MUMBAI, August 9, 2009 (AFP) – The traditional image of finishing schools is of the Swiss Alps, where elegant young ladies from well-to-do families learn to walk, talk and make conversation before entering polite society. Now India is looking to the model for the three million or so graduates it produces every year to refine […]

‘s foreign workers

KATHMANDU, August 9, 2009 (AFP) – When Anita Gimmi was unable to find work in her native Nepal last year, she borrowed 1,300 dollars and travelled to Qatar to take up a two-year contract with a cleaning company there.Less than a year later, the 26-year-old has been forced to return home still heavily in debt […]

Sri Lanka Bogawantalawa in US tea deal with multinational

Aug 09, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea growing and marketing company Bogawantalawa Tea Estates said in a statement it was in talks with a multinational to sell packaged tea in the United States.Bogawatalawa Tea Estates manages 14 estates on 8,000 hectares at elevations of 3,000-5,000 feet and also sells tea, including iced teas, in […]

Sri Lankan hotel investment by Nepal firm Rs175mn: report

Aug 09, 2009 (LBO) – A Nepal conglomerate has paid 175 million rupees to buyout the Sri Lanka’s listed Hayleys group from two hotels it held jointly with the Jetwing leisure group, a media report said. Jetwing manages and part owns Lighthouse Hotel with the Hayleys group. It also manages listed Hunas Hotels, another Hayleys […]

‘s former war zone

August 8, 2009 (AFP) – Voting for two local councils began Saturday near Sri Lanka’s former war zone, officials said, as independent media was denied access to the area. The voting is seen as a test of popularity of President Mahinda Rajapakse after his crushing victory over the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. Election officials said […]

Australia to probe international education after India attacks

SYDNEY, August 8, 2009 (AFP) – Australia announced a sweeping review of its international education sector Saturday, as India’s foreign minister prepared to meet with students rattled by a series of attacks and study scams. Education Minister Julia Gillard said former Liberal MP and diplomat Bruce Baird would head the review, which was aimed at […]

”s profit

Aug 07, 2009 (LBO) – At this social function in Male, capital of Maldives, everyone was sipping soft drinks, coke, fanta, soda and what not. In this Islamic Republic, liquor is a taboo, but not tobacco. So, many were enjoying their cigarettes competing to fill the air with circles of smoke. I was introduced to […]

Sri Lanka grilling new Tiger leader: reports

August 7, 2009 (AFP) – The new head of the defeated Tamil Tiger separatist group was being interrogated in Sri Lanka Thursday, having been flown here following his capture in Thailand, reports said. Selvarasa Pathmanathan, better known as K.P., was brought back to Sri Lanka on Thursday and was being questioned at an undisclosed location, […]

Thailand says Tamil Tiger leader arrested in Malaysia

BANGKOK, August 7, 2009 (AFP) – Thailand’s government on Friday rejected Sri Lankan state media claims that the new leader of the defeated Tamil Tiger separatist group had been arrested in Bangkok. Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Selvarasa Pathmanathan, better known as K.P., had instead been arrested in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. “The National […]

Sri Lank Aitken Spence eye war-torn areas for tourism

Aug 07, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence said it was eyeing tourism projects in the north and east of the island after the end of an internal conflict though group earnings dropped as arrivals slumped both at home and in the Maldives. “We are vigorously looking at opportunities in all sectors to partner […]

Sri Lanka Keells Hotels halves losses

Aug 07, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells Hotels said it had halved losses in the June 2009 quarter to 150 million rupees from a year ago as tourists arrivals slumped with the global recession.But the continuing fall in arrivals, low occupancy levels and increased competition and capacity, could affect their performance in the […]

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