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Sri Lanka says scores of rebels, soldiers killed in latest fighting
Sept 10, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Sunday that its troops had killed scores of Tamil Tiger rebels in fierce weekend fighting in the northern Jaffna peninsula that also left 28 soldiers dead. Mortar and artillery duels along a de facto frontline on the contested peninsula killed the 28 and left 125 wounded, a […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills 26 soldiers
Sept 9, 2006 (AFP) – At least 26 troops were killed and over 125 wounded Saturday in new fighting as Tamil rebels resisted an army advance into guerrilla-held territory in northern Sri Lanka, military sources said.Hundreds of Sri Lankan troops were involved in the offensive along the de facto border between government- and rebel-held areas […]
Better Mix
Sept 08, 2006 (LBO) – Local businessmen have been asked to diversify exports to Pakistan outside of a few traditional commodities, and fast, to fully exploit bilateral trade between both countries.Top exports to Pakistan Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner in South Asia after India are largely confined to coconut products, rubber, tea, vegetable products, […]
Shrinking Wallets
Sept 08, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka™s clothing trade, which employs about a million workers, is opposing trade union efforts to jack up minimum monthly wages to 10,000 rupees, due to spiraling costs and tight margins. Trade unions have asked the government to raise wages for all industries to a minimum of 10,000 rupees a […]
Interim Injunction
September 8, 2006 (LBO) – A bill to counter computer crimes is stuck in parliament for over a year, illustrating the daunting task facing those who try to modernise laws to take Sri Lanka towards a digital age, officials said Friday. The law was first debated in August 23, 2005 but has since been blocked […]
Snug Fit
SHANGHAI, Sept 8, 2006 (AFP) – Already known as the world’s factory floor, China now wants to turn into an international outsourcing powerhouse, a report said Friday, a move which could challenge India’s prominence in the industry.Outsourcing will become a new area of foreign investment for the country and China will encourage multinationals to outsource […]
Rural Reach
September 8, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom said Friday they were in talks with payphone operator Tritel Services (Pvt) Ltd to buy an equity stake. Malaysian owned Tritel, the island’s biggest payphone operator, currently piggybacks on wireless, wireline, mobile and CDMA (code division multiple access) technology to connect over 3,000 booths scattered islandwide. Being […]
Singapore on guard for IMF-World Bank meet
SINGAPORE, Sept 8, 2006 (AFP) – Singapore will mount its biggest ever internal security operation and clamp down on all street protests when it hosts a global financial gathering next week.Some 10,000 security personnel are being mobilised to ensure order during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings, the largest international conference to […]
Singapore plans a happy face for IMF-WBank delegates
SINGAPORE, Sept 8, 2006 (AFP) – Singapore, which has been criticized for its cold efficiency and indifferent service, is putting on a happy face as it prepares to host its biggest international conference. “There’s always a misconception that here is not always a vibrant place,” said Goh. “In fact the city has a lot of […]
Sri Lanka state media slams Norway over peace bid
Sept 8, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s peace broker Norway came under a scathing attack from the media here Friday amid diplomatic moves to inject new life to a collapsing ceasefire.The state-run Daily News said Norwegians had “failed” as peacebrokers and took exception to reported remarks from Norwegians that they disagreed on an international crackdown […]