Sri Lanka vows polls in ex-war zone but clips council powers

OLOMBO, June 16, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse pledged Sunday to proceed with the first-ever provincial polls in the island’s former war zone but his government said the powers of the elected council will be clipped.The councils were established in line with an agreement with neighbouring India, which promised to rein in […]

Sri Lanka promises fast-track investment approvals from July 01

June 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s investment promotion ministry said a new fast-track unit will be opened from July 01, to give approvals for projects within three months.Investment promotions minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene expects the procedure to provide all necessarily approvals, within three months, the statement said. The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka […]

Sri Lanka growth to be on track: CB Governor

June 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expecting 7.5 percent growth this year despite a slowdown in exports, and adverse weather hitting fisheries, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. The hotel sector as doing well and lots of investments were taking place, he said in addition to other areas like remittances, which were also […]

Sri Lanka authorities watch gold import surge

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has seen a surge in gold imports in the second quarter of 2013 and is being watched by authorities, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said.“We have seen a activity in the gold market.People are importing gold,” Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. “From the second quarter it has […]

Sri Lanka stocks up 0.2-pct

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed up 0.19 percent on Friday following three straight days of losses with index heavy stocks continuing to drop and profit taking by some investors, brokers said. Distilleries Company gained 60 cents to close at 195.00 rupees, The Lion Brewery closed at 387.40 up 2.40 rupees. The […]

Sri Lanka fishermen will be safer with vessel monitoring system: minister

June 14, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expecting to have a vessel monitoring system operating within five months which will provide up to date weather information to fishermen and reduce loss of life, fisheries minister Rajitha Senaratne said.But warnings will be disseminated through the ‘Sayura’ a fishermen’s radio channel and other media, Senaratne said. […]

Altruism

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – Brandix, an apparel group said its workers who had donated blood voluntarily had been recognized for making the firm the largest company to have contributed to the National Blood Transfusion Service.Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given a plaque appreciation which had been received by Brandix chief people officer Ishan […]

‘s inflation cools but rate cut unlikely

NEW DELHI, June 14, 2013 (AFP) – India’s inflation cooled to a more than three-year low in May, data showed Friday, but the rupee’s plunge will likely stall any interest rate cut to kickstart the ailing economy.The Wholesale Price Index, India’s most most closely watched inflation gauge, dropped to 4.7 percent in May on an […]

Cricket: Ton-up Sangakkara blows England away

LONDON, June 13, 2013 (AFP) – Kumar Sangakkara smashed an unbeaten 134 off 135 balls as Sri Lanka stunned England by seven wickets in a high-scoring thriller on Thursday to stay afloat in the Champions Trophy.Cook chipped in with 59 and Ravi Bopara smashed 28 runs from the final over after Sri Lanka grabbed four […]

Sri Lanka economic forum to bridge gap between business and universities

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – An annual economic policy forum will bring universities and business together in a bid to bridge a perceived gap between their needs and the output of local universities its organizer, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. A speech by Gehan Amaratunga, head, electronics, power and energy conversion group, Cambridge Engineering Faculty […]

Sri Lanka rupee weakness a logical adjustment: CB Governor

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – A weakness in Sri Lanka’s rupee is a “logical adjustment” coming amid falling Asian currencies including the Indian rupee and Japanese Yen that will also ward off import pressure, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said.“There are different ways of looking at this,” Cabraal said. “The Indian rupee has weakened significantly. […]

Sri Lanka gaming tax to be on par with the rest of the world: minister

June 14, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gaming taxes could be made to be on par with the rest of the world, investment promotions minister Lakshman Abeywardena said amid queries why gaming levies are being brought down.He said casinos were now located haphazardly in Colombo and some were near schools and in a recent budget […]

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