Going Online

Banking giant HNB will launch its payment gateway on May 25, the second Sri Lankan online credit card payment processing system after Sampath Bank. Banking giant HNB will launch its payment gateway on May 25, the second Sri Lankan online credit card payment processing system after Sampath Bank. Sri Lanka Insurance and mobile operator Celltel […]

Quick Dial

Cellular operator Celltel will bring forward its 2006 network expansion plans, increasing its coverage map to cover 52 percent of the island’s population.Cellular operator Celltel will bring forward its 2006 network expansion plans, increasing its coverage map to cover 52 percent of the island’s population. Celltel’s sixth phase of expansion will take its network capacity […]

False Charge

A consumer lobby on Monday argued in the Court of Appeal that approval for Sri Lanka Telecom’s last tariff increase was not within the telecom watchdog’s authority. A consumer lobby on Monday argued in the Court of Appeal that approval for Sri Lanka Telecom’s last tariff increase was not within the telecom watchdog’s authority. The […]

Powers that Be

Sri Lanka’s electricity sector trade unions to present new reforms model to government on Monday.Sri Lanka’s electricity sector trade unions to present new reforms model to government on Monday. “All the unions will meet on Friday to finalise a new proposal for electricity reforms.We hope to present the final paper to the Ministry of Power […]

Raining Rights

A new draft water policy, to manage Sri Lanka’s surface and ground water, including rainwater, is waiting Mahaweli Ministry approval.A new draft water policy, to manage Sri Lanka’s surface and ground water, including rainwater, is waiting Mahaweli Ministry approval. “We have made certain amendments to the 2003 water policy.It will go for a public consultation […]

The country’s first Millennium Development Goals Report, presented to Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral donors, shows that strides in health and education, the island will miss targets to halve poverty by 2015.

Sri Lanka is falling behind on social sector gains and unemployment and poverty rises in tsunami and conflict hit areas, warns a UN report released during Tuesday’s aid parley. Sri Lanka is falling behind on social sector gains and unemployment and poverty rises in tsunami and conflict hit areas, warns a UN report released during […]

Donors add US$ 500 mn to pledges taking total to over US$ 3 bn

The Kandy donor parley closed two days of dialog on Tuesday adding over US$ 500 mn in new commitments.The Kandy donor parley closed two days of dialog on Tuesday adding over US$ 500 mn in new commitments. The new pledges top up US$ 2.5 bn in tsunami aid and debt relief pledged already. The funds […]

Foreign aid absorption to increase by 18 percent in 2005

Sri Lanka hopes to increase foreign aid absorption by about 18 percent this year, compared to utilisation in 2004, to accommodate tsunami aid inflows.Sri Lanka hopes to increase foreign aid absorption by about 18 percent this year, compared to utilisation in 2004, to accommodate tsunami aid inflows. “The public investment programme for this year is […]

Thinking Cap

KANDY — The International Monetary Fund may consider reviving a loan to Sri Lanka if the government provides it with clear plans to reduce poverty and develop the rural economy, an IMF official said.KANDY — The International Monetary Fund may consider reviving a loan to Sri Lanka if the government provides it with clear plans […]

India puts off US$ 30 mn in loan repayments over three years

India on Tuesday said it would postpone up to US$ 30 million in debt repayment over the next three years.India on Tuesday said it would postpone up to US$ 30 million in debt repayment over the next three years. The Finance Minister meanwhile hopes to leverage India’s commitment to push the Paris Club to extend […]

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