Category: Industry
Sovereign Quality
July 23, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run National Savings Bank has been rated ‘B+’, the same as the sovereign rating by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services with a ‘stable’ outlook. “We believe the Sri Lankan government is almost certain to provide extraordinary support to the bank, if needed,” Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Amit […]
‘s property projects to match demand: report
July 23, 2013 (LBO) – Despite several large luxury apartment blocks, hotel and retail space being planned in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo there may not be a glut in the medium term due to delayed starts, a research report has said.“We believe Colombo is not yet ready to take up this many apartment units and […]
Tech Provider
July 23, 2013 (LBO) – London Stock Exchange group said its technology services revenues rose 28 percent reflecting the performance of MillenniumIT, a Sri Lanka-based securities exchange software developer it owns. Revenues in the March 2013 quarter from the firm rose to 7.4 million sterling pound from 4.9 million as overall technology services revenues rose […]
Internet powers international trade: PayPal
SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, 2013 (AFP) – A study released on Monday showed that Internet-powered shopping across national borders has created “modern spice routes” holding wealth for local merchants who tap into the booming trend. Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Germany, China, Britain and the United States will see a combined total of $105 billion in […]
Grim Tale
NAIROBI, July 22, 2013 (AFP) – On Somalia’s pirate coast, more than 50 sailors are being held for ransom in grim conditions, many abandoned by their ship’s owner whose willingness to pay to free them sank with their boat.“The pirates have shown violence… the worst case is that they become agitated and open fire.” Last […]
Cricket: Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka to 320-5
July 20, 2013 (AFP) – Kumar Sangakkara smashed his highest one-day score of 169 off 137 balls as Sri Lanka piled up 320-5 against South Africa at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Saturday. But the inexperience of the depleted touring squad told in the end as the Sri Lankans batted fluently on the slow […]
‘s murky casino taxes stir controversy
July 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition has slammed proposed tax breaks for casinos to be operated by James Packer’s Australia based Crown group and said the plans will be opposed in parliament.De Silva said Macao made 43 billion dollars in gaming with a tax close to 40 percent of casino revenues.Macao however […]
Sri Lanka exports down 1.5-pct, apparel up in May
July 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports fell 1.5 percent to 793.9 million US dollars in May 2013 from a year earlier, but apparel exports rose 2.1 percent to 318.9 million US dollars, official data showed. Agricultural products exports fell 6.8 percent to 197.9 million US dollars in June from a year earlier, rubber […]
Sri Lanka Crown project gets investment nod, tax breaks
July 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Lake Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, a gaming resort joint venture with Australia’s Crown group is being given sweeping tax breaks according to a government notice.Sri Lanka is expecting to boost up market tourists with gaming resorts which analysts say will push up city hotel rates, but other support […]
Sri Lanka John Keells Holdings project gaming tax policy set out
July 19, 2013 (LBO) – Profits from gaming at a large resort to be built by John Keells Holdings in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo will be charged corporate taxed at “applicable rates”, but rents would be exempt, a government notice said. A similar resort in Colombo, Lake Leisure Holdings, in a joint venture between Australia’s […]
Savings Rating
July 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run National Savings Bank has been given a ‘BB-‘ international rating by Fitch, ahead of a planned bond sale.“NSB’s ratings reflect Fitch’s expectation of the government of Sri Lanka’s high propensity but moderate ability to provide support to the bank in case of need,” Fitch said. “The state’s […]
Sri Lanka scraps T20 cricket tournament
COLOMBO, July 17, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket administrators scrapped their Twenty20 league Wednesday after franchise holders defaulted on payments for the tournament and failed to guarantee payments to players, a top official told AFP.Sri Lankan Cricket decided not to go ahead with the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) tournament and sack the seven […]