Tag: Sri Lanka
Tamils protesters attack Sri Lankan, Indian missions in London
LONDON, April 27, 2009 (AFP) – Six people were arrested Monday after Tamil protesters smashed windows at India’s High Commission in London and caused damage outside Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission, Scotland Yard said. Some 200 people gathered outside each of the two countries’ missions to demonstrate against the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka, where Tamil […]
Sri Lanka ruling coalition sweeps regional polls
April 26, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of President Mahinda Rajapaksa swept regional polls with close to 70 percent of votes in two out of three districts in the Western province. In the capital Colombo, the UNP has held on to some of its strongholds […]
‘s Holmes in Sri Lanka for crisis talks
April 26, 2009 (AFP) – UN humanitarian chief John Holmes was to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government on Sunday over the thousands of civilians caught in fighting between troops and Tamil rebels, officials said. Holmes, who arrived here on Saturday for a three-day visit, was to meet with Human Rights and Disaster Management […]
Sri Lanka judge to head revenue office
April 26, 2009 (LBO) – A judge of Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal who has been appointed to head the island’s revenue office will continue to hold both offices, while the existing revenue chief would be moved to the finance ministry, media reports said. The current tax chief S Angammana, had been moved to the […]
Australia intercepts new refugee boat
SYDNEY, April 25, 2009 (AFP) – A boat carrying more than 50 refugees was intercepted Saturday off Australia’s coast, little more than a week after an explosion on another vessel killed five people, the government said.The boat carrying 54 passengers and two crew was stopped in international waters by border patrol officers following a tip-off […]
‘s gold reserves top 1,000 tonnes: state media
BEIJING, April 25, 2009 (AFP) – China’s gold reserves rose 75 percent from 2003 to 2008, state media said, reporting that Beijing now had the world’s fifth largest holdings of the precious metal.China had 1,054 tonnes of gold by the end of 2008, up 454 tonnes from the 600 tonnes that it said it had […]
US envoy to Sri Lanka named to top South Asian post
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2009 (AFP) – A veteran diplomat most recently tasked with the delicate job of Sri Lanka envoy was tapped Friday by President Barack Obama to serve as the assistant secretary of state for South Asian Affairs. If approved by the Senate, Robert Blake will replace Richard Boucher in a job that deals […]
Indian officials head to Colombo for talks on civilians
NEW DELHI, April 24, 2009 (AFP) – Senior Indian officials were due to fly to Colombo Friday to press the Sri Lankan government to protect tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the war, the foreign ministry said. “The only lasting solution will come from political efforts to address the real concerns of the Tamil […]
Sri Lanka ex-Tiger gets top ruling party post
April 24, 2008 (LBO) – A former Tamil Tiger who ran the group’s arm in Eastern Sri Lanka has been appointed to a deputy chairman post in the ruling Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan, alias Karuna, is already a government minister. SLFP general secretary Maithripla Sirisena said Muralitharan was given the […]
US says clock ticking for Sri Lanka solution
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2009 (AFP) – A US official warned on Monday that time was running out for a deal that he hoped would bring lasting peace to Sri Lanka as he pressed for both sides to halt the fighting.Sri Lankan authorities set a deadline of midday (0630 GMT) Tuesday for the surrender of Tamil […]
Sri Lanka to chair regional forum at Washington meet: CB chief
April 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will chair a meeting of South Asian central bank chiefs on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings later this week, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. To develop domestic-oriented economy or successfully ‘stimulate’ an economy through looser policy (money printing) a country has […]
US leans on Sri Lanka IMF bailout
April 20, 2009 (LBO) – The United States, which has called for a political package to end Sri Lanka’s internal conflict and expressed concern over civilians caught in fighting, is flexing its muscles over an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout for the island.Sri Lanka has applied for at least 1.9 billion US dollars from the […]