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UN rights body to hold special meeting on Sri Lanka
GENEVA, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – The UN human rights council will hold a special session next week on the situation in Sri Lanka after the end of Asia’s longest running civil war, a statement said Tuesday. “It is hoped that the holding of this special session will contribute towards the cause of peace”, said […]
Russia welcomes Sri Lanka defeat of Tamil Tigers
MOSCOW, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – Russia on Tuesday welcomed Sri Lanka’s announcement of the Tamil Tiger rebels’ defeat, saying it supported the Asian government’s “fight against terrorism.” Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on Tuesday announced the final defeat of the Tamil Tigers, even as rebels insisted their leader was still alive and vowed to […]
‘s end
May 19, 2009 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said the Sri Lankan government’s victory over Tamil Tiger rebels enables it to turn its efforts towards reviving the economy.“This victory demonstrates the true capabilities of the people of the country when provided with proper leadership and direction,” the chamber said in a statement a […]
Sri Lanka to review overnight forex trading limits: CB governor
May 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will “review” overnight forex trading positions of commercial banks which were slashed during the height of a balance of payments crisis last year, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. The central bank stopped counting dollars advanced to state banks under a tighter reserve classification process ahead of an […]
Sri Lankan stocks marginally up, rupee stable
May 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended marginally up Tuesday, recovering from early losses on confirmation that Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was dead, while the rupee remained stable against the greenback, brokers and dealers said. The government later announced that a DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) test had confirmed the slain Tiger leader’s identity […]
Second Chance
May 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank said it was giving a second chance for five qualified investors to buy a 33 percent stake in Seylan Bank because bids it received were not fully compliant with the conditions set by the regulator. The central bank’s governing body, the monetary board, said it would […]
‘s independents take stock after election drubbing
MUMBAI, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – A new wave of reform-minded candidates are taking stock after the Indian general election, following high-profile campaigns that failed to translate into votes at the ballot box. “This is going to take some time to change,” he told AFP.“People are definitely talking about better people in parliament, not only […]
UN chief announces Sri Lanka trip
GENEVA, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he will visit Sri Lanka on Friday and called for immediate progress on reconciliation following the government’s declaration of victory over Tamil Tiger rebels.“We urgently need to treat the wounds of a war that has alienated the communities in the island for almost […]
Sri Lanka detains war zone doctors
May 18, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has detained four doctors who worked inside Tamil Tiger territory, treating wounded civilians and providing reports on heavy civilian casualties that contradicted government accounts, an official said Monday.Doctors Thurairaja Varatharajah, Thangamuttu Sathyamurthi and V.Shanmugarajah were arrested when they crossed over to government territory on Sunday. Another doctor and […]
Tamil Tigers decimated, Sri Lanka president to give victory speech
May 19, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse is to deliver a victory speech to parliament Tuesday following the bloody defeat of the Tamil Tigers and their decades-old war for an independent ethnic homeland. Government commandos on Monday stormed into the last tiny patch of jungle held by the guerrillas, killing Tamil Tiger […]