All Blogs
” by civilian deaths in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2009 (AFP) – The United States is “deeply concerned” about civilian deaths in strife-torn Sri Lanka, a State Department spokesman said Monday, calling on the Colombo government and Tamil Tiger rebels to end their fighting.“We’re deeply concerned,” said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly, when asked to comment on reports that more than […]
Sri Lanka central bank net forex buyer in April: official data
May 11, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has bought 37 million dollars from forex markets in April 2009 in the first full month after ‘floating’ the rupee ahead of an International Monetary Fund bailout, the latest official data shows. The rupee depreciated despite a collapsing import bill. Sri Lanka’s central bank has also […]
Sri Lankan shares up, rupee steady
May 11, 2009 (LBO) – Profit taking helped to subdue gains in Sri Lankan stocks Monday while the rupee continued to hold against the dollar, traders and brokers said. The rupee opened the day at 116.70/117.00 levels and strengthened to 116.50/70 levels by mid afternoon but weakened by late afternoon to trade at 117.00/117.10, dealers […]
Profit Outlook
LONDON, May 11, 2009 (AFP) – Global banking giant HSBC said on Monday that profits were rising strongly on the basis of first-quarter data and it saw “robust” growth in China and India, while remaining cautious for the year. First-quarter pre-tax profits were “well ahead” of the figure for the same period of last year, […]
Australia intercepts 12th refugee boat
SYDNEY, May 11, 2009 (AFP) – The latest in a steady stream of refugee boats was intercepted off Australia Monday, officials said, fuelling controversy over the government’s softer line on asylum seekers. It was the 12th suspected people-smuggling ship to be stopped in Australian waters or to have made landfall since January, which have brought […]
”’ report
May 11, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Monday protested against a United Nations statement that said a large number of civilians had been killed in a “bloodbath” in the northeast where troops are fighting Tamil rebels.Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said the government had summoned UN representative Amin Awad to receive a formal protest. “We […]
UN says more than 100 children dead in Sri Lanka conflict
May 11, 2009 (AFP) – The UN condemned on Monday the killing of civilians in Sri Lanka at the weekend as a “bloodbath” in which more than 100 children died, as the government and rebels traded blame for the attacks. Sri Lanka’s government believes its soldiers are on the verge of defeating the Liberation Tigers […]
Sri Lanka apparel exports holding up
May 11, 09 (LBO) – Sri Lankan apparel exports are slowing as demand slumps with recession but a weaker rupee and continuing duty free access to Europe enable exporters to remain competitive, a senior official said.Rohan Masakorala, secretary general of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, an industry body, said the industry would have been in […]
Rights groups pressure Japan over Sri Lanka conflict
May 11, 2009 (AFP) – Japan must “shoulder its responsibilities” and use its leverage to prevent a civilian bloodbath in Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict, human rights and conflict prevention groups said Monday.Japan, which is Sri Lanka’s largest aid donor and holds two thirds of the island’s foreign debt, needs to “play a more active role” […]
Sri Lanka Jan-Feb state revenues shrink 10.6-pct
May 11, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state revenues have fallen 10.6 percent in the two months to February 2009, amid a slowing economy and collapsing imports while expenses are still rising, the latest official data shows. Inflation It is unusual for Sri Lanka’s revenues to fall on an absolute basis. Coupled with inflation, Sri […]