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‘s Bogala Graphite returns to profit
May 18, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Bogala Graphite Plc, a unit of Germany’s AMG Mining AG, returned to a profit of 15.6 million rupees in the March 2013 quarter despite a fall in revenues as forex losses last year reversed.The foreign exchange gain for the current period from a Euro loan was 8.5 million […]
S&P warns India could face junk status
NEW DELHI, May 18, 2013 (AFP) – India faces at least “a one-in-three” chance of losing its prized sovereign grade rating, global ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has warned, in another blow to the scandal-tainted Congress government.The agency said it may also cut India’s ratings if it concludes that Asia’s third-largest economy will not revert […]
Sri Lanka trade deficit obsession misplaced: focus
May 18, 2013(LBO) – Sri Lanka’s obsession with trade deficits is misplaced because it ignores the broader exchanges including services that take place between citizens of one county and another, economists and officials have said.Saman Kelegama, head of the Institute of Policy Studies, a think tank, said the obsession was particularly strong in relation to […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 1.5-pct
May 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed up 1.49 percent on Friday, with heavy retail trading activity in the banking sector and interest continuing in index heavy John Keells Holdings, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Index closed 93.70 points higher at 6,380.70 up 1.49 percent and the S&P SL 20 Index […]
Sri Lanka could improve GDP estimates, data standards: IMF
May 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka can improve gross domestic product calculations to be more in line with international standards and the country does not yet comply with the highest data dissemination standards, the International Monetary Fund has said.“The national accounts suffer from insufficient data sources and undeveloped statistical techniques,” an IMF country report […]
Sri Lanka beckons foreign workers
May 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s post-war economic revival and tightening labour markets are throwing up opportunities for workers from abroad, including those who had left the island, business and state officials said.Central Bank Governor Ajith Cabraal said at the launch of the website that soon after he qualified as an accountant in 1976, […]
Sri Lanka says minefields cleared for re-settlement
COLOMBO, May 16, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops have completed clearing mines from all areas needed for re-settlement and farming in the island’s former war zone, the military said Thursday, nearly four years after crushing Tamil rebels.Sri Lanka’s army reported one soldier died and 15 were wounded during the mine clearing, while several civilians […]
Ecuador stops Sri Lanka-US migrant smuggling ring
QUITO, May 16, 2013 (AFP) – A ring that smuggled immigrants from India and Sri Lanka into the United States through Ecuador has been broken up with the arrest of six people, Ecuadoran authorities said Thursday.Police, who said the arrests were made following a two-month investigation, seized documents, laptop computers and nearly $100,000 in cash. […]
Sri Lanka rupee strengthens amid tight liquidity
May 16, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s rupee strengthened to 125.70/80 to the US dollars in the spot in mid morning trade Thursday, amid tight liquidity but a two week liquidity auction has been announced, dealers said. The Central Bank cut its policy interest corridor by 50 basis points to 7.00 and 9.00 percent last […]
Better Trade
May 16, 2013 (LBO) – Small businesses in Sri Lanka and the Maldives will soon have access sophisticated financial products to engage in international trade, International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group said. The organization also provides advisory services to for small and medium enterprises by improving access to finance, and […]
James Packer targets Asian high-rollers with new Sydney casino
Sydney, May 16, 2013 (AFP) – Tycoon James Packer has picked a British firm to design his proposed billion-dollar casino for Asian high-rollers in Sydney, saying Thursday it will be “instantly recognisable around the world”. The Australian mogul wants his 60-storey building to rival the Sydney Opera House in the iconic structure stakes and to […]
Sri Lanka sexes up image for tea
KANDANA, Sri Lanka,(AFP) – A hot cup of Ceylon tea is better known as being soothing and relaxing, but Sri Lanka is now marketing its most profitable export as a luxury boost for the libido.The tea industry is increasingly plugging Ceylon’s supposed aphrodisiac qualities in a bid to radically change perceptions of the brew, which […]