Economy

Norway’s new peace envoy opens talks with Sri Lankan rebels

Apr.05 (AFP) - Norway's new peace envoy opened talks with Tamil Tiger rebels Wednesday as the Sri Lankan government's key electoral partner renewed calls for …

Tigers pressure Norway to disarm Tamil rivals in Sri Lanka

Apr.05 (AFP) - Tamil Tiger rebels Wednesday asked Norway's new peace envoy to make sure Sri Lanka's government disarms para-military groups ahead of a new …

Polls victory to boost Sri Lanka peace hopes: negotiator

Apr.04 (AFP) - Hopes for peace in Sri Lanka have been strengthened by the ruling party's landslide victory in local polls, the government's top peace …

Norway’s new envoy launches Sri Lanka peace mission

Apr.03 (AFP) - Norway's new peace envoy to Sri Lanka began work Monday, discussing how to shore up a fragile ceasefire ahead of meetings with Tamil rebels and …

Sri Lanka snap poll possible as ruling party sweeps local elections

April 2 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's ruling party may call snap elections after its success in local polls gave it a chance to break away from hardline allies opposed …

Sri Lanka, Pakistan agree to intensify trade, defence, economic links

ISLAMABAD, Apr.0l (AFP) - Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed Saturday to intensify cooperation in defence, science and technology and trade after talks between …

Low vote for monks, Marxists to help Sri Lanka peace: media

April 01 (AFP) - The crushing electoral defeat of Sri Lanka's nationalist Buddhist monks and Marxists, who both oppose Norwegian-backed peace moves, could …

Sri Lanka ruling party heads for local council win

Mar. 31 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's ruling party Friday was headed for a comfortable sweep of local council elections after the first test of public opinion since …

Sri Lanka to discuss military cooperation with Pakistan

Mar. 31 (AFP) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was due in Islamabad Friday for a three-day visit during which he is expected to discuss military …

Sri Lanka’s economy expands by 5.9 % in 2005

Mar. 31 – Sri Lanka's economy expanded by 5.9 percent in 2005, over 5.4 percent a year earlier, in the backdrop of high international oil prices and …

Sri Lanka’s March inflation dips

Mar. 31 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's annualised inflation eased to 9.6 percent in the twelve months to March from 10.3 percent in February, despite price hikes in …

Mediator tells Sri Lankan parties to keep ceasefire promise

LONDON, Mar. 29 (AFP) - The main mediator in the long-standing conflict in Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim of Norway, on Wednesday called for the government and Tamil …

Tigers seek security guarantees to attend Swiss talks

Mar. 30 (AFP) - Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday demanded guarantees of safe passage through Sri Lanka's only international airport to attend Swiss talks next month …

Sri Lanka votes in local poll

Mar.30 (AFP) - Sri Lankans were voting Thursday to elect local government bodies, but there was no balloting in the island's embattled northern and eastern …

Sri Lanka rights body facing collapse, watchdog warns

Mar.30 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's independent human rights watchdog may collapse as the government has failed to replace the outgoing panel of commissioners, the …

Sri Lanka peace bid side-lined in local vote

Mar.30 (AFP) - Sri Lanka Thursday voted at local elections after a lack-lustre campaign where even the usually divisive peace process was pushed to the …

Low turnout in Sri Lanka local polls

Mar. 30 (AFP) - A low turnout marred municipal elections in Sri Lanka Thursday after a campaign which unexpectedly focused on local issues instead of the usual …

Sri Lanka vows talks despite sinking of navy craft

Mar. 29 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's government Wednesday pledged to continue talks with Tamil Tiger rebels despite the killing of eight sailors in a suicide blast and …

Tsunami helped to create peace, say UN experts

BONN, Mar.28 (AFP) - Wars were one of the main problems hampering efforts to save lives in natural disasters but catastrophes like the Asian tsunami have …

Sri Lanka’s top Nordic peace envoys to visit the island next week

Mar. 29 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's Nordic peace envoys will visit the island next week for a series of meetings with the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels, …