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Regional Curfew
Sri Lankan police clamped indefinite curfews and troops poured into a central tea-growing region Thursday after two people were killed in ethnic violence, officials and residents said.rn A curfew was imposed on the picturesque Kandapola region after clashes between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities that left more than 20 shops destroyed, officials said.rn rn They […]
Refugee Status
The United Nations refugees agency said Thursday Sri Lanka risked losing international financial support if it did not pay more attention to resettling nearly 400,000 internally displaced people.A top official of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Dennis McNamara, said the agency expected the new government to pay “renewed attention” to resolve the […]
First Flush
Sri Lankas new government held its first talks with neighbouring India Thursday ahead of plans to revive stalled peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebelsLakshman Kadirgamar, the foreign minister in President Chandrika Kumaratungas government, met Indian leaders on a brief visit to New Delhi before Norwegian peace brokers begin a trip to Sri Lanka at the […]
Short Respite
Treasury Bill yields fell by 200 basis points at Wednesdays auction due to excess liquidity in the money market and less pressure on short-term interest rates.The Central Bank offered and accepted bids amounting to Rs.6,743 mn, and retired Rs. 1.5 bn worth of bills. The bank said it received bids worth Rs. 13,038 mn.rn rnYields […]
Jumping High
Dubai based Emirates Airline said its net profit rose 73.5 percent to US$ 429 mn, while revenues grew 37 percent to US$ 3.6 bn for the financial year ending March 31, 2004.SriLankan Airlines key strategic partner also said they carried 10.4 mn passengers endash 23 percent more than the previous year.rn rnThe total profits of […]
Return Ticket
The new government will continue with plans to put in place a Tourism Development Bill and restructure the Tourist Board on priority basis this year.Mooted last year under UNF rule, the proposed Bill will create a new Tourism Promotional Authority to take over marketing and promotional functions from the Tourist Board.rn rnThe Tourist Board is […]
Foreign Call
The investment bank picked for the job will initiate the book building exercise for the funds rising, while the telco giant obtains State approval for its expansion plans that include using wireless technologies to connect rural areas.rn rnSLT say it has not finalised its borrowing options, but could settle for a bond issue or a […]
Comeback Call
The Norwegian government will send a high level team on Saturday to explore possibilities of reviving the stalled peace process.The delegation will include Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and Special Envoy Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Embassy said Wednesday.rn rnDuring their stay, the team will meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga and S P Thamilselvan the Political Wing […]
Mixed Signals
The Asian Development Bank revised growth targets downwards to 5 percent this year and 5.5 percent in 2005, providing also that politics does not derail economic reform.rnrn A persistent drought, reliance on expensive thermal power and a slowdown in economic and key legislative reforms due to the elections were largely to blame, ADB said in […]
Shooting Stars
The economy, politics and human life itself is in for harder times predict astrologers, as a lunar eclipse, two meteor sightings and a meteor shower coincide. The unique astro combination was last seen in 1911, set off the World War I. This year, it takes place next Monday. Sri Lanka has a front seat view […]