Sri Lanka tea prices fall

May 06, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices fell for the second week at the Colombo auctions with brokers warning that surging crops and a drop in quality could reduce prices further and bring down earnings of producers. “Overall a lower market,” Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers said in a report. “Auction offerings were […]

Broadband Battle

May 06, 2011 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka unit of UAE-based Etisalat has commissioned a high-speed 3. 75G wireless network enabling mobile broadband customers very fast Internet access, video calls and games, and mobile television. Etisalat chief executive Dumindra Ratnayaka said potential to grow was wide with the island’s Internet penetration being only about 8. […]

Hundreds join anti-government protest in Maldives

May 6, 2011 (AFP) – Hundreds of anti-government protesters took to the streets of The Maldives for a sixth consecutive day Friday to demonstrate against soaring prices and demand that President Mohammed Nasheed resign. Eyewitnesses said more than 500 people gathered in Republican Square in the capital Male after Friday prayers to protest against economic […]

India govt panel cuts growth forecast to 8.5%

NEW DELHI, May 6, 2011 (AFP) – The top economic adviser to India’s prime minister has cut his estimate for economic growth in the current fiscal year by half a percentage point to 8. 5 percent, citing inflationary pressures. The Indian government has targeted 9.0 percent growth for the year to March 31, 2012, but […]

” rating confirmed

May 06, 2011 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has affirmed HNB Assurance’s (HNBA) National Long-Term rating and its National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating at ‘A(lka)’ with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect HNBA’s adequate risk-based capital position, conservative investment strategy and stable profitability progression, a statement said. The ratings also factor in Fitch’s expectations of […]

Sri Lanka Aviva unit March net Rs147.6mn

May 06, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Aviva NDB Insurance made a net profit 147.6 million rupees in the March 2011 quarter compared with a loss of 80 million rupees the year before, a stock exchange filing said. Total revenues rose 33 percent to 3.6 billion rupees. Aviva NDB Insurance group’s gross written premium income […]

Sri Lanka goes solar for rural lighting

May 06, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to provide solar power for the 10 percent of homes that cannot be reached by extending the national electricity grid in its bid to ensure 100 percent electrification by 2012. The Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal by the power and energy ministerPatali Ranawaka to introduce […]

European Union to reduce GSP beneficiary countries

BRUSSELS, May 5, 2011 (AFP) – European Union trade chiefs are planning to strip away special export advantages granted to China, India, Indonesia and scores of other fast-growing economies, an EU source said Thursday. In total, more than 80 emerging economic players also including the likes of Morocco would lose from 2014 benefits gained under […]

Sri Lanka coach calls for IPL window

May 6, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s interim coach Stuart Law on Friday said cricket administrators should schedule a window for Indian Premier League fixtures to stop players choosing club over country. Law, who has stepped in to fill the job left by outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss, has a tough assignment ahead as Sri Lanka […]

Sri Lanka stocks rebound

May 05, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares rebounded after four days of falls, the indices lifted by gains in index heavy shares, although trading turnover was thin, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed at 7,317.17, up 1.44 percent (103.84 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0.84 percent (56.02 points) […]

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