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US Carefully Considering SL Proposal to Negotiate a FTA
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo,
SLT 7.30 A.M Wednesday 10 March.
The United States says that the country is carefully considering Sri
Lanka's proposal to negotiate a free trade agreement. In a speech delivered
by David Shark in Geneva last week the US said No decision has been made
yet on the FTA as yet. US also welcomed , that on the bilateral level,
steps are being taken to enhance Sri Lanka's commercial relationship with
the United States, where there is still a great potential for increased
trade. Sri Lanka and the United States have already held three successful
bilateral meetings under the auspices of Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement. Shark said that the US is impressed with Sri Lanka's domestic
economic reforms and peace efforts, and would like to contribute to them.
He said " We see Sri Lanka as an attractive FTA partner, because of its
relatively open economy and its commitment to trade liberalization. The
trade policies of the Sri Lankan government that will be created after this
spring's parliamentary elections will inform our consideration of Sri Lanka
as an FTA partner."
Shark also said " Sri Lanka has realized many political, economic and social
rewards as a result of the cessation of armed conflict and the Government's
continuing peace initiatives during 2002 and 2003._ We are pleased to note
that the real GDP growth for 2002 reached 4 percent, in contrast to the
contraction in 2001, and that the rate of growth increased by an additional
5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2003. The Government has moved to
capitalize on the peace by pushing reform and reconstruction at home and
attracting assistance and investment from abroad._ Significant IMF
facilities and donor commitments are assisting efforts to carry out the
objectives identified in the Government's policy program, known as
"Regaining Sri Lanka." These objectives include rebuilding infrastructure,
rebuilding conflict affected areas, and spurring economic growth. We note in
the Government report that the Regaining Sri Lanka strategy seeks to
liberalize trade, attract foreign investment, seek market access
opportunities for goods and services globally, and reduce barriers to
productivity. Among the main elements are to accelerate privatization of
commercial activities, reform the legal foundation of the economy and
increase efficiency in critical government functions. We would welcome any
further information on the implementation of this policy program. "
Published: Tue Mar 9 20:35:26 EST 2004
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Prabhakaran preparing for war: Karuna
SIfy News,
MArch 9.
Tamil Tiger Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran was preparing for war despite a truce with Sri Lankan forces, a top renegade leader told AFP Tuesday.V Muralitharan, better known as Karuna, said in an interview at his base near here in eastern Sri Lanka that he led a breakaway faction last week because he was convinced that Prabhakaran was getting ready for war. "We were asked to send a contingent of soldiers," said Karuna who holds away in the eastern region of Sri Lanka. "The Wanni administration (of the Tigers based in the island's north) asked for soldiers at a time of peace." "That made me conclude he was getting ready for war."
More...
Published: Tue Mar 9 12:48:46 EST 2004
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Can Prabhakaran wrest control of the East? - An Analysis
Daily Mirror,
March 9.
Battle lines have been drawn in Mavadichenai, north of Verugal, as a Northern Tiger platoon led by a former Trinco military commander and Prabhakaran-loyalist Swarnam is facing stiff resistance from Eastern cadres led by Regi, brother of the leader of the South Tamil Eelam (Eastern) Col. Karuna.
While Swarnam continues to send radio messages to Regi saying that he is on a peace mission to strike a deal between Prabhakaran and Karuna, all his attempts at advancing towards Vakarai have been blocked.
Karuna and his seniors are under the impression that this was a ploy by the LTTE hierarchy to break into Karuna's territory. In fact, on Sunday, on Swarnam's arrival, Karuna had given orders to Regi to shoot Swarnam and his men. However, seeing the resistance from Karuna's camp, Swarnam had pulled troops a few kilometres back.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 9 16:45:28 EST 2004
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Meet the man who has split Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers rebels
