All Blogs
Sri Lanka troops record first fatality after ending war
July 5, 2009 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan soldier was shot dead by a Tamil rebel in the island’s east, the first military fatality after the crushing of the guerrilla leadership in May, the army said on Sunday.A Tiger rebel grabbed the gun of a soldier and opened fire as he tried to search a […]
Energy-pioneering Austrian town exports its model
GUESSING, July 5, 2009 (AFP) – After 20 years investing in renewable energy, the small Austrian town of Guessing, a model of energy self-sufficiency, is spreading its pioneering technology far and wide. That would cut CO2 emissions in the district by 85 percent, he added. Guessing’s model has also raised interest farther afield and in […]
Back-in-favour Yousuf repays Pakistan with ton
GALLE, July 5, 2009 (AFP) – Mohammad Yousuf hit a fluent century on his return to big-time cricket to put Pakistan ahead in the first Test against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.Dilshan was forced to don the gloves because first choice Prasanna Jayawardene was unavailable due to injury and skipper Kumar Sangakkara, the one-day ‘keeper, […]
Sri Lanka buys 450 million US dollars since float
July 4, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has bought 290 million US dollars from forex markets in June to boost its foreign reserves, bringing the total purchases since a float of its currency in March to 450 million US dollars. The vicious cycle quickly gathers pace, and uncertainty about the currency results in […]
Public Service
July 4, 2009 (LBO) – W A Wijewardena, widely regarded as one of the top economists the country has ever produced, retired from his post as deputy governor of Sri Lanka’s central bank Friday, after a 36 year career in public service. He has also chaired other task forces including one on the adoption of […]
‘s young brigade rattles Sri Lanka
GALLE, July 4, 2009 (AFP) – Teenage fast bowler Mohammad Aamer led Pakistan’s spirited new-look attack to bowl out Sri Lanka for 292 on the opening day of the first cricket Test here on Saturday. Rauf had Paranavitana caught by Misbah-ul Haq at first slip midway through the post-lunch session, before Younus dismissed Samaraweera through […]
Oil Drain
July 4, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka unit of the Indian Oil Corporation is running out of cash and may not be able to import the next consignment of oil as crude prices rise and taxes bite into revenue, an official said. Based on yesterday’s Singapore wholesale refined product prices released by the Central […]
‘s need for IMF wanes: Central Bank
July 4, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s central bank chief said Saturday that the island could live without a major IMF bailout that had been delayed by the final stages of the government’s fight with Tamil Tiger rebels.The government had requested the 1.9-billion-dollar loan in March to help stave off its first balance of payments […]
Sri Lankan stocks down 2.13-pct during week
July 03, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares fell Friday for the fifth straight day as small investors took profits mainly on blue chip counters, while high net worth, institutional and foreign investors played a waiting game, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed down 0.37 percent (9.02 points) to end […]
Infrastructure Finance
July 03, 2009 (LBO) – HSBC’s Sri Lanka unit is looking to finance a private container port to be built as part of an expansion of Colombo port, and post-war reconstruction projects in the island, a top official said. “We are looking to support investors bidding for the Colombo port expansion,” Nick Nicolaou, head of […]