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Sri Lanka gets less bang for capital buck: economist
Jan 30, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is saving and investing too little and spending too much and the country is also getting less returns than more efficient economies for the money spent to boost capital stock, a top economist has said. Countries that invest more will generate higher levels of growth and incomes. East […]
Sri Lanka Galle literary festival opens
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Inside a 17th century Dutch Fort in Sri Lanka’s southern port city of Galle, celebrated writers will talk about their work, debate their ideas and share a drink with all who pass through. Attending the festival will be Ian Rankin and his popular fictional detective John Rebus, who, together, are […]
Sri Lanka police raids opposition office
January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Police raided Friday the office of defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka as monitors and rights groups criticised the Sri Lankan election that returned President Mahinda Rajapakse to power. The Cinnamon Gardens quarter of Colombo, where Fonseka’s office is located, was cordoned off as dozens of commandos from the elite police […]
‘s Fonseka
SYDNEY, January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka has not sought asylum from Australia, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said as he urged the government ensure the retired general’s safety. Australian media reported that Fonseka was considering seeking temporary asylum in Australia following his defeat in Tuesday’s polls, which the former […]
Rights group, monitors query Sri Lankan election
January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Poll monitors and human rights groups on Friday raised questions over elections that drove Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse back to power as his defeated rival demanded a fresh poll. The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission cited counting irregularities, as well as blatant misuse of state resources by Rajapakse, […]
Sri Lanka ready for investors with polls over: BOI chief
Jan 29, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state investment promotion agency is standing by to support businessmen who want to start investing now that the polls are over, its chief Dhammika Perera said. “The presidential elections are over,” Perera said. “Now is the time for everyone to leave the elections behind and put their plans […]
Sri Lanka treasuries yields up
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields edged up marginally across maturities at Tuesday’s auction, the government’s debt office said. The 3-month yield moved up 09 basis points to 7. 95 percent, the 6-month yield moved up 04 basis points to 8. 90 percent and the 12-month yield moved up 05 basis […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 1.2-pct higher
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks recovered early losses Thursday to end the day 1. 25 percent higher in the first day of trading after President Mahinda Rajapaksa was returned to a second term, brokers said. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 3,636.41 points, up 45.03 points, while the Milanka […]
Policy choices in Sri Lanka. Five years. What next?
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – The first Choices column (link) was published on the 11th of February 2005. The decision to take time from an already overloaded schedule to write a monthly column (took me several years to get into that rhythm) was taken on the 27th of January 2005, the day that I hit […]
US cheers polls, urges candidate safety, electoral abuse probe
Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – The United States congratulated Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his election to a second term in office but said the safety of candidates and campaign workers should be protected and allegations of electoral abuse probed. “The United States congratulates Sri Lanka for the first nationwide election in decades and […]
Sri Lanka president must heal ethnic rift: analysts
January 28, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lankans opted for stability in their first post-war presidential poll, but analysts say the results underscored simmering ethnic tensions that could once again tear the country apart. President Mahinda Rajapakse was re-elected with a resounding 57. 9 percent of the vote on Tuesday despite vociferous local and foreign criticism […]
Sri Lanka to mend fences with West: president
January 27, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president, who won a second term Wednesday, said he was keen to repair relations with Western nations that have been at odds with Colombo over its human rights record. President Mahinda Rajapakse said most of the “misunderstandings” between Colombo and Western nations stemmed from the island’s conflict with […]