New Window

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – Microsoft launched its latest operating system (OS), Windows 7, in Sri Lanka promising easier use with more functions. “The new OS provides users with an experience that is above and beyond anything they have used before,” Ken Wye Saw, Vice-President, Microsoft Asia Pacific said at the launch. “The product is […]

No link between global warming and melting glaciers: India

NEW DELHI, November 10, 2009 (AFP) – India’s environment minister said there was no scientific proof to support the idea that the melting of Himalayan glaciers was being caused by global warming, reports said Tuesday.“There is no conclusive scientific evidence to link global warming and Himalayan glaciers,” business daily Live Mint quoted Environment Minister Jairam […]

Waste disposal in Sri Lanka: User fees or kappam?

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – In the bad old days, when Sri Lanka Telecom/Department of Telecommunications was the sole supplier/regulator/policy maker, one had to make payments up and down the system to get a phone and then to keep the phone working. Some major companies in Colombo, who could not afford to be disconnected, put […]

Sri Lanka trade unions reject government pay hike

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – Labour unions in several key state-owned utilities have rejected a government offer of a pay hike and said they would start a ‘work-to-rule’ from Wednesday that could slowdown economic activity. The joint trade unions of state refiner, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), National Water Board, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and port […]

Sri Lanka at “moderate risk” of external debt distress: IMF

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has a “moderate risk” of external debt distress over the 2009-14 period, an International Monetary Fund staff analysis has said. “All debt indicators are projected to remain below indicative thresholds under the program baseline scenario,” the IMF said. “This conclusion rests heavily on the satisfactory implementation of the […]

Sri Lanka agriculture, fishing revive in former war zone

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – Farmers and fishermen have been among the main borrowers under a Sri Lankan government loan scheme to revive economic activity in the former northern war zone, the Central Bank said. It said in a statement that a total of 1,875 loans valued at 264 million rupees has been disbursed under […]

Sri Lanka IMF country report released

Nov 10, 2009 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released country report and staff papers covering the background and economic analysis leading up to a stand by loan to the island in July.Sri Lanka’s economic management has improved in recent months with both inflation and interest rates coming down, but external borrowings have […]

”: CB governor

Nov 09, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka rupee strengthened Monday at a time when the US dollar is weakening against most other currencies, and an ‘exact peg’ with the greenback may no longer be maintained, the Central Bank said. The rupee broke its customary 114.80 peg to the US dollar Monday when state banks […]

Sri Lanka stocks fall again

Nov 09, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares fell Monday, failing to maintain Friday’s gains which interrupted a sharp slump in the market in recent days in which a downward slide was worsened by forced selling, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The […]

Flu Victim

November 8, 2009 (AFP) – A 16-year-old Sri Lankan boy became the first victim in the country of influenza A(H1N1), or swine flu, doctors said Sunday.“The boy had a history of respiratory problems and he died four days after admission to Kandy hospital,” Samarasinghe said. The Medical Research Institute in Colombo confirmed the boy, whose […]

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MARKAPAR, November 9, 2009 (AFP) – In a rural Maoist stronghold in central India, off limits to the police and government officials, people are queuing for photos they hope might save their lives.Indian security forces are set to launch a major offensive against Maoist rebels whose insurgency has escalated across the country, posing a challenge […]

Sri Lanka vows to help Australia on illegal migrants

November 9, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka pledged in talks with Australia Monday to step up intelligence sharing and arrest people traffickers, President Mahinda Rajapakse’s office said.Seventy-eight Sri Lankans were rescued from a sinking boat in Indonesian waters last month.They have insisted on remaining on the Australian customs ship that picked them up, refusing to […]

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