Tag: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka slammed by media groups over murdered editor
January 8, 2010 (AFP) – International media rights groups criticised Sri Lanka on Friday for failing to identify the assassins of a top anti-establishment editor who was killed exactly a year ago. The Paris-based RSF (Reporters Without Borders) said the authorities had failed to make any headway in solving the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge, the […]
Sri Lanka to export hi-tech sail cloth made by German firm: official
Jan 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will start exporting advanced technology sailcloth for yachts from a factory opened Friday by Dimension Polyant, a German firm, an official said. The firm says it uses technologies developed in aerospace and automotive industries to turn out sailcloth used in sails for racing yachts as well as other […]
Sri Lanka presidential challenger vows press freedom
January 7, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former army chief on Thursday launched his manifesto for the January 26 presidential elections, promising greater press freedom and a battle against rampant corruption. Sarath Fonseka, 59, the main opposition challenger to President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he would scrap the press council which is empowered to shut down […]
Sri Lanka private citizen pension fund promised real returns
Jan 07, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s largest state-managed pension fund, made out of forced savings of private citizens, will be given returns above inflation an official said, amid rising concerns over real losses made in recent years. “We will establish a sound risk-return profile to establish a positive real rate of return over the […]
Sri Lanka refugees gets emergency help
June 09, 2010 (LBO) – A refugee resettlement program backed by a 65 million US dollar World Bank emergency credit will begin this month, reaching over 100,000 people in Sri Lanka’s north, the government said. But the government has now re-settled most of them. “The project is to support for re-settlement and the re-establishment of […]
‘s ex-army chief gains poll edge with Tamil backing
January 6, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former army chief received a boost to his presidential ambitions Wednesday when minority Tamil parties said they would back him against incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse in polls later this month. Fonseka and Rajapakse have been at loggerheads since the end of the conflict. Fonseka quit after accusing the government […]
Sri Lankan farmers link up with private companies for better prices
Jan 06, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan farmers in Anuradhapura have linked up with supermarket chains Keells and Plenty Foods, giving them better prices and steady markets for their produce. The renovated centre will also benefit 3000 members of the Kebithigollawa Integrated Rural Development Organization through increased revenues as a result of this program and […]
Sri Lankan opposition vows to end emergency laws
January 5, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition vowed on Tuesday to immediately end the state of emergency that has been in place on the island for 27 years if its presidential candidate wins this month’s election. The opposition’s candidate, Sarath Fonseka, will scrap the tough laws that have been in effect almost continuously […]
Sri Lanka central bank warns against reckless spending
Jan 05, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka may be forced to print money and send inflation up again unless the state avoids reckless spending, which also takes away resources available for productive activities by the people, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has warned. “We have to be conscious that any money printing that can take […]
‘s main Tamil party backs ex-general
January 4, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main minority Tamil party on Monday backed the main opposition presidential candidate, Sarath Fonseka, who as army chief led the offensive that crushed Tamil rebels last year, officials said. Fonseka, a former four-star general who quit in November following differences with his political boss President Mahinda Rajapakse, pledged […]
Sri Lanka economy to grow 3.5-pct in 2009: CB Governor
Jan 04, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2009 after it slowed down owing to global recession, with revenue picking up and exports seen recovering, Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal said. Cabraal said the full integration of the north and east which had been affected by war […]
Sri Lanka targets 5 to 6-pct inflation in 2010
Jan 04, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is targeting 5 to 6 percent average inflation by end-2010 allowing the country’s base money to grow by 14.5 percent, building on low single digit inflation achieved in 2009, Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal said. Sri Lanka ended 2009 with seasonally adjusted annual average inflation of 3.4 percent, […]