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Migrant Move
SYDNEY, February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Australia will likely cut the number of skilled immigrants allowed into the country next year, following the global economic downturn, the government said Monday.“I expect the numbers of our programme to drop next year as a reaction to the economic circumstances,” Immigration Minister Chris Evans told reporters. He gave […]
EU urges humanitarian truce in Sri Lanka
BRUSSELS, February 23, 2009 (AFP) – European Union foreign ministers issued a joint call Monday for an immediate ceasefire between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels to allow aid in and civilians out of the conflict zone.“The EU is deeply concerned about the evolving humanitarian crisis and vast number of internally displaced people,” […]
Sri Lanka army rejects Tiger truce call
February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers appealed Monday for international action to halt a major offensive against their shrinking fiefdom, but the island’s military rejected any talk of a truce. With rebel forces cornered in the northeast of the island by a massive attack by government forces, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil […]
‘s Tamil Tigers say ready for ceasefire
February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels Monday said they were ready to comply with international calls for a ceasefire but would not lay down their arms.With rebel forces cornered in the northeast of the island by government troops, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) appealed to foreign powers to step […]
Sixth Indian Tamil self-immolates over Sri Lanka war
CHENNAI, February 22, 2009 (AFP) – An ethnic Tamil activist committed suicide by setting himself on fire in protest against the war in Sri Lanka, Indian police said on Sunday. Siva Prakasam, 55, set himself ablaze during an anti-war rally on Saturday in Chennai, capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, a police spokesman […]
Sri Lanka exporters to get incentives as downturn worsens
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has unveiled an export incentive program based on maintaining revenues and employment, while emerging data shows contracting nominal values with manufacturers planning to trim workforces. Sri Lanka’s government is giving a 5 percent incentive payment in domestic currency to any exporter who can show 5.0 percent more export […]
Sri Lanka seen as China marketing hub
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Chinese businesses are eying Sri Lanka’s regional and international trade concessions and strategic geographical location as a window into European Union and other Asian markets, a visiting Chinese trade official said. “The geographical location of Sri Lanka is good. It can be used as a window into other Asian and […]
Ton-up Younus keeps Pakistan afloat
KARACHI, February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Debutant captain Younus Khan completed a fighting hundred as Pakistan kept Sri Lanka at bay on the third day of the opening Test here on Monday.Younus was unbeaten on 101 as the home team, replying to Sri Lanka’s mammoth first innings total of 644-7, reached 213-2 at tea.The other […]
Bigger Banks
Feb 22, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s banking sector is not at risk from the global credit crisis but needs consolidation to be able to improve returns and attract fresh capital, a senior banker said. Clearer regulatory guidelines were needed to cover changes in ownership in the banking sector and to handle the implications of […]
Sri Lanka says 65 Tamil Tigers killed; territory shrunk
February 22, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan security forces killed at least 65 Tamil Tigers in a week of intense fighting that further reduced the territory under rebel control, the military said on Sunday. The Tigers have been driven back into just 73 square kilometres (28 square miles) of jungle, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said, […]