Central Bank cuts 2005 GDP growth estimate to 5.3 % form 6% ealier

The Central Bank Friday revised its GDP growth estimates for 2005 from 6 percent before the tsunami to 5.3 percent. The Central Bank Friday revised its GDP growth estimates for 2005 from 6 percent before the tsunami to 5.3 percent. The downward revision accounts for the damages sustained by the tourism and fisheries sectors and […]

Monetary expansion to be kept at 15% to spur over 6% growth

Policy makers hope to rein in monetary expansion to 15 percent in 2005, down from a high of 19.6 percent at the end of 2004. Policy makers hope to rein in monetary expansion to 15 percent in 2005, down from a high of 19.6 percent at the end of 2004. The Central Bank on Friday […]

Tamil journalist shot dead in Sri Lanka

A Tamil journalist was found shot dead in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo Friday, hours after unidentified men abducted him from a restaurant, police and colleagues said.A Tamil journalist was found shot dead in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo Friday, hours after unidentified men abducted him from a restaurant, police and colleagues said. Sivaram Dharmeratnam, […]

Top Tamil journalist killed, Sri Lanka orders probe

Sri Lanka’s government Friday ordered a “full scale investigation” into the slaying of a senior Tamil journalist who was abducted overnight as he left a restaurant here.Sri Lanka’s government Friday ordered a “full scale investigation” into the slaying of a senior Tamil journalist who was abducted overnight as he left a restaurant here. Sivaram Dharmeratnam, […]

Govt., needs to take up long term reforms to sustain growth after tsunami rebuilding

Tsunami rebuilding is expected to spur growth in the short term but economists say the government needs to phase out aid flows and cap spiralling inflation for later growth.Tsunami rebuilding is expected to spur growth in the short term but economists say the government needs to phase out aid flows and cap spiralling inflation for […]

Sri Lanka fishes for bigger bite of world ornamental fish market

Sri Lanka is fishing for a bigger bite of the world ornamental fish market, with targets set for 10 percent of global billings by 2010. Sri Lanka is fishing for a bigger bite of the world ornamental fish market, with targets set for 10 percent of global billings by 2010. National Aquaculture Development Authority Director […]

‘s import bill by 10%

Oil, fertiliser and fabric swelled Sri Lanka’s import bill by 9.9 percent to US$ 1.2 bn in the first two months this year, with much of the growth – US$ 200 mn, spent on petroleum imports. Oil, fertiliser and fabric swelled Sri Lanka’s import bill by 9.9 percent to US$ 1.2 bn in the first […]

Buddhist monk watches horror on highway as 35 perish in bus-train crash

A Sri Lankan video cameraman films the wreck of a passenger bus which collided with a train near the town of Polgahawela, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Colombo,27 April 2005. At least 33 people were killed and 30 were wounded when a train ploughed into a bus at a level crossing in northern […]

Oil, fertiliser and fabric swelled Sri Lanka’s import bill by 10%

Oil, fertiliser and fabric swelled Sri Lanka’s import bill by 9.9 percent to US$ 1.2 bn in the first two months this year, with much of the growth – US$ 200 mn, spent on petroleum imports. Oil, fertiliser and fabric swelled Sri Lanka’s import bill by 9.9 percent to US$ 1.2 bn in the first […]

Despite shocks, Asia-Pacific economies make best showing since 2000: UN

BANGKOK, April 25 (AFP) – Shrugging off a stream of disasters and shocks, the Asia-Pacific region last year managed to post its strongest economic gains since 2000, the United Nations said Monday in an annual survey.BANGKOK, April 25 (AFP) – Shrugging off a stream of disasters and shocks, the Asia-Pacific region last year managed to […]

Sri Lanka accused Tamil Tiger rebels of provoking government security forces and said the military was ready to take action to “protect peace,” a state-run daily reported Friday. Sri Lanka accused Tamil Tiger rebels of provoking government security forces and said the military was ready to take action to “protect peace,” a state-run daily reported […]

Sri Lanka grants amnesty to 70,000 military deserters

Sri Lanka has offered to drop court martial proceedings against 70,000 military deserters as part of a drive to overhaul the security forces, the defence ministry said Friday.Sri Lanka has offered to drop court martial proceedings against 70,000 military deserters as part of a drive to overhaul the security forces, the defence ministry said Friday. […]

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