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Sri Lanka probing foreign aid groups
Oct 5, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Thursday it was probing the activities of several foreign aid groups operating in areas controlled by both the government and Tamil Tigers rebels.“The government has reviewed the work visas of certain members of the… non-governmental organisations in view of the continuing police investigations into allegations of inappropriate […]
Sri Lanka peace bid hits new snag
Oct 5, 2006 (AFP) – Norwegian peace brokers were Thursday struggling to get Sri Lanka’s warring parties to agree on a venue for talks, with Tiger rebels demanding Oslo and the government Geneva, diplomats said.“The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) is going on the basis they want talks in Oslo because that was the […]
Funny World
October 5, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Thursday cut retail fuel prices, but raised prices for alcohol and cigarettes, as the government disclosed plans to raise defence expenses and hike overall spending by over 40 percent next year. In addition, defence spending is to climb by 45 percent to 139.5 billion rupees, with military procurements […]
Staying High
SINGAPORE, Oct 5, 2006 (AFP) – Oil prices rebounded in Asian trade Thursday, coming off near 8-month lows on continuing unrest in Nigeria and amid reports that OPEC members are ready to cut production in a bid to support the market, dealers said. At 11:25 am (0325 GMT) New York’s main contract, light sweet crude […]
Emirates Airlines ups flights between Colombo and Dubai
Oct 04 (LBO) – Dubai based Emirates will up weekly flights between Colombo and Dubai, ahead of Sri Lanka’s peak winter tourist season in November. The airline currently operates 13 services a week between its home base and Sri Lanka’s capital, now going up to 17 flights a week, the airline said in a statement […]
Silver Lining
October 4, 2006 (Dow Jones)–Sri Lanka’s two listed telecommunications companies are poised for record profits this year as the country’s low penetration levels and the new products on offer continue to lure subscribers, offsetting the impact of higher interest rates and any possible slowdown in the economy. Analysts expect Sri Lanka Telecom shares to rise […]
London taxi cabs set for Chinese production
LONDON, Oct 4, 2006 (AFP) – The world-famous black London taxi cab will soon be seen on the streets of China after its maker announced a multi-million-pound deal Wednesday to build 20,000 vehicles per year in Shanghai.Specialist carmaker Manganese Bronze said it had agreed a 53-million-pound (78.6-million-euro, 99.7-million-dollar) joint-venture deal with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely […]
‘s best friend
PARIS, Oct 4, 2006 (AFP) – A 603-carat stone found in Lesotho is the 15th biggest diamond ever found, the Gem Diamond Mining company and the government of the southern African state said on Wednesday.Some facts about famous diamonds: Carats measure the weight of a gemstone; the unit is defined as a fifth of a […]
Sri Lanka peace effort hits fresh snags
Oct 4, 2006 (AFP) – A renewed Norwegian bid to coax Sri Lanka’s government and Tamil Tiger rebels back to the negotiating table ran into fresh difficulties Wednesday amid disputes over the timing and venue for talks. Oslo’s special peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer was in fresh talks with Sri Lankan officials to try to set […]