Tag: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka media group condemns threats against human rights defenders
Oct 23, 2008 (LBO) – A Sri Lanka media rights group has condemned more deaths threats against human rights activists and lawyers and demanded a police investigation. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The Free Media Movement (FMM) said in a statement the government should […]
Time Travel
EW YORK, October 22, 2008 (AFP) – Crude oil prices careened lower Wednesday after surging US energy reserves highlighted falling demand in a cooling global economy, and ahead of an OPEC financial crisis meeting. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for December, skidded 5.43 dollars to close at 66.75 dollars a barrel. It earlier […]
” over Sri Lanka conflict: minister
NEW DELHI, October 22, 2008 (AFP) – India voiced concern Wednesday over the conflict in Sri Lanka as Tamil MPs in parliament clashed over charges of “genocidal attacks” on the Tamil minority in the troubled island nation. Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told parliament that New Delhi had conveyed its worries to Colombo over the safety […]
Fed chief backs US spending plan as markets clutch at latest straw
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2008 (AFP) – The head of the US Federal Reserve backed a stimulus plan for the flagging American economy, buoying stock markets despite gloomy unemployment figures and fears the rebound could be limited. Asian markets tracked gains on Wall Street, where stocks soared after Fed chief Ben Bernanke said US lawmakers should […]
Sri Lanka central bank says inflation will fall till November
Oct 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank says consumer inflation, which fell to 24.3 percent in September, will continue to fall till November in the light of tight policy in 2008 and falling global commodity prices. Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal told LBO earlier this month that he expected inflation to be slightly […]
Forum set up to promote security of US ventures in Asia
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2008 (AFP) – The United States is to launch a forum to promote security of largely American businesses in Asia amid concerns on issues ranging from copyright piracy to terrorism threats, officials said.The forum, pushed for by US companies in the region, will be inaugurated this week under the Overseas Security Advisory […]
Sri Lanka central bank reserve outflow continues; bill stock spikes to Rs40bn
Oct 19, 2008 (LBO) – The treasury bills portfolio of Sri Lanka’s central bank topped 40 billion rupees (370 million US dollars) by mid-October, according to the latest official data, indicating a continuing drain of foreign reserves. The central bank has been defending a US dollar peg at 108 rupees and injecting money into the […]
Indian PM concerned over civilians caught in Sri Lanka conflict
NEW DELHI, October 18, 2008 (AFP) – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday told Sri Lanka he was deeply concerned about the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” in the war-torn island and urged it to protect Tamil civilians caught in the conflict.Rajapakse assured Singh “all necessary measures” were being taken to keep civilians from harm’s way in […]
Recession fears haunt commodity markets
LONDON, October 17, 2008 (AFP) – World commodity prices tumbled this week, with oil striking a 17-month low point under 66 dollars a barrel in London, as fears of a global recession weighed on demand for raw materials. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘act (space) lbo’ and send to […]
Sri Lanka destroys food aid withheld from tsunami victims
October 17, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Friday it would destroy a consignment of more than five tonnes of rotting rice and lentils meant for victims of the December 2004 Asian tsunami. The state auditor general in September 2005 noted out of 1.16 billion dollars committed to assist Sri Lankan victims, only 13.5 percent […]
Asia should consider bank guarantees in current turmoil: IMF
WASHINGTON, October 17, 2008 (AFP) – Asian economies may have to consider guaranteeing bank deposits as a defensive option against global market turmoil although the region’s financial system remains sound, the IMF’s Asia chief believes. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘act (space) lbo’ and send to 678 European nations […]
Sri Lanka urged to promote local business in eastern revival
Oct 17, 2008 (LBO) – An international conflict watchdog has urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure greater fairness and preference to local businesses in the economic development of the eastern region which was cleared of Tamil Tigers. The International Crisis Group said in a new report on Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province that the government […]