Digging Deep

The Asian Development Bank says it is not keen on offsetting debt, but is pushing for more grant aid and a re-scheduling of loans. Sri Lanka owes the Manila based bank a total of US$ 1.6 bn in total to date, with debt repayment this year standing at US$ 75 mn. Given the ‘extraordinary financing’ […]

As Expected

Sri Lanka’s request for a US$ 113.5 mn debt moratorium on interest payments due to the International Monetary Fund came through on Thu., freeing up some cash for emergency post-tsunami reconstruction bills.Sri Lanka’s request for a US$ 113.5 mn debt moratorium on interest payments due to the International Monetary Fund came through on Thu., freeing […]

Norway in post-tsunami bid to salvage Sri Lanka peace process

Norway will next week launch its first post-tsunami attempt to salvage Sri Lanka’s faltering peace process, diplomatic sources here said.Norway will next week launch its first post-tsunami attempt to salvage Sri Lanka’s faltering peace process, diplomatic sources here said. Top peace envoy Erik Solheim is due here for talks with Sri Lankan leaders as well […]

Money Matters

Civil rights groups are calling on the government and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) for transparency in tsunami relief operations.Civil rights groups are calling on the government and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) for transparency in tsunami relief operations. “An immediate attempt should be made to account for all donations that have been received for reconstruction and […]

Fluid Picture

International rating agency Fitch Ratings, says a debt moratorium extended by the Paris Club, deferring external debt service for an as yet unspecified period could lead to an unintended bunching of repayments and more generalised debt service difficulties at a later date.Making its observation before the Paris Club meeting Fitch says that the G7 external […]

Debt Grace

The Paris Club of creditor nations offered an unconditional freeze on debt repayments for Indonesia, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka to help them recover from last month’s catastrophic tidal waves.The Paris Club of creditor nations offered an unconditional freeze on debt repayments for Indonesia, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka to help them recover from last […]

Tourism industry pushes through delayed reforms as it plans tsunami recovery

A tsunami that wrecked Sri Lanka’s coast in peak tourist season is having its better fallouts, pushing through delayed reform plans while the sector bounces back.A tsunami that wrecked Sri Lanka’s coast in peak tourist season is having its better fallouts, pushing through delayed reform plans while the sector bounces back. The Tourism Ministry said […]

Mine Scare

Landmine ban advocacy groups have said claims of shifting landmines are exaggerated, with the tsunami uprooting just about ten of the explosive devices in all un-cleared areas.Landmine ban advocacy groups have said claims of shifting landmines are exaggerated, with the tsunami uprooting just about ten of the explosive devices in all un-cleared areas. The past […]

Where Are They?

Sri Lanka’s tsunami orphans could be further traumatized unless they are quickly reunited with their surviving relatives, rights organisations warned amid calls to put them up for adoption.Sri Lanka’s tsunami orphans could be further traumatized unless they are quickly reunited with their surviving relatives, rights organisations warned amid calls to put them up for adoption. […]

Page 3092 of 3368