Sri Lanka will never sell women to boost tourism

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

Commercial sex would never be legalised and Sri Lanka would not sell its women for the sake of promoting tourism, the government says. According to rough estimates, there are about 40,000 sex workers in Sri Lanka. Among the campaigns conducted by the government is to increase awareness on abortions and unprotected sex. While prostitution in itself is not illegal in Sri Lanka, soliciting, running of brothels and trafficking persons for prostitution is.
The Island, Sri Lanka

Rise in divorces in China linked to tax loophole

Beijing’s divorce rate has increased by 41 per cent in the first three quarters of this year from the same period last year. It seems that they are seeking to avoid a property tax imposed in March. Chinese government introduced a 20 per cent individual income tax levied on capital gains by home sellers with an exception to divorced couples. Experts warned that couples should not fake a divorce as that could bring about unexpected consequences.
China Daily, China

(Photo : NEWSis)

Hackers expose Asia’s weak cyber defences

The global activist group Anonymous recently hacked a section of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official website, just a day after he vowed to hunt down anyone who attacks the financial centre’s technological network. Asia-Pacific has exposed weak cyber defences as Internet usage becomes more pervasive. Cyber security is a cross-border issue. National and regional efforts are needed to adopt comprehensive cyber security strategies.
AFP, Singapore

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

No blinkered view of India’s Mars mission

India’s mission to launch a spacecraft to Mars must not be viewed in a narrow-minded context. There have been debates that the price tag of $73 million is too steep given that two-thirds of its 1.2 billion population live on $2 a day. These are merely emotive issues. India’s mission to Mars is uniquely Indian in character and showcases its home-grown technology. This mission has the potential to be a game changer and give India space to sit in an elite group.
Gulf News, UAE