Category: Other
Sri Lanka tea crops seen improving
Oct 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea production is expected to revive with the return of weather conditions conducive to growing tea with demand also improving at the Colombo auctions, brokers said. Brokers Asia Siyaka Commodities said low grown teas, which make up the bulk of the crop, “met with improved widespread demand” at […]
Sri Lanka exporter targets domestic flower market
Oct 27, 2011 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan horticulture exporter said it has begun targeting a growing domestic market for cut flowers and horticulture. Hayleys Agriculture, a division of the listed Hayleys group, said it had begun appointing agents and distributors and can double production at its 18 hectare facility in the central hills of […]
Killer whales migrate, study finds, but why?
PARIS, October 25, 2011 (AFP) – Some killer whales, a study published Wednesday shows for the first time, wander nearly 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) from Antarctica’s Southern Ocean into tropical waters — but not to feed or breed. Rather, these fearsome predators at the apex of the marine food chain traverse the sea at top […]
Refugee Death
SYDNEY, October 26, 2011 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan man died in Australian immigration detention, officials said Tuesday, with refugee advocates claiming he killed himself with poison after being refused permission to attend a Hindu festival. An immigration spokesman said the man died shortly after midnight at Sydney Immigration Residential Housing — a family compound […]
India looks to factories to create 100 mln new jobs
NEW DELHI, October 25, 2011 (AFP) – India’s government approved Tuesday a policy to boost the nation’s underdeveloped manufacturing sector, aiming to slash red tape and create special zones for firms in a drive to create 100 million jobs. Manufacturing accounts for just 16 percent of India’s agriculture-dependent economy, which is “a cause of concern,” […]
India hikes rates again, sees slowdown
MUMBAI, October 25, 2011 (AFP) – India’s inflation-fighting central bank on Tuesday raised interest rates by a quarter-point, the 13th hike since March last year, while warning of a further economic slowdown this year. The rise in borrowing costs is likely to infuriate business leaders, who are already worried about growing signs of slackening domestic […]
Sri Lanka Watawala Plantations cuts losses on palm oil gains
Oct 24, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Watawala Plantations returned to profit in the September 2011 quarter, containing first half losses at 13 million rupees, as increased palm oil crops and prices helped offset losses from tea. Group sales in the six months to September 2011 sales rose eight percent to almost three billion rupees […]
India set for 13th rate hike despite growth worries
NEW DELHI, October 22, 2011 (AFP) – India’s central bank is set to raise interest rates for the 13th consecutive time this week in a bid to tame near double-digit inflation, even as “dark clouds” gather over Asia’s third-largest economy. The Reserve Bank of India has increased interest rates 12 times since March 2010 — […]
Still There
Oct 23, 2011 (LBO) – The head of Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission said she had not received instructions to sack its director general, following strong speculation that he would be dismissed for probing securities fraud. Asked by reporters whether the SEC would continue its investigations, Sugathadasa said before a formal investigation is started, […]
Dossier Query
SYDNEY, October 19, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s envoy to Australia Wednesday said a dossier alleging war crimes during the dying days of his country’s civil war only served to fuel the agenda of “vested interests”. Thisara Samarasinghe, who was a commander in the Sri Lankan navy during the conflict which ended in 2009, said […]
Aussie Status
SYDNEY, October 17, 2011 (AFP) – Australian police were Monday examining a war crimes dossier alleging Sri Lankan authorities bombed and shelled civilians during the country’s civil war, which ended in 2009. Prepared by the International Commission of Jurists’ Australian chapter, the brief contains testimony from Sri Lankans now living in Australia that they were […]
‘s Reliance halts future oil and gas drilling
MUMBAI, October 17, 2011 (AFP) – India’s energy giant Reliance Industries has suspended drilling at its oil and gas exploration blocks covered under a deal with new venture partner BP pending a review, a company source said on Monday. India’s largest private oil explorer is “re-evaluating” its exploration and production strategy in partnership with the […]