Category: Economy

Gunmen shot dead at least six people in eastern Sri Lanka Saturday in what appeared to be worsening internecine clashes among Tamil Tiger rebels, military officials said.Gunmen shot dead at least six people in eastern Sri Lanka Saturday in what appeared to be worsening internecine clashes among Tamil Tiger rebels, military officials said. Gunmen burst […]

Sri Lanka will be forced to depend on international support for the next two years, as a US$ 1.8 bn post-tsunami reconstruction bill puts a strain on balance of payments and the budget, the IMF said late Friday.Sri Lanka will be forced to depend on international support for the next two years, as a US$ […]

The government announced a new set of guidelines for duty concessions – valid until April 24 – for tsunami relief items on Friday.The government announced a new set of guidelines for duty concessions – valid until April 24 – for tsunami relief items on Friday. However, to protect domestic rice producers that are now harvesting […]

The first instalment of Euro 100 mn tsunami aid from the European Union is to come in by mid this year, to help people get back to work.The first instalment of Euro 100 mn tsunami aid from the European Union is to come in by mid this year, to help people get back to work. […]

Sri Lanka become party to yet another international declaration on Wednesday – this time on the effective use of foreign aid.Sri Lanka become party to yet another international declaration on Wednesday – this time on the effective use of foreign aid. The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness agrees to take “far reaching and monitorable action” […]

The number of refugees seeking shelter in industrialised countries fell to its lowest in 16 years in 2004, says the United Nations.The number of refugees seeking shelter in industrialised countries fell to its lowest in 16 years in 2004, says the United Nations. “The number of asylum seekers arriving in industrialized countries fell sharply for […]

Sri Lanka Tuesday investigated escalating violence as a top Norwegian envoy ended another mission without a breakthrough in restarting peace talks between Tiger rebels and the government, officials said.Sri Lanka Tuesday investigated escalating violence as a top Norwegian envoy ended another mission without a breakthrough in restarting peace talks between Tiger rebels and the government, […]

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit ended 2004 on a hard bump, widening by US$ 677 mn, as a hefty petroleum import bill cost the cashed starved treasury an extra US$ 372 mn, the Central Bank said Monday.Sri Lanka’s trade deficit ended 2004 on a hard bump, widening by US$ 677 mn, as a hefty petroleum import […]

Two months after the tsunami the United Nations (UN) says rehabilitation aid from the international community is slowing down.Two months after the tsunami the United Nations (UN) says rehabilitation aid from the international community is slowing down. The UN reports that although aid pledges from the rest of the world to rehabilitate tsunami wrecked countries […]

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit ended 2004 on a hard bump, widening by US$ 677 mn, as a hefty petroleum import bill cost the cashed starved treasury an extra US$ 372 mn, the Central Bank said Monday.Sri Lanka’s trade deficit ended 2004 on a hard bump, widening by US$ 677 mn, as a hefty petroleum import […]

Trade agreements with Pakistan and India could spur foreign investment this year, largely in the manufacturing sector, the Board of Investment says.Trade agreements with Pakistan and India could spur foreign investment this year, largely in the manufacturing sector, the Board of Investment says. “There are two main things that will guide investments this year – […]

When Sri Lankan inflation soared to double digits last year, the country’s central bank waited for months before tightening policy, leading observers to wonder if it has abandoned its commitment to keep prices low.When Sri Lankan inflation soared to double digits last year, the country’s central bank waited for months before tightening policy, leading observers […]