NNITA Kaski panel

KASKI: The first convention of the Nepal National Industry and Trade Association’s Kaski branch has elected Basudev Baral president of the executive committee of the branch. Ishwor Poudel, Kedar Poudel and Gopichandra Bastola have been elected first, second and third

vice-presidents, respectively. Parmeshwor Acharya, Laxmi Subedi and Himal Sharma have been elected secretary, joint secretary and treasurer, respectively, in the 22-member committee. Inaugurating the convention, central president of association accused big industrialists and businessmen of serving foreign capitalists. He also claimed that irregularities to the tune of millions of rupees were being committed in the name of labour movements. Other speakers at the programme urged the government to bring in policies to promote small industries. — RSS

Import sector ban

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will ban its citizens from bringing in duty free items such as air conditioners or washing machines as part of their baggage allowance, a customs ruling said on Sunday. The ban, which comes into effect from August 1, bans bringing back air conditioners, deep freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, televisions and four-burner electric cookers. The ruling did not say why the items were being banned and there was no immediate comment from duty-free shopowners. Sri Lankans going overseas are usually allowed to bring back electronic and other goods up to $500. — AFP