Maldives releases cricket WCup terror suspect

March 27, 2011 (AFP) – Maldives police said Sunday they had released a man suspected of plotting an attack on the cricket World Cup taking place in South Asia. Maldivian national Iqbal Mohamed, 42, was arrested on March 10 as he arrived at Male International airport from Pakistan following a tip-off from the international police […]

Credit Trend

Mar 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka loans to business from commercial banks rose 28.1 percent in January 2011 from a year earlier to 1,530 billion rupees, central bank data showed as inflation concerns also rose in the island. Under Sri Lanka’s flawed monetary law, which critics say has made the country prone to high […]

Fast Decisions

Mar 28, 2011 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government is seeking private investment proposals to modernise the neglected transport system and will give investors speedy approvals, a senior official said. A new transport master plan is being prepared to economically move people and freight, said Dhammika Perera, secretary to the ministry of transport. Investments are […]

Sri Lanka shares close down 0.42-pct

Mar 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed down Monday with continuing interest seen in a cable firm and several private deals in an asset-rich pharmaceutical retailer, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 7,210. 09, down 0.42 percent (30.18 points) while the more liquid Milanka index was barely changed at 6,838.41, […]

Sangakkara hails attack-minded Sri Lanka

March 26, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara credited his bowlers for keeping up the pressure on England right from the first ball in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. The Sri Lankan skipper said his team would not be complacent despite the huge victory. “It is important to be confident but we […]

Sri Lanka put weary England out of misery

NEW DELHI, March 26, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka ended England’s gruelling five-month global odyssey with a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph on Saturday to set up a World Cup semi-final showdown against New Zealand. Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan, with 108 not out, and Upul Tharanga, who hit an unbeaten 102, enjoyed their second 200-plus partnership of the […]

Sri Lanka invites New Zealand PM for semi-finals

March 27, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday invited New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to witness the cricket World Cup semi-finals between the two nations on Tuesday, an official said. Rajapakse asked Key to visit the island after the home team crushed England by 10 wickets on Saturday to reach […]

‘s Earth Hour for six

March 27, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka put off marking “Earth Hour” because it clashed with the cricket World Cup, an official said Sunday. Sri Lanka had joined the WWF drive to switch off lights for an hour on Saturday to display its green credentials, but the day-night match between England and the home team […]

Bulls turn bears on India as doubts grow

NEW DELHI, March 27, 2011 (AFP) – Investors have turned bearish on India despite government forecasts of nine percent economic growth, as concerns over widespread corruption and high inflation knock confidence, analysts say. Only a few months ago investors were pouring into Indian equities, seeing the country as a promising high-growth market and talking about […]

” circles the globe

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2011 (AFP) – Lights went off around the world Saturday as landmark buildings and ordinary homes flipped their switches while the annual “Earth Hour” circled the planet in what was dubbed the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment. In Paris a minute’s silence was observed for Japan as the city of […]

Indian PM commits to reforms

NEW DELHI, March 26, 2011 (AFP) – India’s prime minister has reaffirmed his Congress-led government’s commitment to economic reforms as the administration battles a host of corruption scandals. Economic liberalisation had “ended old opportunities for corruption and favouritism… but human ingenuity and the desire to make a quick buck are such that the greedy are […]

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