Indian PM rules out repeat of 1991 economic crisis

NEW DELHI, August 17, 2013 (AFP) – India’s premier ruled out Saturday any suggestion the country could suffer a repeat of its 1991 balance-of-payments crisis as it grapples with a plunging rupee and a huge trade gap.Singh added that he hoped for “fresh thinking” at the central bank when its new governor Raghuram Rajan takes […]

Capital Boost

Aug 15, 2013 (LBO) – The capital of Sri Lanka’s state-run People’s Bank will be increased to keep pace with higher business volumes information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said.As a first step the cabinet of ministers had approved changes to its governing law to increase its authorized capital to 50 billion rupees. A change will also […]

Australian tycoon Packer eyes Japan casino

SYDNEY, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – Australian tycoon James Packer said Friday he wants to expand his gaming empire into the lucrative Japanese market in the form of resort-casinos to tap the country’s love of gambling. The mogul, who already operates casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau and is planning complexes in Manila, Sydney and […]

‘s rupee hits new record low against dollar

MUMBAI, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – India’s rupee plunged to a fresh record low against the dollar on Friday over fears that the central bank’s measures may not be able to prop up the ailing currency, dealers said.The rupee, one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies this year, hit a new low of 62.00 rupees to the […]

Sri Lanka rejects night cricket Tests with pink ball

COLOMBO, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Friday turned down a request from Pakistan to play day-night Tests in the upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where both countries have loyal fans. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it decided against playing day-night Tests “since the national team players have not practised […]

Cricket: Pakistan plans day-night Test with Sri Lanka

KARACHI, August 15, 2013 (AFP) – Pakistan cricket authorities said Thursday they have proposed playing day-night Tests in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates in a bid to attract bigger crowds.“The time and weather would be ideal as there will be no dew at that time and it will be […]

” challenge in Sri Lanka

August 15, 2013 (AFP) – England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham said Thursday he has accepted his “daftest” challenge — walking hundreds of miles under Sri Lanka’s scorching sun to raise money for charity.“It is good to make appeals on television, but when they see you actually doing something, then they are likely to give […]

Sri Lanka hopes for current account surplus in BOP after 2016: CB Governor

Aug 16, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka hopes to have a current account surplus in the balance of payments after 2016 Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. A capital account deficit country, or a country that builds up foreign reserves could have a current account surplus. “Sri Lanka will have inflows to the country,” Cabraal […]

Sri Lanka to target mid-single digit inflation next year: CB Governor

Aug 16, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will target mid-single digit inflation from next year from the current single digit, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. Inflation spiked to near 10 percent earlier in 2013 following high credit growth and balance of payments trouble which sent the rupee reeling to 130 to the US dollar […]

Sri Lanka policy rates kept flat, external sector to be watched

Aug 16, 2013 (LBO)- Sri Lanka has kept policy rates steady in August with inflation moderate but the external sector will be watched closely amid currency turmoil in trading partners, the Central Bank said. “Such inflows display that the foreign investor confidence on Sri Lanka has remained unchanged despite the volatility caused by global markets […]

Higher Profits

Aug 15, 2013 (LBO) – Profits at Sri Lanka’s National Development Bank group rose 297 percent to 797 million rupees in the June 2013 quarter helped by strong interest income and lower bad loan provisions, interim accounts showed. Trading profits rose to 285 million rupees from 211 million rupees and other operating profits were 425 […]

Weak Quarter

Aug 15, 2013 (LBO) – Profits at Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank fell 48 percent to 651 million rupees amid higher charges for losses on gold-backed loans, interim accounts showed. Core capital adequacy fell to 10.51 percent of risk weighted assets by Jun from 11.87 percent in December and total capital adequacy fell to 12.64 percent […]

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