This was because the government has failed to reduce taxes on the latest consignment of crude oil imported by LIOC, its Managing Director Suresh Kumar told the Sunday Times yesterday. “We have urged the government to further increase petrol and diesel prices in view of rising world market prices,” he added.

Has the 1974 maritime boundary agreement between India and Sri Lanka been negated by the two governments in the light of the October 2008 agreement on poaching in the northern waters? This question has arisen in diplomatic quarters following the recent visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to Colombo to discuss issues related to poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters by Indian fishermen, two of whom were shot dead recently for intruding.