In an effort to deal with the increasing number of foreign investors who are defaulting on loans from state banks, the Sri Lankan government has pledged an investigation - an international one.
The Sri Lankan Army has denied allegations that soldiers teach wearing military uniform in Kilinochchi schools, reports the Daily Mirror.
Military spokesperson, Ruwan Wanigasuriya said that the troops who had been called in to make up for the 'lack of teachers' in the area were given appropriate training and also contracted to work in civilian clothing and not military uniforms.
The Sri Lankan media ministry has sent letters to websites, asking them to register and pay the fee by January 15, reported ColomboPage.
New regulations, brought in by the government last year, stipulate that websites on the island need to register and pay registration fees of Rs 25,000 and an annual fee of Rs 10,000.
Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development, recently told media that a number of promotional campaigns targetting Chinese tourists will be implemented this year.
The ministry expects to increase the number of arrivals from China to 60,000 - up from over 22,000 in 2012 - in 2013, and so has launched several campaigns to raise 'awareness' about Sri Lanka's many tourist 'attractions'.
In an interview with The Hindu, Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted the need to re-establish the confidence of Tamils so that they may return, whilst making a point of stressing that this return must be voluntary.
See full interview here. Extracts reproduced below:
"The number of people going back to Sri Lanka has decreased substantially in the recent past. We need to look into what are the obstacles and how the two governments of India and Sri Lanka, working together can improve the conditions and create opportunities for the voluntary repatriation of the people. Voluntary is the key word here."
The Sri Lankan government is to seek out a further loan from the International Monetary Fund after the failure of foreign investment to materialise. See LBO's report.
More than 50 Australians gathered outside the Sydney Cricket Ground to protest against Australia hosting the Sri Lankan cricket team in their tour of the country, as more supporters signed on to the boycott Sri Lanka cricket campaign.
Sri Lanka’s state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) posted losses of Rs. 95 billion, according to Managing Director Susantha De Silva, while a government minister insisted that a high quality service was being provided, ruling out privatisation of the company.
Sri Lanka’s outgoing Bank of Ceylon Bank of Ceylon chairman has stated that rates of default on state loans were almost zero in the North-East, a stark contrast to the rest of the country.
A Russian nuclear power team will visit Sri Lanka laster this month to inspect the energy sector output on the island.
The Russian ambassador Alexander Kerchava last month offered Russia's assistance to Sri Lanka in trade, energy, economy and the social sector, reported ColomboPage.
The governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Cabraal, said that the Sri Lankan economy would grow to $100bn by 2016 and predicted a bright future for the country.
Suresh Premachandran, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, has said that international intervention is needed to reach a political solution in Sri Lanka, reports Uthayan.
There has been uproar and anger amongst Buddhist clergy and trade union leaders over the government's official calendar, which does not include Poya days (full moon days) as holidays for public servants and private sector employees.
