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Tamil protestors storm Sri Lankan embassy in Norway
OSLO, April 12, 2009 (AFP) – A group of Tamil protesters stormed the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo Sunday, police said, on the fifth day of demonstrations in the Norwegian capital calling for the end of fighting in Sri Lanka.Even Joerstad, an Oslo police superintendent, told AFP that around 100 Tamil demonstrators tried to storm […]
Sri Lanka central bank urges lending rate cut
Apr 12, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank is urging commercial banks to cut lending rates to stimulate growth while heavy government borrowing continues to crowd out the productive sectors. On April 08, Sri Lanka’s average commercial bank prime lending rate was 19.34 percent. Banks are taxed to the hilt, and have to cope […]
Sri Lankan inflation will hit zero: central banker
Apr 11, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation will hit zero by the middle of the year, a senior central banker said, with 12-month price inflation in the capital Colombo already down to 5.3 percent in March 2009. However, analysts expect the rupee to weaken from May onwards adjusting to previous loose monetary policy under […]
Sri Lankan displaced children malnourished: govt
April 11, 2009 (AFP) – At least one in four children displaced by Sri Lanka’s ongoing fighting between troops and Tamil Tigers was malnourished, the health ministry said Saturday.Supplies to the area have been few and far between because of the intensity of fighting while the authorities have also severely restricted access for humanitarian agencies […]
Sri Lanka eyes diaspora funds to revive war zone
April 10, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has said it plans to entice the Tamil diaspora to invest in reviving the war-ravaged north and has set up a separate division to oversee all rehabilitation activities. “The institutional impediments to commencing productive activities in all sectors of the province will also be addressed gradually.” The government […]
Sea Crew
April 10, 2009 (LBO) – Belgium will recognize seafarer certificates issued by Sri Lanka allowing seamen from the island to serve aboard Belgian flagged vessels under a deal between the two countries, a government minister said.The merchant shipping division of Sri Lanka’s ministry of ports and aviation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the […]
Sri Lanka hikes tax on edible oil imports
April 10, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government has raised the import cess on palm oil to 60 rupees per kilo from 40 rupees, Coconut Cultivation Board officials said. The move is aimed at ensuring a better price for coconut growers, mostly small farmers, and to reduce imports of edible oils, mainly palm oil, […]
Alarm Call
April 10, 2009 (LBO) – Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s top celco, has said short-term gains to consumers like lower mobile call rates from intense competition should not be allowed to erode the industry’s long term sustainability. “I feel the entry of new operators is always good for the consumer. It brings out the best in […]
” operation for trapped civilians
April 10, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s army announced Friday it had launched an operation to bring to safety thousands of civilians trapped by fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels. The defence ministry statement came as a New York-based human rights group said civilian casualties were “skyrocketing” in the island’s northeast where the rebels have been […]
” Sri Lanka fighting
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2009 (AFP) – International mediators of the conflict that has pitted separatist Tamil Tigers against government forces in Sri Lanka on Thursday called for both camps to cease their “futile” fighting. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should “permit freedom of movement for the civilians” trapped in the strife-hit northern part […]