Sri Lanka president revokes expulsion of Swiss reporter

January 31, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday revoked an expulsion order against a Swiss reporter who covered the island’s fiercely fought election. A government spokesman said that “wrong information” had led to the immigration authorities ordering Karin Wenger, of Swiss Public Radio, to leave the country. The department of information […]

”: IMF chief

DAVOS, January 30, 2010 (AFP) – IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Saturday that state debt will become the world’s biggest economic problem and some countries will need seven years to fix their finances. “The fiscal sustainability problem is going to be one of the biggest, maybe the biggest problem for the coming … several years,” […]

Media Muzzle

January 30, 2010 (AFP) – Police in Sri Lanka shut down the offices of an opposition newspaper on Saturday, the weekly said, as international rights groups accused the authorities of a vendetta against critical media. Police went to the offices of the Lanka weekly and sealed the premises, a day after taking its editor into […]

EU calls on Sri Lanka to probe reports of election irregularities

BRUSSELS, January 29, 2010 (AFP) – The European Union on Friday urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate reports of “irregularities” during the country’s recent election and ensure the safety of his defeated opponent. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse won a bruising re-election battle on Tuesday, but the result was rejected by his main opponent, […]

Sri Lanka gets less bang for capital buck: economist

Jan 30, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is saving and investing too little and spending too much and the country is also getting less returns than more efficient economies for the money spent to boost capital stock, a top economist has said. Countries that invest more will generate higher levels of growth and incomes. East […]

Sri Lanka Galle literary festival opens

Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Inside a 17th century Dutch Fort in Sri Lanka’s southern port city of Galle, celebrated writers will talk about their work, debate their ideas and share a drink with all who pass through. Attending the festival will be Ian Rankin and his popular fictional detective John Rebus, who, together, are […]

Sri Lanka police raids opposition office

January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Police raided Friday the office of defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka as monitors and rights groups criticised the Sri Lankan election that returned President Mahinda Rajapakse to power. The Cinnamon Gardens quarter of Colombo, where Fonseka’s office is located, was cordoned off as dozens of commandos from the elite police […]

‘s Fonseka

SYDNEY, January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka has not sought asylum from Australia, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said as he urged the government ensure the retired general’s safety. Australian media reported that Fonseka was considering seeking temporary asylum in Australia following his defeat in Tuesday’s polls, which the former […]

Rights group, monitors query Sri Lankan election

January 29, 2010 (AFP) – Poll monitors and human rights groups on Friday raised questions over elections that drove Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse back to power as his defeated rival demanded a fresh poll. The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission cited counting irregularities, as well as blatant misuse of state resources by Rajapakse, […]

Sri Lanka ready for investors with polls over: BOI chief

Jan 29, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state investment promotion agency is standing by to support businessmen who want to start investing now that the polls are over, its chief Dhammika Perera said. “The presidential elections are over,” Perera said. “Now is the time for everyone to leave the elections behind and put their plans […]

Sri Lanka treasuries yields up

Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields edged up marginally across maturities at Tuesday’s auction, the government’s debt office said. The 3-month yield moved up 09 basis points to 7. 95 percent, the 6-month yield moved up 04 basis points to 8. 90 percent and the 12-month yield moved up 05 basis […]

Sri Lankan stocks close 1.2-pct higher

Jan 28, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks recovered early losses Thursday to end the day 1. 25 percent higher in the first day of trading after President Mahinda Rajapaksa was returned to a second term, brokers said. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 3,636.41 points, up 45.03 points, while the Milanka […]

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