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Sri Lanka and Tamil Tigers set different agendas for peace talks
Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger negotiators have set different agendas for weekend peace talks in Switzerland following months of bloodshed. The Colombo government said Wednesday it wanted the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to commit to a schedule and to discuss the “core” issues in the island’s separatist armed […]
‘s frontline as talks near
TANDIKULAM CHECKPOINT, Sri Lanka, Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) – A long wooden pole laid across the road up ahead marks the start of Sri Lanka’s “Tigerland”.A colleague of his motioned to the field of vehicles and added: “After the peace talks, hopefully we won’t have to do this.” On this side of the pole lies […]
Affordable Rides
October 25, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Wednesday cut retail fuel prices, to ease living costs and inflationary pressures, though the treasury still owes the state petroleum giant over 13 billion rupees. With effective midnight, petrol at the pump will be priced 5.00 rupees less at 92.00 rupees, and diesel goes down 2.00 rupees to […]
Belgium businessmen hunt in Sri Lanka for investment opportunities
Oct 25, 2006 (LBO) – A group of Belgian investors began a three-day visit in Colombo, scouting for potential investment opportunities to grow trade between both nations, officials said. Belgium’s ‘Duvel’ beer will also be launched in Sri Lanka to coincide with the visit. The trade balance is currently tipped in Sri Lanka’s favour, with […]
Pay-TV piracy on the rise in Asia: study
HONG KONG, Oct 24, 2006 (AFP) – Pay-TV piracy in Asia is estimated to cost the industry 1.13 billion US dollars in 2006, up 6.6 percent from 2005, a survey said Friday. The annual report by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), that studied TV markets across 11 Asian countries, said the […]
Sri Lanka warring parties head for Swiss peace talks
Oct 24, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s government and rebel negotiators headed to Switzerland Tuesday for talks aimed at saving a troubled ceasefire after 10 months of fighting killed more than 3,000 people, officials said.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government are under heavy diplomatic pressure to lift an eight-month impasse in […]
Jumbo Sizes
Oct 23, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to expand and re-surface its runway to handle jumbo sized A380 airbus aircraft, capitalising on delays that have pushed back release of the new super-sized planes to 2009. Part of Emirates plans also includes new aircraft possibly 777-300s or A340s for Sri Lankan Airlines, though beefing up […]
Child™s Play
October 23, 2006 (LBO) – The Ceylinco Consolidated Group™s 3-billion rupee state-of-the-art women and children hospital is due to open in March 2008. The privately owned Golden Key Hospital for Women and Children, aims to offer pediatric, maternity and gynecological services. Built on a land in Narahenpita, the 200 bed hospital hopes to be fully […]
Air Zimbabwe hikes fares by 500 percent
HARARE, Oct 23, 2006 (AFP) – Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, announced fare increases on Monday of up to 500 percent on both international and domestic routes.A spokesman said the airline had no option but to implement the masssive price hikes as a result of surging overhead costs and the high inflation rate. “The […]
At Hong Kong high-tech cafe, everything is served with microchips
HONG KONG, Oct 23, 2006 (AFP) – With a whir and a flash of lights, a robot whizzes to the restaurant table and takes a customer’s order, while a second races to another table to deliver plates of steaming food.This isn’t a scene from a science fiction book. Rather, it’s the daily routine at a […]