Category:
Compassion Measure
Aug 05, 2014 (LBO) – A regional consultant who works with mainly multinational businesses in South Asia and the Middle East says he wants to measure compassion in Sri Lanka business, after initiating the process in Pakistan.“I want to go deep and see how Sri Lankan organizations are different from Pakistan, even if they are […]
India lashes WTO, defends decision on failed trade deal
NEW DELHI, August 5, 2014 (AFP) – India on Tuesday defended its decision to scuttle a landmark worldwide trade deal, saying it needed to take a tough stand at the WTO to ensure the survival of its impoverished farmers.Trade Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also lashed out at the World Trade Organization, accusing it of foot-dragging on […]
US demands Sri Lanka enforce its laws in latest rebuke
COLOMBO, August 5, 2014 (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday demanded Sri Lanka enforce its own laws after a meeting of US diplomats and war widows was disrupted by pro-government activists, in the latest rebuke by Washington.The US embassy said activists led by Buddhist monks stormed the meeting in Colombo on Monday and “behaved […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.2-pct
Aug 04, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed 0.18 percent higher with Ceylon Tobacco Company gaining amid strong domestic participation, brokers said. JKH’s W0022 warrants closed 10 cents higher at 64.20 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 50 cents lower at 71.00 rupees. Dialog Axiata closed 10 cents higher at 10.90 rupees and Sri […]
On Track
Aug 04, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s regulator driven consolidation is on track with 12 banks and 57 non-bank lenders submitting plans for mergers and recapitalization, the Central Bank said. Another 19 non-bank lenders have completed internal processes to allow them to submit the plans, the regulator said. Already 19 proposals have been approved. Consultants […]
Economic Migrants
SYDNEY, August 4, 2014 (AFP) – Asylum-seekers held on an Australian customs vessel at sea for weeks were given lifeboats and told to make their own way back to India, a lawyer for the group said Monday.The boatload of 157, who lawyer Hugh de Kretser said were mostly Christian Tamils fleeing persecution in Sri Lanka, […]
Cricket: Sri Lanka, Pakistan gear for Jayawardene finale
GALLE, August 4, 2014 (AFP) – Hosts Sri Lanka hope to give retiring former captain Mahela Jayawardene a winning farewell when they take on Pakistan for a sixth Test series in as many years from Wednesday.The elegant right-hander, sixth in the all-time scorers’ list with 11,671 runs in 147 Tests since his debut in 1997, […]
Astrology as technology thrust in Sri Lanka: What happens when politicians decide research priorities
Aug 04, 2014 (LBO) I agree with the Minister of Technology and Research that we need a lot more discussion about economic strategy. I’ve been pleading for this for several years: in English, in this column, since at least 2006. An example: Choices: Geography or ideology? But one could say these things should be discussed […]
China-India energy rivalry in spotlight as Modi visits Nepal
KATHMANDU, August 2, 2014 (AFP) – Energy will be high on the agenda when India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Nepal on Sunday, eager to claw back lost ground in the race for resources with China. “It makes more sense for Delhi and Beijing to work together — whether it’s a case of using […]
UN slams Sri Lanka over deportation of asylum seekers
COLOMBO, August 2, 2014 (AFP) – The UN refugee agency accused Sri Lanka on Saturday of failing to respect international law by deporting Afghan and Pakistan refugees before their asylum claims could be assessed. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Sri Lankan authorities arrested 214 Afghan and Pakistani nationals in an operation […]
Nationalist Move
SYDNEY, August 2, 2014 (AFP) – Some 157 asylum-seekers who were detained at sea for weeks by Australia have been sent to the Pacific island of Nauru after rejecting a return to India, officials said Saturday.The group, thought to be mostly ethnic Tamils from Sri Lanka and including 50 children, left the Indian port of […]
Sri Lanka apologises to Indian PM over caricature
COLOMBO, August 1, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lanka extended an “unqualified apology” to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday over an article and uncomplimentary illustration of the leader and a regional Tamil politician published on a government website. The Sri Lankan defence ministry said it had taken down the offending caricature of Modi and the […]