Author: lbostgadmin
13 dead as rains lash Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, June 2, 2014 (AFP) – Unusually heavy monsoon rains have flooded Sri Lanka’s capital and neighbouring districts where mudslides killed at least 13 people, officials said Monday. The island’s western and southern regions experienced heavy rains with more than 100 millimetres (four inches) dumped within about one hour on Sunday, an official at the […]
Self Immolation
SYDNEY, June 2, 2014 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan Tamil asylum-seeker has died after setting himself on fire while awaiting a visa decision in Australia, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Monday.Leorsin Seemanpillai, 29, who was living in Geelong, outside Melbourne, after being granted a temporary visa a year ago, suffered burns to 90 percent of […]
Hub Ambition
Over the course of five years since the end of the war, Sri Lanka has embarked on an ambitious physical infrastructure drive, with the aim of taking advantage of the country’s strategic geographical location. With its close proximity to major international shipping lanes and to the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka can be positioned as a […]
Basic Principle
June 02, 2014 (LBO) – A credit to guarantee to encourage banks to lend more against gold may help reduce the build-up of bad loans, but pawning loans are not risk-free as currently categorized in Sri Lanka, Fitch Ratings said.Non-performing loans in Sri Lanka’s banking system had risen to 5.6 percent of total loans by […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct
June 02, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed up 0.46 percent on Monday with diversified conglomerate Carson Cumberbatch gaining amid strong foreign buying, brokers said. Lion Brewery Ceylon closed 14.00 rupees higher at 445.00 rupees and John Keells Holdings closed 1.00 rupee higher at 235.00 rupees. JKH’s W0022 warrants closed 1.60 rupees higher at […]
Sri Lanka arrests Indian fishermen after Modi talks
COLOMBO, June 1, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy said Sunday it had seized 29 Indian fishermen, the first arrests since President Mahinda Rajapakse and India’s new premier held talks on resolving the thorny issue of poaching. The navy arrested the Indians along with six trawlers off the island’s northwest coast on Sunday, a navy […]
Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka sees revenue pick up
May 31, 2014 (LBO) – Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, the island’s largest alcohol maker which was hit by tax hikes and incomes decimated from currency depreciation, reported a small increase in gross revenues in the March 2014 quarter. DCSL said revenues with taxes rose 1.8 percent to 12.9 billion rupees in the March 2014 […]
Cricket: Ton-up Sangakkara rallies Sri Lanka
LONDON, May 31, 2014 (AFP) – Kumar Sangakkara’s first century at Lord’s saw Sri Lanka bounce back in the fourth one-day international against England on Saturday.Just days after they’d been shot out for 67 at Old Trafford, Sri Lanka made 300 for nine after being sent into bat. Sangakkara’s 112 — his first hundred at […]
”’ business hotel on track
May 31, 2014 (LBO) – John Keells Holdings said its ‘Cinnamon Red’ business hotel in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo will open during the current financial year.JKH which also has resorts in the Maldives, said occupancy there was also higher with a 17 percent gain in arrivals. The 240-room building is now under construction and will […]
Sri Lanka seeks JVs with foreign investors to cater to domestic market
May 30, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka wants foreign investors to set up joint ventures where the output will be allowed to be sold to the domestic market, investment promotion minister Lakshman Abeywardena said, amid fears of new protectionism.When import duty protected industries expand, the state also loses tax revenues as taxes that would have […]
Sri Lanka economic outlook positive; should watch external shocks, drought: IMF
May 30, 2014 (LBO) – The outlook for Sri Lanka’s economy was positive with low inflation and stronger growth driven by exports, but the country should watch out for a slowdown in developed nations and a domestic drought, an International Monetary Fund official said.Todd Schneider, who headed mission for annual ‘Article IV’ consultations, said recent […]
‘s inflation at 3.2-pct in May 2014
May 30, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer prices rose 3.2 percent in the year to May 2014, slowing from 4.9 percent in April, though prices rose 0.6 percent during the month, data from the state statistics office showed. As credit is weak the exchange is facing appreciation pressure, but the Central Bank has kept […]