‘l help in Bhutto probe

ISLAMABAD, Dec 29, 2007 (AFP) – Pakistan’s interior ministry said Saturday that the international community “does not understand the environment” in the country, ruling out international help in probing Benazir Bhutto’s death.With questions raised about the official account of how she died, which has been rejected by Bhutto’s aides and supporters, ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed […]

Banking Credibility

Dec 29, 2007 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised doubts about the independence of Sri Lanka’s central bank and its ability to regulate banks fairly due to the presence of a Treasury representative which creates a conflict of interest. “¦the Monetary Board’s independence could be potentially constrained by the presence of the […]

From Pakistan to Sri Lanka; record of assassinations in the Indian subcontinent

ISLAMABAD, Dec 27, 2007 (AFP) – Thursday’s assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is one of a long series of political assassinations which have taken place in southern Asia since the end of the colonial era and the partitition of India in 1947. INDIA – January 30, 1948: A Hindu extremist kills Mahatma […]

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Dec 28, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka condemned Friday the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and said it underscored the need for “absolute commitment” to fight terrorism.“This brutal assassination, underlines the need for the absolute commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in order to make it unacceptable in […]

Sri Lanka says 25 Tigers killed in clashes

Dec 28, 2007 (AFP) – At least 25 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in fresh military attacks along the de-facto border of territory held by the guerrillas, the defence ministry said Friday. The members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were killed in four separate attacks in Vavuniya district on Thursday, the ministry […]

Sri Lanka judge raps police in probe of unruly minister

Dec 28, 2007 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan judge reprimanded police Friday for failing to thoroughly investigate a minister who sparked a riot at the state-run television channel after allegedly assaulting a journalist.Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohamed Macky said he was not happy with a police report into Thursday’s alleged assault by Labour Minister Mervin Silva […]

” on Qaeda claim over Bhutto killing

ISLAMABAD, Dec 28, 2007 (AFP) – Pakistan’s interior ministry said Friday it was “unaware” of Al-Qaeda claiming a link to Benazir Bhutto’s killing but said “extremist elements” behind a wave of attacks this year could be responsible.Asked about a report on Pakistan’s ARY TV network that the militant group founded by Osama bin Laden was […]

Pension Problem

Dec 28, 2007 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund has criticised delays in reforming Sri Lankan state sector pension schemes and urged government to regulate private pension funds. It also urged the government to allow large pension funds to expand their private securities portfolio in order to develop the securities market, and make them more […]

Sri Lanka money rates spike above penal discount rate

Dec 28, 200 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s overnight rates spiked to 21 percent despite two discount windows that give money at 12.00 percent and 19.00 percent, while a bond auction was rejected by the government’s debt office Friday, dealers said. The debt office was again fishing for money offering bills on ‘tap’ at around 21.30 […]

Sri Lanka bombs Tamil Tiger naval assets

Dec 27, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military announced air strikes inside rebel-held territory on Thursday, a day after a sea battle left a large number of combatants dead, according to both sides.He said security forces had already scored major victories against the guerrillas in the past year and hoped to build on them. War […]

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