Tag: news
US statement on Sri Lanka HR council vote
Mar 27, (LBO) – The following is a statement from US Secretary of State John Kerry on UN resolution on Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan people are resilient. They have demonstrated grit and determination through years of war. Now, they are demanding democracy and prosperity in years of peace. They deserve that chance. The United […]
Sri Lanka exports up in Jan 2014, trade gap down amid low credit growth
Mar 26, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports surged 23.3 percent to 898.0 million US dollars in January 2014, and the trade gap narrowed 5.9 percent to 755.9 million US dollars amid low credit growth, official data showed. Industrial exports rose 23.6 percent to 691.6 million US dollars with apparel also up 23.4 percent to […]
Sri Lanka faces censure at US rights body
COLOMBO, March 26, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lanka faces fresh condemnation at the United Nations’ top human rights body this week in a move that observers say could lead to an international criminal investigation for war crimes.A US-led resolution demanding accountability for thousands of deaths of ethnic Tamil civilians five years ago is almost certain […]
Sri Lanka private credit shrinks in January 2014
Mar 24, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s commercial bank credit to business contracted 42.1 billion rupees in January 2014 to 1,369.7 billion rupees from a month earlier, while central bank credit to the state rose, official data show. The central bank said the contraction in January came from a reduction in gold-backed loans and repayments […]
Sri Lanka has to radically reform public service to combat corruption: legislator
Mar 24, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka needs ‘broad based radical reform’ of the public service to combat corruption and end a process where competitive tendering for state projects has become an exception, a legislator said. Some analysts however say corruption cannot be tackled or rule of law upheld without re-building Sri Lanka’s broken public […]
‘s Ceylon Chamber marks 175 years
Mar 24, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said it was seeking to build a society that thrives on merit and enterprise as it marks 175 years. In 1883 tea auctions had begun in Colombo and in 1898 the Chamber had provided space. The auctions are conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of […]
Sri Lanka policy rates steady; inflation, credit growth benign
Mar 21, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is holding a policy rate corridor at 6.5 to 8.0 percent, the Central Bank said amid benign credit growth and inflation.In 2011 a drought which reduced hydro power generated was accommodated by the banking credit which eventually saw the rupee falling to 130 from 100 to the US […]
Fed Chair Yellen keeps printing money at a lower rate
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2014 (AFP) – New Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen kept the central bank firmly on the path set by predecessor Ben Bernanke Wednesday, shrugging off recent economic weakness as largely weather-caused. The Fed slightly cut its forecast for economic growth, trimming the high end of the ranges by 0.2 percentage point to […]
Sri Lanka releases details on foreign reserves, gold holdings
Mar 20, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has released a breakdown of foreign assets and gold holdings in official forex reserves for November 2013 as well as liabilities involving swaps and other payments.Foreign currency liabilities involving forex swaps and official loans due for repayment were also given on the liabilities side. For the next year […]
Sri Lanka releases rights activists after outcry
COLOMBO, March 19, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has released two leading rights activists after their detention under strict anti-terrorism laws triggered international condemnation, police and supporters said on Wednesday. Sri Lanka has previously said it needs more time to address issues of accountability and reconciliation after ending the 37-year conflict, which according to UN […]
Argentina downgraded amid money printing, currency depreciation, inflation
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2014 (AFP) – Moody’s lowered its credit rating for Argentina by one step Monday, citing a sharp fall in the country’s reserves and inconsistent economic policies.The fresh blow to the country came as Buenos Aires reported that prices rose 3.4 percent in February over January, taking the annual inflation pace to more […]
Sri Lanka lubricant market stagnant in 2013: Chevron
Mar 18, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s lubricant market is estimated to have stagnated or contracted further in 2013, on top of a decline in 2012, Chevron’s unit in the island said while cautioning against state attempts to expand trade freedoms of the people. Anti-Competitive The firm spoke out against state moves to relax a […]