Sri Lankan Airlines re-starts some European flights

Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines said it has re-started flights to London, Paris and Milan after European aviation authorities relaxed restrictions, and is planning extra flights for stranded passengers. “However, passengers should also call ahead several hours prior to flight departure to check on whether their flight is operating as scheduled,” the […]

Sri Lanka exporters urged to diversify as Western demand wanes

Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters should reduce reliance on traditional Western markets where demand will decline, and diversify into booming Asian economies, Asian Development Bank officials said. While exports are recovering after being hit by global recession last year, reduced consumption in key US and European markets are likely to dampen the […]

Sri Lanka public interest lawyer in parliament

Apr 22, 2010 (LBO) – A senior lawyer, M A Sumanthiran, practising in Sri Lanka’s supreme court, court of appeal and commercial high court and district courts in a variety of civil litigation is entering parliament as an appointed legislator. Sumanthiran is coming as a ‘national list’ or as an appointed member representing the minority […]

Sri Lanka ruling party senior as PM

Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party named its most senior member Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Jayaratne as the prime minister amid speculation that a cabinet of ministers that is now taking shape will be re-shuffled by year-end. Rajapaksa has pledged to trim the cabinet to about 35 ministers after running his previous administration with […]

‘s new PM close ally of president

April 21, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party on Wednesday named plantations minister D. M. Jayaratne, a close ally of President Mahinda Rajapakse, as prime minister of the new parliament. The job of prime minister is largely ceremonial in Sri Lanka but, in the event of the president’s death, the holder would be expected […]

Sri Lankan president and rival to clash in new parliament

April 21, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, who cemented his grip on power Wednesday, is set to clash with his arch-rival former army chief Sarath Fonseka when the new parliament opens this week. Final results of parliamentary elections showed Rajapakse’s United People’s Freedom Alliance had secured 144 seats in the 225-member assembly […]

Sri Lanka new parliament gets finance and legal minds

Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party has appointed an economist and a banker to parliament while a minority party has appointed a lawyer experienced in commercial litigation. Tissa Vitharana and G L Pieris, former university professors, were re-appointed by the ruling United National Freedom Alliance. Both are ministers in […]

Sri Lanka ruling party wins 144 seats

Apr 21, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won 144 seats just six seats short of a two thirds majority while the main opposition trailed with 60 seats, final results show. The ruling coalition won a re-poll yesterday in Kandy in central Sri Lanka and the […]

Sri Lanka ruling party wins huge majority

April 20, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party has won a near two-thirds majority in parliament at national polls, the elections commission said in final results announced Wednesday. The parliamentary election was held just two months after presidential polls in which more than 75 percent of the electorate cast their ballots. The two nationwide […]

Sri Lanka shares edge higher amid profit-taking

Apr 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stock market edged higher but saw some profit-taking Tuesday after hitting new highs the day before and trading was lower with interest on hotels and banks, brokers said. There were a few private, off-the-floor deals in banking and hotel stocks which pushed up the day’s trading turnover. John […]

Film Awards

Apr 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will host an annual Indian film awards in Colombo in June drawing Bollywood stars to the country and opening opportunities for films to be shot on location in the former war-torn island industry officials said. A business forum, fashion show, celebrity cricket match, world premiers of upcoming Indian […]

Telco Software

Apr 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan firms developeing mobile and telecom software have teamed up with other players in the the sector to set up a ‘centre of excellence’ to foster collaboration, an industry body said. “Our national strategy is to focus on several high potential niche areas to compete globally as a niche […]

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