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Maldives frees democrazy activist
Aug 16 (AFP) – The Maldives said Wednesday it had freed a leading opposition figure as part of efforts to move the island nation towards multi-party democracy. Jennifer Latheef, who was jailed for 10 years on terror charges linked to a 2003 pro-democracy riot, was pardoned and released, the Maldivian government said in a statement. […]
South Africa pulls out of Sri Lanka cricket series
Aug 16 (AFP) – South Africa have pulled out of the limited-overs tri-series against India and hosts Sri Lanka due to security concerns after a deadly bombing, a Sri Lankan cricket official said on Wednesday. Australia and the West Indies refused to play their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka in 1996 when a powerful […]
Canada calls for ceasefire in Sri Lanka
OTTOWA, Aug 15, 2006 (AFP) – Canada called Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka and a resumption of peace negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Tamil Tigers. “Canada believes that there can be no military solution to this lengthy conflict,” Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement. “We call […]
Central bank holds Sri Lanka policy rates steady in August
August 16 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank said Wednesday it was holding rates steady, but warned that fuel subsidies were putting pressure on the balance of payments. The rate setting monetary board had decided not to raise policy interest rates but rely on open market operations to slow money supply growth, the central bank’s […]
Hidden Costs
August15 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shippers are up in arms against new levies allegedly charged by shipping lines and other vessel operators, under the guise of documentation, security and other charges. Shippers claim that they are being charged higher terminal handling fees, with instances of rates being upped from 115 dollars for a 20 foot […]
Sri Lanka tourism loses some bookings for winter; counts on regional tourism traffic
August 15 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has seen some cancellations from Europe for this year’s peak winter season following an outbreak in local violence, top industry officials said. Some cancellation of bookings have been reported for this November-December season, though others are withholding reservations and adopting a wait-and-see, Prathap Ramanujam, Secretary to the […]
New Generation
Aug 15 (LBO) –Sri Lanka’s largest mobile operator, Dialog Telekom, said it has started South Asia’s first commercial third generation mobile service, after formally receiving the license on Tuesday. Telecommunications is one of the fastest growth sectors in this South Asian island of 19.5 million people and the mobile connections per 100 people had risen […]
Poverty and conflict in South Asia breeding ground for AIDS: Experts
TORONTO, Canada, Aug 15, 2006 (AFP) – South Asia’s AIDS epidemic could smash through vulnerable populations unless India and its neighbours take the battle into high-risk areas, including the sex industry, the World Bank warned Monday.The report, issued at the world’s biggest-ever AIDS meeting, painted a picture of an HIV time bomb that ticked in […]
Arms deal made Pakistan envoy to Sri Lanka a target
Aug 15(AFP) – A bid to assassinate Pakistan’s envoy to Sri Lanka was triggered by plans for Islamabad to ship new arms to the island to battle Tamil rebels, a government spokesman said Tuesday. A similar push was launched by the Tigers Friday, according to the defence ministry, which said the military managed to resist […]
Sri Lankan protoganists jockey for power
Aug 15 (AFP) – The fiercest fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels for four years appears to be an attempt by both sides to gain the upper hand before eventual peace talks, analysts say.The Sri Lankan government ordered the closure of schools fearing rebel reprisals against school children elsewhere in a move […]