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Latest News from Sri Lanka: Last Updated = Sat, Nov 21, 2009, 12:37 am SL Time
TOP - STORIES
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Sri Lanka President confident of completing resettlement of IDPs soon
President Rajapaksa gave this assurance when he met UN Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir John Holmes at the Temple Trees Thursday to discuss the IDP situation.
* Former Sri Lankan CDS writes to war heroes
Sending a special letter to war heroes and their family members General Fonseka said that he would always back the war heroes as they are the sole owners of the victory over the terrorism.
POLITICS - GENERAL*
Flood threat rises in Southern Sri Lanka
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The government authorities have warned the residents of the city as well as the devotees to the most sacred Kataragama city in Southern Sri Lanka to be vigilant as the water level of the famous Menik River could rise tonight.
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Sri Lanka President opens photo exhibition by presidential photographer
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today participated in the opening ceremony of the "Rajatha Dekma" photographic exhibition held at the National Art Gallery by the official presidential photographer Sudath Silva.
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Sri Lankan Marxists to meet General Fonseka
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said that they have still not discussed with General Sarath Fonseka on appointing him as the common candidate for upcoming presidential polls.
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Sri Lanka planning to import H1N1 vaccine
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka health authorities are discussing with the World Health Organization (WHO) officials to import the Influenza A/H1N1 vaccine, Health Ministry sources said.
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New banknote 'election gimmick'
Nov 20 (BBC) There's been a row in Sri Lanka this week over the issuance of a banknote marking the government’s military defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels six months ago.
An opposition politician has called the release an election gimmick.
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Sri Lanka minorities hold talks in Switzerland
Nov 20 (BBC) Political parties representing minority Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka are holding talks in Switzerland, the first since the conflict ended in May.
Sri Lanka's social welfare minister said they aim to find a shared position on issues affecting minorities.
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Where 'kaffir' is no insult
Nov 20 (Telegraph) In a village deep in west Sri Lanka, one of the island's few remaining communities of African descent breaks into song - a poignant elegy to a disappearing culture. The music starts with a slow, gentle rhythm played on a tambourine,
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Measures to prevent spread of water borne diseases in North
Nov 20 (RW) With heavy rains prevailing these days in areas in the North, the Governor of the Northern Province GA Chandrasiri has advised the officials of the Department of Health of the Northern Province to take steps to commence a special health programme for the prevention of Malaria and Dengue in the resettled areas.
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Q+A-S.Lanka's top general signals bid for presidency
Nov 20 (Reuters) COLOMBO- Sarath Fonseka, who quit as Sri Lanka's top general after the end of a 25-year war, has said he plans now to fight for democracy and human rights, fuelling speculation he will soon announce his candidacy for the presidency.
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We’ll sit with TNA in Ranil’s caretaker cabinet – JVP
Nov 20 (Island) The JVP says it is not apprehensive about being part of the same Cabinet as its bête noire, the Tamil National Alliance, dubbed in Parliament as the mouthpiece of the LTTE,
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Southern railway to be upgraded
Nov 20 (DN) The Government will shortly commence upgrading of the southern coastal railway to enable trains to travel at over 100 km per hour.
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Welcoming progress, UN official urges more support for Sri Lanka’s displaced
Nov 20 (UN News)The top United Nations humanitarian official has welcomed the recent releases of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from camps in northern Sri Lanka, and underscored the need to ensure full freedom of movement for those remaining.
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New party leader hands over its doctrine to Sri Lanka President
Nov 19, Colombo: Justice and Law Reforms Minister, Parliamentarian Milinda Moragoda has formed a new party, Sri Lanka National Congress, to support the ruling alliance. Moragoda presented his party's doctrine to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees today.
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Sri Lanka to borrow from China to finance the second phase of Norochcholai power plant
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan government is to borrow US$ 891 million from the Exim Bank of China to finance the Phase II of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Project in Puttalam District.
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Russia and Sri Lanka to cooperate in combating illicit drug traffic
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan government is to cooperate with the Russian government to combat the illicit drug trade and use in the region.
The cabinet approved a proposal submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today to reach an agreement on a collaborative mechanism...
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Sri Lanka opposition leader suggests Executive PM post
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe today presented a booklet that he has written over the policy plan for the next 25 years for the country to the Buddhist monks in Colombo.
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UN humanitarian official calls on Sri Lanka President
Nov 19, Colombo: Sir John Holmes, Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator today met Sri Lanka President at the Temple Trees to discuss the resettlement process and reconciliation efforts of the government.
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Sri Lanka opposition says the new currency note is election gimmick
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's opposition is to lodge a complaint at the Election Secretariat against the newly released Rs. 1000 currency note by the Central Bank.
