Sri Lanka steps up security for lawmakers after assassination

Jan 9, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has increased its already tight security arrangements for members of parliament following the death of a cabinet minister in a suspected Tamil Tiger bomb attack, officials said Wednesday.The number of bodyguards and security vehicles assigned to lawmakers was stepped up after Tuesday’s roadside bombing just outside the capital […]

Sri Lanka expects tourism boost from devout visitors

Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – The arrival of a spiritual leader and his followers for a religious ceremony in Sri Lanka will boost foreign visitors in January, the war ravaged island’s tourism promotion officials said Tuesday. Some 30,000 members of the Bohra community are expected for the 10-day Ashara Mubaraka ceremony starting January 9. His […]

Tech Crime

Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka needs more trained investigators to probe computer crimes and common policies and laws to combat electronic crimes which can extend across borders, legal professionals have said. “We also can adopt common directives similar to the EU, otherwise countries in Asia and the Pacific will not be able to […]

Sri Lankan Airlines to be run by government again: official

Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will take the reigns of SriLankan Airlines after a management agreement with Emirates Airlines ends in March 2008, the head of the island’s investment promotion office said. “The president has decided that the government will run SriLankan Airlines from April,” Board of Investment chief Dhammika Perera told […]

Qatar Airways plays down Sri Lankan interest: report

Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways has played down its interest in Sri Lankan Airlines after its current managing shareholder Emirates, announced a sell out of its equity stake, reports said. Though suffering a 4.7 billion loss and badly hit by war risk insurance it managed to survive by using Maldives […]

Maldives president saved by 15 year old: report

Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was saved by a 15-year old youth as he was stabbed by a man who had a knife concealed inside a national flag, a report said. The boy Mohamed Jaisham was treated for injuries to his hand, Minivan News, an online news service from the […]

Maldivian president escapes assassination bid: minister

Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – The president of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, escaped an assassination attempt Tuesday, a senior minister told AFP. “The president was greeting people when a young boy pulled out a knife and tried to stab him in the stomach,” Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed said by telephone from the island capital […]

BRUSSELS, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – The European Union on Monday called on the Sri Lankan government to offer “substantive devolution” to Tamil rebels as fierce fighting, renewed since Colombo scrapped a ceasefire, claimed more victims.The Slovenian EU presidency voiced deep regret at the Sri Lankan government’s decision to end the truce with the rebel […]

Sri Lanka called on to offer greater devolution to Tamils

Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – The European Union (EU) has stepped up pressure on Sri Lanka after the government withdrew from the truce with the Tamil Tigers, with its external relations chief calling for a peace deal that goes beyond previous “failed” offers. The EU’s Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner […]

Sri Lanka minister dies after blast

Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan government minister D.M. Dassanayake died in hospital Tuesday after his convoy was hit by a powerful roadside bomb near the capital, doctors said.The minister for nation building suffered severe head injuries in the attack and died while undergoing surgery, doctor Lalini Gunasekera said. Police said a fragmentation mine […]

Page 2977 of 4060