Tag: Sri Lanka
British defence chief fights for job amid friend row
LONDON, October 10, 2011 (AFP) – British Defence Secretary Liam Fox’s political career hung in the balance on Monday as he prepared to face a parliamentary grilling over his friend’s reported involvement in government affairs. Fox on Sunday responded to accusations that he had an inappropriate working relationship with friend Adam Werritty, saying he was […]
Sri Lanka inflation to ease; monetary stance sufficient: Deputy Governor
Oct 10, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will continue its current monetary stance with inflation expected to moderate, Deputy Central Bank Governor Dharma Dheerasinghe has said, though a signal rate edged higher with new policy tools being deployed. Sri Lanka’s 12-month inflation fell to 6.4 percent in September from 7.0 percent in August. Inflation was […]
Sri Lanka ruling coalition sweeps mini-polls
Oct 09, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition of President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a a series of local councils except the capital Colombo and an eastern town, following polls marred by a deadly shootout among party rivals. The ruling United National People’s Alliance won 21 out of 23 city councils with the main opposition […]
Sri Lanka ruling party wins polls marred by violence
October 9, 2011 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan president’s party won 22 out of 23 local councils in elections, results showed Sunday, as police investigated a gun battle between political rivals in which three people were killed. Two factions within the national ruling alliance clashed shortly before polling closed on Saturday, leaving a presidential aide […]
Sri Lankan police probe deadly shootings at polls
October 9, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police launched an investigation on Sunday into an election-day gunfight between political rivals in which three people were shot dead, including one adviser to the president. Police said Premachandra, 55, died of multiple gunshot wounds along with the two bodyguards in the short but bloody fight after a […]
British PM demands answers in defence minister row
LONDON, October 8, 2011 (AFP) – British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday demanded an urgent report into claims his defence minister allowed a close friend to influence government business involving Afghanistan and Libya. Cameron’s office at first said that minister Liam Fox had the premier’s “full confidence” despite the allegations about Adam Werritty, who […]
‘s role
LONDON, October 7, 2011 (AFP) – Britain’s defence minister Liam Fox ordered an inquiry Friday into the role of a friend and self-styled adviser after claims that he influences government business despite having no official role. Fox said the “wild allegations” would be probed after confirming that he met Adam Werritty on an official visit […]
‘s mid-term test
October 8, 2011 (AFP) – Voters in Sri Lanka’s capital went to the polls Saturday to elect a local municipal council, in a contest widely seen as a mid-term test for President Mahinda Rajapakse. Rajapaksa’s ruling coalition, the United People’s Freedom Alliance, is fielding candidates for the prestigious Colombo municipality as well as 22 others, […]
Presidential aide, bodyguard killed during Sri Lanka vote
October 8, 2011 (AFP) – A presidential aide and his bodyguard were shot dead in a gunbattle involving opposing factions of the Sri Lankan ruling party during Saturday’s local council elections in the capital, police said. Former lawmaker and advisor to the president, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital […]
Sri Lanka equity markets to see net inflow: Deputy CB Governor
Oct 07, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s equity markets would see a positive inflow by the end of the year as better pricing attracts investors, deputy Central Bank governor Dharma Dheerasinghe said. So far this year Sri Lanka’s equity markets have seen a net outflow of 150 million dollars. “By the end of the year […]
‘ body offers expertise to regions
Oct 07, 2011 (LBO) – The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, which represents Sri Lankan companies, plans to extend its services to businesses outside the capital by tying up with business chambers in the island’s outlying regions. The EFC has signed agreements with the Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industries in northern Jaffna and the southern […]
Sri Lanka should avoid destroying historical buildings: Singapore don
Oct 07, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should avoid the mistake of destroying historical buildings when cities are modernized and demand for land and real estate rises, a Singapore-based academic told a forum in Colombo. Separately an advisory board to the National Museum has written to the president saying that the boundary wall has been […]