Sri Lanka central bank lashes out at exporters engaging in policy debate

Dec 03, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has lashed out at exporters who engaged in a policy debate on the island’s exchange rate saying they were “partisan” and were “driven by personal interests”, unlike its own stance which was “professional”. The Central Bank has been under fire for creating high inflation from 2004, […]

Bernanke to face stormy confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2009 (AFP) – Lawmakers are likely to vent frustration over the economy and bailout of the financial system Thursday at a Senate confirmation hearing for Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. The powerful central bank chief is nonetheless expected to win approval for a second four-year term from the Banking Committee and the […]

Sri Lanka rated telco market with highest regulatory risk

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has been rated the telecommunications market with the highest regulatory risk score in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a new survey by Fitch Ratings.It said Fitch’s Regulatory Risk Score provides an indication of how the regulatory environment impacts the ability of an operator to generate free cash flow […]

Sri Lanka private sector credit turns corner in Sept

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector credit started expanding in September 2009 ending eight months of contraction and the Central Bank says it would like to see more credit growth before tightening monetary policy.Growing private sector credit demand could also push risk free yields up as the risk appetite of banks increase. […]

Sri Lankan shares close up 1.33-pct on JKH sale

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed up Monday boosted by the sale of 7.5 million John Keells Holdings (JKH) shares in an otherwise dull trading day, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 2,952.16, up 1.33 percent (38.77 points) while the Milanka Price Index of more liquid stocks closed at […]

Sri Lanka tea farms mull irrigation to counter weather changes

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s plantations need foreign investment for estate and factory modernisation, including irrigation to counter changing weather patterns, said Kumar Jayasuriya, chairman, James Finlay, Colombo. Regional plantation companies running the island’s tea estates could do with foreign investment in irrigating fields, to cope with changes in rainfall patterns which could […]

Terror Funds

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government has identified some 600 bank accounts with links to the Tamil Tiger separatists and is trying to seize assets held by the Tigers, a spokesman said. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said Tiger assets and bank accounts were largely held by Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP, a top […]

Tele Risk

Dec 02, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has been rated the telecommunications market with the highest regulatory risk score in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a new survey by Fitch Ratings. It said Fitch’s Regulatory Risk Score provides an indication of how the regulatory environment impacts the ability of an operator to generate free cash […]

Developing countries agree on tariff-cut deal

GENEVA, December 2, 2009 (AFP) – Twenty-two developing and poor countries including emerging giants India and Brazil, on Wednesday agreed on a deal on cutting tariffs on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization meeting. “This is a very important step in south-south cooperation,” said Jorge Taiana, Argentinian Foreign Minister, who chaired the group. Under […]

Six-star Dilshan leaves India chasing leather

MUMBAI, December 2, 2009 (AFP) – Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed his sixth century this year to give Sri Lanka a solid start in the crucial third and final Test against India here on Wednesday.Dilshan made 109 as Sri Lanka, seeking a win to draw the series 1-1, battled a wicket with turn and bounce to pile […]

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