Category: Economy

Despite an independent police commission in place, local officers continue to harass and torture innocent victims, the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) said Wednesday.In its second report on torture by the police in Sri Lanka, titled Endemic torture and the collapse of policing in Sri Lanka, the report describes 31 recent cases of torture or […]

Tamil Tiger guerrillas have begun pouring fighters along a district border in northeastern Sri Lanka, heightening fears of a showdown with renegades, the rival faction said.rnThe main Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has built up its strength to about 400 fighters by deploying an additional 85 cadres since Sunday along the banks of the […]

The United National Party says it is seeking a 130-seat majority in parliament to continue its program based on a strong peace platform.UNP says its work program, released on Monday in place of the traditional manifesto, will create 8 per cent growth and three million jobs.rn rnComparing the government to a farmer UNP leader and […]

The Freedom Alliance unveiled its manifesto promising to stop the tide of privatisations most of which were initiated by the previous PA administration, a party to the alliance.The UPFA says road, rail, petroleum, electricity, ports and airports, water and state banks will not be privatised.rn rnThe party says instead they will strengthen the governments role […]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told the government to build on the progress made so far to reactivate a low interest long-term loan while a policy shift will mean the loan will have to be renegotiated.The funds country representative Jeremy Carter told LBR that the IMF board is willing to consider the economic policies […]

The Joint Business Forum (JBiz) has asked the new government to restrict Cabinet members to 25 and Deputy Minister to 25.The limited edition, JBiz says should be complimented with a Consultative & Advisory Committee at Ministrys with representatives from Parliament.rn rnldblquote In recent times, number of Ministers appointed by both, the PA & UNF has […]

The International Monetary Fund says Sri Lanka should be ready to raise interest rates if the ongoing political crisis deepens, as the absence of a strong government makes it difficult to keep a tight grip on the public purse.The Washington based Fund commended the country for emerging from 20-years of ethnic conflict, but said economy […]

The PA-JVP led United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) plans to change the countrys economic policy agenda to keep in line with its ideology of a mixed economy, a senior party spokesman said Friday.The UPFA is looking at ldblquote A new beginning, dblquote as the Alliances General Secretary Susil Premajayantha explains.rn rnldblquote We are not returning […]

With less than three weeks to go to D-day on April 2, the political options of the average Sri Lankan are increasing by the day with more political newbies voicing ever more radical changes to the system.The Parliamentary general election of 2004 will accommodate 24 recognised political parties and 192 independent groups.rn rnAll told 3,361 […]

The Freedom Alliance says it will ldblquote stop the privatization of national resources and public institutions and make them to play an important role in the regeneration of the national economy. dblquote The Alliance revealed its economic policies on Thursday in its party manifesto, with high hopes to form a fresh government after the April […]

UNF officials claim the Alliances campaign is dominated by the JVP agenda even allowing them to dominate the partys economic policies.rn rnThis, the UNF says jeopardizes economic stability and could push the country to the same plight as North Korea. rn rnComposed by Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunawardena, the 10 questions, UNF officials say, are […]

The Freedom Alliance says it will simplify the current tax system to generate the required revenue when it comes to power in the April polls.ldblquote Government revenue in relation to GDP has declined to 14 per cent in 2003, due to corrupt tax amnesties, numerous exemptions, generous concessions and a rundown tax administration, dblquote the […]