Tag: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka exports to India drops for the first time on trade wars
Feb 19 (LBO) – For the first time in a decade, Sri Lanka’s exports to India dropped last year, following trade disputes over the island’s duty free access into India for vegetable oil, spices and copper. Sri Lanka and India have duty free or preferential access into each other’s markets for over 4000 goods, under […]
British debt relief to Sri Lanka held back over human rights and defence spending
Feb 18 (LBO) – Millions of pounds worth debt-relief to Sri Lanka is hanging in the balance with Britain saying that queries have been raised over human rights, rising defence spending and ongoing hostilities. The British move comes within months of Germany halting new aid to the country. In 2005, Britain has agreed to pay […]
Blast kills civilian, injures six in northern Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Feb 17, 2007 (AFP) – One civilian was killed and six other people were wounded when suspected Tamil Tiger rebels set off a fragmentation mine in northern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the defence ministry said.The blast blamed on the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was aimed at an army bus carrying troops […]
Another Sri Lankan journalist goes missing; media rights body concerned
February 17 (LBO) – An international journalist rights body has voiced concern as yet another Sri Lankan journalist went missing this week. Media organisations have described Sri Lanka as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in South Asia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has voiced deep concern about the disappearance of Subramaniam Ramachandran, the […]
Sri Lanka war planes bomb rebel targets
COLOMBO, Feb 16, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s air force bombed suspected Tamil Tiger rebel targets in the northern Jaffna peninsula on Friday, the defence ministry said.War planes pounded the towns of Sorampattu and Palai, destroying mortar positions, the statement said. But the pro-rebel Tamilnet.com said the military targeted civilian settlements in the north in […]
Renewed Deal
February, 15 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to shortly unveil a new tiered tariff framework for renewable energy suppliers giving existing mini-hydros windfall sweeteners to change-over, officials said. Sri Lanka would be offering cost-based technology-specific and three-tiered tariffs for mini-hydro, biomass and wind energy. Mini-hydro standardized power purchase agreements already signed with the Ceylon Electricity […]
India seizes Tamil rebel boat off southern coast
CHENNAI, India, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – India’s coast guard said it had foiled a major attack when it seized a boat belonging to Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels packed with weapons, bomb-making chemicals and a “suicide belt.” Officials said five men including a top Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) rebel were on the […]
Sri Lanka faces international isolation: ex-foreign minister
COLOMBO, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka faces international isolation for failing to pay close heed to human rights issues, former foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera warned Thursday.He said he was troubled by the renewed violence and a rising number of deaths, as well as a big increase in unsolved kidnappings across the island. “There […]
Britain willing to play bigger peace role in Sri Lanka: minister
COLOMBO, Feb 15, 2007 (AFP) – Britain’s junior foreign minister said here Thursday his country was willing to play a bigger role in bringing peace to Sri Lanka’s long-running ethnic conflict.Kim Howells made the comments at the end of a three-day visit to the former British colony to try to salvage the peace process and […]
Hydro Cash
February 14 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national power utility has raised the tariff for existing mini-hydro plants by about 19 percent during the crucial wet season, when most of the power is generated. Colombo Stock Exchange has two listed mini-hydro plants, Vallibel Power Eratne and Vidullanka, whose margins are expected to improve with the new […]
‘s visit
Feb 14, 2007 (AFP) – A blast in Sri Lanka’s east hurt 12 people ahead of a visit to the region by Britain’s junior foreign minister Kim Howells on Wednesday to assess projects funded by the former colonial power.More than 60,000 people have been killed in the conflict. A van carrying 15 civilians hit a […]
Five killed as British minister tours Sri Lanka
Feb 14, 2007 (AFP) – Three rebels, a policeman and a security guard were killed in Sri Lanka’s restive eastern province Wednesday as Britain’s junior foreign minister Kim Howells toured projects in the area funded by the former colonial power.Security forces killed three Tiger rebels during clashes across eastern Amapara district which also claimed the […]