Category: Industry
Equity Control
June 24, 2009 (LBO) – There would be more interest in Sri Lanka’s Seylan Bank if a larger equity stake than one third is offered to a strategic investor, the head of cash-rich NDB Bank which dropped out of the race said. “The environment today is different,” says Wickramaratne. “Today we have a – relatively […]
Procedural Probe
June 24, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank, a unit of the John Keells Holdings group, is probing a breach of operating procedure, but the bank is on track to meet half year profit targets, an official said. NTB’s voting stock fell 2.25 to 32.00 rupees Wednesday amid concerns among investors that profits […]
Medical Market
June 24, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Asiri Surgical Hospital has launched a round-the-clock emergency care service targeting expatriate Sri Lankans who have relatives in the island, an official said.Ashok Pathirage, managing director, Asiri group, said the service was aimed particularly at Sri Lankans living and working overseas who had to care for elderly parents […]
Sri Lanka spruces up tourist attractions
June 24, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has launched an initiative to provide better access and facilities at tourist attractions in an effort to draw more visitors to the island, beginning to recover from 25 years of war. Tourism ministry secretary K A D George Michael said the government had allocated funds to improve basic […]
Yousuf, Razzaq return to Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka
KARACHI, June 22, 2009 (AFP) – World Twenty20 champions Pakistan on Monday unveiled the 15-man squad to tour Sri Lanka next week, including in the line-up pardoned rebel Indian league players Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq. Both Razzaq and Yousuf risked their international careers when they played in the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which is […]
British insurer Aviva to sell Australian unit
LONDON, June 22, 2009 (AFP) – British insurance giant Aviva on Monday said it has agreed to sell its Australian life and pensions business to National Australia Bank (NAB) for 452 million pounds (742 million US dollars, 535 million euros). “The decision to sell … is based on the belief that it would be challenging […]
Sri Lankan and Malaysia Airlines in new code share deal
June 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines has expanded its code share deal with Malaysian Airlines increasing its reach to the United States, Australia and Asia-Pacific sectors, the airline said. Members of Malaysia Airlines and SriLankan FlySmiLes frequent flyer programs can earn points on either airline. The codeshare is effective from June, 205 2009 […]
Fired-up Pakistan lift World T20 title
LONDON, June 21, 2009 (AFP) – Pakistan won their first major title in 17 years when they stunned Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the World Twenty20 final at a sell-out Lord’s here on Sunday. Seamer Abdur Razzaq claimed three wickets as Pakistan bowled and fielded aggressively to restrict Sri Lanka to 138-6, then coasted […]
‘s Dilshan named player of World Twenty20
LONDON, June 21, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan was on Sunday named as the player of the tournament at the World Twenty20 despite being dismissed for nought in the eight-wicket final defeat to Pakistan. Opening the innings throughout the tournament, Dilshan scored a total of 317 runs at a strike-rate of 144.74 […]
Tests still pinnacle, says Sri Lanka skipper Sangakkara
LONDON, June 22, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara put aside the hype over Twenty20 on Monday and declared that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport. “I think Twenty20 should enhance Test cricket; Tests should have prime importance,” said Sangakkara after his team lost by eight wickets to Pakistan in the […]
‘s external trade contracts in April
June 22, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka exports fell 28.2 percent in April to 437.6 million US dollars from a year ago, imports fell 53.2 percent to 604.3 million dollars, shrinking the trade deficit 75.9 percent to 166.7 million dollars, the Central Bank said. In the 4-months to April, exports were down 16.2 percent to […]
Pakistan resumes legal battle as World Cup talks fail
LONDON, June 20, 2009 (AFP) – Pakistan cricket chiefs said on Saturday they will restart legal proceedings against the International Cricket Council after talks over hosting World Cup matches in 2011 broke down. “The PCB sought the support of its fellow Asian co-hosts for matches to be played under the aegis of the PCB in […]