Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka headline inflation extends fall below core
Feb 07, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s headline inflation fell further below the country’s controversial core inflation number, mimicking the US experience in the early 1980s, amid a deflating commodity bubble and fresh attempts to tinker with the index. The latest twist comes at a time when, not only the concept of targeting ‘core’ inflation, […]
Britain deplores stoning of Sri Lanka aid offices
LONDON, February 6, 2009 (AFP) – The British government said it deplored Friday’s stoning of the Red Cross offices in Colombo, saying the ICRC was a neutral body carrying out vital work to protect Sri Lankan civilians. “The British government has recently allocated a further 2.5 million pounds (3.7 million dollars, 2.9 million euros) to […]
Galle literary festival, Sri Lanka; seeking freedom in prose
Feb 07, 2009 (LBO) – “I happen to be in love with dictators,” says Moses Isegawa, a Ugandan author whose life had been shaped by the likes of former dictator Idi Amin, and who eventually left his home country to write from abroad.“Every word is a vote,” insists Anam. V V Ganeshanthan, whose debut novel […]
Sri Lanka warns Tigers to surrender or risk rout
February 7, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse warned cornered Tamil Tiger rebels to surrender or face a complete rout as government forces claimed more successes in what is regarded as their fight to a finish.“I want to tell the Tigers ‘lay down arms and surrender to security forces’,” the president told a […]
‘s legendary cedars
BAROUK, February 7, 2009 (AFP) – Lebanon’s majestic cedar trees have withstood the test of time for centuries but climate change is threatening the country’s most treasured symbol. Used by various civilisations throughout history for their strong and durable wood, Lebanon’s cedars are now on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “Red List” as […]
Sri Lanka mob stones Red Cross office
February 6, 2009 (AFP) – A mob stoned the main office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Friday, smashing windows, a spokeswoman told AFP.The crowd of protestors, estimated to number around 200, shouted slogans, including “ICRC go home,” before being dispersed by police, spokeswoman Sophie Romanens […]
‘s record-smashing Murali reveals secret of success
February 6, 2009 (AFP) – History-making Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan says mental toughness and hard work are the keys to success in international cricket.“It’s not all that sweet. It’s not easy to go on for such a long time because you have your ups and downs,” said Muralitharan, 36, after becoming the highest wicket-taker […]
Sri Lankan troops take more Tiger bases
February 6, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops captured several Tamil Tiger supply bases on Friday, a day after overrunning the rebels’ last and largest naval base, military officials said. There has been growing concern for the safety of civilians amid reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross that “hundreds” have already been […]
Black wolves got their hue from domestic dogs
WASHINGTON, February 5, 2009 (AFP) – Black wolves, found nearly exclusively in North America, likely inherited their coats from breeding with domestic dogs, according to a study published Thursday.The dogs of the earliest Native Americans or of European immigrants probably contributed to the genetic variability of their wild counterparts, researchers from Stanford University and the […]
Talk Time
Feb 06, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka telco Lanka Bell has slashed international tariffs to India to 7.00 rupees from the earlier 12.00 a minute for fixed phones and 25.0 rupees for mobiles, the company said. “With this new rate Lanka Bell becomes the Sri Lankan telecommunication company that offers the lowest call charges to […]
Sri Lanka tea prices fall
Feb 06, 2009 (LBO) – Prices of Sri Lankan tea fell on lower demand at this week’s Colombo auctions, breaking an upward trend that began with the first sale of the year, brokers said.High-priced teas from the low grown regions, which produce the bulk of the national crop, suffered the worst falls. “The market for […]
Sri Lanka tea factory firm makes loss after price collapse
Feb 06, 2009 (LBO) – The collapse in Sri Lankan tea prices towards the end of last year has caused a loss of 35 million rupees at Tea Smallholder Factories, a listed unit of John Keells Holdings, in the December quarter.Tea Smallholder Factories said net profit for the nine months ending December 31, 2008 was […]