Sri Lankan, South Asian leaders say must “root out terror” for economic progress

NEW DELHI, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian nations must “root out terrorism” to turn around the fortunes of their underperforming trading bloc, the countries’ leaders told a regional summit here on Tuesday. Economic progress in the troubled region, home to nearly 1.5 billion people or one-fifth of humanity, is impossible without overcoming security […]

Cross-over MP back in Sri Lanka opposition

April 03, 2007 (LBO) – Former United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Edward Gunasekera, who crossed over to the government and became deputy minister of railways, crossed back to the opposition UNP Tuesday. His move created an uproar that caused the Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara to adjourn parliament. Gunasekera tried to make a statement in the House […]

Sri Lanka claims 12 Tamil Tigers killed

COLOMBO, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops killed at least 12 Tamil Tiger rebels in clashes in the northwestern district of Mannar, the defence ministry said Tuesday.More than 4,000 people have been killed in the latest upsurge of fighting that began in December 2005 despite a truce arranged in 2002.The clashes erupted near […]

‘s opposition pokes fun at government growth numbers

April 03, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party poked fun at the government’s economic performance as two agencies produced two sets of national accounts claiming growth rates of 7.4 and 7.7 percent for 2006. “On March 30, the central bank said the economy grew by 7.4 percent,” parliamentarian Kabir Hashim told […]

”’ is under control

April 03, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka central bank says it had met the 17.2 percent money growth number it had set for itself for March, with actual money supply undershooting the target as it attempted to put the lid on runaway inflation in the country. “The actual reserve money as at the end of […]

Closer regional ties could increase trade and reduce energy shortages: World Bank

April 03, 2007 (LBO) – South Asia’s high economic growth has created a new momentum for closer regional integration, which can increase trade and bring greater prosperity to its peoples, the World Bank said ahead of a regional summit that starts today. Praful Patel, World Bank Vice-President for the South Asia region, said there are […]

Bangladesh hikes fuel prices 21 percent in line with global rates

DHAKA, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh’s military-backed interim government said Monday that it raised the price of fuels used for transport and cooking by as much as 21 percent in the face of sharply rising global oil prices.The prices of diesel and kerosene were hiked by 21 percent to 40 taka (27.80 US cents) […]

Time for South Asia nations to deliver: ministers

NEW DELHI, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – South Asia’s expanding but underperforming SAARC grouping needs to work harder and overcome internal rivalries to boost regional cooperation, officials said Monday on the eve of a summit.“We are at a defining moment in SAARC history,” Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said ahead of the South Asian Association […]

” in huge Solomons quake, tsunami

HONIARA, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – A powerful undersea earthquake unleashed a tsunami that pounded the Solomon Islands early Monday, flattening villages and killing at least six people and sparking scenes of panic, officials said.Witnesses said the wall of water triggered by the 8.0-magnitude quake was up to five metres (16.5 feet) high and swamped […]

Windies face exit after 113-run thrashing by Sri Lanka with Sanath ton

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sanath Jayasuriya dealt a potentially fatal blow to the West Indies’ semi-final hopes with a blazing century to set up Sri Lanka’s 113-run win in the World Cup Super Eights match here on Sunday.Sri Lanka: U. Tharanga b Powell 8 S. Jayasuriya b Powell 115 K. Sangakkara c […]

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