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EU welcomes ASEAN plan for single market
MANILA, Aug 1, 2007 (AFP) – The European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Wednesday welcomed Southeast Asia’s plans to create a single market by 2015.Speaking at an Asian security summit in the Philippines, Solana said Europe was following “with the greatest interest” the plans of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “We […]
Thailand inflation plunges near four-year low in July
BANGKOK, Aug 1, 2007 (AFP) – Thailand’s inflation rate hit a 43-month low of 1.7 percent in July, despite rising food prices, as consumption remained slow, the Commerce Ministry said Wednesday.It was the fifth consecutive rate cut this year and came amid government calls on the bank to tame the volatile baht after the currency […]
Sri Lanka mediaman killed by unidentified gunmen
August 01, 2007 (LBO) – Gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed a journalist in Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna peninsula Wednesday, the Free Media Movement (FMM), a media rights group, said. Nilakshan Sahapavan (22), a journalism student of the Jaffna Media Resource Training Centre (MRTC) and a part-time journalist, was shot around 4.00 a.m. during […]
New Life
July 31, 2007 (LBO) – The failed Pramuka Bank had been given the nod by the Central Bank to re-open for business from August 01, as the state owned Sri Lanka Savings Bank Ltd, the regulator said. The new bank will settle the liabilities of Pramuka to depositors and creditors according to a scheme to […]
Sri Lanka sugar firm reports losses
July 31, 2007 (LBO) – Pelwatte Sugar group has reported a loss of 75.6 million rupees for the June quarter while sales also fell 53 percent to 161 million rupees, the firm’s results released to the Stock Exchange showed. Last year it reported 341 million rupees in sales and 109 million in profits. International sugar […]
Sri Lanka agribusiness firms reach out to farmers
July 31, 2007 (LBO) –Sri Lanka’s agribusiness companies have started a programme to get corporate executives to volunteer their services help farmers improve productivity, reduce waste and get better access to markets. The aim of the programme, launched under the aegis of the National Agribusiness Council (NAC), is to get member firms to provide two […]
Economic Parley
July 31, 2007 (LBO) – The annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) will look at regional inequalities, employment and social safety nets, health education and infrastructure, its organizers said. “The slow growth of the economy, inequity of income distribution is a major cause of this poverty”, SLEA President A Indraratne said. The […]
Saudi Clearance
July 31, 2007 (LBO) – The tribal leader of a victim’s family will only intervene on behalf of a teenaged housemaid on death row once clearance is given by the Saudi foreign ministry, Sri Lankan officials have been told. Rizana Nafeek who was 17 years old at the time of the incident has been convicted […]
Digital Divide
July 31, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government ICT Agency has expanded its telecentre network to 400 points all over the island to help communities improve their knowledge and access global information. The 400th telecentre or Nenasala was set up Tuesday at the Colombo District Secretariat to provide the public access to internet, phone and […]
Maldives heads for referendum on political system
July 31, 2007 (AFP) – The Indian Ocean tourist paradise of the Maldives will hold a referendum to decide the future role of its powerful presidency held by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for the past 29 years, officials said Tuesday.The main opposition party welcomed the move to hold a plebiscite next month on whether the presidency […]