Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka orders Red Cross to quit former war zone
November 21, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s government has ordered the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to close its offices in the island’s former war zone, the Geneva-based humanitarian agency said Sunday. The conflict ended when the rebels were wiped out in a military offensive that has since triggered allegations of war crimes. […]
China cricket on five-year learning curve, says coach
GUANGZHOU, November 21, 2010 (AFP) – China coach and former Pakistan international Rashid Khan believes his team will be a powerful force within five years despite a crushing Asian Games defeat to Malaysia on Sunday. In the first ever men’s match played in Chinese soil, Malaysia were too strong for the host nation, racking up […]
Piracy Attempt
TOKYO, November 21, 2010 (AFP) – A small, unidentified ship opened fire on a container vessel run by a Japanese logistics firm, in an apparent piracy attack in the Indian Ocean, a report said late Saturday. None of container ship’s 24 crew members, all non-Japanese, was injured in the incident Saturday, Kyodo News reported, quoting […]
Maldives turns to Sri Lanka for dollars as IMF suspends deal
Nov 20, 2010 (LBO) – Maldives has had discussions with Sri Lanka on the possibility of gaining access to a hard currency as money printing created dollar shortages and the International Monetary Fund suspended a deal with the archipelago. The International Monetary Fund suspended a deal with the archipelago as the state was unable to […]
Paranavitana, Jayawardene help Sri Lanka draw Test
GALLE, November 19, 2010 (AFP) – Tharanga Paranavitana hit an impressive 95 and Mahela Jayawardene a solid 58 to help Sri Lanka draw the opening Test against the West Indies on Friday. Sri Lanka, following on 202 runs behind, reached 241-4 in their second innings when play was called off due to rain after tea […]
Sri Lanka in final stretch for gold ETFs
Nov 20, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has hammered out a regulatory framework for exchange traded funds (ETFs), a pooled investment scheme, which will also allow precious metals to be traded on the Colombo Stock Exchange from next year, an official said. Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Malik Cader said that the […]
Sri Lanka entrepreneur warns against state push into business
Nov 19, 2010 (LBO) – A recent state push into business is taking away opportunities available for the private sector to expand their wings at the end of a 30-year war, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur has warned. “Government is trying to compete (against private citizens), it could be hotels, insurance and any other area,” W […]
Sri Lanka president sworn in for a second term
Nov 19, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in for a second six year term in office Friday, a day after his birthday which was celebrated with a 15,000 kilogram ‘milk rice’ by the island’s top chefs. President took his oaths before the country’s Chief Justice in a nationally televised ceremony. […]
Fed Hack
NEW YORK, November 18, 2010 (AFP) – A sophisticated Malaysian cyber bandit hacked into the US Federal Reserve’s computers and also stole nearly half a million credit and debit card numbers, US prosecutors in New York said. Brian Parr, the head of the Secret Service’s New York office, said cyber crimes “not only affect our […]
Sri Lanka should channel capital flows to direct investment: rating official
Nov 18, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka can expect higher post-war growth, with lower inflation, higher employment provided deficit spending can be checked and capital inflows channeled to direct investment, a senior rating official said. “The two key reasons underpinning growth is the return of peace and all that it implies for investor confidence,” Roopa […]
‘s jailed ex-army chief in hospital: party
November 17, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former military chief Sarath Fonseka, who is serving a 30-month jail sentence, was admitted to hospital after suffering breathing problems, his party said Wednesday. The ex-army chief has said the government is seeking revenge for his decision to stand against the president. The former general was unwell due […]
‘s powerful president settles in for the long-haul
November 18, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse kicks off a second term Friday, promising economic rebirth for the war-ravaged island with the help of nations who have snubbed Western calls for a war crimes probe. Rajapakse, who turned 65 Thursday, begins his fresh, six-year mandate from an unprecedented position of strength following […]