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Sri Lankan Tamil MPs meet UN humanitarian chief
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- The United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes this morning met with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians to discuss the progress of the government's resettlement process and the plight of the displaced still living in the welfare camps.
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Permanent status for temporary Sri Lankan workers
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General intentions
Nov 19 (Economist) WHEN Sarath Fonseka sought permission this month to retire as chief of Sri Lanka’s defence staff from December 1st, President Mahinda Rajapaksa replied through his secretary that the general, who had led his government’s victory against the Tamil Tigers, could consider himself retired with immediate effect.
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Rajapaksa woos pro-LTTE party
Nov 19 (ENS) COLOMBO- Fearing a split in its vote base among the majority Sinhalese community if war hero Gen Sarath Fonseka becomes the candidate of the united Opposition in the coming Presidential elections, the Mahinda Rajapaksa government is now wooing the minority Tamils to make up for the possible loss.
SPORTS*
AP Photo
Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene, left, congratulates India's Sachin Tendulkar on scoring a century during the last day of the first test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.
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Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara rues missed opportunity
Nov 20 (Reuters) AHMEDABAD– Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara rued a lost opportunity early in the first test after India escaped with a draw on a flat pitch on Friday.
Sri Lanka, aiming to win their first test on Indian soil after 27 years of trying, had the home team struggling in the first innings before they recovered to 426 all out.
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Gambhir leads India fight to save first Sri Lanka test
Nov 20 (Reuters) AHMEDABAD– Opener Gautam Gambhir stroked a third century in as many matches to raise India's hopes of saving the first test against Sri Lanka on Friday.
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Dad wants more from Mahela
Nov 20 (Asian Age) Had it not been for his parents who encouraged Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardena to rebuild his career after his younger brother’s untimely demise affected the former deeply, the cricket world would have lost a quality batsman.
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BREAKING NEWS
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Sri Lanka vs. India First Test in Ahamedabad drawn :: India save the first Test and the match is drawn on a flat track that favored the batsmen. India 426 and 412 for 4 drew with Sri Lanka 760 for 7 decl.
[Updated = Fri, Nov 20, 2009, 12:47 pm SL Time] *
Sri Lanka vs. India First Test in Ahamedabad: Day 4 :: Sri Lanka declared on 760 for 7. Mahela 275, Prasanna Jayawardene 154 not out India 426 & 190/2 (45.0 ov) Sri Lanka 760/7d
[Updated = Thu, Nov 19, 2009, 10:49 am SL Time] *
Sri Lanka vs. India First Test in Ahamedabad: Day 3 Mahela scores double century :: Sri Lanka is leading by 165 runs in the 1st innings with the stunning double century from Mahela Jayawardena. India 426 Sri Lanka 591/5 (160.0 ov), Mahela 204 not out
[Updated = Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 07:34 pm SL Time]
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NEWS - HIGHLIGHTS*
U.S. advises its citizens not to travel to Northern Sri Lanka yet
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The United States State Department warned the American citizens on travelling to Northern Sri Lanka despite the end of the war between the government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) six months ago.
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Sri Lanka Opposition Leader suggests dialogue among all parties
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe says that the country should follow one policy on future development goals. Opposition Leader suggested the need for a series of dialogues among all parties to overcome such challenges as soon as possible.
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Threat of Swine Flu closes another school in Sri Lanka
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Another school in Sri Lanka has been closed due to fears of a Influenza A/H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu epidemic among the students.
According to the sources, the classes for grades 1 to 5 at the Dankotuwa Balika Vidyalya in Wennappuwa, North Western Sri Lanka have been closed today
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Sri Lanka government to announce decision on presidential polls soon
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) says that they will make an official announcement over the presidential polls today at an auspicious time to be dawned soon.
SECURITY - SITUATION*
Special announcement to be made tomorrow on Sri Lanka's IDP situation
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Head of Uthuru Wasanthaya task force, President's Senior Advisor and parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa is to make a special announcement tomorrow on the future of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the resettlement process.
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Sri Lanka lifts fishing restrictions in Kalpitiya seas
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The Ministry of Fisheries today lifted the restrictions imposed on fishermen against using boat engines exceeding 30 horsepower in the seas off Kalpitiya in the North Western Province.
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Confrontational councilor of Southern Province granted bail
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The Galle Magistrate Courts today granted bail to Nishantha Muthuhettigama, the remanded Southern Provincial Councilor of ruling United People's Freedom Alliance.
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Japan relaxes its travel advisory on Sri Lanka
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- The Government of Japan has decided to relax its Travel Advice and Warning on Sri Lanka for Japanese citizens travelling to the Northern or Eastern region of the island.
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Govt probing claims of attempts on Fonseka's life: report
Nov 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan government on Friday said that it was investigating claims that there was an attempt to assassinate the former Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka.
