Financial Turmoil

Nov 20, 2008 (LBO) – A senior Sri Lankan central banker says the collapse of the global financial sector has underlined the value of real output and resources but that it could dampen consumption. Central Bank Deputy Governor W A Wijewardena said that the entire financial market is now going through turmoil. He was speaking […]

Sea Bandits

HONG KONG, November 20, 2008 (AFP) – A Hong Kong-flagged ship captained by a Sri Lankan that was hijacked two months ago off the coast of Somalia is returning home after its owner paid a ransom to a group of pirates, AFP was told Thursday. A spokeswoman for Sinotrans Shipping said its vessel Great Creation […]

Sri Lanka high-value shares draw interest

Nov 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed virtually flat on Thursday with high-value stocks like John Keells Holdings drawing interest, brokers and analysts said. The Colombo All Share Price Index fell 0.33 percent (5.74 points) to end at 1,1711.78 while the Milanka index of liquid stocks fell 0.01 percent (0.23 points) to 1,927.21. […]

US consumer prices plunge record 1.0 pct in October

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2008 (AFP) – US consumer prices plunged a record 1.0 percent in October amid an accelerating global financial crisis, government data showed Wednesday. The one-month decline in the Labor Department’s consumer price index (CPI) was the steepest since the department began publishing seasonally adjusted changes in February 1947 and exceeded analysts’ consensus […]

Sri Lankan Airlines aims for hub position

Nov 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines plans to renew its fleet and expand its passenger and cargo network to position itself as a hub and gateway to the huge market on the Indian sub-continent, its chief executive says.Starting next month, the airline plans to begin replacing its aging A320 Airbus aircraft that operate […]

Tamil Tigers building up capacity for arms shipments: analysts

LONDON, November 18, 2008 (AFP) – The Tamil Tigers are likely building up their capacity for receiving weapons shipments with two long airstrips to receive large cargo planes, respected defence analysis group Jane’s said Tuesday. Based on analysis of high-resolution, commercially-available satellite imagery, the London-based group said the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) […]

Property Lure

Nov 19, 2008 (LBO) – Several Sri Lankan government institutions are scrambling to get land in a government property near the capital Colombo whose ownership reverted back to the state on a recent court order, a senior official said Court had ordered how the land could be used for its original flood retention purposes. Ramanujam […]

Sri Lankan stocks close 2.0-pct lower

Nov 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed 2.0 percent lower Wednesday with a poor earnings outlook and high interest rates keeping buyers at bay, and the effects of a global downturn biting harder, dealers said. The Colombo All Share Price Index fell 36.41 points to end at 1,717.52 while the Milanka index of […]

Sri Lanka treasuries yields flat

Nov 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka treasuries yields were flat with only 1.7 billion rupees of bills out of a maturing tranche of 5.0 billion rupees being sold, the government’s debt office said.Meanwhile, dealers said 2-year bonds were being offered at 21.0 percent. The 3-month yield was 17.20 percent, the 6-month yield 18.28 percent […]

” under current conditions: official

Nov 18, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s infrastructure projects could face delays if the island is unable to raise over half a billion dollars though commercial loans amid tough conditions in global financial markets, a top official said. “The government needs external financing of around 500 million dollars in commercial money for financing counterparty funds […]

Sri Lanka troops in sea battle as Tiger towns fall

November 18, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy traded fire with a flotilla of Tamil rebel boats off the island’s northeastern coast Tuesday, a day after ground troops captured three guerrilla-held towns, defence officials said. Sri Lankan authorities have restricted access to the embattled areas for journalists as well as for most aid workers, making […]

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