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Internet flaw could let hackers take over the Web
SAN FRANCISCO, July 9, 2008 (AFP) – Computer industry heavyweights are hustling to fix a flaw in the foundation of the Internet that would let hackers control traffic on the World Wide Web. Major software and hardware makers worked in secret for months to create a software “patch” released on Tuesday to repair the problem, […]
Sri Lanka army promotion for Mendis after Asia Cup victory
July 9, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s new spin sensation Ajantha Mendis has been given a double promotion in the army after his exploits in the Asia Cup final, officials said on Wednesday.Mendis, 23, a gunner, was promoted to 2nd lieutenant by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Mendis destroyed […]
Sri Lanka opposition blames army for attacks on media
July 8, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition Tuesday accused the country’s military chief of orchestrating violent attacks on journalists critical of its battle against Tamil separatists. Opposition MP Joseph Michael Perera told parliament that a recent wave of beatings and other violence against journalists was carried out by a “special team” under the […]
Sri Lanka private bus operators ignore strike call
July 9, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s privately-run bus operators said they would keep their buses on the road on July 10, ignoring the token strike call of a Marxist-Nationalist former ally of the ruling coalition. The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which popularized policies of wholesale government recruitment, indiscriminate subsidies and increased state intervention […]
Sri Lankan share prices sink as security concerns loom
July 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares sank Tuesday with the indices dragged down by losses in heavyweight stocks as security fears added to investor concerns about deteriorating economic conditions, brokers said.The All Share Price Index lost 1.19 percent (28.67 points) to end at 2,372.50 while the more liquid Milanka was down 1.40 percent […]
Bank Rating
July 08, 2008 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has confirmed the local long-term rating of Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank at ‘A(lka)’ with a stable outlook.The agency also gave an ‘A-(lka)’ rating to NTB’s proposed unsecured debenture issue of up to 1.5 billion rupees. “NTB’s rating reflects its modest profitability and capitalization,” it said in a […]
Sri Lanka tea exporter sees lifestyle trends expanding market
July 08, 2008 (LBO) – Changing consumer tastes and a willingness to pay a premium for a superior product should help tea producers, who until recent years had faced stagnant prices, a top Sri Lankan exporter says. Anslem Perera, managing director of Euro Scan, says tea producers and exporters were making use of traditional consumption […]
Sri Lanka rubber prices, cultivation rising: trade official
July 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan natural rubber prices will remain high on strong demand while cultivation and production is increasing, the chairman of the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association Anura Edirisinghe said. Global natural rubber consumption will continue to outstrip supply through 2009, resulting in prices maintaining current high levels or increasing even above […]
Peace Building
July 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government should start English medium schools in the East of the island, because educators in the areas are clamouring them, a top official in charge of peace building efforts said.The Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) is encouraging communities in the Eastern Province to formulate their own […]
Virtual Slaves
JAKARTA, July 8, 2008 (AFP) – Saudi Arabian families are abusing female migrant workers to the point of slavery and Riyadh needs to respond with sweeping labour and justice reforms, a major rights group said Tuesday.US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report released in Indonesia, the home country of thousands of female […]