Author: lbostgadmin
Leasing Upturn
Nov 30, 2009 (LBO) – People’s Leasing Company, Sri Lanka’s largest leasing firm, says demand for new leases is picking up with interest also from former war-torn regions, especially in the East of the country. “We think there is some appetite for credit now and we have witnessed some growth in credit and we are […]
Capital Strength
Nov 30, 2009 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings said it has confirmed the National Long-term rating of Sri Lanka’s Senkadagala Finance Company (SFC) at ‘BBB+(lka)’ with a stable outlook. “SFC’s ratings reflect the strong capital position it accumulated over periods of high profits,” the ratings agency said in a statement. “However, return on assets (ROA) saw […]
Going Green
Nov 30, 2009 (LBO) – A new port being built in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka will use renewable energy for some of its power requirements, Sri Lanka Ports Authority chairman Priyath Wickrama said.“This is going to be green port,” he said. “We’re going to use solar power for all street lighting.It will be an […]
Sri Lanka DFCC Bank stake sold by Galleon
Nov 30, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended higher Monday with trading boosted by the sale of shares in DFCC by the Galleon hedge fund of billionaire Raj Rajaratnam, facing insider dealing charges in the US, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 […]
‘s ex-military chief declares presidential run
November 29, 2009 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan general who led troops to victory over Tamil separatists after decades of war formally announced on Sunday that he would try to unseat the president in January elections.Sarath Fonseka declared he would stand against President Mahinda Rajapakse, who claims credit for the defeat of Tamil Tigers in […]
High investment returns in India outweigh fear of terrorism
NEW DELHI, November 29, 2009 (AFP) – Last week’s one-year anniversary of the Mumbai siege was a reminder of India’s vulnerability to militant attacks.But analysts say high returns for investors in the country this year show they are unfazed by the risks. “The attacks haven’t deterred investors,” said senior Asian economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde at HSBC […]
‘s ex-military chief says will run for presidency
November 28, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ex-military chief has said he plans to run for the presidency in January elections in a bid to unseat his former boss Mahinda Rajapakse.Meanwhile, a group of opposition parties met elections commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake late Friday after he formally announced the date of the presidential poll, an opposition […]
‘s Tata Motors swings to quarterly profit
MUMBAI, November 27, 2009 (AFP) – India’s leading vehicle company, Tata Motors, reported Friday it had swung to a consolidated quarterly net profit, helped by a better performance by its premium car marques Jaguar and Land Rover.Tata Motors’ net profit, including British motoring icons Jaguar and Land Rover, totalled 217.8 million rupees (4.65 million dollars) […]
India gives conditional green light to emission cuts
NEW DELHI, November 28, 2009 (AFP) – Indian Premier Manmohan Singh said Saturday he was willing to commit his country to “ambitious” global carbon emission cuts, provided others shared the burden.Home to nearly 1.2 billion people, India is the only major greenhouse gas emitting nation yet to announce figures on reining in its carbon output, […]
Dubai debt woes sting Gulf financial sector
KUWAIT CITY, November 28, 2009 (AFP) – Gulf banks, already reeling under defaults by two major Saudi groups and Kuwaiti investment firms, are bracing for more serious trouble with the unfolding Dubai debt crisis, analysts said on Saturday.The banks, which have already made huge provisions against other exposure, will be forced to make even more […]
Sri Lanka must tackle corruption to lure investors: US envoy
Nov 27, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka must act against corrupt government officials and businessmen and ensure local firms play fair with foreign companies if it wants to attract investors, the American envoy to the island has said. It needs to unshackle the media, be more open to trade and better protect intellectual property rights […]
Sri Lanka gets new tourism minister
Nov 27, 2009 (LBO) – Achala Jagoda, a parliamentarian representing the National Freedom Front, an ally of the ruling coalition has been appointed the island’s new tourism minister, the government’s information office said.Nandana Gunatileke, the former minister left the NFF, which is a breakaway faction of Sri Lanka Marxist Nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. Gunatileke has […]