” law not to apply to export workers: state

May 30, 2011 (LBO) – A proposed controversial ‘pension’ bill to strengthen state control over forced retirement savings of private sector workers will not apply to export industrial zones, the government said as protesters and police were injured in clashes. Sri Lanka has had three armed uprisings in the past four decades where tens of […]

Nano Effort

May 29, 2011 (AFP) – India’s Tata Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car, began its first export sales Sunday by entering the Sri Lankan market — but with a price tag nearly three times what it is at home. Sri Lanka reduced car duties by almost half in June last year, but then raised […]

‘t want to give up IMF power: India

NEW DELHI, May 28, 2011 (AFP) – India’s prime minister Saturday said there appeared little hope that an emerging nation candidate would be chosen to head up the International Monetary Fund in the current contest. The Indian premier’s comments came a day after France announced that the country’s finance minister Christine Lagarde would visit India […]

‘s pilgrim trail: a godsend for hotel chains

MUMBAI, May 29, 2011 (AFP) – India’s pilgrimage centres are fast becoming hot-spots for hotel chains, as both domestic and international groups look to plug a gap in the market for quality accommodation. Devotees flocking to so-called “temple towns” such as Shirdi in western Maharashtra state, the Sikh holy city of Amritsar in Punjab and […]

Hundred heroes Cook and Trott punish Lankans

CARDIFF, May 28, 2011 (AFP) – Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott both made centuries against Sri Lanka in the first Test here on Saturday as they carried on from where they left off in Australia. Cook was 129 not out and Trott 125 not as England closed on 287 for two in reply to Sri […]

” rise: report

May 29, 2011 (LBO) – Protests against a controversial attempt by the state to grab long term control of private sector workers’ retirement funds and deduct more money from their salaries are rising. The Sunday Times newspaper said more than 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka’s export processing zones took part in protests last week. Workers […]

Anderson unable to bowl again in Sri Lanka opener

CARDIFF, May 28, 2011 (AFP) – England’s James Anderson will be unable to bowl again in the remainder of the first Test against Sri Lanka, a team spokesman said Saturday. And the 28-year-old Lancashire seamer is also now doubtful for the second of this three-Test series starting at Lord’s this coming Friday. Ashes hero Anderson […]

Sri Lanka shares end up 0.5-pct

May 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed firmer Friday with interest in financial stocks and two newly listed finance companies that soared on their debut making further gains, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed at 7,459.58, up 0.54 percent (40.14 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0.15 percent […]

Debenture Rating

May 27, 2011 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings said it had rated a proposed one billion rupee subordinated debenture ‘AA-(lka)’ by National Development Bank one notch below the bank’s long term ‘AA(lka)’ credit which has a stable outlook. Core profitability as measured by return on assets (adjusted for gains on equities and government securities) had increased […]

Sri Lanka cracks down on illegal fishing

May 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has told a regional fish management body that it is cracking down on illegal fishing that is seen hurting efforts to prevent over-exploitation of fish stocks and conservation. The crackdown comes in the wake of concern that illegal fishing hurt management measures aimed at controlling and monitoring fish […]

May 26, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Thursday it planned to set up sanctuaries for stray dogs in a bid to remove them from the streets and tackle a growing rabies problem. Between 2,000 and 2,500 people are bitten each day by stray dogs, the official said, and there is one dog for every […]

First Land Rover rolls out of Indian factory

PIMPRI, May 27, 2011 (AFP) – Mumbai-based Tata Motors opened its first Indian factory on Friday for Land Rovers, the formerly loss-making British brand aiming to make inroads in the booming South Asian market. A Freelander 2 sports utility vehicle was the first to roll out of the plant on the outskirts of Pune, some […]

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