Sri Lanka imports machines to clear mines

September 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has imported equipment to speed up mine clearing in the former war zone in the island’s north, the defence ministry said Saturday. The mine-clearing machines imported from Slovakia would be used to accelerate resettlement of people driven out of the area during the height of fighting, the ministry […]

EU joins criticism of jailing of Sri Lanka journalist

BRUSSELS, September 3, 2009 (AFP) – The European Union joined Thursday the international outcry over the sentencing to 20 years in jail of a journalist in Sri Lanka for his alleged links to Tamil Tiger rebels.The foreign ministry in Colombo has rejected international criticism of the verdict, which has also come from the United States […]

UN chief, minister discuss plight of displaced Sri Lankans

UNITED NATIONS, September 3, 2009 (AFP) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon met with a Sri Lankan minister in Geneva Thursday to discuss the plight of civilians displaced by the government defeat of the Tamil separatist insurgency earlier this year, his press office said. But she added that UN officials could not confirm its authenticity. The […]

Sri Lanka ex-combatant rehabilitation gets UK backing

Sept 04, 2009 (LBO) – The United Kingdom is giving 17 million rupees to support the rehabilitation of ex-combatants in Sri Lanka conflict by the island’s ministry of justic, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said.Justice minister Milinda Moragoda has welcomed the support given for the rehabilitation efforts led by his ministry and Sri Lanka’s […]

Sri Lankan child soldiers get jobs in Malaysia: govt

September 3, 2009 (AFP) – A group of former child soldiers from Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels have won jobs on construction sites in Malaysia after undergoing re-training, the government here said Thursday.The seven men were among hundreds of former child soldiers who surrendered in the months before government troops finally defeated the Tigers in […]

Indian Interest

Sept 04, 2009 (LBO) – India’s state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning to buy Luxembourg-based Millicom International Cellular’s Sri Lanka operations, a media report said.The management committee of BSNL on Wednesday approved a proposal to bid for thee firm, India’s Hindustan Times newspaper said. Millicom International is selling its operations in Sri Lanka, […]

New Managers

Sept 04, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Asian Finance Ltd, and Ceylinco Investment and Realty Ltd, two firms of the troubled Ceylinco group will be put under a new managing agent, the Central Bank said. MBSL has been asked to “restore their normal business operations to strengthen the viability of the companies,” by the regulator. […]

Sri Lanka sovereign bond gets seven bids for lead manager slot

Sept 04, 2009 (LBO) – Seven investment banks have submitted proposals to sell a 500 million US dollar sovereign bond for Sri Lanka in October, the government’s debt office said.The debt office which is a unit of the Central Bank said a committee made up of finance ministry and central; bank officials was now evaluating […]

Sri Lanka non-state sector to bear adjustment burden under IMF deal

Sept 03, 2009 (LBO) – Workers in Sri Lanka’s private sector and their workplaces will bear the brunt of an adjustment to stabilize the economy under an International Monetary Fund backed program, economists have said.Under an IMF stand-by loan, Sri Lanka is planning a 7.0 budget deficit and 5.0 percent deficit over two years.Officials are […]

Kiwi Oram stumped by his hat-trick feat

September 3, 2009 (AFP) – New Zealand’s Jacob Oram said Thursday he was unaware he had taken a hat-trick during the thrilling three-run win over Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 international. Oram’s three wickets in three balls, but in separate overs, was missed by almost everyone at the Premadasa stadium on Wednesday night, including Oram’s […]

”’ adjusts to life in the IT sector

KATHMANDU, September 3, 2009 (AFP) – As a child, she was worshipped as a “living goddess” in Nepal after she proved her bravery in an ancient ritual by not crying at the sight of a sacrificed buffalo.But now Rashmila Shakya, 29, meets friends in cafes, listens to Bollywood music — and is building a promising […]

Jailed Journalist

OTTAWA, September 2, 2009 (AFP) – Canada is “deeply concerned” by Sri Lanka’s sentencing of a journalist to 20 years of hard labor, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Wednesday. “The government of Canada is deeply concerned by the sentencing of J.S. Tissainayagam to 20 years in prison for violating Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism […]

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