UK restricts skilled workers; allows servants, scientists

Mar 01, 2012 (LBO) – The United Kingdom has tightened immigration rules, ending automatic settlement for skilled workers but allowing scientists and those in low-paid jobs where there are worker shortages and limited stay for servants. œOur reforms of the immigration system will ensure we are more selective, not only about those who are allowed […]

Sri Lanka think tank World Bank starts online debate on better jobs

Mar 01, 2012 (LBO) – An online discussion based on a report by Sri Lanka’s Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the World Bank on creating better jobs has been started using ‘Google Moderator’, to invite more public discussion. “Sri Lanka is in a new phase of growth, but the development challenges are many. Unemployment […]

Sri Lanka hoping to resume IMF program: Central Bank

Mar 01, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning to resume a deal with the International Monetary Fund which can boost the island’s forex reserves which had fallen to 5. 7 billion US dollars and there is no capital flight, the Central Bank said. Analysts say that in the absence of a clean float and […]

‘s central bank says S&P downgrade unwarranted

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says an outlook and rating by Standard & Poor’s in the wake of balance of payments pressure is unwarranted because corrective steps have been taken by the government. S&P on Wednesday cut the outlook on Sri Lanka’s ‘B+’ foreign currency rating to ‘stable’ from ‘positive’ and […]

Sri Lanka Treasuries yields up, bonds lower

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasuries yields rose across maturities at Wednesday’s auction though bond yields were pushed down by state managed fund, ahead of a 51 billion rupee rollover due on Thursday, dealers said. The state debt office said the 3-month yield rising 30 basis points to 9. 81 percent, the 6-month […]

” rating

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has confirmed an ‘A-(lka) rating of Lanka Orix Finance Plc (LOFIN) saying it reflected its strong franchise among registered finance companies and is satisfactory financial profile. Fitch said a negative outlook on the rating came from a heightened risk profile of its parent, Lanka Orix Leasing Company Plc. […]

Sri Lanka Commercial Leasing and Finance outlook cut

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Fitch Ratings has cut the outlook on Sri Lanka’s Commercial Leasing and Finance (CLC) to ‘negative’ from ‘stable’ but confirmed its underlying rating at ‘A-(lka)’. Fitch said CLC could be relied upon for support from its parent Lanka Orix Leasing Company if required which had a rating one […]

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has lowered Lanka Orix Leasing Company’s rating from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘BBB+(lka)’ with a negative outlook with a similar cut in outstanding senior unsecured debentures. The rating is still in the investment grade. Fitch said the downgrade came from a “higher appetite for market risks” at the holding […]

Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.4-pct

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stock closed up 0.49 percent Wednesday, with turnover boosted by the change of control of motor dealers, though market participants are still getting used to a new trading system, brokers said. The Colombo All Share Index rose 0. 49 percent to 5,458.09 points up 26.42 points while the […]

Buying Access

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Access Engineering bought 60 percent of vehicle importer Sathosa Motors from Japan’s Itochu Corp. for 846 million rupees paying 235 rupees a share, its chairman Sumal Perera said. “We believe there will be steady growth in the commercial vehicle and construction machinery business in the coming years. ” […]

Margin Squeeze

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’ Hatton National Bank group December 2011 profits rose 21 percent from a year earlier to 2. 254 rupees helped by lower tax charges though core banking margins tightened, accounts showed. The bank reported earnings of 5.80 rupees for the quarter. For the year ending December it reported earnings […]

‘s inflation eases to 2.7-pct in Feb

Feb 29, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in the 12-months to February 2012, easing from 3. 8 percent in January, though the index gained 0.4 percent in the month, the state statistics office said. Interest rates have since risen. Sri Lanka’s inflation remained low by historic standards despite a steep […]

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