Sri Lankans are encouraged to be poor by politicians: minister

June 20, 2009 (LBO) – Politicians are responsible for killing the entrepreneur spirit of Sri Lankans by making them believe ‘capitalism’ is evil and poverty is better, a senior minister has said. Deng had originally studied and worked in France where he is said to have learned Marxism. Under his rule, very basic reforms ranging […]

Mathews, Dilshan see Sri Lanka into final

LONDON, June 19, 2009 (AFP) – Angelo Mathews’s astonishing first over treble strike and Tillekaratne Dilshan’s 96 not out helped see Sri Lanka into the World Twenty20 final with a 57-run win over the West Indies at the Oval Friday. Sri Lanka, the only unbeaten side still in the tournament, will face Pakistan – a […]

”’ Dilshan

LONDON, June 19, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara hailed Tillekaratne Dilshan as a “pioneer” on Friday after the opener hit an unbeaten 96 to lead his side past West Indies and into the World Twenty20 final. “To get three top order batsmen out is a great start.We have a great bowling attack, […]

Stanford: the man who hit cricket (and banks) for six

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2009 (AFP) – Texan billionaire financier Allen Stanford has long had a love of luxury and the finer things in life, such as tropical islands, but he is also no stranger to controversy.When he unveiled his 20 million dollar winner takes all Twenty20 match between his Caribbean Superstars and England, many in […]

UN says two staff members arrested in Sri Lanka

June 20, 2009 (AFP) – The United Nations said on Sunday that two of its employees working among tens of thousands of war-displaced civilians had been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities.The two men, both ethnic Sri Lankan Tamils, were reported missing eight days ago and were subsequently discovered to have been taken into custody by […]

‘s Mendis confident he remains a mystery

LONDON, June 18, 2009 (AFP) – Unorthodox Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis insisted Thursday ahead of the World Twenty20 semi-final with the West Indies that “no batsman has figured me out yet”. Mendis had to undergo surgery to remove shrapnel from his scalp and back following March’s attack by armed militants on Sri Lanka’s team […]

Sri Lanka war risk insurance rating lowered

June 19, 2009 (LBO) – International underwriters in London have lowered the war risk rating for Sri Lanka following the defeat by government forces of Tamil Tigers, paving the way for reducing insurance premiums on sea and air cargo. Sri Lanka is the global war risk list. The underwriters still have not reduced the surcharge […]

India asks US, China to restart stalled Doha round

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2009 (AFP) – India on Thursday called on the United States, China and other powers to return to talks immediately to frame a world trade accord instead of waiting for recovery from the global economic crisis.“We live in times when the people are anxious.This economic challenge cannot be resolved by waiting and […]

Michelin to invest 1.0 billion euros in India: report

NEW DELHI, June 18, 2009 (AFP) – French tyre giant Michelin, which has announced plans to shed nearly 1,100 jobs in France, may invest more than one billion euros (1.39 billion dollars) over 10 years in a factory in India, an Indian newspaper reported Thursday.The group declined to confirm the amount but recalled that it […]

Sri Lankan tea production falters in May

June 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea production in May dropped 22.7 percent to 25.54 million kilos from a year ago owing to the effects of drought, a Tea Board official said. Tea production in the year to May was down 26.9 percent to 105.5 million kilos but a recovery is expected in the […]

Sri Lankan stocks up 8.9-pct over week, 63.5-pct in 2009

June 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up 8.9 percent for the week Friday, up 63.5 percent for the year, with stronger foreign buying interest coming to the market, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Price Index closed up 1.99 percent (47.94 points) to end at 2,451.91 Friday while the Milanka index […]

Sri Lanka repays US$125mn in foreign loans

June 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has repaid 125 million US dollars from a dollar loan arranged by Standard Chartered Bank last year, as lenders exercised an option, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. Under Sri Lanka’s monetary law, the Central Bank acts as ‘banker’ to the government.The government’s debt office is also a […]

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