• President wants efforts ‘redoubled’ to crush terrorism in Sri Lanka
• Govt to pilot SriLankan; Staff, Travel trade wary
• Increased security for Opposition MPs
• Lanka’s $ 500 m Bond issue wins 2 awards
• Pongal bonanza for people
• President meets select business leaders to get ideas to tame inflation, boost economy
• Apparel sector in crisis meeting with Mahinda tomorrow

Editorial: On the highway of death

Political column: Sri Lanka: Final call

The Ex Files : “Public service now a govt. service”

Defence Line: Eelam War IV sans CFA

As I see it: Tamils disturbed by CFA withdrawal

What's Inside

• Passenger demand surges to 18-month high in Nov. says IATA
• Mideast carriers post 18.8 per cent growth
• JKH offers schols for Moratuwa Uni transport and logistics management students
• Indian Minister plays safe, consults PM on new Sethu affidavit
• Developments in the Economy in 2007
• HSBC Global Research’s Checklist for 2008 growth outlook
• SCOPP slams UNP
• Vociferous MPs in Govt. hit list - UNP
• Alien plant invades Mahaweli areas
• Dozen LTTE cadres killed in Jaffna
• Govt. attacks prevent schooling in N&E
• UNP wearing ‘Black’ denounce Govt in House
• Sri Lanka Tourism assures no cause for alarm
• Weerawansa foresees UN peace keepers in SL
• Murali to be felicitated in Parliament today
• Trade Unions unite

Lanka’s $ 500 m Bond issue wins 2 awards

The controversial maiden sovereign Bond issue worth US$ 500 million, floated by the government last year, had won two awards Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said last week.

Cabraal, who described the Bond issue as a “remarkable achievement,” said that the success of the Bond issue was further recognised by international market watchers, as it was voted the “best sovereign bond of the year” by two highly reputed international financial magazines, namely, Finance Asia and The Asset.

See also Money section Page 5 for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” of the Bond issue.