Author: lbostgadmin
SME Funds
HONG KONG, December 8, 2008 (AFP) – Global banking giant HSBC has set up a 5 billion US dollar fund to help small and medium sized businesses get access to credit during the global financial crisis, the bank said.The fund represents money “over and above” what the London-based bank would normally lend in the current […]
Domino Effect
Dec 08, 2008 (LBO) – The effects of a payment halt on derivatives by a state-run oil distributor is spreading far into Sri Lanka’s banking sector, hurting capital, interbank transaction integrity and international relationships, market participants say.Two weeks ago, CPC chairman Ashantha de Mel said outstanding exposures of Citibank to CPC were 400,000 barrels, Standard […]
Sri Lanka stocks head down, Com Bank falls further
Dec 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares Monday opened the week lower on very low trading volumes with Commercial Bank falling for the second day after it revealed a hefty exposure in a crude oil hedge deal. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The […]
Sri Lanka exchange rate defence seen as unsustainable
Dec 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government cannot afford to defend the rupee peg against the dollar at unsustainable levels, a senior aid agency official said the same day authorities let the rupee move down marginally against the US dollar.To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to […]
Sri Lanka government wins 2009 budget vote
Dec 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government Friday won a crucial vote in parliament on its budget for 2009 with a majority of 42 votes, a parliamentary reporter said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The government managed to win 126 votes in favour […]
India announces stimulus package to boost growth
NEW DELHI, December 7, 2008 (AFP) – The Indian government on Sunday announced an extra four billion dollars in spending to shield the economy from the impact of the global financial crisis.The government said it would also ensure a substantial increase in expenditure for next year’s budget.“The government has decided to seek authorisation for additional […]
Health Focus
Dec 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hemas group has officially opened a new 1.5 billion rupee hospital in Wattala, north of the capital Colombo, saying the move marks its entry into the healthcare service industry. The 100-bed Hemas Hospital was built in collaboration with the Columbia Asia Hospital Chain, a hospital operator in Asia, […]
Trishaw Knights
Dec 7, 2008 (LBO) – Often blamed for road accidents, but first on the scene to ferry victims of accidents or bomb blasts, Sri Lanka’s errant tuk tuk drivers are learning first aid skills to save lives.Drivers of the tiny auto-rickshaw taxis, commonly called “autos”, “trishaws”, or “three-wheelers” are being taught pre-hospital care to prevent […]
Hedge Management
Dec 06, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka unit of the Indian Oil Corporation has unwound some oil derivatives it bought earlier in 2008, but is left with 70,000 barrels worth deals that will expire next year, a top official said. Lanka IOC says it is honoring all contracts. Exotic Derivatives Lanka IOC had bought […]
Sri Lanka jets hit Tiger positions as ground battles rage: military
December 6, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s airforce staged a series of bombing raids against suspected Tamil Tiger targets as ground troops fought fierce battles on several fronts, the defence ministry said on Saturday.The battle zone is inaccessible to journalists and aid workers, meaning claims and counter-claims are impossible to verify independently. Security forces, waging […]
21 new species in danger of extinction: UN convention
ROME, December 5, 2008 (AFP) – Twenty-one animal species, including the cheetah, three dolphin families and an Egyptian vulture, were added to the list of those in danger of extinction by a UN conference that ended Friday. Six other bird species as well as manatees have also been placed on the list of animals benefiting […]
IMF suggests Latvia should break soft-peg with euro: finance minister
RIGA, December 4, 2008 (AFP) – The IMF has suggested that Latvia drop the peg linking its national currency with the euro to help solve the country’s deepening economic woes, Finance Minister Atis Slakteris said Thursday, adding that his government disagrees. “There is a group of experts of the International Monetary Fund that thinks that […]