Bangladesh plans mass privatisations to cool stock market

DHAKA, November 8, 2010 (AFP) – Bangladesh will offload stakes in dozens of state-owned enterprises as part of a major government effort to cool down the country’s overheated stock exchange, its finance minister said Monday. Eight state-owned firms, including major energy and power firms, which are already listed will be made to sell more shares, […]

” by RAM

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run National Insurance Trust Fund has been given a ‘claims paying ability’ rating of ‘AAA’ with a ‘stable’ outlook by RAM Ratings on the strength of state ownership and government related business. NITF had an expense ratio of 11.09 percent in 2009 which was the lowest in the […]

Sri Lanka seeks advisor for Commonwealth Games bid

Nov 09, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka seeks to hire a consultancy firm to advise the government on its bid to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in the southern city of Hambantota, the central bank said. Central bank governor Nivard Cabraal has been appointed to head an organizing committee which will handle the island’s […]

”’ bankrupts 2,000 bakers: industry

November 9, 2010 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan government campaign against bread and other wheat products has forced some 2,000 bakers out of business and left many more under threat, an industry body said Tuesday. The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association said more than a quarter of bakers in the island had closed down this […]

World Bank chief fires gold standard debate amid Fed money printing

Nov 09, 2010 (LBO) – World Bank chief Robert Zoellick has fired a debate on a return to gold as a monetary anchor with the United States engaging in new money printing, threatening to send food and other commodity prices higher. Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke dubbed ‘Bubble Ben’ by his detractors who are critical […]

Sri Lanka stocks close weaker

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed weaker Monday, with trading dull except for a private deal in Commercia Bank, as investors waited for the government budget, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 6,640. 19, down 0.27 percent (18.26 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0. 15 percent […]

Maldives Aitken Spence hotel bags a World Travel Award

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, a resort in the Indian Ocean Island of Maldives, run by Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence group won the award of the World’s Leading Watervilla at a top travel awards. Maldives also won the award for the ‘Most Romantic Destination’ at the awards on November 07. The […]

Sri Lanka Hemas Power net up on higher hydro, thermal generation

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Higher electricity generation from both thermal and hydro power plants helped Sri Lanka’s Hemas Power make a net profit of 124 million rupees in the September 2010 quarter, a stock exchange filing said. The company had made a loss of 3. 5 million rupees in the same period a year […]

Australia end dismal run with win over Sri Lanka

BRISBANE, November 7, 2010 (AFP) – Australia avoided an unwanted record as they cruised to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third and final one-day international at Brisbane’s Gabba ground on Sunday. Staring at a record eighth straight international defeat, the Australians skittled Sri Lanka for 115 off 32 overs and rattled […]

Sri Lanka gets World Bank loans for small business, tourism

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – The World Bank said it will give Sri Lanka 125.4 million US dollars for three projects to support Small and Medium Enterprises, tourism and local service improvements in the former north-east war zone. “The three projects will help Sri Lanka reap maximum benefits of the peace dividend and make further […]

Sri Lanka unemployment lower in 2Q, but industry jobs fall: survey

Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s unemployment fell to 5.4 percent of jobseekers in the second quarter of 2010, down from a peak of 6.2 percent a year earlier, but there was fall in industrial workers. Compared to the first quarter of 2010, unemployment rose from 5. 0 percent. In the first quarter farming […]

Prison Clash

November 7, 2010 (AFP) – More than 50 police and prison officials were injured Sunday by inmates at Sri Lanka’s main jail in the capital Colombo after authorities launched a drugs raid, officials and doctors said. Convicts beat up police as they stormed the Welikada prison to search for hidden narcotics as part of a […]

Page 1777 of 3384