Category: Economy

Reporters Without Borders voiced fears that 22 January elections in the Maldives had virtually no chance of being free and fair as promised by the government because of a striking absence of press freedom. Reporters Without Borders voiced fears that 22 January elections in the Maldives had virtually no chance of being free and fair […]

Anti-corruption watchdog wants the government of Sri Lanka to disclose tsunami-donations.Anti-corruption watchdog wants the government of Sri Lanka to disclose tsunami-donations. Transparency International Sri Lanka(TISL), the local arm of an international ant-corruption body, is organising an island wide monitoring mechanism on aid funds that came into Sri Lanka after the December Tsunami. On Thursday the […]

Sri Lanka launched an ambitious 3.5-billion dollar tsunami recovery plan Wednesday despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund of more economic troubles following the disaster.Sri Lanka launched an ambitious 3.5-billion dollar tsunami recovery plan Wednesday despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund of more economic troubles following the disaster. President Chandrika Kumaratunga urged unity in […]

Visiting US military leaders say Sri Lanka is well on the road to recovery and that its troops may not be needed much longer as the immediate the relief phase ends.Visiting US military leaders say Sri Lanka is well on the road to recovery and that its troops may not be needed much longer as […]

The Treasury says it has already secured US$ 500 mn that is needed for reconstruction work of tsunami damages for this year.The Treasury says it has already secured US$ 500 mn that is needed for reconstruction work of tsunami damages for this year. “We have already secured the US$ 500 mn that is needed for […]

The US Monday pulled back two military supply ships deployed for tsunami-relief operations in Sri Lanka even as Canada vowed a long-term commitment of its troops to help the island get back on its feet. The US Monday pulled back two military supply ships deployed for tsunami-relief operations in Sri Lanka even as Canada vowed […]

Government expects public investment to jump to 9.5 percent of GDP this year and says debt moratorium will give over US$ 500 million in BOP support.Government expects public investment to jump to 9.5 percent of GDP this year and says debt moratorium will give over US$ 500 million in BOP support. Treasury Secretary P. B. […]

United Nations agencies have stepped in with US$ 166 mn in urgent aid for Sri Lanka, part of which will fund a scheme to set off tax liabilities of some half a million people who have lost all paper in the recent tsunami.United Nations agencies have stepped in with US$ 166 mn in urgent aid […]

Norway will next week launch its first post-tsunami attempt to salvage Sri Lanka’s faltering peace process, diplomatic sources here said.Norway will next week launch its first post-tsunami attempt to salvage Sri Lanka’s faltering peace process, diplomatic sources here said. Top peace envoy Erik Solheim is due here for talks with Sri Lankan leaders as well […]

The Asian Development Bank says the wall of water that ripped across southern Asia last month, killing more than 150,000, could throw nearly 2 million additional people into poverty.According to a report released by the ADB today “The poverty impact of the tsunami will be enormous,” said Ifzal Ali, Chief Economist with the Manila-based multilateral […]

The US announced on Thursday that it had provided more than US$ 38 mn in emergency relief assistance to Sri Lanka.The US announced on Thursday that it had provided more than US$ 38 mn in emergency relief assistance to Sri Lanka. “The United States has so far provided more than US$ 38 mn in emergency […]

A visiting team of US lawmakers say aid needs to vary in form and be spread over time to support long term relief efforts in tsunami affected nations.A visiting team of US lawmakers say aid needs to vary in form and be spread over time to support long term relief efforts in tsunami affected nations. […]