May 5, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Sri Lanka calls for global effort against bank hackers. Image credit - Frank-Peters /depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Sri Lanka continues efforts to secure GSP+
A team of Sri Lankan officials, headed by the Director General of the Department of Commerce, Sonali Wijeratne, is scheduled to depart for Brussels to discuss reacquiring the GSP+ benefits with European Union (EU) representatives. This discussion comes in light of the EU lifting its fishing ban on Sri Lanka.
EU officials have stated that Sri Lanka is on track towards securing GSP+ benefits, but compliance with international covenants on human rights and the rule of law is still needed.
Sri Lanka calls for global effort against bank hackers
The Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake, has stated that cyber crime and digital heists create negative impressions of economies like Sri Lanka, and needs to be ‘eradicated’. The statement was delivered at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Governors’ meeting in Frankfurt.
The Finance Minister also praised the ADB for their ‘immense contributions’ and stated that the country would witness ‘unparalleled’ levels of growth within the next few years.
Sri Lanka to revise National Energy Policy
At a Power and Energy Forum organised by the American Chamber of Commerce, the Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda, has stated that the National Energy Policy is currently undergoing revisions and that a draft would soon be circulated among stakeholders.
Dr. Batagoda further stated that, despite Sri Lanka’s continued investment in coal power, the Government is looking towards cleaner energy sources like liquified natural gas and renewable resources.
Agreement reached on Aleppo ceasefire
Russia and the US have successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement for the province of Aleppo, in Syria.
The two countries are working together to finalise monitoring efforts for the ceasefire, and called on all parties to abide by the ceasefire.
Yemeni peace talks resume
A second round of peace talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthi opposition have resumed in Kuwait. The UN-backed peace talks were previously suspended by the Yemeni government, in protest of a Houthi assault on a military base near the de jure capital Sanaa.
The conflict has killed more than 6,400 people and forced 2.8 million from their homes since March 2015.
Germany and Japan call for stable exchange rates
Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, have highlighted the need to avoid turbulence in foreign exchange markets. Their call for stability comes after the yen surged to an 18-month high against the dollar.
Prime Minister Abe also hopes to gain Chancellor Merkel’s support to send a strong economic message at the G7 summit to be held in Japan, later this month. He is seeking support for concerted action, including fiscal spending, to avert a global economic crisis.
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