Renewed Deal

February, 15 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to shortly unveil a new tiered tariff framework for renewable energy suppliers giving existing mini-hydros windfall sweeteners to change-over, officials said. Sri Lanka would be offering cost-based technology-specific and three-tiered tariffs for mini-hydro, biomass and wind energy. Mini-hydro standardized power purchase agreements already signed with the Ceylon Electricity […]

India seizes Tamil rebel boat off southern coast

CHENNAI, India, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – India’s coast guard said it had foiled a major attack when it seized a boat belonging to Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels packed with weapons, bomb-making chemicals and a “suicide belt.” Officials said five men including a top Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) rebel were on the […]

Sri Lanka faces international isolation: ex-foreign minister

COLOMBO, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka faces international isolation for failing to pay close heed to human rights issues, former foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera warned Thursday.He said he was troubled by the renewed violence and a rising number of deaths, as well as a big increase in unsolved kidnappings across the island. “There […]

Britain willing to play bigger peace role in Sri Lanka: minister

COLOMBO, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – Britain’s junior foreign minister said here Thursday his country was willing to play a bigger role in bringing peace to Sri Lanka’s long-running ethnic conflict.Kim Howells made the comments at the end of a three-day visit to the former British colony to try to salvage the peace process and […]

Hydro Cash

February 14 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national power utility has raised the tariff for existing mini-hydro plants by about 19 percent during the crucial wet season, when most of the power is generated. Colombo Stock Exchange has two listed mini-hydro plants, Vallibel Power Eratne and Vidullanka, whose margins are expected to improve with the new […]

‘s visit

Feb 14, 2007 (AFP) – A blast in Sri Lanka’s east hurt 12 people ahead of a visit to the region by Britain’s junior foreign minister Kim Howells on Wednesday to assess projects funded by the former colonial power.More than 60,000 people have been killed in the conflict. A van carrying 15 civilians hit a […]

Five killed as British minister tours Sri Lanka

Feb 14, 2007 (AFP) – Three rebels, a policeman and a security guard were killed in Sri Lanka’s restive eastern province Wednesday as Britain’s junior foreign minister Kim Howells toured projects in the area funded by the former colonial power.Security forces killed three Tiger rebels during clashes across eastern Amapara district which also claimed the […]

Price Tactics

February, 13 (LBO) – Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will hold fuel prices steady this month with the help of a tax cut on petrol, a top official said. The CPC is expecting a 5 rupee temporary lifting of excise duty on a litre of petrol, CPC Chairman Ashantha de Mel said. The CPC would have made […]

Oil Pinch

February, 13 (LBO) – Lanka IOC, a unit of the Indian Oil Corporation, is poised to grab more market share from the country’s dominant state-owned petroleum distributor and gain from a leaner cost base, an equities research house has said. LIOC shares slid below 30 rupees last year after disputed subsidy claims hit the firm’s […]

Municipal councilor shot dead

Feb 13, 2007 (LBO) – A member of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia municipal council was shot dead by unidentified gunmen Tuesday, police said. United National Party member Ariyaratne Silva had been killed at his office in Attidiya Road. Mt. Lavinia police say a T-56 automatic rifle had been used in the killing. (www.vimasuma.com Newsdesk) .

One killed, five injured in Sri Lanka

One killed, five injured in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Feb 13, 2007 (AFP) – A civilian was gunned down in Sri Lanka’s restive north on Monday, while security forces traded fire with Tamil Tiger rebels elsewhere, the defence ministry said. More than 60,000 people have died in the 35-year-old ethnic conflict.Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Tamil […]

UK minister calls for peace in Sri Lanka

February 12 (LBO) – A UK minister has called for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka and said a continuing violence will hold back development and tarnish the country’s image, ahead of a visit to the island. “Today’s British government has no greater wish for Sri Lanka than that it should find […]

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