All Blogs
Box Trade
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Cargo volumes at a Colombo port private container terminal run by an associate firm of John Keells Holdings hit a new monthly high in March, as transshipment trade in the region recovered. But transshipment cargo yields lower margins than domestic import-export containers, , analysts said. The conglomerate John Keells Holdings […]
Harbour Moves
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Dredging and breakwater construction on a new harbour being built next to Sri Lanka’s Colombo port is on schedule, said a senior official of the Asian Development Bank which is funding the work. But talks on a contract to design and build the new deep-water port’s first container terminal were […]
Bailout Tax
LONDON, April 21, 2010 (AFP) – The International Monetary Fund has proposed two new global taxes on banks and other financial institutions to cover the cost of future bailouts, the BBC reported. The measures would see all institutions pay a bank levy as well as a further tax on profits and pay, which would aim […]
Policy Debate
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Dr Harsha de Silva has been an exemplary policy intellectual. He had the greatest impact in contributing to the shifting of the frame for discussing inflation in Sri Lanka from the misguided focus on imported inflation to one that correctly places the actions of the Central Bank and the now […]
‘s water crisis laid bare by clash with US cola giants
NEW DELHI, April 21, 2010 (AFP) – A pollution fine for Coca-Cola and an order for PepsiCo to cut water use at factories in India have highlighted an intensifying conflict between big business and farmers over natural resources. Last month, a report commissioned by the southern state of Kerala ordered Coca-Cola to pay 47 million […]
Sri Lankan Airlines re-starts some European flights
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines said it has re-started flights to London, Paris and Milan after European aviation authorities relaxed restrictions, and is planning extra flights for stranded passengers. “However, passengers should also call ahead several hours prior to flight departure to check on whether their flight is operating as scheduled,” the […]
Sri Lanka exporters urged to diversify as Western demand wanes
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters should reduce reliance on traditional Western markets where demand will decline, and diversify into booming Asian economies, Asian Development Bank officials said. While exports are recovering after being hit by global recession last year, reduced consumption in key US and European markets are likely to dampen the […]
Sri Lanka public interest lawyer in parliament
Apr 22, 2010 (LBO) – A senior lawyer, M A Sumanthiran, practising in Sri Lanka’s supreme court, court of appeal and commercial high court and district courts in a variety of civil litigation is entering parliament as an appointed legislator. Sumanthiran is coming as a ‘national list’ or as an appointed member representing the minority […]
Sri Lanka ruling party senior as PM
Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party named its most senior member Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Jayaratne as the prime minister amid speculation that a cabinet of ministers that is now taking shape will be re-shuffled by year-end. Rajapaksa has pledged to trim the cabinet to about 35 ministers after running his previous administration with […]
‘s new PM close ally of president
April 21, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party on Wednesday named plantations minister D. M. Jayaratne, a close ally of President Mahinda Rajapakse, as prime minister of the new parliament. The job of prime minister is largely ceremonial in Sri Lanka but, in the event of the president’s death, the holder would be expected […]