Tag: lbo

India will pursue a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Sri Lankas new government amid plans for an aid package to rebuild the islands embattled regions, a top envoy said on Thursday.The Indian High Commissioner (ambassador) here, Nirupam Sen, said talks initiated with the previous government on the economic agreement would continue with the new administration […]

The London-based top Tamil Tiger negotiator returned to Sri Lanka Friday ahead of resuming Norwegian-backed peace talks with the new Colombo government, officials said.rnAnton Balasingham, 65, arrived at the only international airport here and was immediately flown in a military helicopter to the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi, 330 kilometres (206 miles) north of here, officials […]

Sri Lankas Tamil Tiger rebels have stepped up recruiting hundreds of child soldiers amid renewed moves by peace broker Norway to revive stalled talks, officials and residents said Thursday.rn Tamil Tigers have begun enlisting young fighters in the northern Wanni district in the past two weeks after demobilising nearly 1,000 child soldiers who were loyal […]

Norway is seeking to jumpstart Sri Lankas stalled peace talks, but faces a challenge to bridge a “gulf of confidence” between the new government and Tamil rebels, diplomats said Wednesday.Norways foreign minister Jan Petersen is to arrive here this weekend for talks with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and top Tamil Tiger rebel Velupillai Prabhakaran to discuss […]

Broader and deeper structural reforms in the last two years gave the economy a boost together with progress in peace talks.Central bank governor A S Jayawardene told LBR in an interview that the resilient Lankan economy could post double the current growth if permanent peace is achieved. Following are excerpts of the interview.rn Shamindra Kulamannage: […]

The Finance Minister toned down talk of increased spending and a bigger budget deficit, as financial market players expressed concern about the possible economic fall out. rnThe minister pledged policy continuity and said he will keep a close eye on the deficit while emphasizing the need to meet the government revenue targets.rn rnExperts say the […]

Central Bank says the economy will grow at 5.5 percent this year if fiscal discipline is maintained.rnrn Governor A.S.Jayawardene said that ceasefire and strict fiscal discipline helped boost growth to 5.9 percent in 2003 while other economic indicators also improved.rn rnInitially predicted GDP growth rate for 2004 was six percent. However the Central Bank has […]

The government is expected to amend the Value Added Tax Act to legalize the introduction single tax rate despite opposition to the amendments on political platforms. The combined rate for VAT has been effective since the beginning of the year but the amendments to the Act are yet to be approved by parliament.rn rnExperts say […]

Police raided a Tamil journalists home in Colombo Monday night, asrnjournalists around the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day.rnrnThe journalist, Sivaram Dharmeratnam writes the popular lquote Taraki, Tamil affairs column for The Daily Mirror, and also contributes to several Tamil publications. At the time of the raid, only his wife and children were in the […]

Sri Lankas Tamil Tigers told Norwegian peace brokers Monday they were willing to resume talks based on their plan for self-rule, but warned the new government here not to support renegade rebels.rn The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) told a top Norwegian envoy the rebels were ready to open negotiations with the Sri Lankan […]

Early last year, the government had forecasted a 5.5 percent economic growth. The 5.9 percent year on growth for 2003, is the highest since 2000, when the economy expanded by 6.0 percent.rn rnAfter contracting by 1.5 percent in 2001, the government is forecasting gross domestic product to touch 5.5 percent in 2004.rn rnBut private sector […]

rnThe Sri Lankan business community will take lessons from its South African counterparts on how the sector can contribute towards national economic growth while improving social standards. rnA 15-member business delegation will visit South Africa on May 1st on a study tour to examine the South African Business Trust.rnrn rnThe South African Business Trust is […]