Category: Other
Visa Fraud
Oct 17, 2012 (LBO) – The United Kingdom has not endorsed any agent in Sri Lanka to help with visa applications and applicants who submit false documents will face a 10-year travel ban and action by domestic authorities, the UK High Commission in Colombo has said. “We welcome genuine visitors, students and workers to the […]
Bhutan office to be opened by ADB amid expanded lending
Oct 16, 2012 (LBO) – Asian Development Bank, a regional multilateral lender said it will open an office in the South Asian nation of Bhutan in early 2013 with economic growth expected to reach 8.4 percent in the current year. “To understand Bhutan’s needs, and the development challenges it faces, ADB needs an on-the-ground presence,” […]
Sri Lanka agri firm in cash call, moves to FMCG
Oct 14, 2012 (LBO) – Coco Lanka Ltd, a food processing and exporting firm said it was making a billion rupees cash call on shareholders to move into fast moving consumer goods retailing and become a holding company. Directors have resolved that both deals “do not constitute major transactions as defined by section 185 of […]
Sri Lanka forestry program expanded by Australia
Oct 12, 2012 (LBO) – A community based program to increase forest cover in Sri Lanka’s dry zone and support small farmers has been launched by Australia and the United National Development Program. “Forests are a critical environmental and economic resource for Sri Lanka,” the Australian embassy in Colombo said in a statement. “During the […]
Sri Lanka and India to strike nuke deal, accident response
Oct 12, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and India will move towards striking a comprehensive agreement on civil nuclear co-operation, a joint statement issued after the first discussions between the two countries on the issue said. At the first round of talks held in Delhi representative from foreign ministries of the two countries and the […]
‘s Views
Oct 10, 2012 (LBO) – Recent assaults on the judiciary are attacks on the people, a group of concerned citizens have said following attempts to intimidate one of the country’s last remaining independence commissions and the assault of its secretary a senior judge. “Attacks on judicial independence are attacks on the people,” Friday Forum, a […]
Sri Lankans missing taste of good tea: top exporter
Oct 09, 2012 (LBO) – Mlesna, a top Sri Lankan tea brand, has begun advertising using displays on a new taxi service, aiming to popularise the island’s best known export among local consumers. Mlesna Tea founder Anselm Perera said he wants to make tea drinking more popular among local consumers and raise awareness about the […]
Condemnation
Oct 09, 2012 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s top business grouping has condemned an attack on a top official of an independent judicial commission, days after he complained of intimidation and interference by the executive. “The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) notes with grave concern the attack on the Secretary of […]
Court Relief
Oct 06, 2012 (LBO) – Key trade unions in Sri Lanka have gone to court over controversial share investments made in second tier firms and banks by state managers of a retirement fund of private sector workers. Eleven trade unions that sought relief from Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court alleged that stocks have been bought in […]
Kimberly Process
By US Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic, Kimberley Process Chair Oct 05, 2012 (LBO) – Almost a decade ago, the consensus-based Kimberley Process (KP) certification scheme established minimum requirements for global rough diamond production and trade. Today, to keep pace with a changing world, the KP’s 77 participant countries, observers from industry, and civil society must ensure […]
Chicken Case
Oct 05, 2012 (LBO) – Ceylon Grain Elevators, a unit of Singapore’s Prima group with interests in poultry and feed milling said it had settled a customs case dating back to 1998 by paying 115 million rupees. CGE said the matter has been settled with the firm agreeing to pay 115 million rupees to customs […]
Sri Lanka drought dries up tea company cash flows
Oct 04, 2012 (LBO) – A severe drought has damaged tea plants in key Sri Lankan growing regions causing crop losses and cash flow problems for some plantations companies already grappling with high production costs. A statement from the Planters’ Association, which represents listed plantation companies, said some factories had been forced to close owing […]