Tag: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka mediaman, UK High Commission staffer attacked
June 30, 2008 (LBO) – Unidentified men armed with clubs have attacked freelance journalist Namal Perera and a UK High Commission (embassy) staffer Monday evening in Colombo, colleagues said. Perera and UK High Commission political officer Mahendra Ratnaweera was assaulted in Colombo’s Narahenpita area Monday. They are being treated at a nearby private hospital. Monday’s […]
British High Commission staffer, journalist attacked in Colombo
June 30, 2008 (AFP) – A senior British High Commission officer was beaten and his car smashed by unidentified attackers who tried to grab a reporter travelling as a passenger in the vehicle here Monday, police said. Political officer Mahendra Ratnaweera was severely injured in the attack while his passenger, freelance journalist Namal Perera, also […]
Sri Lanka economy expands 6.2 percent in 2008 first quarter
June 30, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy expanded 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2008, against 6.1 percent growth in the same period last year but slower than the 7.6 percent growth fourth quarter of 2007, government data showed. The agriculture sector grew by 5.9 percent compared with a 0.5 percent growth in […]
Sri Lanka to motivate youth in policy reform
June 29, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning to recognize youth involved community development, in a bid to encourage young people to come forward and contribute to policy reform, an official said.The Young Community Leaders (YCL) award scheme is organized by Sri Lanka’s Banadaranaike Institute for International Studies (BCIS). The YCL awards which will […]
Sri Lanka illicit small arms threat to business: survey
June 28, 2008 (LBO) – The proliferation of illicit small arms in Sri Lanka not only fuels crime but has indirect costs on business as well as the environment, a new survey says. It said 9mm pistols were sold in the underworld for 15,000 rupees and T-56 automatic assault rifles for 50,000 – 75,000 rupees […]
Fuel Row
June 26, 2008 (LBO) – Indian Oil Corporation’s Sri Lanka unit has decided to drop its diesel retail price to match that of the dominant state-owned refiner after threats by government to take over its outlets. The fuel retailers sell diesel at a subsidised price and try to cover the losses through profits on petrol […]
Sri Lanka says economic sanctions no help in fighting terror
June 26, 2008 (LBO) – Economic pressure on Sri Lanka by the international community at a time when the Tamil Tigers are targeting the economy is not helping in the struggle against terror, a senior diplomat has said. Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary Palitha Kohona said the Tamil Tigers, consistent with the strategy of other terrorist […]
Sri Lanka tsunami survivors revive livelihoods with ILO support
June 26, 2008 (LBO) – The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Belgian government have helped tsunami survivors in eastern Sri Lanka rebuild their lives through self-employment schemes, a senior official said. The ILO’s CB-TREE (community-based training for economic empowerment) methodology has helped restore livelihoods and revival of the local economy of the Amparai district, said […]
Sri Lanka debt burden cause for worry: RAM Ratings
June 26, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s debt burden is a cause for concern with resort to foreign borrowings only providing temporary relief in bridging the fiscal deficit, RAM Ratings (Lanka) said. The rating agency said the growing loan interest payments are also of some concern for overall government finances especially at the prevailing higher […]
Sri Lanka government urged to respect media rights
June 22, 2008 (LBO) – Twenty nine media organisations around the world have urged the United Nations to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to protect journalists in the island. The organisations affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that journalists in Sri Lanka […]
India says no military solution to Sri Lanka conflict
June 22, 2008 (AFP) – India has signalled to Sri Lanka that it wants to see an end to the island’s military campaign to help solve the decades-old Tamil separatist conflict, diplomats and officials said Sunday.In closed-door talks over the weekend with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and top officials, India’s National Security Advisor M.K. […]
Sri Lanka private sector credit slows, spike in state credit
June 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector credit had slowed to 15.1 percent by April 2008 following tight monetary policy, though state credit had spiked in that month, but inflation would slow after July, the Central Bank said. Till August 2007, credit to private sector has been growing at a rate of 25 […]