"A newspaper report on Friday alleged that the government is trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill retired Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka and we have asked the police to enquire into the matter," Director General of the Media Centre for National Security Laxman Hullugalle told PTI.
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Plot to bomb Colombo revealed
Nov 20 (Island) The police have uncovered a fresh plot by the Tamil Diaspora to carry out a massive bomb attack in the city. The recent arrest of Ananda Varnan, a hardcore LTTE terrorist, in Vavuniya by a special police team has revealed the planned attack.
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Fonseka can pick his guards
Nov 20 (Island) The government yesterday said that General (retd) Sarath Fonseka had been allowed to pick his security contingent.
A spokesman for the Presidential Secretariat told The Island that that the Defence Ministry had instructed Army Chief Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to release officers and men requested by the former Army Commander.
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Man accused of fraud allegedly assaulted by Sajin Vaas
Nov 20 (DM) A suspect who was brought to court allegedly having misappropriated Rs 15,752, 042. 29 from a private technology company complained to the Colombo Additional Magistrate G. Praharsha S. Ranasinghe that Southern Province Provincial Councilor Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and two of his body guards had assaulted him in the office premises.
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Five State drug suppliers banned for two years
Nov 20 (DN) Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that the Ministry has stopped using injections, saline and other drugs supplied by the companies which provided unsafe injections, saline and other drugs to Sri Lanka.
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Tamils slowly leaving refugee camps
Nov 20 (ABC) It seems there is hope for Tamils stuck in squalid refugee camps after being displaced by the conflict raging in Sri Lanka's north for more than two decades.
Ever since the long-running civil war there ended six months ago, Sri Lanka's government has been under pressure over an estimated 300,000 people made homeless by the fighting.
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Lawyers for Sri Lankan migrants grill terrorism expert
Nov 20 (G&M) Lawyers for Sri Lankan migrants whose ship landed on the West Coast last month grilled Singapore-based terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna Thursday on his claims about the men, questioning his sources, connections to the Sri Lankan government and the reliability of the information that he publishes on a terrorism database.
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Sri Lankan government to grant more relief measures to state workers and service personnel
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka Government has decided to provide more relief to the state employees and tri-service personnel as well as pensioners with immediate effect.
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School students injured in Sri Lanka
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- At least 11 school children from Monaragala have been admitted to the hospital after a test tube they were using in a science experiment exploded.
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Remanded Provincial Councilor participates in Council session
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- Nishantha Muthuhettigama, the remanded Southern Provincial Councilor participated in the Council meeting this morning under the tight guard of prison officials.
He was brought to the Southern Provincial Council building in Galle from Welikada prison by the prison officials.
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Two de-miners injured in Northern Sri Lanka
Nov 19 (CP) Colombo- At least two persons engaged in demining activities in Sri Lanka's Northern region were injured during the clearing operations.
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Sri Lanka floods leave 58,000 homeless
Nov 19 (AFP) Nearly 60,000 people were left homeless in Sri Lanka on Thursday following flash floods in the capital Colombo and the suburbs, an official has said.
"We have a list of over 58,000 individuals who were left homeless in and around Colombo," Kodipillai said, adding that they were being housed in public buildings.
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Resettlement quickened for Sri Lanka war displaced
Nov 19 (AP) COLOMBO— Sri Lanka won praise from a top U.N. official Thursday for expediting the resettlement of ethnic minority Tamils detained in government-run camps since the end of the country’s civil war six months ago.
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Poor show at elections to ‘eelam transnational govt.’
Nov 19 (Island) The new LTTE leadership’s plan to form a transnational eelam government came a cropper when about ninety percent of the Tamil Diaspora members showed their contempt by abstaining from voting for the proposed outfit.
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Govt. to provide list of northern youth in custody
Nov 19 (DM) Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda has assured the TNA parliamentarians who visited the IDP camps that a list of Tamil youth from the North under detention or in remand, would be made available soon through the Vavuniya District Secretary.
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Express Newspapers barred from appeal
Nov 19 (DN) The Supreme Court yesterday refused Express Newspapers Ltd leave to appeal from a judgement from the Civil Appeal Court.
Appellant-defendants Express Newspapers Ltd, Veerakesari illustrated weekly Editor S. Nadaraja and V. Warja appealed against the judgement of the Provincial Civil Appeal Court that affirmed the judgement of the District Court awarding Rs. 50 million to TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree.
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Govt denies it guaranteed resettlement
Nov 19 (AGE) The federal government is insisting the Sri Lankan asylum seekers from the Oceanic Viking were given no guarantees of resettlement in Australia.
The last of the 78 Sri Lankans left the Australian Customs vessel on Wednesday for processing in an Indonesian detention centre in Tanjung Pinang.
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Australia Says It Will Take Some Tamil Refugees After Standoff
Nov 19 (Bloomberg) Australia expects to take some of the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers that left a customs ship moored in Indonesian waters after a standoff lasting more than four weeks, Immigration Minister Chris Evans said.
