Srilanka

A relief package provided to all business sectors facing economic difficulties following the Easter Sunday terrorist bomb attacks will be announced in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. The Minister who said the Tourism sector faced the brunt of the adverse economic impact of the Easter Sunday attacks added that a relief loan scheme for small scale interventourists in the Tourism sector would be launched through all banks on June 10.

President Maithripala Sirisena while condemning extremism and terrorism yesterday said the country will be in peril, if clashes erupt among communities. &All must work prudently and commit themselves to protecting and promoting the peace and harmony among various communities,& the President said.He said that all should work intelligently by giving thought to the current situation faced by the country.

The Mahaweli Coconut Plantations LTD (MCPL) began trading on Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday, listing 33 million shares at a strike price of Rs.13 a share.Founded in 1996, the company has profited well. &Our shareholders had been with us for over 20 years and this is great opportunity for them to sell or transfer,& said Managing Director, MCPL, Felix Fernandopulle. He also said that the listing would allow original investors, majority been desiccated coconut millers, to sell their shares if they wish to.

The government has taken measures to establish a special fund for children left disabled or orphaned due to the Easter Sunday bombings. Issuing a statement, the Prime MinisterOffice noted that the fund would be established with Rs.500 million, while the government will grant Rs. 100 million and the balance Rs.400 million would be added as donations.