Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka gets UN agency loan to help farmers
Feb 24, 2010 (LBO) – A United Nations agricultural development agency said it will give Sri Lanka a loan of 25 million dollars to help small holder farmers increase incomes. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), based in Rome, said the loan will directly benefit small producers, women, landless households and young people in […]
Indian rail budget promises high-speed trains
NEW DELHI, February 24, 2010 (AFP) – India’s rail minister announced Wednesday plans for high-speed trains for Asia’s largest rail network as she kept fares unchanged — underscoring the government’s focus on “inclusive growth”. Indian Railways boasts a network of 109,000 kilometers (67,730 miles) that transports some 18.5 million people daily on 14,000 passenger and […]
Rating Risk
Feb 24, 2010 (LBO) – A fresh risk evaluation of Sri Lanka by London insurers, considered critical in attracting investors after the end of its ethnic war, has been delayed by elections, official involved in the matter said. London underwriters have reduced the risk rating after the 30-year ethnic war ended in May 2009, with […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 0.14-pct higher
Feb 24, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares edged up Wednesday, boosted by renewed buying interest on plantation, construction and insurance stocks, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,775. 51, up 5.11 points, while the Milanka index of more liquid shares gained 0.39 percent (16.78 points) to close at 4,331.98. Turnover was […]
Sri Lanka short-end Treasuries edge up
Feb 24, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s three, six and 12 month Treasury bill yields edged up at Wednesday’s auction, the government’s debt office said. This was higher than the 12.5 billion rupees of maturing bills. The 3-month yield edged up 09 basis points to 8. 26 percent, the 6-month yield was up 06 basis […]
Sri Lanka to keep limit on foreign owned rupee debt for now
Feb 24, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will hold a 10 percent limit of foreign holdings of rupee Treasuries for the time being, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said, despite a widening fiscal deficit putting pressure on financial markets. Foreign investors were allowed to buy into bonds to the tune of about 30 million US […]
World Bank, Shakira join forces to aid young children
WASHINGTON, February 22, 2010 (AFP) – The World Bank and Grammy Award-winning singer Shakira teamed up Monday in a 300-million-dollar joint initiative aimed at helping young children in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Colombian artist is the founder of ALAS, a coalition of Latin American artists and business leaders that promotes early childhood development […]
‘s Supreme Court refuses to free Fonseka
February 23, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court refused Tuesday to order the release of detained opposition leader and former army chief Sarath Fonseka as it deliberates a petition challenging his arrest by the military. As the battlefield architect of the victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels last May, Fonseka had been hailed as […]
Australia tightens rules on colleges for foreigners
SYDNEY, February 23, 2010 (AFP) – Australian colleges catering to foreign students will face more rigorous regulation by year’s end as the government weeds out unscrupulous operators, the education minister said Tuesday. Under a bill passed Monday, all colleges and schools providing courses to international students will have to re-register with the government under strengthened […]
‘s Maruti recalls 100,000 A-Star cars over fuel leakage
MUMBAI, February 23, 2010 (AFP) – India’s biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India announced Tuesday it has recalled 100,000 of its best-selling A-Star hatchback cars due to a fuel leakage problem. “No problem has been reported by customers. ” The recall covers those A-Stars made between November 2008 and August 2009. The company, the leader in […]
Design Economy
Feb 23, 2010 (LBO) – A wooden chair becomes a news paper holder when it is turned over once. When it is turned again, it becomes a small table. A small bench table can be lengthened into one five metres long, allowing more people to sit. A ten metre high mini library has a work […]
Shunned Jobs
SEOUL, February 23, 2010 (AFP) – Migrants who tackle jobs shunned by most South Koreans urged the government on Tuesday to ease regulations complicating their lives and improve education to discourage discrimination. “They come for the 3D — dirty, dangerous and difficult — jobs, which are necessary here,” Aung Tin Htun, a Myanmar manager of […]