Category: Economy

Vice President of the World Bank Praful Patel will lead the Bank team to Sri Lanka’s aid meet starting Monday, with poverty reduction goals firmly on the agenda. Vice President of the World Bank Praful Patel will lead the Bank team to Sri Lanka’s aid meet starting Monday, with poverty reduction goals firmly on the […]

The United States will defer US$ 40 mn in Sri Lanka’s debt for one year, on condition the savings are routed for tsunami relief in affected coastal regions of the island, US officials said Friday.The United States will defer US$ 40 mn in Sri Lanka’s debt for one year, on condition the savings are routed […]

The Colombo Stock Exchange is drawing up plans to admit at least five new members, but this time prospective applicants may have to bid for a license.The Colombo Stock Exchange is drawing up plans to admit at least five new members, but this time prospective applicants may have to bid for a license. Stock brokering […]

Sri Lanka vowed Thursday the country would not return to war despite a deadlock in peace talks and failure to strike a deal with Tamil rebels on tsunami relief ahead of a key review of foreign aid. Sri Lanka vowed Thursday the country would not return to war despite a deadlock in peace talks and […]

A top United Nations official Thursday warned that religious minorities in the predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka could be persecuted under proposed laws aimed at stopping :unethical conversions.” A top United Nations official Thursday warned that religious minorities in the predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka could be persecuted under proposed laws aimed at stopping :unethical conversions.” The […]

The World Bank says over half of US$ 2 bn in tsunami aid pledges are from private donors, but warns better co-ordination is needed among aid agencies and 200 Non-Governmental groups. The World Bank says over half of US$ 2 bn in tsunami aid pledges are from private donors, but warns better co-ordination is needed […]

World trade talks on agriculture trade can reduce food aid to countries like Sri Lanka, warns the United Nations.World trade talks on agriculture trade can reduce food aid to countries like Sri Lanka, warns the United Nations. World Trade Organisation (WTO) countries are discussing new rules to govern the delivery of food aid, but the […]

Pressure mounted on Sri Lanka’s president as her key coalition ally Tuesday protested over a proposed deal with the Tamil Tigers on tsunami relief while the opposition scuttled a pledge to not demonstrate against the government while the country rebuilds.Pressure mounted on Sri Lanka’s president as her key coalition ally Tuesday protested over a proposed […]

Shops were closed and public transport ground to a halt in northern and eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as Tamil Tiger rebels warned that the killing of a Tamil protestor could seriously undermine a three-year truce.Shops were closed and public transport ground to a halt in northern and eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as Tamil Tiger rebels […]

A Japanese special envoy is due to arrive here this week for talks with the Sri Lankan president and senior rebels on the risk of losing foreign aid by delaying the peace process, diplomats said Monday.A Japanese special envoy is due to arrive here this week for talks with the Sri Lankan president and senior […]

OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – countries agree to put their weight behind multilateral trade talks.OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – countries agree to put their weight behind multilateral trade talks. Ministers from rich countries like the US, EU, Japan and from developing countries, like India and China, agreed […]

Sri Lanka’s president vowed to reach a deal with Tamil rebels on the distribution of aid after the December tsunamis despite the risk it could see her shaky coalition collapse, state-run media said Wednesday.Sri Lanka’s president vowed to reach a deal with Tamil rebels on the distribution of aid after the December tsunamis despite the […]