Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka desiccated coconut exports restrained by nut shortfall
Jan 21, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lanka’s exports of desiccated coconut (DC) were far below the island’s potential last year due to insufficient coconuts to keep mills running, exporters said.Sunil Watawala, former president of the DC Millers Association, said DC is the island’s main kernel product that is competitive in international markets as local coconut […]
Sri Lanka stocks steady, cement firm draws interest
Jan 21, 2008 (LBO) — Trading in Lanka Cement picked up Monday on reports that an Indian firm may start a cement plant in Jaffna and the broader market was steady in a day when global markets plunged. Shipping cement to Tamil Nadu from Jaffna would be cheaper than trucking it from plants in India […]
Sri Lanka says independence celebrations on despite Tiger threat
Jan 20, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka will hold large-scale civilian and military independence day celebrations in the capital next month despite fears of Tamil rebel attacks, officials said Sunday. Security will be increased further ahead of the 60th Freedom Day on February 4, with 4,100 extra security personnel bolstering thousands of police and soldiers […]
‘s three-wheelers driven off the road
LONDON, Jan 19, 2008 (AFP) – Britain’s first fleet of tuk-tuks have been run off the roads by “archaic legislation”, the owner said Saturday.The colourful fleet of 12 three-wheeled motorised rickshaws, called tuk-tuks after the sound of the engine, have been patrolling the seafront at Brighton, southern England, since July 2006. But Dominic Ponniah of […]
India software giants wary of US slowdown
BANGALORE, India, Jan 20, 2008 (AFP) – India’s major software firms say a US economic slowdown may bring more customers seeking cost savings, but analysts warn that the once red-hot sector faces tough times in 2008. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys Technologies and Wipro, whose latest earnings were hit by a sharp gain in the […]
Carbon Disclosure Project to assess world business CO2 footprint
WASHINGTON, Jan 20, 2008 (AFP) – The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a consortium of 315 top institutional investors assessing industries about their CO2 emissions, announced Sunday a new partnership to extend its global initiative to companies and suppliers. With members including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Allianz and HSBC that manage assets of more than 41 […]
Stereotype
Jan 20, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lankan writers trying to break into the international arena are facing a barrier from foreign publishers who expect books themed on the three-decade long conflict in the island.She says budding authors also need publishers who provide guidance with good editors who will help spruce up a book. “The books […]
Sri Lanka too risky, Russian tourists told
Jan 20, 2007 (LBO) –Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued a recommendation to Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Sri Lanka in the wake of growing terrorist activity by the Tamil Tigers. “This organization has noticeably stepped up its terrorist activity of late,” a source at the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass […]
Sri Lanka says 32 killed in fresh violence
Jan 19, 2008 (AFP) – At least 31 Sri Lankan guerrillas and one soldier were killed in heavy fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels across the embattled north, the defence ministry said on Saturday. The rebels died in clashes Friday and early Saturday in the Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna districts bordering the de […]
ADB need to push reforms, governance and fiscal responsibility harder: study
MANILA, Jan 18, 2008 (AFP) – The Asian Development Bank admitted in an internal study released Friday that some of its loans to poor countries over the last few years had failed to achieve all their goals. The release of the study comes after reports that disillusioned major donor nations such as the US and […]
Criminal Risk
Jan 19, 2007 (LBO) – The legality of Sri Lanka’s casinos is uncertain and the lack of supervision could opened them to be controlled by criminals, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. “Illegal profits are co-mingled with legitimate income in the placement and layering stages of money laundering.” The lack of regulation also made […]
Counter Terror
Jan 19, 2007 (LBO) – The United States has said Sri Lanka could get more support in its war against Tamil Tiger terrorism if the island improves its human rights record. A U.S embassy statement said the two countries discussed co-operation against Tamil Tiger terrorism during a visit by Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of […]