Sri Lanka parliamentary probe on retirement fund halted mid-way: legislator

Feb 09, 2013 (LBO) – A probe by a parliamentary committee on investments made by a state controlled retirement fund of private sector workers had been halted mid-way, an opposition legislator has said.Harsha de Silva, an opposition member told parliament that proceedings at a parliamentary committee examining investments by the Employees Provident Fund managed by […]

Former US envoy to Sri Lanka passes away

Feb 06, 2013 (LBO) – Former ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Christopher Van Hollen had passed away on January 30, in Washington, the US embassy in Colombo said.He was a career member of the US Foreign Service, and his son Chris Van Hollen Jr, represents Maryland in Congress. He was 90 years old. […]

Sri Lanka President calls for religious harmony

Feb 04, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for religious harmony on the island’s Independence Day amid recent violence and rhetoric directed against the island’s Muslim minority by nationalist groups.Bhuddism, which is followed by a majority of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka came to the island from the Indian subcontinent and advocates […]

Sri Lanka should uphold rule of law, more international scrutiny ahead: UK minister

Feb 03, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should uphold rule of law and be committed to respect human rights to ensure that a planned Commonwealth summit in the island is well-attended, visiting UK foreign minister Alistair Burt has said.Sri Lanka is expected to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), but countries including Canada […]

Margin Matter

Jan 30, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lankan suppliers of fuel to ships could be pushed out of business if a new tax is implemented, shipping officials and tax experts have warned. The trade has begun lobbying for the withdrawal of the five percent Ports and Airports Development Levy, (PAL) which they say could force them […]

Debt Protection

Jan 28, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board may be asked to import fuel directly to protect the main petroleum distributor from mounting unpaid dues, a media report said.A temporary surcharge on electricity was imposed in February 2012 as part of measures to avert a balance of payments crisis partly triggered by […]

Sri Lanka reshuffles cabinet, new ministers appointed

Jan 28, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa has re-shuffled the cabinet appointing 10 new ministers, two project ministers and six deputy ministers, the state information office said. The ministry of petroleum has gone to Anura Yapa, power to Pavithra Wanniarachchi and technology and research to former power minister Champak Ranawaka. Laxman Yapa […]

Oil Law

Jan 26, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will update its petroleum exploration law to bring the rule in line with the latest international practices, information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said.Amendments to Sri Lanka’s Petroleum Resources Act, No.26 of 2003, have been approved by the cabinet of ministers, he said. The changes proposed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa […]

UN flays Sri Lanka Chief Justice removal

Jan 19, 2013 (LBO) – The controversial removal of Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake through a process courts have ruled to be unconstitutional is a “calamitous setback” for rule of law, a United National official has said. “The removal of the Chief Justice through a flawed process which has been deemed unconstitutional by the […]

US officials to visit Sri Lanka for LLRC talks

Jan 19, 2013 (LBO) – Three US officials led by deputy assistant secretary James Moore will visit Sri Lanka from January 26 for talks which include progress on implementing recommendations of a post-war reconciliation report, the US embassy in Colombo said. He will be accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Vikram Singh and Deputy […]

Sri Lanka parliament to vote on chief justice impeachment

Jan 07, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s parliament will vote on the impeachment of chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake on January 11 after a two day debate, the state information office said, despite a court order nullifying the findings of a parliamentary committee.The parliamentary committee from which the opposition out had not accorded due process to […]

Gas Tariff

Jan 06, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer affairs office has raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas by 150 rupees per 13.5 kilogram cylinder to 2,396 rupees under a regulated pricing formula.Prices of both state-run Litro Gas and Laugfs will go up, reports said. Domestic LP Gas prices are regulated by the CAA with […]

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