Sri Lanka holds policy rates steady in June

June 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is holding its main policy rate at which money is injected to the economy steady at 9.75 percent with inflation falling and credit to businesses expanding, the Central Bank said. The Central Bank said inflation fell for the third consecutive month, reaching 5.3 percent in May and it […]

Disaster Drill

June 16, 2010 (LBO) – Oil exploration disasters are likely to continue in future as energy continues to dig deeper in the Ocean for petroleum products an analyst warned in Colombo, as Sri Lanka prepares for submarine drilling. “The hunger of energy and the need for energy is still on the rise and in the […]

Japan seeks transparency in Sri Lanka after war

June 16, 2010 (AFP) – A visiting Japanese envoy said Wednesday that Sri Lanka must ensure an open and fair process to address grievances of minority Tamils after the end of the civil war last year. “We expect our reconciliation commission to address all issues to the conflict as part of our healing process. ” […]

‘s Malinga rattles Pakistan in Asia Cup opener

DAMBULLA, June 15, 2010 (AFP) – Sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga grabbed 5-34 as defending champions Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan by 16 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup on Tuesday. Shahid Afridi’s first one-day century in five years was in vain as Sri Lanka, restricted to 242-9, bowled out Pakistan for 226 […]

Indonesia detains 1,300 migrants this year

JAKARTA, June 16, 2010 (AFP) – Indonesian police said Wednesday that more migrants are landing on its shores this year than before, intensifying the country’s struggle to crack down on people-smuggling. Close to 1,300 migrants were detained between January and June this year, many of whom were trying to reach Australia, national police security and […]

Unheard Killer

June 16, 2010 (AFP) – At least 15 people using their mobile telephones while walking on railway tracks have been killed by trains in Sri Lanka this year, a railways official said Wednesday. There are about 14 million mobile phone users in Sri Lanka, which has a population of 20 million people. Accidents have increased […]

Sri Lanka mulls planting rubber in former northern war zone

June 16, 2010 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government is considering planting rubber in the former war zone in the north to increase production and meet growing demand from local industries, the plantations industries minister said. “The rubber industry says they have the ability to make more rubber products if raw material was available,” he […]

Sri Lankan stocks becalmed, foreigners still selling

June 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed flat Wednesday as high net worth investors cashed out on banking stocks and re-invested on midcap stocks, while foreign investors continued to sell, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 4,603.36, down 3.33 points, while the Milanka index of more liquid stocks rose 0.02 […]

Sri Lanka Bank of Ceylon bond sale extended

June 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Bank of Ceylon said it was keeping a debenture issue open for more applications after applications topped an initial target of 3.0 billion rupees. A floating rate bond was priced 0.75 percent above the gross 6-month Treasury bill yield. The bank said its listed 5-year debenture issue […]

Sri Lanka next forex liberalization wave after budget

June 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will see the next wave of foreign exchange liberalization after the budget, which is due at the end of June, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. “Regulations are being drafted,” Cabraal said. “As soon as the regulation are drafted and tested we will announce them. The next set […]

Top UN official to visit Sri Lanka this week

UNITED NATIONS, June 14, 2010 (AFP) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s top political adviser will visit Sri Lanka this week to discuss political reconciliation, resettlement of minority Tamils displaced by ethnic strife and human rights, a spokesman said Monday. The world body estimates that up to 100,000 people died in Sri Lanka’s Tamil separatist conflict […]

” India trade deal

June 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party is not opposing an enhanced trade liberalization deal with India, but wants transparency and a parliamentary debate to clear doubts, a lawmaker said. The CEPA deal hopes to build on a 10-year-old existing India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Over the last decade trade […]

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