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Property Potential
June 04, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings is expanding its property business with the acquisition of a six-acre site in a suburb on a key road to the international airport north of the capital Colombo. The conglomerate said it wants to expand its land bank by acquiring sites with a “high development […]
Blanket Cover
June 4, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military tightened security ahead of the funeral Saturday of a protester killed while demonstrating against a controversial pensions bill earlier in the week, officials said. Authorities blocked large gatherings of mourners at the home of slain factory worker Roshen Ratnasekera, witnesses said, adding that troops had also shifted […]
Sri Lanka under renewed pressure over war crimes
June 4, 2011 (AFP) – The United States said Saturday it remained “deeply concerned” about alleged Sri Lankan war crimes as it distanced itself from a junior US military officer who questioned the credibility of the accusations against the island. The US government, along with other Western nations, rejected an invitation to attend a seminar […]
Sri Lanka state withdraws controversial pension bill
June 03, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka minister of labour has withdrawn a proposed law to build a third state controlled pension fund from the salaries of private sector workers, following protests that left at least one worker dead. Sri Lanka’s labour minister Gamini Lokuge has formally withdrawn the bill, the department of labour said […]
Sri Lanka shares end up 0.4-pct
June 03, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended higher after four days of falls with trade dominated once again by Colombo Land & Development Company, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed at 7,406.02, up 0.41 percent (30.12 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0.11 percent (7.43 points) to close […]
Cinema Expansion
June 03, 2011 (LBO) – CT Land Development, owners of the Majestic City shopping mall in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo is building three cinemas on its fifth floor which is now vacant, chairman R Selvaskandan has said. Income tax saw a reversal of 25 million rupees compared to a charge of 46 million rupees a […]
India opens new probe into possible telecom scam
NEW DELHI, June 2, 2011 (AFP) – India, reeling from a telecom graft scandal that has forced the resignation of one minister, is conducting an investigation into the actions of his predecessor in the job, police said Thursday. India’s top federal police agency said it was conducting a “preliminary investigation” into the activities of former […]
” war crime claims
June 2, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s top military commander offered on Thursday to probe “specific allegations” of war crimes during the country’s fight against Tamil Tiger separatists that ended two years ago. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said no civilians were killed by his forces, but he was open to investigating alleged rights abuses in […]
Sri Lanka monks join anti-pension protests
June 3, 2011 (AFP) – Hundreds of Buddhist monks took to the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital Friday to express solidarity with factory workers protesting a controversial pensions bill. The legislation sparked clashes with police on Monday in which a factory worker was fatally shot and more than 150 were wounded. Saffron-robed clergy marched to […]
Sri Lanka judicial independence seen weakening
June 03, 2011 (LBO) – The International Bar Association’s human rights arm said it was concerned over what it called “the increasing erosion of judicial independence in Sri Lanka.” The association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) said recent and planned changes to the island’s constitution could undermine the independence of the judiciary. The International Bar Association’s […]