Category: Other
Sri Lankan women farmers get US support
July 14, 2009 (LBO) – A US-funded loan scheme has helped Sri Lankan women farmers overcome capital shortages, droughts, and other calamities that threatened their financial security and survival of farms, a US embassy statement said. “These modernizations increase the availability of micro credit loans, allowing the Women™s Co-op to expand its membership and benefit […]
Forex Charge
July 11, 2009 (LBO) – A high profile opposition lawmaker has been charged under Sri Lanka’s exchange control laws for assisting a foreign investor to deposit three million US dollars in a private bank, a media report said.UNP lawmaker Ravi Karunayake has been indicted with violating exchange control laws by helping deposit the money in […]
Sri Lanka tea aid dispersal slow: official
July 10, 2009 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan government aid package for the tea industry to recover from a crash in prices is being disbursed only slowly, a senior industry official said. The industry faced cash flow problems as large volumes remained unsold at the auctions at the time and buyers reneged on contrcats. That […]
Change Agent
July 10, 2009 (LBO) – An international lawyer’s group has welcome recent comments by Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Chief Justice Ashoka de Silva, who said he would reform a key body which runs key sections of the country’s judicial system. Sri Lanka’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) a three-member body which is chaired by the Chief […]
Come Back
July 09, 2009 (LBO) – A former Sri Lankan Treasury secretary, P B Jayasundara, who was removed by the Supreme Court, might return to his old job if he is allowed to by a new bench, a senior minister said. Court said conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) which bought the ship fuel business had secured […]
Sri Lanka can balance growth with environment: expert
July 09, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan policy makers should not over emphasize on pollution control as the economy is still at a early development stage, as it may hinder economic growth and slowdown job creation, a leading expert on carbon finance said. “Right now I think developing the economy and creating jobs should be […]
Land Deal
July 08, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court is to hear fresh arguments from petitioners seeking to revise a judgement last year that reversed a controversial transfer of state land to a private developer in a landmark case. Counsel for another group that had bought land in the property development project said they had […]
Indian budget deficit spooks markets
MUMBAI, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – India’s stock markets on Monday gave a thumbs-down to the government’s annual budget, spooked by a rising fiscal deficit and saying there was no clarity on boosting foreign investment. Economists said the lack of a clear plan for the sale of government stakes in state-run enterprises also disappointed, as […]
Sri Lanka coconut cultivators ask for freedom
July 07, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan coconut cultivators have demanded they be allowed to sell land on which growing coconuts has become unremunerative as nut prices have fallen.Coconut is an important part of the diet of Sri Lankans and the island’s crop is not enough to feed both industries as well as domestic consumers. […]
Australia pressures Malaysia on people-smuggling
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – Malaysia on Monday appealed for international help to curb people-smuggling, amid talks with Australian leaders who are pushing for action to close down illegal migration routes.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is due to arrive here later Monday to pressure Malaysia on the thousands of illegal immigrants hit by wars […]
” return to 9.0 percent growth
NEW DELHI, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – India’s finance minister targeted a return to 9.0 percent economic growth “at the earliest” in a budget speech Monday that suggested the country had seen off the worst of the global financial crisis.But in announcing increased funding for farmers and poverty alleviation programmes, Pranab Mukherjee also warned that […]
Sri Lanka rules out removing rice price controls
July 06, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government which restricts the import of rice and has imposed high tariffs on substitute carbohydrates says ‘price controls’ on rice will remain, blaming a milling oligopoly for high prices. Potatoes are charged a 15 rupee tax per kilogram. The government also allocates money to buy rice to keep […]