Category:
Terror Funding
Sept 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s parliament has passed changes to laws against money laundering and terrorist financing, broadening their scope and enabling police to freeze funds. The amendments make the island’s anti-money laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws “fully compliant with the international standards,” a statement from the central bank’s financial […]
Court Martial
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, September 23, 2011 (AFP) – A third member of an alleged rogue US army unit in Afghanistan pleaded guilty Thursday in a plea deal over shock killings of local civilians that embarrassed the US army. Private First Class Andrew Holmes was accused of being a member of a five-person “kill team” implicated […]
” to Afghanistan: US
WASHINGTON, September 23, 2011 (AFP) – The US military’s top officer bluntly accused Pakistan on Thursday of “exporting” violent extremism to Afghanistan through proxies and warned of possible action to protect American troops. In a scathing and unprecedented condemnation of Pakistan, Admiral Mike Mullen said the country’s main intelligence agency ISI was actively supporting Haqqani […]
Sri Lanka, India navies in anti-piracy drill
Sept 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan and Indian navies ended a joint exercise off the island’s east coast Friday that included anti-piracy and interdiction operations, key concerns of both nations in protecting maritime commerce and coastlines. The High Commission of India said the ‘SLINEX 2011’ a joint exercise was held off the eastern port […]
Sri Lanka must seek balance between East and West: economist
Sept 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka must improve trade ties with emerging Asian growth centres but not write-off the United States and Europe just because they are in a weak phase, an economist said. “We need to find ways for Sri Lanka to productively piggy-back on India’s growth and seek closer economic integration with […]
Sri Lanka stocks extend losses, rupee weaker
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed 0.4 percent lower, while the rupee ended at 110.30/35 to the US dollar after an intervention rate was dropped 10 cents, brokers and dealers said. Dialog Axiata closed flat at 8.50 and Sri Lanka Telecom closed at 48.00 In forex markets the rupee closed at 110.29/30 […]
Box Terminal
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – A Sino-Lanka consortium that is to build a container terminal in Colombo’s new deep-water South Port has signed a deal with Sri Lanka’s investment promotion agency entitling it for tax breaks. Building of the 500 million US dollar terminal by the consortium consisting of China Merchants Holdings, Sri Lanka’s Aitken […]
Big Ticket
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s National Development Bank is positioning itself to push ‘big ticket’ deals in global markets partnering with Singapore’s DBS Bank as the end of a war bring new investment opportunities, officials said. NDB Bank group chief executive said Russell de Mel said an investment banking partnership with Singapore’s DBS […]
Galle literary festival in Sri Lanka gears up for 2012
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Galle literary festival is notching up writers and sponsors for 2012 but it would remain ‘intimate’ giving audiences an opportunity to engage more closely with writers, organizers said. The festival started in 2007 amidst a three decade old war which ended two years later. The festival has since […]
Sri Lanka manufactures lobby to curb rubber farmer trade access
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan rubber products manufacturers are lobbying to double an export cess on raw rubber exports as prices remain high amid strong demand and tight local supply. Manufacturers want the export cess, that had been raised to 12 rupees a kilo only earlier this year, doubled to 24 rupees, according […]
Online Tribute
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Ray Wijewardene, a Sri Lankan aviator and tropical agriculture specialist is being remembered online at www.raywijewardene.net, led by volunteers who want to preserve his legacy. Though a scientist and inventor he was best known publicly for his enthusiasm for aviation and flying small aircraft he had built himself. While in […]
Pushed Back
NEW YORK, September 21, 2011 (AFP) – Sentencing of Raj Rajaratnam, the hedge fund magnate convicted in the biggest Wall Street insider trading case in years, has been postponed until October. A court order Wednesday by New York federal Judge Richard Holwell moved sentencing day from September 27 to October 13. No reason was given. […]