Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka unemployment up amid higher female participation
Dec 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate had risen to 4.5 percent in the first half of 2013 from 3.9 percent a year earlier, reversing several years of labour market tightening official data showed.The total number of unemployed had risen to 401,000 for the first half of 2013 from 324,000 a year earlier, […]
Cricket: Hafeez praises fighting Afghanistan after T20 win
SHARJAH, December 9, 2013 (AFP) – Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez applauded minnows Afghanistan for their fighting performance in the first-ever Twenty20 international between the two nations, saying they are improving fast. Pakistan clinched a last-ball thriller by six wickets in Sharjah on Sunday night after chasing a challenging 138-run target. They needed six runs off […]
Indian shares, rupee rally after opposition party victory
MUMBAI, December 9, 2013 (AFP) – Indian shares hit a record high while the rupee and bonds rallied on Monday after the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, widely seen as business friendly, recorded a string of victories in state elections. The party’s success has raised hopes among investors that it could come to power with […]
Air pollution in Europe kills even at guideline levels
PARIS, December 9, 2013 (AFP) – Europeans with long-term exposure to particulate pollution from road traffic or industry run a higher risk of premature death, even if air quality meets EU standards, a study said on Monday.Published in The Lancet, the paper pointed the finger at fine particles of soot and dust, emissions of which […]
Nationalism
Dec 09, 2013 (LBO) I feel being honoured by the invitation by the PIM Alumni Association to deliver the Professor Sudatta Ranasinghe Memorial Oration 2013 which is the first in its series.I specifically consider it as a privilege that I have got to do the honours for my long-standing friend for more than four and […]
Commissioned
Dec 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hemas group said it had commissioned an inland container terminal that can store and service 3,000 twenty foot containers.The firm is planning to provide warehousing services in the future. “With the national intent to make Sri Lanka as a transportation hub, this is a one of many steps […]
Sri Lanka stocks close higher
Dec 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks end greener Monday with index heavy stocks gaining amid a broad sell-off in the overall market in thin trade, brokers said. Turnover was 332.30 million rupees, down from 779.81 million rupees last Friday, with stocks of 87 firms closing in the red against 79 gainers. The Colombo […]
Commerce ministers approve landmark WTO trade deal
NUSA DUA, December 7, 2013 (AFP) – Commerce ministers on Saturday approved a trade deal securing a new lease on life for the World Trade Organization which could give a $1 trillion boost to the global economy. “It is so agreed,” Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan told delegates at a WTO conference in Bali following […]
Sri Lanka warned on negative effects of import substitution
Dec 06, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s drive towards trade restrictions and import substitution may hurt the country, as autarky has consistently failed elsewhere, an International Monetary Fund official has warned.Mathai meanwhile warned that such policies will also ultimately hurt exports. “It will be much more efficient – rather than from an accounting sense trying […]
‘s Cinnamon Air expands network
Dec 06, 2013 (LBO) – Cinnamon Air, a domestic Sri Lanka based airline said it had added a sixth destination to its network with scheduled services started to Sigiriya.One way fare is listed at 199 US dollars with a 30 percent discount for travel in December. The flight from Sri Lanka’s international airport in Katunayake […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct
Dec 06, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed greener Friday with diversified stocks sought by foreign investors, brokers said. NDB closed 50 cents lower at 159.50 rupees and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings closed 50 cents lower at 63.00 rupees. Sampath Bank closed 70 cents lower at 166.00 rupees and DFCC closed flat at 122.00 […]
Sri Lanka asks Indonesia to cut wheat import tariff
Dec 05, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has asked Indonesia to relax a tariff on wheat flour imports, the commerce ministry said, in a move that can help make food cheaper for poorer Indonesians.Sri Lanka is the second biggest exporter of wheat flour to Indonesia estimated to have accounted for 30 percent of 400,000 tonnes […]