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China to cut exports, boost consumption and relax exchange controls
BEIJING, June 22, 2007 (AFP) – A rise in the value of China’s currency will not in itself be enough to narrow the nation’s yawning trade surplus, a senior central bank official was quoted as saying in state media Friday.The licence scheme, know as qualified domestic institutional investors (QDII), has so far been restricted to […]
Sri Lanka top opener bowled out of upcoming matches
June 21, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan left-hand opener Upul Tharanga injured a foot and has been ruled out of the first two Tests against Bangladesh compounding problems to secure the top order, an official said Thursday. “Tharanga was hit on his foot by a Lasith Malinga delivery this morning,” Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Kangadaran […]
Is Sri Lanka running in place or falling behind?
June 22, 2007(LBO) – A little over a year ago, I wrote a column called “The Sri Lankan state: Failed, failing or maligned?” It was about a comparative ranking on countries on the likelihood of them becoming failed states. At the end of a critical assessment of their methodology, I concluded that “Notwithstanding these methodological problems, […]
Sri Lanka slammed over press rights
COLOMBO, June 22, 2007 (AFP) – International media rights activists on Friday described Sri Lanka as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists due to a worsening climate of violence and censorship. Almost 5,000 people have been killed since December 2005, according to official figures, while over 1,000 people are reported […]
Sri Lanka court delays hearing Tamil eviction complaint
June 22, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Friday delayed hearing a case challenging the eviction of minority ethnic Tamils from Colombo, which police said was undertaken to root out Tamil Tiger rebels.The legal challenge to the eviction was filed by local lobby group the Centre for Policy Alternatives. The court set the […]
Two dead as Sri Lanka Tigers blow up own boat
June 22, 2007 (AFP) – At least two Tamil Tiger rebels were killed when they detonated their explosives-laden boat off Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast Friday, naval sources said.More than 60,000 people are reported to have been killed in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s separatist campaign since 1972. A navy patrol was about to detain […]
Three Sri Lankan soldiers killed in mine attack
June 21, 2007 (AFP) – At least three soldiers were killed and another wounded in a roadside bomb attack Thursday in northern Sri Lanka, military officials said.More than 60,000 people are reported to have been killed in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s separatist campaign since 1972.A Claymore mine exploded as troops travelled in a […]
Water Water
June 22, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is boosting pipe-borne water supply to the capital Colombo by expanding two water treatment plants, a senior government minister said. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has negotiated a loan from Hungary to expand the treatment plants at Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs, Information Minister Anura Yapa said. […]
Sri Lanka benchmark gilt rates up on fiscal weakness, information assymetry
June 21, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gilt rates shot up 30 basis points, a day after the government recieved permission from lawmakers to spend extra money on newly created ministries.Average yields at this week’s treasury bills auction moved up 30 basis points to 17.34 percent with the 3-month rate, which has now become the […]
Sino Wheels
June 21, 2007(LBO) – One of Sri Lanka’s largest used vehicle importers plans to import small cars from China and strike a deal with a big Chinese automaker to assemble vehicles locally, an official said.Sterling Automobiles, which claims to import half the reconditioned vehicles to the country from Japan, has just launched a brand new […]