US agrees to defer US$ 40 mn in Sri Lanka’s debt, repayable over 4 years

The United States will defer US$ 40 mn in Sri Lanka’s debt for one year, on condition the savings are routed for tsunami relief in affected coastal regions of the island, US officials said Friday.The United States will defer US$ 40 mn in Sri Lanka’s debt for one year, on condition the savings are routed […]

Sri Lanka says no return to war as donors fear for peace process

Sri Lanka vowed Thursday the country would not return to war despite a deadlock in peace talks and failure to strike a deal with Tamil rebels on tsunami relief ahead of a key review of foreign aid. Sri Lanka vowed Thursday the country would not return to war despite a deadlock in peace talks and […]

Religious minorities under threat in Sri Lanka: UN official

A top United Nations official Thursday warned that religious minorities in the predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka could be persecuted under proposed laws aimed at stopping :unethical conversions.” A top United Nations official Thursday warned that religious minorities in the predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka could be persecuted under proposed laws aimed at stopping :unethical conversions.” The […]

Stock Exchange to open doors for five new members

The Colombo Stock Exchange is drawing up plans to admit at least five new members, but this time prospective applicants may have to bid for a license.The Colombo Stock Exchange is drawing up plans to admit at least five new members, but this time prospective applicants may have to bid for a license. Stock brokering […]

Trade talks for controls on food aid can hurt aid dependent Sri Lanka

World trade talks on agriculture trade can reduce food aid to countries like Sri Lanka, warns the United Nations.World trade talks on agriculture trade can reduce food aid to countries like Sri Lanka, warns the United Nations. World Trade Organisation (WTO) countries are discussing new rules to govern the delivery of food aid, but the […]

Private donors pledge over half of US$ 2 bn in tsunami aid

The World Bank says over half of US$ 2 bn in tsunami aid pledges are from private donors, but warns better co-ordination is needed among aid agencies and 200 Non-Governmental groups. The World Bank says over half of US$ 2 bn in tsunami aid pledges are from private donors, but warns better co-ordination is needed […]

Tigers issue fresh warning as strikes grip Sri Lanka

Shops were closed and public transport ground to a halt in northern and eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as Tamil Tiger rebels warned that the killing of a Tamil protestor could seriously undermine a three-year truce.Shops were closed and public transport ground to a halt in northern and eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as Tamil Tiger rebels […]

Deal Maker

State owned Ceypetco is looking at rolling out its own lubricant brand, even as Caltex tries to clinch another exclusive distribution deal for its fuel sheds in 2006.State owned Ceypetco is looking at rolling out its own lubricant brand, even as Caltex tries to clinch another exclusive distribution deal for its fuel sheds in 2006. […]

Sri Lanka President under siege as protests mount from allies, opposition

Pressure mounted on Sri Lanka’s president as her key coalition ally Tuesday protested over a proposed deal with the Tamil Tigers on tsunami relief while the opposition scuttled a pledge to not demonstrate against the government while the country rebuilds.Pressure mounted on Sri Lanka’s president as her key coalition ally Tuesday protested over a proposed […]

Japanese envoy to meet Sri Lankan, Tamil leadership on rebuilding funds

A Japanese special envoy is due to arrive here this week for talks with the Sri Lankan president and senior rebels on the risk of losing foreign aid by delaying the peace process, diplomats said Monday.A Japanese special envoy is due to arrive here this week for talks with the Sri Lankan president and senior […]

Slippery Deals

The government is in the final stages of negotiation with a US based company interested in building a new oil refinery adjoining the one it operates on the outskirts of the capital.The government is in the final stages of negotiation with a US based company interested in building a new oil refinery adjoining the one […]

Partial Blackouts

Engineers of the striking state monopoly power supplier the Ceylon Electricity Board are threatening to pull out base load thermal plants including AES Kelanitissa off the grid shortly, resulting in rotating blackouts around the island.Engineers of the striking state monopoly power supplier the Ceylon Electricity Board are threatening to pull out base load thermal plants […]

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