Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka aims for better rating before $1 bln bond sale
May 21, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka is hoping for a better credit rating to boost its plans to sell a $1 billion sovereign bond this year, an official said Saturday, ahead of a visit by ratings agencies. The Central Bank’s deputy governor Dharma Dheerasinghe said the agencies, Standard and Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s, will […]
Ton-up Morgan, Patel pile on runs against Sri Lanka
LONDON, May 19, 2011 (AFP) – Eoin Morgan and Samit Patel both hit centuries in last-gasp bids to seal Test spots as England Lions piled up 394 for four on the first day of a four-day match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Morgan made 156 not out with Patel weighing in with an unbeaten 101 […]
SriLankan Airlines gets more fuel efficient aircraft
May 20, 2011 (LBO) – A brand new Airbus A320-200 aircraft delivered to SriLankan Airlines this week as part of its fleet expansion is more fuel efficient and would improve airline performance, the national carrier said. Chief executive Manoj Gunawardena said two more aircraft are expected to be delivered later in the year. “These aircraft […]
Sri Lankan air cargo goes electronic
May 20, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national carrier SriLankan Airlines has introduced electronic cargo booking and scanning facilities at the main international airport in Katunayake. Its cargo arm, SriLankan Cargo, is modernising its cargo centre at the international airport north of Colombo to improve operational efficiency and strengthening Colombo’s position as an air cargo […]
US security chief to visit India for talks
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 (AFP) – The US Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano, will make a four-day visit to India beginning May 24, her office announced Thursday. Napolitano and Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, the country’s domestic security chief, will launch the US-India Homeland Security dialogue, which the Department says will increase communication about terrorism […]
‘s IMF director hits method for naming chief
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 (AFP) – India’s IMF director on Thursday said the institution needs to revamp how it chooses it managing director, after decades of as “consensus” that let Europeans monopolize the top position. Hours after the resignation of International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of France to fight sexual assault charges in New […]
‘s 31-year-old king to marry
NEW DELHI, May 20, 2011 (AFP) – The 31-year-old king of Bhutan, an Oxford-educated bachelor crowned in the remote Himalayan country in 2008, set up another royal wedding on Friday by announcing his engagement. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck revealed his intention at the opening session of parliament, a secretary from the ministry of information, Dasho […]
Sri Lanka mulls global action against Ceylon tea counterfeits
May 20, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Tea Board aims to hire an international agency for global surveillance of the island’s Ceylon tea brand under the ‘Lion’ logo to prevent its misuse and sale of counterfeits, an official said. The planned action comes in the wake of the island launching new logos for Ceylon tea […]
Sri Lanka shares end down 0.11-pct
May 20, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed weaker Friday despite a strong opening after rallying the day before when a deadline to clear broker credit was extended to the end of the year, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed at 7,479.63, down 0.11 percent (7.98 points) while the more liquid […]
Top Fed official says core inflation should be dumped
May 19, 2011 (LBO) – A top US central banker has suggested that the Federal Reserve drop ‘core inflation’, a sham index that has been used to deceive people for decades and fire economic bubbles by setting a deceptive target that understates actual price rises. Core inflation excludes prices of food and energy and represents […]
Sri Lanka gets US aid for flood victims
May 19, 2011 (LBO) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is giving a 1. 5 million grant under its Food for Peace (FFP) programme to help more than 22,000 flood victims in eastern Sri Lanka. Under the programme the US development agency will assist flood victims by paying them to repair small-scale […]
Sri Lanka seen more expensive than rival tourist destinations
May 19, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka appears to be priced at the top tier in hotel room rates compared to its regional rivals, a new report on the industry by Capital Alliance said. “However, there are a few key concerns that the industry should overcome to fully reap the benefits of the tourism boom. […]