Category: Industry
Sound Profile
Oct 25, 2010 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has confirmed the national long-term rating of Sri Lanka’s Hatton National Bank (HNB) at ‘AA-(lka)’ and its subordinated debentures at ‘A+(lka)’ with a stable outlook, a statement said. “The ratings reflect HNB’s sound financial profile supported by good profitability, asset quality and capitalisation among local commercial banks,” […]
‘s lone gold medallist fails dope test: report
October 24, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s only gold medallist at this month’s Commonwealth Games, boxer Manju Wanniarachchi, has tested positive for a banned steroid, a report said Sunday. The privately run Lakbima News newspaper said Wanniarachchi, 30, who had brought home the island’s first Commonwealth boxing gold in 72 years, had tested positive for […]
Sri Lanka power utility fights fire at Chinese built coal plant
Oct 24, 2010 (LBO) – A fire has broken out at Sri Lanka’s first coal burning power plant in Sri Lanka Western coastal town of Norochcholai which was scheduled to start test operations next month, but it is being brought under control, a top official said. Chairman of state-run Ceylon Electricity Board, Vidya Amarapala said […]
‘s one-day win
BRISBANE, October 22, 2010 (AFP) – Skipper Kumar Sangakkara hammered 110 off 95 balls as Sri Lanka blazed to a score of 301 on their way to a 112-run win over Queensland in their opening Australian tour match on Friday. The Sri Lankans, building up to their three-match one-day international series with Australia next month, […]
Sri Lanka coconut prices hit new highs amid trade protection
Oct 23, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s fresh coconut prices hit a new high at this week’s auction in Colombo, compounded by state interventions that restrict trade and keep prices of substitutes at higher than global levels. At Thursday’s auction of fresh coconuts in Colombo – which is a proxy for farm gate prices – […]
Port Prospects
Oct 22, 2010 (LBO) – A new port being built in Sri Lanka’s southern Hambantota has drawn investment proposals from local and foreign businesses including the local Senok Combine and Micro Car for vehicle assembly, officials said. The second phase will expand and deepen the harbour, adding more berths and cranes to handle containers. Madras […]
Gas Prospects
Oct 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan liquid petroleum gas supplier Laugfs Gas is raising 2.5 billion rupees to settle debt, expand facilities and also enter property development as the country recovers from a war, its promoters said. Market Growth Laugfs has a 28 percent share of the total LPG market which it aims to […]
Sri Lankan exporters said not making use of free trade deals
Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters are still not making enough use of free trade deals giving duty free or preferential access to big markets, a senior trade official said. “It appears some exporters and importers are paying a few million dollars in duty for which they are entitled to duty free access. […]
Sri Lanka signs US$82mn hydro power deal with China
Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board has awarded a 35MegaWatt 82 million US dollar hydro power plant deal to China, power minister Champika Ranawaka said. Another smaller diversion weir 48 meters long and 19 meters high will be built across the Kehelgamu Oya and water brought through an 850 meter […]
Sri Lanka state power utility to lose less than expected
Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board may lose only half the originally expected 40 billion rupees in 2010 with the utility already covering operation costs in June, July and August, power minister Champika Ranawaka said. A 155 billion rupee loan taken from China Export Import Bank to build a 900 […]
SriLankan Airlines wins award for fuel saving software
Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – SriLankan Airlines has won a merit award at the island’s national software awards for its fuel management information system that enabled it to cut fuel costs and aircraft emissions, a statement said. The National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA) honours innovations in information technology and are presented annually by […]
Fashion Statement
Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan retailer Odel’s net profit rose 18 percent to 63. 6 million rupees in the September 2010 quarter from a year ago with sales strong but costs also rising sharply, a stock exchange filing said. Sales rose 50 percent to 836 million rupees in the quarter, its first as […]