Japan agrees to defer payments on US$ 225 mn due in 2005

Japan on Tuesday confirmed Sri Lanka’s calls to postpone up to US$ 220 mn in loans owed to the East Asian development partner this year.Japan on Tuesday confirmed Sri Lanka’s calls to postpone up to US$ 220 mn in loans owed to the East Asian development partner this year. The total US$ 225 mn debt […]

Farmers get land for homes, farming land next on list

The Agriculture Ministry say over 140,000 farming families in Sri Lanka are landless, with not even a few perches to build a house.The Agriculture Ministry say over 140,000 farming families in Sri Lanka are landless, with not even a few perches to build a house. A new initiative hopes to distribute a minimum 6 perches […]

Tigers push for tsunami deal with Sri Lankan government

Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday pushed for “serious engagement” with Sri Lanka’s government to share billions of dollars of tsunami aid despite official fears that such a deal threatens the president’s life.Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday pushed for “serious engagement” with Sri Lanka’s government to share billions of dollars of tsunami aid despite official fears that such […]

Donors add US$ 500 mn to pledges taking total to over US$ 3 bn

The Kandy donor parley closed two days of dialog on Tuesday adding over US$ 500 mn in new commitments.The Kandy donor parley closed two days of dialog on Tuesday adding over US$ 500 mn in new commitments. The new pledges top up US$ 2.5 bn in tsunami aid and debt relief pledged already. The funds […]

The country’s first Millennium Development Goals Report, presented to Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral donors, shows that strides in health and education, the island will miss targets to halve poverty by 2015.

Sri Lanka is falling behind on social sector gains and unemployment and poverty rises in tsunami and conflict hit areas, warns a UN report released during Tuesday’s aid parley. Sri Lanka is falling behind on social sector gains and unemployment and poverty rises in tsunami and conflict hit areas, warns a UN report released during […]

Raining Rights

A new draft water policy, to manage Sri Lanka’s surface and ground water, including rainwater, is waiting Mahaweli Ministry approval.A new draft water policy, to manage Sri Lanka’s surface and ground water, including rainwater, is waiting Mahaweli Ministry approval. “We have made certain amendments to the 2003 water policy.It will go for a public consultation […]

Powers that Be

Sri Lanka’s electricity sector trade unions to present new reforms model to government on Monday.Sri Lanka’s electricity sector trade unions to present new reforms model to government on Monday. “All the unions will meet on Friday to finalise a new proposal for electricity reforms.We hope to present the final paper to the Ministry of Power […]

Foreign aid absorption to increase by 18 percent in 2005

Sri Lanka hopes to increase foreign aid absorption by about 18 percent this year, compared to utilisation in 2004, to accommodate tsunami aid inflows.Sri Lanka hopes to increase foreign aid absorption by about 18 percent this year, compared to utilisation in 2004, to accommodate tsunami aid inflows. “The public investment programme for this year is […]

India puts off US$ 30 mn in loan repayments over three years

India on Tuesday said it would postpone up to US$ 30 million in debt repayment over the next three years.India on Tuesday said it would postpone up to US$ 30 million in debt repayment over the next three years. The Finance Minister meanwhile hopes to leverage India’s commitment to push the Paris Club to extend […]

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