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Native Mobile
October 02 2006 (LBO) – Nokia, the world’s largest mobile phone maker, has sold over 5,000 handsets equipped with Sinhala language settings and keypads, since they were launched in Sri Lanka last week. Sri Lanka South Asian to offer mobile technologies way back in 1989, and the current 4-million subscriber market is split between Dialog […]
Four Play
October 02, 2006 (LBO) – Dialog Telekom has picked up a radio and television frequency license, which gives them the edge to rollout a host of infotainment services ranging from television to mobile phone services. A unit of Telekom Malaysia, Dialog picked up the frequency by acquiring a 90 percent stake in Asset Media (Pvt) […]
Global rules needed to curb trade in arms components: report
LONDON, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Weapons merchants are profiting from the lack of an international judicial framework to supply arms to individuals with few human rights scruples and to states under embargo, a new report said Monday.The globalization of the weapons industry has shed light on the shortcomings of existing legislation to control it, […]
ADB official calls for Asia-wide FTA, but says common market far off
MANILA, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Major obstacles block Asia’s prospects of becoming a common market, but a region-wide free-trade area is a realistic goal, an Asian Development Bank official said Monday.The Philippines-based lender said 183 free trade agreements have either been signed or are being proposed or negotiated across Asia, where the share of […]
‘s top textile firm to raise 102 mln dlrs for expansion
DHAKA, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Bangladesh’s biggest textile manufacturer said Monday it would raise 102 million dollars abroad to finance expansion into high value-added textiles.The company would raise 51 million dollars by issuing global depository receipts (GDRs) in foreign capital markets and another 51 million dollars through overseas bonds and shares to sponsors, the […]
Talks underway to revive Sri Lanka peace bid
Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – A Norwegian envoy held talks Monday with top Sri Lankan government officials aimed at reviving the island’s stalled peace process and ending an upsurge in ethnic bloodshed.Government officials said Colombo hoped the envoy’s visit could lead to a breakthrough in finalising dates for talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil […]
Gold Twist
October 1, 2006 (LBO) – In another twist to the continuing GoldQuest controversy, remaining officials of the anti-pyramiding unit, that probed the GoldQuest case have been transferred for better career prospects, and to complete other urgent work, senior central bank officials said. “We established the Unit to carry out investigations without disrupting the work of […]
Norwegian envoy resumes Sri Lanka peace bid
Oct 1, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s peace broker Norway is set for a fresh attempt to end a seven-month deadlock in talks after the warring parties agreed to meet, diplomats said Sunday. Special envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer will begin meetings with political leaders on Monday during a four-day visit aimed at jump-starting stalled negotiations between […]
‘s end: state paper
Oct 1, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president has asked his party to prepare for general elections before year’s end if the main opposition fails to back his minority government, a state-run newspaper said Sunday.President Mahinda Rajapakse has summoned members of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party and asked them to get ready for elections, the […]
‘s top job
Sept 30, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s candidate has pulled out of the race to succeed Kofi Annan as UN secretary general and the country has thrown its backing behind South Korea’s Ban Ki-Moon, officials here said Saturday.Jayantha Dhanapala announced his withdrawal after finishing last in three informal polls among members of the UN Security […]