Category: Economy and Markets

Norway will this week launch yet another bid to save Sri Lanka’s tottering peace process amid fears for the Oslo-brokered ceasefire that went into effect in 2002 after three decades of ethnic bloodshed.Norway will this week launch yet another bid to save Sri Lanka’s tottering peace process amid fears for the Oslo-brokered ceasefire that went […]

Tamil Tiger rebels have warned foreign aid donors not to interfere in Sri Lanka’s faltering peace bid amid fresh diplomatic moves to salvage the process, a pro-rebel website reported Thursday.Tamil Tiger rebels have warned foreign aid donors not to interfere in Sri Lanka’s faltering peace bid amid fresh diplomatic moves to salvage the process, a […]

Companies should get tax benefits for spending on good deeds, says legal eagle Justice Mark Fernando.Companies should get tax benefits for spending on good deeds, says legal eagle Justice Mark Fernando. The retired Supreme Court Judge suggests tax benefits for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities because they reduce the welfare burden on the State. Fernando […]

Peace broker Norway Thursday said it would ask Sri Lanka’s feuding parties if they wanted to resume talks as Tamil Tiger rebels warned foreign aid donors not to interfere in the faltering peace process.The Norwegian embassy said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen would arrive in the island next week for talks with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and […]

Cashed trapped Treasury is considering a proposal to mandate those who own a car, house, credit card and a mobile phone to open a tax file.Cashed trapped Treasury is considering a proposal to mandate those who own a car, house, credit card and a mobile phone to open a tax file. The Ceylon Chamber of […]

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga will arrive in India Wednesday on her first visit to the northern neighbour since a Congress-led coalition government took office in New Delhi in May. Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga will arrive in India Wednesday on her first visit to the northern neighbour since a Congress-led coalition government took office […]

A 38 percent higher fuel bill is burning a hole in the island’s pocket, driving up its trade deficit to US$ 1.46 billion by August, up US$ 586 million from a year ago.The Central Bank on Tuesday said Sri Lanka’s import bill grew 20 percent to US$ 5.05 billion up from US$ 4.22 billion the […]

The international donor community could cut the strings attached to US$ 4.5 bn in aid, with a thaw in the peace process far from sight.The international donor community could cut the strings attached to US$ 4.5 bn in aid, with a thaw in the peace process far from sight. Japanese Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi Tuesday, […]

Sri Lanka’s main Muslim party Monday withdrew from a peace panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared “all out war” against her for allegedly trying to splinter the minority community.Sri Lanka’s main Muslim party Monday withdrew from a peace panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared “all out war” against her […]

Sri Lanka’s main Muslim party Monday withdrew from a peace panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared “all out war” against her for allegedly trying to splinter the minority community.Sri Lanka’s main Muslim party Monday withdrew from a peace panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared “all out war” against her […]

Relatives of Sri Lankan truck driver Dinesh Dharmendran Rajaratnam appealed on Sunday to his captors in Iraq to free him, saying he had been forced to work there by his Kuwaiti employer.Relatives of Sri Lankan truck driver Dinesh Dharmendran Rajaratnam appealed on Sunday to his captors in Iraq to free him, saying he had been […]

The government is hoping to sign up a record amount of aid this year, most of it from money pledged at the Tokyo donor conference in 2002.The government is hoping to sign up a record amount of aid this year, most of it from money pledged at the Tokyo donor conference in 2002. However, agreements […]