Sri Lanka’s peace chief quits amid deadlock in talks

Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said.Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said. President Chandrika Kumaratunga accepted the resignation of Jayantha […]

Elephants Walk Out

Sri Lankas main opposition party, the United National Party, took a sudden decision to boycott Tuesday budget, citing its a mere academicals exercise, a senior party spokesman said.“It was a sudden decision to boycott the budget, as there is no debate before the election next week,” UNP parliamentarian Rajitha Senerath said.rn rnSri Lankas Finance Minister […]

Sri Lanka to change banking laws to mandate bigger credit to agro sectors

Sri Lanka plans to bring in changes to its banking laws before next March to mandate banks to double their agriculture lending portfolio, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday.Sri Lanka plans to bring in changes to its banking laws before next March to mandate banks to double their agriculture lending portfolio, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday. “Credit channeled […]

Budget 2006: Is it achievable?

The 2006 budget expects revenue to go up by 1.1 percent of GDP to 17.5 percent of GDP and the overall budget deficit to remain at 7.1 percent of GDP. The 2006 budget expects revenue to go up by 1.1 percent of GDP to 17.5 percent of GDP and the overall budget deficit to remain […]

‘s peace chief quits amid deadlock in talks

Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said.Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said. President Chandrika Kumaratunga accepted the resignation of Jayantha […]

Wobbly start for Sri Lanka’s 2006 budget presentation

Sri Lanka’s annual budget presentation got off to an inauspicious start with the main opposition party boycotting the proceeding, while government benches were half empty. Sri Lanka’s annual budget presentation got off to an inauspicious start with the main opposition party boycotting the proceeding, while government benches were half empty. Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama began […]

Pay Later

Sri Lanka plans to spend more and borrow further next year as expenses for defence and fuel related subsidies escalate.Sri Lanka plans to spend more and borrow further next year as expenses for defence and fuel related subsidies escalate. Total state spending will rise 30 percent to Rs.568.3 billion (US$ 5.6 billion) in 2006 from […]

Big Budget

Sri Lanka hopes to contain its 2006’s budget deficit at 8.2 percent of gross national product (GNP) while keeping total expenses within Rs.1003 billion. Sri Lanka hopes to contain its 2006’s budget deficit at 8.2 percent of gross national product (GNP) while keeping total expenses within Rs. 1003 billion. Cabinet Spokesperson and Health Minister Nimal […]

Butt end Budget

The presidential election has cast a cloud over the budget making it less important to investors and the private sector in general. The presidential election has cast a cloud over the budget making it less important to investors and the private sector in general. Uncertainty as to what policies may be implemented or amended after […]

Hanky Panky

Sri Lanka’s main opposition Sunday demanded the postponement of the annual budget until after the presidential vote next month, arguing that the government may use it to boost its electoral fortunes.Sri Lanka’s main opposition Sunday demanded the postponement of the annual budget until after the presidential vote next month, arguing that the government may use […]

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