HAVANA, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – Parliament Chief Ricardo Alarcon, one of Cuba’s top leaders, called on all Cubans Tuesday to “stay united” and uphold “the dignity of this homeland,” following President Fidel Castro’s announcement he is withdrawing from power.“We have to promise him (Castro) that all of us together, now and forever, will be […]

Oil hits record 100.10 dollars

NEW YORK, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – The price of oil in New York spiked to a record 100.10 dollars a barrel Tuesday on supply concerns. The price for a barrel of light, sweet crude, eclipsed the record set in January of 100.09 dollars a barrel. The market rallied amid speculation that the Organization of […]

Sri Lanka coconut palms hit by deadly yellowing disease

Feb 20, 2008 (LBO) – A bacteria spreading the lethal yellowing disease on coconut palms has entered Sri Lanka destroying more than 200,000 trees in the southern coast of the island, coconut experts say. The bacteria known as ˜phytoplasma™ came through a shipment of ornamental palms that were not quarantined before entering the island, Salinda […]

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals steady in January

Feb 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka received 56,916 tourists in January, around the same level as last year with a sharp increase in visitors from Russia which the tourism promotion office has identified as a new target market. January numbers were boosted in both 2007 and 2008 by the arrival of a spiritual leader […]

Sri Lanka saved by Sangakkara century

ADELAIDE, Australia, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – The class of Kumar Sangakkara once again revived Sri Lanka after a dismal start with the bat in their crucial tri-series clash with India here Tuesday. The Sri Lankan cause wasn’t helped by three runs outs, two dreadfully unlucky, but Sangakkara’s polished 128 helped them recover from a […]

Sangakkara century lifts Sri Lanka

ADELAIDE, Australia, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – The class of Kumar Sangakkara once again revived Sri Lanka after a dismal start with the bat in their crucial tri-series clash with India here Tuesday.The Sri Lankan cause wasn’t helped by three runs outs, two dreadfully unlucky, but Sangakkara’s polished 128 helped them recover from a disastrous […]

Sri Lanka drop Jayasuriya for West Indies tour

Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan cricket selectors here Tuesday dropped Sanath Jayasuriya for the tour of the West Indies starting next month and brought back left-arm fast bowler Thilina Thushara Mirando.The full Sri Lankan squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Thilan Samaraweera, T M Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan, […]

Aussie coach tells tourists to mind their own business

ADELAIDE, Feb 18, 2008 (AFP) – Australian coach Tim Nielsen told the touring Indians and Sri Lankans here Monday to worry about their own form instead of concerning themselves with the home side’s performances.Nielsen was responding to claims from both that the Australians were struggling, despite being the clear leader on the tri-series ladder. Sri […]

Platinum breaks through 2,100 dollars for first time

LONDON, Feb 18, 2008 (AFP) – The price of platinum on Monday struck a record high above 2,100 dollars owing to a tight supply situation, dealers said. On the London Platinum and Palladium Market, platinum struck a record 2,119 dollars an ounce. It later stood at 2,090 dollars as profit-taking set in. The latest advance […]

”: Russian firm

NEW DELHI, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – India could soon begin producing “original” Kalashnikov assault rifles under licence and stop buying knock-offs of the ubiquitous weapon, a Russian firm said Tuesday. Speaking at the end of a four-day weapons fair in New Delhi, Izhmash JSC said it was negotiating with India on the local production […]

Money Launder

Feb 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank says it has strengthened an anti-money laundering and warns the public against engaging in illegal transactions. “The Central Bank warns the public to be aware of the dangers of getting involved in unlawful financial transactions that are detrimental to public or national interest and the country’s […]

Talent Gap

Feb 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms have called for more investment to improve English standards and reduce education costs to get the required number of qualified people for the growing sector. “There’s got to be an opportunity for Sri Lanka there.” “If we tackle English, we may have a […]

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