All Blogs
Indian Hindus, Muslims find miracles, but some sceptical
NEW DELHI, Aug 24, 2006 (AFP) – Barbara Rao, an American software designer of Indian descent, relies on reason in her job, but, like tens of thousands of other Hindus, is now seeking answers of a different nature.“Hey man, this is faith,” said the Santa Fe resident, as she offered milk to a statue of […]
More Canadians arrested in Tamil Tigers anti-terror sweep
OTTAWA, Aug 24, 2006 (AFP) – Three Canadian residents accused of supporting Sri Lanka’s separatist Tamil Tiger rebels were arrested this week at the cusp of a joint Canada-US anti-terror sweep and face extradition to the United States, police said Thursday.Ottawa and Washington brand the movement a foreign terrorist organization. A total 11 suspects, including […]
Departing ceasefire monitor chief slams EU in gloomy Sri Lanka outlook
COLOMBO, Aug 24, 2006 (AFP) – The outgoing chief monitor of Sri Lanka’s crumbling ceasefire Thursday criticised the EU for banning the Tamil Tiger rebels and said his warnings of a violent “worst case scenario” had come true. Brigadier General Ulf Henricsson wrote a memo to the European Union more than a month before May’s […]
Sri Lankan warplanes bomb Tiger base as aid groups hit
Aug 24, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan warplanes bombed a suspected base used by seaborne Tamil Tigers on Thursday as aid groups were hit in continuing violence that left at least three dead, the military and charities said.A 29-year-old Sri Lankan working for a New Zealand agency involved in tsunami relief was abducted and shot […]
Standing Tall
August 23, 2006 (LBO) – Overseas Realty Ceylon said Wednesday they would raise 1.25 billion rupees through a rights issue to buy up of a 60 percent stake in property developer Mireka Capital Land Private Ltd. The group owners and managers of Sri Lanka’s twin tower world trade center, will issue 69,057,200 ordinary shares valued […]
Giving Hope
August 23, 2006 (LBO) – Vanik Inc., Wednesday offered creditors a chance of swapping their debt in return for equity, and also disclosed plans to reduce the par value of its stock. Meegoda later informed the stock exchange that the shareholder who sought an EGM had sold out. The ailing firm has sought a meeting […]
High Note
August 23, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lankan apparel exports to Europe grew by as much as 30 percent in June, as manufacturers made better use of tax breaks to the EU. The industry earned 1.32 billion dollars in the first half of this year, a four percent growth, though exports to top market the United […]
Scrabble goes pink for charity
LONDON, Aug 23, 2006 (AFP) – The famous board game Scrabble is to change colour for the first time in its history, to raise money for research into breast cancer, its makers Mattel announced Wednesday.Letter tiles, racks, boards and boxes will be tinged pink, with 1.50 pounds (2.20 euros, 2.83 dollars) from each 15-pound sale […]
Marlboro Lights to go up in smoke?
WASHINGTON, Aug 23, 2006 (AFP) – They are the world’s best-selling cigarettes, a fashion prop for celebrities, an icon of marketing and the preferred smoke of millions.But if a federal judge has her way, Marlboro Lights will soon be no more in the United States. Already banned in the European Union and Brazil, so-called descriptor […]
Witness priest missing after Sri Lanka church deaths: group
Aug 23, 2006 (AFP) – A Catholic priest has gone missing after witnessing the deaths of 15 people sheltering in a church hit by shelling during fighting in northern Sri Lanka, a Tamil rights group said Wednesday.Parish priest Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown, 34, helped the injured after the church was hit 10 days ago on […]