Sri Lanka monk attempts to self-immolate: police

May 24, 2013 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan monk set himself on fire on Friday to protest the slaughter of cattle, in the country’s first attempt at self-immolation by a monk, police said.More than 110 Tibetans have set themselves alight since 2009, with most dying of their injuries, in demonstrations against what they view as […]

Emirates ups flights to Sri Lanka

May 24, 2013 (LBO) – Dubai-based Emirates Airlines said it is increasing frequencies to Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo by three a week to 31, to cope with rising demand. “The demand for seats on the Colombo Dubai sector is increasing, and these additional flights will enable more UK and USA bound passengers to connect with […]

Port Fire

May 24, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Ports Authority said a fire that broke out in a container freight station at Colombo Port has been brought under control and authorities are assessing the damage and probing its cause.Fire brigades of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Colombo Dockyard and Colombo Municipal […]

Argentine case a challenge to debt restructurings: IMF

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2013 (AFP) – The New York legal case over Argentina’s debt poses a deep challenge to all future sovereign debt restructurings, the International Monetary Fund said in a report Thursday. A US judge’s decision ordering Argentina to completely repay bondholders who refused to take part in a restructuring of its debt could […]

Sri Lanka should have more strikes to boost attendance: minister

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s opposition parties should call more general strikes to improve attendance among state workers, a government minister said following a failed strike over an electricity price hike.Also in Sri Lanka budget deficits bordering 20 percent of gross domestic product, partly financed with central bank credit (printed money) had driven […]

Oil prices falls on hopes that US Fed will end excessive money printing

SINGAPORE, May 23, 2013 (AFP) – Oil extended its losses in Asian trade on Thursday on a stronger dollar after the US Federal Reserve hinted that it could ease its massive stimulus policy soon, analysts said. “The reality is that US crude inventory remains high, indicating weak demand as the driving season approaches,” said Spooner. […]

Crude Plan

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will re-start its 50,000 barrels per day refinery on May 24, after getting a stock of Omani light crude, petroleum minister Anura Yapa said. Yapa said the shipper had said they were having engine troubled and could not deliver the stock in time. The refinery hit by US […]

Sri Lanka will not buy new limos for CHOGM: minister

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will not buy new limousines for the Commonwealth summit in Colombo and instead visiting heads of government will travel in cars taken on loan from ministries and departments, cabinet spokesman Anura Yapa said today.The minister denied reports that the government planned to import a dozen brand-new Rolls Royce […]

Data Protection

SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2013 (AFP) – Twitter said Wednesday it was stepping up security measures for the popular messaging service following a series of high-profile breaches by hackers hitting media organizations and others.Earlier this month, the Twitter feed of satirical US news website The Onion was also taken over by the Syrian group aiming […]

‘s Watawala Plantations in profits with palm oil

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Watawala Plantations Plc reported profits of 124 million rupees in the March 2013 quarter down 54 percent from a year earlier, as commodity prices eased, with palm oil continuing to perform well.The firm reported earnings of 53 cents per share for the quarter, in accounts filed with the […]

Auto Woes

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Diesel and Motor Engineering Company Plc, has reported losses of 36 million rupees in the March 2013 quarter down from profits of 427 million rupees, following a tax hike which hit the auto market. Taxes on cars were raised despite warnings from the both the International Monetary Fund […]

Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.4-pct

May 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stock closed up 0.42 percent in a short trading day ahead of a holiday driven by gains in alcohol and tobacco stocks, brokers said. LB Finance closed at 128.70 rupees up 60 cents. Peoples Leasing and Finance closed at 15.20 rupees up 10 cents. The Lion Brewery, gained […]

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