South Asia
23 June 2011 
Two hundred people a day were permitted to make inquiries
Hundreds of people in Sri Lanka's north who responded to a police announcement about relatives held in detention say they have been given no information.
Ten days ago police said they would give details about those detained in the war, which ended in May 2009.BBC Sinhala has learned of only one man out of hundreds who went to the former war zone of Vavuniya and actually found out where his relative was.
Thousands of families are still seeking loved ones two years after the war.
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China lends $1.86b infrastructure loan to Sri Lanka
Jun 23, 2011
SRI LANKA - SRI LANKA said on Thursday China has agreed to financially assist it with US$1.5 billion (S$1.86 billion) for several infrastructure projects within next three years.'China Development Bank Corporation has agreed to provide financial assistance in a sum of US$1.5 billion within three years for construction of roads, bridges, water supply and irrigation schemes and power,' the government said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on the loan terms.
The Indian Ocean island nation has planned over US$6 billion worth of infrastructure projects mainly with loans including new air and sea ports, express highways, coal and hydro power plants, and railway network to boost post-war foreign direct investments.
China has already lent US$1.9 billion and pledged another US$2.46 billion for road projects, the next phases of a coal-fired power plant and a new port. Beijing has been the main actor in the country's post-war redevelopment drive.
Sri Lanka has been heavily investing on long-neglected infrastructure due to the war to attract global investors. -- REUTERS
