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‘s east
COLOMBO, April 13, 2007 (AFP) – The Tamil Tigers vowed Friday to hit back against an advance by government troops in the east of Sri Lanka, accusing the military of “genocidal activities” there.The rebels denied military claims they were retreating in the face of an onslaught in the Eastern Province, where they were ejected from […]
Road Bid
April 12, 2007 (LBO) – MTD Construction Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian construction firm that bought a Sri Lankan listed company last week, is eyeing a big highway construction project planned in the island, an official said. The company is already in “advanced talks” with the government on building the Kandy-Colombo highway, said Asanga Seneviratne, from […]
Sri Lanka chases tea lovers, golfers to rebuild tourist image
April 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism promoters are trying to focus on niche markets, luring golfers and tea drinkers to visit the island after its image as a tourist destination was marred by renewed guerrilla violence. The tourism chief, Renton De Alwis, believes that focusing on repeat visitors who are aware of the […]
‘s girlfriend deepens; no resignation yet
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz Thursday apologized for making a “mistake” over hefty pay rises given to his girlfriend at the development lender, but refused to say if he might quit. “I made a mistake, for which I am sorry,” Wolfowitz told a press conference as an uproar intensified […]
India test fires ballistic missile capable of reaching China
BHUBANESWAR, India, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – India on Thursday test-fired a nuclear-capable medium-range ballistic missile which can reach the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai, defence sources said. The launch of the Agni-III missile took place from Wheeler Island, 180 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the capital of eastern Orissa state. It was […]
‘s pay rise: report
HONG KONG, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz personally ordered the hefty pay rise given to his girlfriend at the bank, the Financial Times website reported on Thursday. It cited two people who had seen a memo from Wolfowitz to the head of human resources spelling out the terms of the […]
Sangakkara puts his faith in Sri Lankan way
ST GEORGE’S, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara said it was vital his side kept faith with the style of cricket that won them the 1996 World Cup if they were to lift the trophy for a second time. Sanath Jayasuriya, still a key member of the side and Romesh Kaluwitharana, […]
England hopes alive after win over Bangladesh
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 11, 2007 (AFP) – England thwarted another strong challenge from Bangladesh’s spinners to register a much-needed four-wicket win in a World Cup Super Eights match here on Wednesday. Mushfiqur Rahim (seven) also failed to live up to the expectations as Bangladesh were struggling at 65-6 before Hasan and Mortaza gave the total […]
Sri Lanka troops take key highway from Tigers
COLOMBO, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan forces have captured a strategic highway in the island’s restive eastern province which was under Tamil Tiger control for 15 years, the defence ministry said Thursday.Troops took control Wednesday of the A-5 road linking the town of Chenkaladi and Badulla in the central part of the island, […]
Seven villagers shot dead in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday shot dead seven villagers of the majority Sinhalese community in northern Sri Lanka on the eve of the traditional New Year, police said.Gunmen from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) raided the village of Avarantalawa in the district of Vavuniya where heavy fighting […]