Paradise Isle

Oct 22, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has been awarded the record for the world’s “largest cup of tea,” but the stunt earlier this month may have also earned the island some gargantuan and enormously meaningless records. Had it coincided with the height of the monsoon, we could have also claimed the world’s largest cup […]

Port Prospects

Oct 22, 2010 (LBO) – A new port being built in Sri Lanka’s southern Hambantota has drawn investment proposals from local and foreign businesses including the local Senok Combine and Micro Car for vehicle assembly, officials said. The second phase will expand and deepen the harbour, adding more berths and cranes to handle containers. Madras […]

US disruption of China currency will be disastrous: Steve Hanke

Oct 21, 2010 (LBO) – A sudden appreciation of the Chinese currency, which is sought by the US, could disrupt China’s economy and the world, rather than increasing the demand for American exports, a top monetary economist has warned. “Using the authority granted by the Thomas Amendment of 1933 and the Silver Purchase Act of […]

” to fiscal prudence hailed

Oct 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has made a ‘re-commitment’ to fiscal prudence and a promotion of public private partnerships is a pragmatic recognition of private sector strengths that will help improve finances, a top economist and retired public servant had said. Former central bank governor A S Jayewardene said a recent speech by […]

Sri Lanka reveals haul of civilian gold from war zone

October 21, 2010 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan government has said its troops collected more than four million dollars worth of gold jewellery during the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels. Chief government whip Dinesh Gunawardena told parliament on Wednesday that security forces picked up the precious items during the final months of the decades-long […]

Gas Prospects

Oct 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan liquid petroleum gas supplier Laugfs Gas is raising 2.5 billion rupees to settle debt, expand facilities and also enter property development as the country recovers from a war, its promoters said. Market Growth Laugfs has a 28 percent share of the total LPG market which it aims to […]

Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.33-pct

Oct 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed up 0.3 percent Thursday, with buying interest coming for banking sector stocks, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Index closed up 0.33 percent (21.77 points) at 6,685.99 points, while the Milanka Index of more liquid stocks rose 0. 59 percent (42.43 points) to 7,270.80 according […]

Sri Lanka can have growth, low inflation if budget deficit is tamed: IMF

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s recently controlled inflation and an economic recovery can be maintained if state deficit spending can be tamed, giving ordinary citizens a chance to engage in growth creating economic activities, the International Monetary Fund has said. The IMF, in a statement issued following the annual ‘Article IV’ consultations with […]

Sri Lankan exporters said not making use of free trade deals

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters are still not making enough use of free trade deals giving duty free or preferential access to big markets, a senior trade official said. “It appears some exporters and importers are paying a few million dollars in duty for which they are entitled to duty free access. […]

Sri Lanka signs US$82mn hydro power deal with China

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board has awarded a 35MegaWatt 82 million US dollar hydro power plant deal to China, power minister Champika Ranawaka said. Another smaller diversion weir 48 meters long and 19 meters high will be built across the Kehelgamu Oya and water brought through an 850 meter […]

Sri Lanka state power utility to lose less than expected

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board may lose only half the originally expected 40 billion rupees in 2010 with the utility already covering operation costs in June, July and August, power minister Champika Ranawaka said. A 155 billion rupee loan taken from China Export Import Bank to build a 900 […]

SriLankan Airlines wins award for fuel saving software

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – SriLankan Airlines has won a merit award at the island’s national software awards for its fuel management information system that enabled it to cut fuel costs and aircraft emissions, a statement said. The National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA) honours innovations in information technology and are presented annually by […]

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