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Sri Lanka to appoint town planners to all local bodies
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has decided to appoint professional town planners to all local government bodies in a move that will speed up approvals and reduce corruption, officials said. The number of town planners in these bodies today is woefully inadequate, resulting in delays in getting approvals for building permits and payment […]
Sri Lanka inequality on the rise despite growth: UNDP
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – Inequality is on the rise in Sri Lanka despite the island making much progress in economic development, an international expert said. Overall progress in Sri Lanka has been concentrated in the western province and hides wide regional income disparities, said Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator, Sri Lanka. There were pockets […]
Sri Lanka central bank promises vigilance over liquidity as inflation rages
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank said it is countering a liquidity shock to the monetary system from a dollar bond issue, though policy rates frozen at 12.0 percent remained negative compared to raging 19.6 percent inflation. A sudden conversion of 500 million dollars worth state borrowings in late October drove up […]
Lease Rate
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka said Friday it has confirmed the ‘BB+(lka)’ National Long-term rating of Seylan Merchant Leasing Limited (SML). The Outlook on the rating is Stable. “SML’s rating reflects its modest financial profile, short operating history and limited revenue diversity,” Fitch Ratings said. “The rating also factors in the implied […]
Tele Rating
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has confirmed Sri Lanka Telecom’s BB- rating with a negative outlook and its AAA (lka) national rating with a stable outlook, the agency said Monday. “SLT’s ratings reflect the company’s strong positive free cash flow generation, its strong and improving financial profile and entrenched market position,” the rating […]
Lite Ceiling
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – The piercing of the sovereign ceiling by a Sri Lankan telco has raised hopes of better credit ratings for the country’s top companies, which have been saddled with junk ratings due the parlous state of the government’s own finances. Last week, S&P upgraded the credit rating of Sri Lanka Telecom […]
Fashion Queen
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – British fashion queen Jane Shepherdson is planning a new venture, the former Topshop brand director said on a visit to Sri Lanka, which is fast becoming a centre for high-end apparel manufacture. “I™m planning to start a new business soon, that is all I can say, she told LBO. Shepherdson […]
Dollar weak in Asian trade on Fed concerns
TOKYO, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – The dollar was weak in Asian trade Monday in the wake of soft US economic news as investors wonder about the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy action next month, dealers said. Trade moved in tight ranges as investors squared positions in shortened trade this week ahead of holidays […]
‘s double strike gives Aussies winning scent
HOBART, Australia, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – Brett Lee undermined Sri Lanka’s hopes of chasing down a history-making 507 runs against Australia in the second cricket Test with two crucial wickets late on the fourth day here Monday.The pace spearhead lured Marvan Atapattu into a trap for his favoured hook shot and then bowled first-innings […]
Sri Lanka in trouble against Aussies
HOBART, Australia, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka hit early trouble in their chase for an improbable 507 runs to win the second cricket Test and square the series with Australia at Bellerive Oval on the fourth day here Monday.Jaques was chasing his third consecutive century against Sri Lanka in the series.The tourists began […]