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Erosion of media freedom and human rights in Sri Lanka under watchdog eye
June 18, 2007 (LBO) – An international mission by rights bodies will take place later this month to asses the deteriorating media freedoms and human rights in Sri Lanka, the Free Media Movement (FMM) said Monday. FMM said the mission made up of 11 bodies including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Support […]
‘s Tamil Tigers make fresh pledge to free child soldiers
June 18, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels on Monday made a fresh pledge to rid their ranks of child soldiers by the end of the year.The rebels, classified as one of the worst offenders in the world for the recruitment of children to fight, made the same promise in 1998 but have […]
Disturbing Rule
June 17, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s insurance industry has voiced concern over a recent proposal by regulators to transfer the Strike, Riot, Civil Commotion and Terrorism Fund to the National Insurance Trust Fund. The industry is asking the government to relax the proposal for compulsory ceding of re-insurance premiums, said Marina Tharmaratnam, CEO of […]
Atapattu opts out of Sri Lanka team for Bangladesh series
June 17, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former captain and opening batsman Marvan Atapattu has opted out of the Test series against Bangladesh, a top Sri Lanka Cricket official said Sunday.SLC secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan said the former skipper had told them he would not be available for the Bangladesh tournament despite being chosen for the […]
Bangladesh in Sri Lanka despite security fears
June 17, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh’s national cricket team arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday for three Test matches and three one-day internationals despite heightened fears of Tamil Tiger bomb attacks, officials said. The Sri Lankan government immediately hailed the visit as a sign of confidence in the island’s security arrangements. “The Bangladeshi government has […]
Sri Lanka facing attacks, international isolation: analysts
June 17, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has vowed to wage more attacks against Tamil rebels but analysts warn it faces the prospect of devastating retaliation and risks international isolation over rising rights abuses.State-run media said last week that Tamil Tiger rebels were preparing for attacks on the capital’s harbour, oil storage complex and electricity […]
Synthetic Fuel
WASHINGTON, June 17, 2007 (AFP) – A fiery debate has been rekindled in Washington as US lawmakers mull proposed incentives to produce diesel fuel from coal.“By using one of our nation’s most abundant natural resources, coal, to produce transportation fuels, we can address fuel cost concerns, make our nation less reliant on imports from politically […]
Sailing Away
June 15, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence conglomerate is exiting from its ship-owning business because of lower earnings from chartering and rising maintenance costs, the company has said. The group has begun selling its fleet of small cargo ships which until recently helped boost the group’s bottom line. The group made a “strategic […]
Digital Sheep
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2007 (AFP) – The FBI is in the process of locating and notifying the users of one million computers controlled by hackers through automated crime networks or “botnets,” officials said Friday.The FBI warned computer users that it would not contact victims online, and said any e-mails suggesting this should be viewed with […]
Heaven Sent
June 16, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s power utility has increased its hydro storage after heavy rains in the last three days, and if the trend continues it may be able to avoid power cuts in the immediate future, LBO learns. The Ceylon Electricity Board warned that power cuts were imminent after monsoon rains were […]