Category: Other
China central bank on guard over inflation in food prices
BEIJING, June 6, 2007 (AFP) – China’s central bank is on guard against the recent rise in food prices and might consider an interest rate hike to cool rising inflation, state media said Wednesday, citing the central bank chief. In a report to clients, Goldman Sachs forecast late last month that the rise in pork […]
Trend Setter
June 05, 2007 (LBO) – Richard Pieris, a Sri Lanka listed firm, has declared a cash dividend and a stock distribution under provisions of a new company law that came into effect last month.A bonus also increased the shares in issue without affecting the assets of the company, which has the same effect as a […]
” opponents
PANAMA CITY, June 3, 2007 (AFP) – The head of the Organization of American States opened a hemispheric summit late Sunday with a warning against “silencing” political opponents, a week after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shut down an opposition television station.“The first duty of a democratic government is broadening democracy,” OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel […]
High Standards
June 04, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s new company law should encourage good governance and help deter boardroom abuses that have given the corporate sector a bad name, experts said. This act is easy to understand and reader friendly so you can read and understand your responsibilities, Cabraal said. The new companies act should only […]
‘s JFK airport
NEW YORK, June 2, 2007 (AFP) – US authorities said Saturday they foiled an Islamic terrorist plot to bomb fuel supplies and pipelines at John F. Kennedy airport, averting a potentially catastrophic attack and “unthinkable” carnage at and around the massive airfield. Four suspected Islamic extremists — including Abdul Kadir, a former member of Guyana’s […]
European Union asks Maldives to re-start talks with opposition and usher in democracy
June 03, 2007 (LBO) – The European Union (EU) has called on the Maldivian government to re-start talks with the opposition aimed to bring democracy to the islands. “The EU urgently calls upon the President of the Maldives to take concrete steps in this direction by creating an enabling environment for talks,” the EU said […]
Students in Venezuela march against Chavez after TV station closure
CARACAS, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Dodging police cordons around the National Assembly, thousands of students Friday managed to reach lawmakers to deny any subversive intent in their protest against the shutdown of anti-government RCTV channel. “We’ve come here to get their document.We think there has to be a dialogue so everyone of us can […]
‘s Murali embarrasses Moody
June 2, 2007 (AFP) – Former Sri Lankan cricket coach Tom Moody says he is embarrassed by the derogatory reaction and constant harassment directed by Australian crowds towards Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Muralitharan’s ultra-flexible bowling action has come under its heaviest scrutiny in Australia, where he has been called for throwing on two tours, prompting […]
Rating Reports
Full Release (London/Hong Kong, April 23, 2007) – Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (“IDRs”) of ‘BB-‘ (BB minus) with a Negative Outlook. The Country Ceiling is affirmed at ‘BB-‘ (BB minus) and the Short-term foreign currency rating at ‘B’.The Outlook on Sri […]
Tough times for South Asian budget airlines
BANGALORE, India, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya bought a 26 percent stake Thursday in Air Deccan, throwing a 5.5 billion rupee (135 million dollar) lifeline to the loss-making discount carrier.Jet Airways bought rival Air Sahara for 340 million dollars in April. Bangalore-based Deccan will issue new preferential shares to Mallya’s […]
Japanese minister commits suicide over corruption inquiry
TOKYO, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Japan was expected on Friday to name a replacement for agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who committed suicide earlier this week amid allegations of corruption, news reports said.Matsuoka, 62, known as a fervent lobbyist for farmers in his district, hanged himself Monday as he was set to face questioning in […]
Opposition Despots
June 01, 2007 (LBO) – The Free Media Movement has slammed the opposition United National Party over its continued attempts to intimidate newspaper editors using parliamentary privilege. The full statement from the FMM is reproduced below: The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its surprise and dismay at the statement issued by the United National Party […]