Sri Lanka state firm bank debt has doubled in a year: Central Bank

April 15, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state corporation debt to the banking system has doubled in 2006, with energy firms accounting for most of it, the Central Bank said in its annual report. The bank called on the government to consider promoting Public- Private Partnerships as a viable alternative financing mechanism for developing much-needed […]

Powerless

April 15, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka lost electricity power Sunday as the entire national electricity grid failed shortly before 3.00 pm local time, officials said. Sri Lanka has been under-investing in infrastructure for years, with most of the tax revenues going to sustain a bloated public service or the war. In the last two […]

Sri Lanka peace process, ceasefire in tatters

by Stefan Smith COLOMBO, April 15, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s peace process is in tatters with both the government and Tamil Tigers once again pushing for a military solution, according to diplomats close to efforts to end the conflict. “This is not something that can be tackled only through military means,” Boteju said.“There must […]

Sri Lanka peace process on ice as international community wait for battle fatigue

COLOMBO, April 15, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s peace process is in tatters with both the government and Tamil Tigers once again pushing for a military solution, according to diplomats close to efforts to end the conflict. International sponsors of the peace process are also resigned to Asia’s longest-running civil war dragging on for years […]

Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger breakaway group member shot dead

April 15, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead a member of a breakaway group in eastern Sri Lanka as the country marked the start of the traditional New Year, the defence ministry said Sunday.The victim, identified as a member of a Tamil faction known as the “Karuna Group” believed allied with government […]

New Zealand beat South Africa to book semi-final place

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 14, 2007 (AFP) – New Zealand made certain of their place in the World Cup semifinals when they cruised to a five-wicket win over South Africa in their Super Eights match at the Grenada National Stadium Saturday. New Zealand bounced back from their defeat against Sri Lanka two days earlier by […]

Sri Lanka enter semis; Jayawardene relishing Australia challenge

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 15, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his side’s self-belief means they can do what no other team has managed since the 1999 World Cup – beat Australia.“The next two weeks for us is the showcase time for the whole tournament, and our senior players, who have been […]

Australia v Sri Lanka head-to-head record

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 15, 2007 (AFP) – Australia v Sri Lanka head-to-head record ahead of their World Cup Super Eights match at the Grenada National Stadium here on Monday: Total meetings: 62 Australia wins: 41 Sri Lanka wins: 19 Tied: 0 No Result: 2 Last 10 meetings 25/02/2004: Colombo Australia won by 5 wkts […]

IMF calls for flexible approach to exchange rate surveillance

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2007 (AFP) – The International Monetary Fund called Saturday for a flexible, non-coercive approach to monitoring exchange rate regimes of member countries after the United States had pressed for stepped-up intervention by the IMF. “Dialogue and persuasion should remain key pillars of effective surveillance,” the IMF’s policy-setting committee said here in a […]

Capital Call

April 15, 2007 (LBO) – Seylan Bank, whose rating outlook was downgraded to negative by Fitch may need a fresh equity addition to boost solvency, the rating agency has said. Seylan currently has a network of 92 island-wide branches. The bank is raising one billion rupees through a subordinated debenture to which for which a […]

Five including child shot by Tamil Tigers as Sri Lanka marks New Year: military

COLOMBO, April 14, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead five people in eastern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the military said, as the country marked the traditional New Year and the president appealed for national unity.Gunmen from the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ordered a family out of their home in […]

‘s Jayasuriya targetted by Australia

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 14, 2007 (AFP) – Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has said his team will aim for the early dismissal of in-form Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya in their next World Cup match. “There is no doubt he (Jayasuriya) is a great player and we’d like to get on top of him early […]

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