Amantha Perera

Sri Lanka’s Peace Dividend Perks Up Economy

COLOMBO – The Taj Samudra, the flagship property here of Taj Hotels India, sits on what is arguably the best location in Sri Lanka’s capital. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, it is the only five-star hotel in this city from which guests can walk out straight into the largest sea-fronted green esplanade in the country. Yet … Continue reading “Sri Lanka’s Peace Dividend Perks Up Economy”

In Sri Lanka, Former Battle Zone in Search of a Business Boom

PARANTHAN, Sri Lanka – It is an odd location to open a new restaurant, right in front of a row of buildings whose roofs have been blown off by artillery fire and whose walls are pockmarked by gunfire. But the new Rusi Restaurant in Paranthan town in Kilinochchi district here in the north of Sri … Continue reading “In Sri Lanka, Former Battle Zone in Search of a Business Boom”

Buddhist Monks Brawl at Sri Lanka Peace Protest

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – When saffron-clad Buddhists monks and Catholic priests and nuns in white are joined by Muslim and Hindu leaders in an interfaith rally for peace, the last thing anyone would expect is that their pacific efforts would end in fisticuffs. Chanting “no war, no war” the marchers, on Thursday, wended their way … Continue reading “Buddhist Monks Brawl at Sri Lanka Peace Protest”

Sri Lankans Fear Ceasefire’s End

KILINOCHCHI, Sri Lanka – There are slim hopes that the Sri Lankan government and rebel Tamil Tigers will restart peace talks soon after four people, including a top renegade Tiger fighter, were shot dead in growing factional fighting in the country. The killings on Thursday came days after Norwegian special envoy Erik Solheim expressed his … Continue reading “Sri Lankans Fear Ceasefire’s End”