‘s worst year in recent times: Wen

BEIJING, November 3, 2008 (AFP) – The global financial crisis has made 2008 the worst year for China in recent memory, with growth and inflation posing serious challenges, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said in a signed article. “We must be aware that this year is the worst in recent times for our economic development,” Wen […]

SKorea announces 10.7 bln dlr stimulus package

SEOUL, November 3, 2008 (AFP) – South Korea Monday announced a 10.7 billion dollar plan to stimulate growth in the face of a global slowdown which is set to hit the crucial export sector.The government detailed plans to spend an extra 11 trillion won next year, plus tax cuts totalling three trillion, to boost sagging […]

‘s Horana Plantations Sept net up sharply on rubber boom

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Horana Plantations, which is managed by the Ceylon Theatres group, said net profit for the September quarter shot up 201 percent to 50 million rupees from a year ago. Revenue rose 25 percent to 430 million rupees from 343 million rupees during the period. The profit growth was […]

Sri Lanka tea board to buy again at auctions

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea board said it plans to buy stocks at the Colombo auctions this week as well to help prop up the market after prices crashed and large stocks went unsold last month. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 […]

Bank Trends

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank (NTB) said September quarter net profit fell 15 percent to 136 million rupees from a year ago despite strong growth in net interest income and non-interest income.NTB’s non-interest expenses in the September quarter also rose sharply amid high inflation and rising staff numbers. Personnel costs […]

Maritime Deal

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hemas group has bought a stake in ship owner and operator Mercantile Shipping Company as part of a strategic thrust into the shipping business. Hemas Holdings said in a stock exchange filing that it invested in a 17 percent stake in Mercantile Shipping Co., which represents 426,223 ordinary […]

Sri Lanka shares sustain gains

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended higher for the fourth day running, Monday, sustaining the gains made last week in what appears to be an improvement in investor sentiment, brokers said. Sri Lanka Telecom rose one rupee to 40 rupees while Distilleries Company rose over nine percent (4.75 rupees) to end at […]

Sri Lanka defence, subsidy costs overshoot ahead of next budget

Nov 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget for 2009 will focus on keeping a military campaign on track while also providing resources to build infrastructure, though expenses in the current budget have overshot targets, a government minister has said. Junior finance minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told ETV’s Lanka Business Report show that managing the 2008 […]

British PM calls on Gulf states to give funds to the IMF

RIYADH, November 2, 2008 (AFP) – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sunday it is in the interests of oil-rich Gulf states to give funds to help countries hit by the world financial crisis.On the second day of a brief Gulf tour that started in Saudi Arabia, Brown also backed an enhanced role for them […]

Sri Lanka steps up air strikes after sea battle

November 2, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military stepped up air attacks against Tamil Tiger rebels in the island’s north after a sea battle left heavy casualties on both sides, officials said Sunday.War planes hit a suspected training base for Tamil Tiger guerrillas at Iranamadu, just south of the guerrillas’ political capital of Kilinochchi, on […]

South Asia braces for fall in vital remittances

DHAKA, November 2, 2008 (AFP) – The global economic crisis is putting a dent in funds sent to poor South Asian countries by nationals working abroad amid fears their armies of cheap workers will become redundant, say recruitment agents.Millions of families in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka rely on remittances from relatives working in construction […]

Scary Food

Nov 02, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s health ministry has released a list products whose import and sale were banned because of fears of contamination by the harmful chemical melamine.The ministry of health care and nutrition officials said they are advising consumers not to consume food items which have tested positive for melamine internationality. These […]

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