Category: Economy

Sri Lanka has ruled out Tamil Tiger rebels receiving direct foreign aid to be distributed among tsunami survivors and said all external help must go through Colombo.Sri Lanka has ruled out Tamil Tiger rebels receiving direct foreign aid to be distributed among tsunami survivors and said all external help must go through Colombo. President Chandrika […]

Sri Lanka observed a minute’s silence as a sign of respect for the nearly 31,000 people here who perished in the tsunami disaster a full month ago. Sri Lanka observed a minute’s silence as a sign of respect for the nearly 31,000 people here who perished in the tsunami disaster a full month ago. State […]

Despite introducing hefty taxes to curb imports of non-essential items like motor vehicles, Sri Lanka’s trade deficit continued to run wild, egged on by hefty petroleum and investment goods bills, the Central Bank said Thu.Despite introducing hefty taxes to curb imports of non-essential items like motor vehicles, Sri Lanka’s trade deficit continued to run wild, […]

A new Authority to implement Sri Lanka’s tsunami rebuilding plan, will get parliamentary approval by early February. A new Authority to implement Sri Lanka’s tsunami rebuilding plan, will get parliamentary approval by early February. The legislation to set up the Authority has already been drafted and will come before Parliament as an urgent Bill. “The […]

Despite introducing hefty taxes to curb imports of non-essential items like motor vehicles, Sri Lanka’s trade deficit continued to run wild, egged on by hefty petroleum and investment goods bills, the Central Bank said Thu.Despite introducing hefty taxes to curb imports of non-essential items like motor vehicles, Sri Lanka’s trade deficit continued to run wild, […]

The Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) – the US body established to assist developing countries – is looking at supporting Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction.The Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) – the US body established to assist developing countries – is looking at supporting Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction. The MCC says Sri Lanka can apply for assistance from its billion-dollar […]

The government is doling out up to US$ 500 each for 40,000 families whose homes were completely destroyed by the tsunami.The government is doling out up to US$ 500 each for 40,000 families whose homes were completely destroyed by the tsunami. The government proposes to allocate US$ 200 and a cash advancement of US$ 300 […]

Peacebroker Norway ended a four-day mission to Sri Lanka after apparently wringing concessions from government and rebels on the need to cooperate in distributing foreign tsunami aid.Peacebroker Norway ended a four-day mission to Sri Lanka after apparently wringing concessions from government and rebels on the need to cooperate in distributing foreign tsunami aid. The last […]

Pro-democracy activists Sunday won both seats reserved for the capital island Male in the Maldives post-tsunami parliamentary vote, but President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was still seen consolidating his position as Asia’s longest serving leader.Pro-democracy activists Sunday won both seats reserved for the capital island Male in the Maldives post-tsunami parliamentary vote, but President Maumoon Abdul […]

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is to travel to Brussels next week for talks with fellow donors on the current status of the peace process in Sri Lanka, the State Department said.US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is to travel to Brussels next week for talks with fellow donors on the current […]

Tamil Tiger rebels announced they were putting on hold their struggle for greater autonomy for the Tamil minority in order to deal with the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.Tamil Tiger rebels announced they were putting on hold their struggle for greater autonomy for the Tamil minority in order to deal with the aftermath of the […]

Donor countries say they have credited nearly US$ 50 mn, in cash, for immediate rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka, but the government is still picking up the numbers.Donor countries say they have credited nearly US$ 50 mn, in cash, for immediate rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka, but the government is still picking up the numbers. […]