In brief

Security plan for SAARC

The Government said yesterday that its security plan for the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit had been organised in such a manner as to ensure minimum inconvenience to the public amidst maximum security. Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka said.

18 terrorists killed

Multi pronged offensives at LTTE defences in the Wanni and Jaffna continued leading Sri Lankan armed forces further closer to their final objective. According to military reports at least 18 terrorists were killed, 27 wounded and 22 more were either killed or wounded. Four soldiers died on the battlefield, one was reported missing and nine others were wounded.

IDA credit to support Govt

The World Bank has granted US Dollars 98 million IDA credit to support the Government's efforts to improve its national highways and lower transportation costs and to reduce traffic, World Bank sources said.

17% increase in export earnings

Sri Lanka's export earnings recorded a 17 per cent increase in May to US Dollars 746 million with export earnings mostly from agricultural products. A spokesman for the Central Bank said that the deficit in the trade balance also widened in May 2008 amounting to US Dollars 512 million, compared to a deficit of USD 376 million last year.

New regulations at duty free shops

Items such as large screen television sets, high capacity refrigerators, air-conditioners and sophisticated washing machines will not be sold at Airport Duty Free shops from August under a new customs regulations, which are to be introduced to minimise malpractices.