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Sri Lanka Seeks UN Aid as Envoy Visits War Refugees
Nov 19 (Bloomberg) Sri Lanka asked the United Nations for help resettling civilians displaced by the country’s civil war as a UN envoy visited camps where mainly Tamil refugees have lived since the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels in May.
SOUTH ASIA - REGIONAL*
Nepal to hold mass animal sacrifice for Hindu festival, depsite protests
Nov 20 (NYDN) KATMANDU- A Hindu festival in which hundreds of thousands of animals are expected to be sacrificed will go ahead as scheduled in southern Nepal despite protests, organizers said Friday.
The Gadhimai festival, celebrated every five years, is attended by many Hindus from India as well as Nepal.
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Bangladeshis upbeat about country's future
Nov 20 (ePolitix) The Bangladeshi High Commissioner has given a positive vision of the country's future at a meeting in Westminster this week.
Dr. M Sayeedur Rahman Khan addressed the all party Britain-Bangladesh group on the day of a historic legal decision in Bangladesh.
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Pakistan drone attack kills eight suspected militants
Nov 20 (BBC) At least eight suspected militants have been killed in a US drone attack in north-western Pakistan, officials say.
The aircraft fired two missiles near Mir Ali town in North Waziristan district, close to the Afghan border.
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India unveils plans for massive solar power boost
Nov 20 (BBC) India has approved plans for a huge increase in the amount of electricity it generates from solar power.
It aims to boost solar output 1,000-fold over 12 years from its current negligible level. Its 20 gigawatt target would power several big cities.
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FINANCE*
IMF Says Sri Lanka Reserves at ‘Comfortable’ Levels
Nov 20 (Bloomberg) The International Monetary Fund said Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are at a “comfortable level”, as it reviews the island’s economy for the release of a third payment in its $2.6 billion loan.
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S. Lanka pre-poll uncertininty pushes stx to over 1-wk low
Nov 20 (Reuters) COLOMBO- Sri Lanka's shares fell on Friday to a more than one-week low at the close, on dipping investor confidence due to a delay in national poll schedule.
The All-Share Price Index .CSE of the Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.93 percent or 27.43 points weaker at 2933.34, its third straight fallt and lowest since Nov. 12.
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S.Lanka deficit target challenging,but reachable-IMF
Nov 20 (Reuters) COLOMBO- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday Sri Lanka's budget deficit targets for both this and next year are challenging due to slow revenue growth, but still within reach.
A visiting IMF mission, after conducting the second review of a $2.6 billion loan programme, said the nation's post-war economic conditions have improved, but need more reforms in the next two years.
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Global investors target Sri Lanka
Nov 20 (DN) The global investor community is keen on exploring opportunities in Sri Lanka as there is a peaceful environment that facilitates growing investor confidence. The next decade would be prosperous for the country as there will be growth potential in its financial market, said Leopard Capital Asia CEO, Douglas Clayton.
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60-Member strong business delegation leaving for Sri Lanka today
Nov 19 (INN) Lahore- The Vice President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Iftikhar Ali Malik, along with a sixty-member strong business delegation, is leaving for Sri Lanka today (Friday) to participate in SAARC Business Leaders Conclave being held in Colombo on November 22 and 23.
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Rajaratnam begins offloading holdings in Sri Lanka
Nov 19 (Hindu) Sri Lanka-born U.S. business tycoon, Raj Rajaratnam, arrested by the FBI on October 16 on charges of vast insider trading, has began selling part of his firm’s holdings in Sri Lanka to cover some of the money required to finance his $100 million bail.
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Sri Lanka shares at 1-wk low on poll concerns
Nov 19 (Reuters) COLOMBO- Sri Lanka's shares fell on Thursday for a second straight day to a one-week closing low, as cautious investors sold shares after a delay over announcement of dates for early national polls.
The All-Share Price Index .CSE of the Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.34 percent or 10.13 points weaker at 2960.77, its lowest since Nov. 12.
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Capital loss forces TFC to call EGM
Nov 19 (DM) A serious loss of capital at The Finance Company (TFC) has forced its directors to urgently summon an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of shareholders on December 11.
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Come and borrow- It’s easy, beneficial, says BoC
Nov 19 (DN) The number of beneficiaries of the low interest loans offered by the Bank of Ceylon needs to be increased to stimulate economic activities of the country. More awareness is necessary among the public regarding the loan scheme to encourage the borrowers to obtain loans at reduced interest rates, Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe told the Daily News yesterday.
24 / 7 Update
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Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured the visiting top ranking Unite Nations official that the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north could be completed within the next few weeks.
Nov 20 (CP) Colombo- Retired Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka says that he will now sacrifice his life for the safeguard of country's democracy.
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