquid Milanka index dropped 0.48 percent (27.13 points) to close at 5,604.15, according to stock exchange figures. Turnover […]

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