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Sri Lanka government offers to talk peace, amidst fighting
June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president offered to open peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels on Friday even as security forces were locked in combat with the guerrillas. President Mahinda Rajapakse would enter negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) if they agreed to resume where they left off in October […]
Sri Lanka sitting on a budget deficit time bomb: economist
June 01, 2007 (LBO) – A large budget deficit is a fiscal time bomb, and central bank attempts to stabilize the economy may not work unless support comes from fiscal discipline, a British economics don has said. “In the end, no matter how successfully the central bank tries to maintain financial and monetary stability, if […]
Sri Lanka gets French help to develop construction industry and tsunami re-building
June 1, 2007 (AFP) – France on Friday gave Sri Lanka a 10 million euro (13.4 million dollar) loan to develop its construction industry and rebuild areas hit by the December 2004 tsunami, the finance ministry said. The money will be channelled through local banks to help contractors buy equipment and for their working capital […]
India urges Sri Lanka not to shop for arms in China, Pakistan
CHENNAI, India, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – India is urging Sri Lanka not to buy weapons from China and Pakistan to fight Tamil rebels, New Delhi’s national security advisor said. “We are the big power in the region.It is very clear,” M. K. Narayanan told reporters Thursday evening. “Whatever their requirements, they (Sri Lanka) should […]
Francophone Siberian tiger to be taught English
OTTAWA, May 30, 2007 (AFP) – Everyone likes the sound of French it seems, and a zoo in western Canada has asked visitors to speak French to its Siberian tiger. “We hope people will come to the zoo and speak French to him to keep him company,” said Jan Archbold, a spokeswoman for the Edmonton […]
Sri Lanka troops push on with offensives against rebels
May 31, 2007 (AFP) – Government forces kept up two offensives against Tamil Tiger rebels in the island’s northern and eastern regions Thursday with casualties reported on both sides, officials said. More than 60,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Troops backed by artillery combed the jungles of Thoppigala in the district of Batticaloa, […]
ESPN rescues Afro-Asia Cup despite absense of Sri Lankan and Indian stars
NEW DELHI, May 31, 2007 (AFP) – The Afro-Asia series in India will go ahead as scheduled next week after the ESPN-Star network stepped in to save the beleaguered event, the Asian Cricket Council said on Thursday.“The series cannot be held if there is no television coverage,” said Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah.The series, […]
Sri Lanka minister wins over cricket board in selector row
May 31, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge said Thursday his officials will appoint selectors for national sporting teams after a row over the chief cricket selector.Sri Lanka are due to host Bangladesh for three Test matches and three one-day internationals from mid-June.“What is happening now is that sports bodies on their […]
Sri Lanka – Belgian tyre giant looks to roll faster
May 31, 2007 (AFP) – One of the world’s biggest solid tyre makers is trying to double its turnover and turn Sri Lanka into a key exporter of rubber products. “People keep asking us if its safe to live here, invest here and I say ‘yes’.We have had no problems. There are always risks associated […]
Sri Lanka travel ban only to the north and east: UK
May 30, 2007 (LBO) – Britain is advising its citizens not to travel to the north and east of Sri Lanka, but they are free to visit other parts of the country, the UK High Commission (embassy) in Colombo said. Sri Lanka’s total tourist arrivals are down 19.9 percent so far this year. “Some recent […]