Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka advances on Tigers amid international pressure
April 16, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Thursday it had made fresh advances into the area still held by Tamil Tiger rebels, ignoring global calls for a truce to rescue thousands of civilians trapped by the fighting. Arguing the civilians were being used as a human shield, the island’s defence ministry said its forces […]
India begins voting in marathon election
NEW DELHI, April 16, 2009 (AFP) – Indians voted in their tens of millions Thursday as month-long general elections — the world’s largest democratic exercise — kicked off with little hope of a clear winner at the end of it all.From the southern tropical state of Kerala to the Himalayan foothills of Kashmir in the […]
Medical Mediator
April 16, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s insurance ombudsman has advocated the creation of a similar office to cover the island’s rapidly growing private hospital sector and settle complaints by patients. Wickrama Weerasooriya said the concept of ombudsman is now proving to bring quick relief while legal delays could be attributed to lawyers and litigation […]
Port Proposals
April 16, 2009 (LBO) – Fourteen potential investors have collected bid documents to build and operate a container terminal in a new port coming up next to Colombo harbour, Sri Lankan government officials said. A notable absence is Dubai Ports World, another big global port operator, which is heavily involved in operating container terminals in […]
Sri Lanka stocks close 0.5-pct up
Apr 16, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up Thursday in thin trading, with investors still to return in full strength to the market after a traditional New Year holiday season, brokers said. JKH extended its offer to buy out the remaining stake of its insurance subsidiary Union Assurance Limited. Dialog Telekom a subsidiary […]
Sri Lanka JKH extends deadline for Union Assurance offer
April 16, 3009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings (JKH) has extended the deadline for shareholders of Union Assurance, in which it gained full control after buying out Carsons Cumberbatch, the other main shareholder.JKH said the offer was extended due to public holidays over the local New Year holiday season which falls in April. […]
Economic crisis a gift to people traffickers: Australia
NUSA DUA, April 15, 2009 (AFP) – People traffickers are licking their lips as the world economic downturn pushes more people to migrate in search of work, Australia’s foreign minister told Asian ministers Wednesday.Stephen Smith told a gathering of ministers and high-level officials from more than 60 countries, mostly from the Asia-Pacific region, that the […]
Sri Lanka gets ADB funds for power projects
April 15, 2009 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will provide 160 million US dollars in loans to Sri Lanka to expand and improve electricity services, especially to the poor and those living in conflict-affected areas. The funds will be used to support energy efficiency improvements, to develop the use of renewable […]
EU presidency urges truce extension in Sri Lanka
BRUSSELS, April 14, 2009 (AFP) – The EU presidency on Tuesday welcomed the Sri Lankan government’s two-day pause in its offensive against Tamil rebels, but called for a longer halt amid grave concerns over civilian safety. The EU statement stressed that both sides of the conflict should respect human rights and international humanitarian law. The […]
Sri Lankan troops, Tigers trade fire as ceasefire ends
April 15, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops resumed their offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the northeast at the end of a 48-hour ceasefire, the two sides said early Wednesday.The government had wanted the Tigers to free civilians during the break in fighting, but military officials said there was no large exodus over the […]
Heavy fighting resumes in Sri Lanka
April 15, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops resumed their all-out offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island on Wednesday following a brief holiday ceasefire, officials said. They were also consolidating positions in recently captured areas, and on Tuesday recovered several surface to air missiles and hundreds of landmines stored by […]
Sri Lanka fighting resumes after ceasefire
April 15, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan security forces resumed their offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island on Wednesday following a brief holiday ceasefire, the two sides said.The navy attacked two Tamil Tiger boats that tried to approach the coastline on Wednesday, killing at least 10 guerrillas, navy spokesman Captain […]