Category:
US, EU, China, Japan to send observers to SAARC summit in India
NEW DELHI, India, March 22, 2007 (AFP) – World powers including the United States, the European Union and China will send representatives for the first time to a South Asian summit, the Indian foreign ministry said on Thursday. The summit next week will focus on enhancing economic cooperation among members, she said. Bangladesh played host […]
Ordeal of Sri Lankan journalist shows threat to media from counter terrorism laws; rights body
Mar 22, 2007 (LBO) – The arrest of a journalist who was held without charge for four months and released today, underscored the threat to media freedom from Sri Lanka’s counter terrorism laws, a media rights body said. “We note with deep regret that because of these baseless public allegations the family and friends of […]
Sri Lanka troops in clearing operations after fighting
COLOMBO, March 22, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops were engaged in clearing operations on Thursday, the day after simultaneous Tamil Tiger guerrilla attacks left at least 20 people dead and dozens more wounded, officials said. Fighting on Wednesday in the eastern district of Batticaloa and Muhamalai in the north of the war-torn island claimed […]
Sri Lanka and India in trade talks in Colombo next week
March 22 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and India will hold another round of trade talks in Colombo next week on liberalizing professional services, investments and trade in goods. The talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA, has been ongoing for three years, to widen trade to include areas like professional services. The two […]
Sri Lanka raises more dollars from rupee bonds, shoring up official reserves
March, 21 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has raised 40 million dollars this week by selling rupee bonds to foreign buyers bringing the total so far 140 million dollars, an official said. On Tuesday the rupee hit a low of 109.92 against the dollar. On Wednesday morning trade the rupee was trading around 109.85 to the […]
Leasing Pioneer
March, 21 (LBO) – Lanka Orix Leasing Company (LOLC) has seen high loan growth with new funding but margins are slimming due to competition, Fitch Ratings said Wednesday confirming the firm’s A (lka) rating with a stable outlook. The company has a market share of approximately 8 percent of leasing sector assets, including those of […]
Kandy Finance
March 21 (LBO) – Kandy based Sinhaputhra Finance Limited (SFL) has earned a BB (lka) rating with a stable outlook, Fitch Ratings Lanka said Wednesday. The present Joint Managing Director Ravana Wijeyeratne owns 52 percent of the company’s equity with the remainder being held by its employees. “SFL’s rating reflects its modest profitability, relatively better […]
New Complex
Mar 21, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Ceylino group plans to set a shopping and apartment complex in the heart of Colombo, following Board of Investment approval. . The complex that is to be built in Nawala, will be a joint venture between Ceylinco Seylan Development Limited and Ceylinco Investment and Realty Limited, the group […]
Gender Wars
March 21 (LBO) – In Sri Lanka, women already outnumber men at 52 women for every 48 men and activists are warning that the proportion would increase if the war continues. However, in the workplace prospects are not all that rosy for Sri Lanka’s ladies. Women are still a minority among Sri Lanka’s parliamentarians and […]
Safe Flow
March 21 (LBO) – An investment protection agreement between Sri Lanka and Australia has come into effect from March this year with Australia, which can increase investment flows to the island, the foreign ministry said. Sri Lanka had completed its internal legal requirements in February 2006. “The Agreement sets out the State to State guarantees […]
Tech Uplift
March 21 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s education ministry has tied up with tech giant Intel to give local schools computers and teacher training to boost technology levels and skills. Intel on Tuesday launched its one billion dollar, five-year ˜World Ahead’ program in Sri Lanka and is already in operation in 60 countries around the world. […]
Bob Woolmer factfile
KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 21, 2007 (AFP) – Factfile on Bob Woolmer who died here on Sunday after being found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room at the World Cup.On Wednesday, police revealed that his death was being treated as suspicious: Full Name: Robert Andrew Woolmer Date of birth: 14 May 1948 Place of […]