Aravinda De Silva hits out at Sri Lanka soft centre

March 22, 2011 (AFP) – World Cup winner Aravinda de Silva believes Sri Lanka’s misfiring middle order could be the weakest link in Saturday’s quarter-final clash against England. De Silva, who is now the team’s chief selector, also said the day-night match at the R. Premadasa stadium will be “tough”, with the toss playing a […]

Sri Lanka exports to get easier China customs clearance

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – China plans to make it easier for Sri Lankan exports to the country to clear customs and be distributed to local markets, according to the island’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. “China is planning to provide favourable policies for custom clearance and inland transportation for exports coming from Sri Lanka,” […]

Sri Lanka to add 600MW of power by 2014: president

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will add another 600 MegaWatts of capacity to the national grid by 2014, ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour power supply, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said while commissioning the country’s first coal power plant. The country is also seriously looking at alternative, clean sources of energy, not wanting to depend on a […]

Sri Lanka apparel maker deepens lingerie focus

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Brandix, a top apparel exporter, is expanding its lingerie business by launching a separate division, after getting full control of two joint venture factories and buying a third facility, the group said. The lingerie business now employs 2,600 people and there were plans to increase workers by 20 […]

Sri Lanka UN tourism confab to debate media

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will host a United Nations backed tourism conference covering Asia Pacific which will also debate the role of media in tourism, an official said. The sessions include a one day seminar on “Mainstreaming tourism in the media” which will see the participation of international media and marketing experts. […]

Sri Lanka to add a thousand rooms for tourists this year

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism authority says another one thousand rooms will be added to the current tourist accommodation by the end of the year to cater to booming demand. “One thousand rooms will be added and they will be in different categories,” Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism said. “Our statistics […]

Regulated Listing

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) – Senkadagala Finance, a closely-held registered finance company, was allowed to trade on Colombo’s Stock Exchange on March 22, but there were no deals despite offers going up to ten times its net asset value, dealers said. The CSE is shortly to bring minimum ‘free float’ limits for listed companies to […]

Sri Lanka stocks recover

Mar 22, 2011(LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed 0. 89 percent higher Tuesday following Monday’s losses with gains in selective stocks, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 7,220. 26, up 0.89 percent (63.93 points) while the Milanka Price Index of more liquid stocks closed at 6,696. 79, up 0.93 percent (62.01 points), […]

Sri Lanka coal plant to cut oil imports

Mar 21, 2011 (LBO) – The commissioning of a coal power plant this week can reduce oil imports to Sri Lanka while also helping strengthen the finances of Ceylon Electricity Board, the state power utility. “That will reduce total oil bill,” Cabraal said. Oil is an important intermediate good for economic activity, fueling both transport […]

Quake, tsunami could cost Japan $235 billion: World Bank

SINGAPORE, March 21, 2011 (AFP) – The massive quake and tsunami of March 11 could cost Japan’s economy up to $235 billion, or 4.0 percent of output, but reconstruction will spur recovery later this year, the World Bank said Monday. “If history is any guide, real GDP growth will be negatively affected through mid-2011,” the […]

Australia to scale down riot-hit immigration camp

SYDNEY, March 21, 2011 (AFP) – Australia said Monday it would reduce the number of asylum seekers at an overcrowded detention centre on Christmas Island but would not abandon the camp which has endured days of riots and escapes. But Bowen said whatever their frustrations, violence was unacceptable. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the government […]

India set up World Cup thriller with Aussies

NEW DELHI, March 20, 2011 (AFP) – India will play defending champions Australia in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash after the hosts battled back to beat the West Indies comfortably on Sunday. India scored 268 thanks largely to a century by in-form Yuvraj Singh but lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs, […]

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