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Strikes at Chilean mines send copper prices sky-high
SANTIAGO, July 10, 2007 (AFP) – Copper prices soared Tuesday as labor strikes pressured some of the largest copper mines in Chile, which supplies one-third of the world’s supply of the metal.“There is a direct impact on the mine’s production.Because of the violence by a group of subcontractors, it was decided to suspend ore extraction, […]
Bangladesh lose wicket in rain-hit Sri Lanka Test
KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 11, 2007 (AFP) – Tourists Bangladesh lost a second wicket in the 20 minutes of play possible between lunch and tea on the opening day of Wednesday’s rain-hit third and final cricket Test against Sri Lanka.Former captain Habibul Bashar was caught behind off Farveez Maharoof for 18 as the tourists moved […]
Sri Lanka claims capture of Tamil Tiger jungle base
July 11, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops captured on Wednesday the jungle “nerve centre” of Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the east of the island after months of fighting, the defence ministry said.He said the objective of the security forces was not limited to capturing Thoppigala, but was to take full control over the multi-ethnic […]
Power Seed
July 11, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is seeking Indian support to develop bio-diesel plants in the island’s Puttalam region, north of the capital Colombo, a senior public estate management ministry official says. The bio-diesel project, which is to be launched in mid-July, will use the Jatropha plant (endaru), Merinus Fernando, advisor to the ministry […]
Sri Lankan industrialists concerned about slowing economic growth
July 11, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s top industrialists have expressed concern over the noticeable slowing down of economic growth and delays in legislating protection for local industries under new world trade rules. “Rural development is essential for growth and stability must come mainly from business linkages – not handouts.” Industry needs better access to […]
Living Daylights
July 10, 2007 (LBO) – SriLankan airlines will fly only during daytime till mid-September, to ensure that connections are available to other airlines and insurance fees are negotiated, the airline said Tuesday. “This has ensured that travel to Sri Lanka was facilitated without any significant interruption or reduction in capacity,” he said. “SriLankan Airlines is […]
Sri Lanka tea firms lose on wage hikes and strikes
July 10, 2007 (LBO) – A pay hike wrested by workers with a strike on Sri Lanka’s tea estates last year has taken its toll on two more plantations companies, Kahawatte Plantations and Madulsima Plantations, with both firms reporting losses. “For the industry, it is indeed a dilemma to reconcile social responsibilities with the realities […]
Tax Pain
July 10, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exporters have warned that delays in tax refunds and disbursements of export cess were hurting overseas marketing efforts and driving some businesses near bankruptcy. Delays experienced by exporters in getting value added tax (VAT) refunds is a “burning question,” said Mohan Mendis, the outgoing chairman of the Exporters’ […]
Phone Charges
July 10, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom has said it plans to switch to a time-based tariff structure from a unit-based one as part of a court settlement in which it will cut call charges. The case will be called again on August 27. In a telecom operator revenues are usually made up of […]
Bangladesh in first day blues against Sri Lanka?
KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 10, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh are hounded by their repeated first innings failures as Sri Lanka seek a 3-0 sweep when the final Test starts here on Wednesday. The hosts, who won the previous two Tests by innings margins and plenty of time to spare, are firm favourites to secure their […]