Sri Lanka President orders the best team to be selected for 2011 Cricket World Cup

By Santhush Fernando in Colombo

Colombo, 05 January, (Asiantribune.com):

President Mahinda Rajapaksa discussing arrangements for the upcoming 2011 Cricket World Cup with Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman D. S. De Silva and other officials at Temple Trees. (Pix By : Sudath Silva)

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday (January 4, 2011) directed Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) to select the best players for the upcoming 2011 Cricket Word Cup.


At a meeting chaired by President Rajapaksa held at Temple Trees to discuss the arrangements of World Cup held this year, SLC officials were directed not to select players based on whims and fancies of various decision-makers but to appoint the squad out of the best fifteen players. Current standards of the playgrounds and matches to be played were also discussed.


It had been decided that the 15-member squad would be selected after the premier league matches are concluded. Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, SLC Chairman D. S. De Silva and several other officials participated.


Newly constructed international cricket stadium at Sooriyawewa in Hambanthota District, the refurbished Pallekele (Kandy) and R Premadasa (Colombo) stadiums are the three venues in the island for the 2011 World Cup. Sri Lanka, along with India will be hosting the international event.


Last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) visited the venues in Sri Lanka that are slated to hold the matches of the World Cup 2011 tournament and expressed their satisfaction on the progress.

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/01/05/sri-lanka-president-orders-best-team-be-selected-2011-cricket-world-cup

Sri Lanka is world’s fastest rising market 2010 – Guardian of United Kingdom

By Santhush Fernando

 

Colombo, 06 January, (Asiantribune.com):

 

Sri Lanka had the world's fastest rising market as its post-war economy boomed, United Kingdom’s leading newspaper- The Guardian said in a recent report titled ‘the best and worst investments of 2010’.
‘In 2009, the little-known Colombo Stock Exchange rose a remarkable 128% after the Sri Lankan government formally declared an end to the 25-year civil war’ the Guardian said.

This year, the market has soared again, rising by 101% (in sterling terms) in the year to 20 December, according to figures compiled for Guardian Money by Vanguard, which operates a wide range of index funds. Argentina, once a by-word for economic default, is also back in fashion among investors. The Buenos Aires Bourse advanced 82%, closely followed by the Thai exchange (up 70%) and the Ukraine (up 68%), and no, we didn't know there was a stock market there, either”.


The Sri Lanka stock market is reported to be one of the most modern exchanges in South Asia, with a fully automated trading platform. The value of the companies traded on the market is now more than $20bn (£13bn), and 2011 will see companies such as SriLankan Airlines listing its shares.

The island's economy is expected to grow 8% in 2010 and 9% in 2011 – rates usually seen in China. Tourism is booming, with 750,000 visitors anticipated in 2011, while tea exporters are also enjoying strong gains.

Bottom end


At the bottom end of the world indices were Ireland and Greece. The FTSE Ireland Banks index fell 67% in 2010, while the FTSE Greece Financials index was down 57%. Ironically, the country which did default, Argentina (albeit back in 2002), enjoyed huge gains in 2010, led by its banking sector. BBVA Banco Francés rose more than 90%, while Grupo Financiero Galicia leapt by an extraordinary 185%, Guardian further said.

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/01/05/sri-lanka-world%E2%80%99s-fastest-rising-market-2010-%E2%80%93-guardian-united-kingdom

Sri Lanka President says challenges of development much greater than challenge of defeating terrorism

Tue, 2011-01-04

By Santhus Fernando in Colombo

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a gathering of public servants today (January 3, 2011) said that the challenges of developing the economy was much greater than the challenges faced when defeating terrorism. He said so addressing the staff of the Presidential Secretariat marking the first working day for Sri Lanka’s public sector today at old Parliamentary Complex in front of the Galle Face Green.
President Rajapaksa further stated that his staff was fortunate to be working at the Secretariat and expressed his hope that they will set an example for the rest of the public sector. He adding that the staff of the Presidential Secretariat was well prepared to overcome these challenges.
He advised the staff and the entire public sector at large to complete the day’s work without any delay and to be committed to serve the people, adding that they need to ask themselves whether they carried out their duties worthy of their salary.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga speaking on the occasion said that the Presidential Secretariat should live up to its position in the public sector and be efficient. He pointed out that out of the 365 days, 122 are holidays with an additional 45 days.
Thus, he advised his staff to make the best of the remaining working days to provide an excellent service to the public.
On the occasion, Weeratunge led his staff in taking the pledge of the public service for 2011 themed, ‘Commit towards serving the public with ‘Metta’ (Loving Kindness) through sheer dedication and utmost genuineness. War heroes who lost their lives were also remembered.
Work at the Presidential Secretariat commenced for the New Year today led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while the Venerable Maha Sangha along with clergy of other religions invoked blessings on the President, public servants and the whole country.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the staff of the Presidential Secretariat also participated. Picture shows Lalith Weeratunga presenting 'kiribath' (milk rice) to the President.

Sri Lanka President unveils 2011 National Economic Programme

By Santhush Fernando in Colombo

Colombo, 06 January, (Asiantribune.com):

 Sri Lanka President unveiling the National Economic Programme for the year said that during 2011, country’s economy would realize people’s expectations of development launched during the humanitarian operations.


President Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Finance Minister made these remarks addressing the staff of the Finance Ministry for the New Year on Tuesday (January 4, 2011) . Launching the National Economic Programme for this year President Rajapaksa said that the Finance Ministry has a decisive task in the journey towards the development. He added that development programmes already implemented by the government, has earned many commendations from the international community.

Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara said that economic victories of 2010 surpassed the desired goals and expressed confidence that the country would achieve double digit economic growth soon.

Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation Dr.Sarath Amunugama, Deputy Minister Geetanjana Gunawardena, and the staff of the Finance Ministry were also present.

Meanwhile country’s banking and finance watchdog- the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) unveiling its ‘Roadmap: Economic and Financial Sector Policies for 2011 and Beyond’, on Tuesday announced that the country in 2010 accomplished rapid decline of poverty levels, low and stable inflation, stable exchange rates, Middle-income Emerging Market Country status among other achievements.

CBSL said that economy maintained historically high foreign reserves levels amounting over US $ 6.6 Billion by the end of 2010. Sri Lanka showed strong growth momentum last year as peace dividend was clearly observed with impressive performance in all sectors and more confidence shown by the business sector, it added.

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/01/05/sri-lanka-president-unveils-2011-national-economic-programme