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Maldives in privatization drive to up efficiency, fix finances: IMF
Jan 31, 2010 (LBO) – The Indian Ocean archipelago of Maldives will privatize its airport but could also sell down other state enterprises and bring private capital to a domestic bank, the International Monetary Fund has said. “A central plank will be the privatization of the airport, but stakes in the telecommunications company have already […]
Sri Lanka president to take oaths Feb 04: report
Jan 31, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s re-elected president Mahinda Rajapaksa will take oaths for his second term in Kandy when the country celebrates independence from British rule on February 04, a media report said. The Sunday Times newspaper quoting foreign employment minister Keheliya Rambukwella said president Rajapaksa has spoken of his decision at a […]
Sri Lanka president revokes expulsion of Swiss reporter
January 31, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday revoked an expulsion order against a Swiss reporter who covered the island’s fiercely fought election. A government spokesman said that “wrong information” had led to the immigration authorities ordering Karin Wenger, of Swiss Public Radio, to leave the country. The department of information […]
”: IMF chief
DAVOS, January 30, 2010 (AFP) – IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Saturday that state debt will become the world’s biggest economic problem and some countries will need seven years to fix their finances. “The fiscal sustainability problem is going to be one of the biggest, maybe the biggest problem for the coming … several years,” […]
Media Muzzle
January 30, 2010 (AFP) – Police in Sri Lanka shut down the offices of an opposition newspaper on Saturday, the weekly said, as international rights groups accused the authorities of a vendetta against critical media. Police went to the offices of the Lanka weekly and sealed the premises, a day after taking its editor into […]
EU calls on Sri Lanka to probe reports of election irregularities
BRUSSELS, January 29, 2010 (AFP) – The European Union on Friday urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate reports of “irregularities” during the country’s recent election and ensure the safety of his defeated opponent. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse won a bruising re-election battle on Tuesday, but the result was rejected by his main opponent, […]
Sri Lanka gets less bang for capital buck: economist
Jan 30, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is saving and investing too little and spending too much and the country is also getting less returns than more efficient economies for the money spent to boost capital stock, a top economist has said. Countries that invest more will generate higher levels of growth and incomes. East […]
Sri Lanka Galle literary festival opens
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Inside a 17th century Dutch Fort in Sri Lanka’s southern port city of Galle, celebrated writers will talk about their work, debate their ideas and share a drink with all who pass through. Attending the festival will be Ian Rankin and his popular fictional detective John Rebus, who, together, are […]
Sri Lanka police raids opposition office
January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Police raided Friday the office of defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka as monitors and rights groups criticised the Sri Lankan election that returned President Mahinda Rajapakse to power. The Cinnamon Gardens quarter of Colombo, where Fonseka’s office is located, was cordoned off as dozens of commandos from the elite police […]
‘s Fonseka
SYDNEY, January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka has not sought asylum from Australia, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said as he urged the government ensure the retired general’s safety. Australian media reported that Fonseka was considering seeking temporary asylum in Australia following his defeat in Tuesday’s polls, which the former […]