Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lankan media faces increasing harassment
March 23, 2008 (LBO) – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a media freedom watchdog, has written to Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse urging him to probe a recent spate of attacks on journalists and ensure their protection. The New Yorkbased, independent, non-profit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide, said in a statement […]
‘s Warnapura plays down maiden Test hundred
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Malinda Warnapura feels he has a long way to go before anyone can put his name in the same bracket with Sanath Jayasuriya. The left-hander was speaking after he collected his maiden Test hundred against West Indies on the opening day of the opening Test at the Guyana […]
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan hit by Twenty20 tournament
March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s proposed series of one-day internationals against Pakistan next month is in jeopardy due to a clash of dates with the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Sri Lanka had offered to play in the short series following a pull-out by Australia from a full tour of Pakistan in March-April due […]
Excess cash, peg to weak dollar fuel Gulf inflation
MANAMA, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Abundant liquidity, triggered by sharply higher oil revenues, and the effect of currencies pegged to a weakening dollar are fueling inflation in the Gulf region, economists say. And the situation is so serious that Gulf business leaders will meet in Bahrain on Monday to get advice from the International […]
‘s Warnapura but Windies fightback
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 22, 2008 (AFP) – Three wickets in the final period, including the scalp of Malinda Warnapura for a maiden Test hundred of 120, wobbled Sri Lanka after their batsmen revelled in the opening Test against West Indies on Saturday. Left-hander Warnapura, opening the batting, maximised ideal conditions to give Sri Lanka a […]
Asian giants seen keeping US trove despite dollar plunge
TOKYO, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – With the dollar plunging and the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates, markets are on alert for any signs that foreign investors, particularly in Asia, are buying fewer US assets.But while some private investors may be heading for the exit, analysts say the authorities in Japan and China look set […]
US, Russia, China in fierce battle to sell fighter jets in Asia
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – The United States is bracing for tough competition from Russia and China as cash-flush Asian economies look up to the trio for a new breed of fighter jets to beef up their air forces, experts say. Japan, India, Australia and South Korea are keen to have the most modern, […]
Censorship
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Books written by academics based in Sri Lanka which were printed abroad had been seized by the island’s customs authorities, in a move which could be a new form of censorship, a media report said. The Sunday Times newspaper said a book by economic researcher Mutukrisna Sarvanandan, from the Point […]
Sri Lanka should liberalize edible oil imports: coconut exporters
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exporters of value added coconut products are asking to authorities to free edible oil imports, so that profits from oil milling would fall, freeing more nuts for other industries. Sri Lanka’s coconut milk powder, coconut cream and desiccated coconut producers have been found their cost of production increasing […]
‘s Daim Zainuddin
Mar 22, 2008 (LBO) – Many East Asian Tiger economies like Malaysia are now famed for fiscal prudence, running surpluses on their current and overall budgets, and low inflation. But they were not always so disciplined. Countries like Sri Lanka are still not able to balance current spending with government revenues and the public sector […]
Ten sailors missing after Sri Lanka blast: navy
March 22, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan navy craft was destroyed in a sea mine blast off the island’s north-eastern coast Saturday, leaving at least 10 sailors missing, a navy spokesman said. Six sailors from the fast attack craft (FAC) were rescued by another boat patrolling the waters off the Tamil Tiger stronghold of […]
Sri Lanka Tigers sink navy craft, heavy land battles erupt
March 22, 2008 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels struck back against a mounting Sri Lankan military offensive on Saturday by sinking a naval fast attack craft, leaving 10 sailors missing, officials said. A navy craft was destroyed in a “mystery blast” caused by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the defence ministry said, adding […]