Author: lbostgadmin
Way Open
SYDNEY, Jan 15, 2008 (AFP) – Nauru authorities have dropped sexual assault charges against six Sri Lankan asylum seekers, paving the way for their claims to be processed, Australian immigration officials said Tuesday. The six are among the last asylum seekers held in an Australian immigration detention centre on the Pacific island which Australian Prime […]
Sri Lankan hotels in bid to raise earnings despite tourism downturn
Jan 15, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan city hotels have announced plans to impose tough rules to raise standards and deliver a better service to tourists with the aim of earning more money after a recent rate hike. “The tourists go to a hotel with an expectation and it (hotel) is doomed if he sees […]
At Sea
Jan 15, 2008 (LBO) – A week-long campaign by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in Colombo and ports in the sub-continent has helped seafarers win better pay and working conditions, the organisation said. “Despite this nine vessels were inspected and when the team was denied access to the Queen Arrow 1, some 40 activists […]
Sri Lanka says no immediate ban on Tamil Tigers
Jan 14, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government Monday told a visiting Japanese peace envoy that there was no immediate need to proscribe the Tamil Tigers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the government was going ahead with its plans to present peace proposals despite its withdrawal from a ceasefire with […]
Sri Lankan jeep team mates in Malaysian rainforest challenge
Jan 14, 2008(LBO) – A Sri Lankan team which participated in the Malaysian Rainforest Challenge and emerged first runner up, relates the story of a challenging 10-day course through the Terengganu tropical rainforest. 2007 Rainforest Challenge news 2007 Rainforest Challenge photos Driver Indika Sanjaya and co-driver Navin Marapana were 21 points behind the winners, a […]
Sri Lanka names pace packed squad for cricket series
Jan 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket selectors on Monday named a pace-oriented squad for the upcoming one-day series in Australia also featuring India.Sri Lanka’s one-day squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Dilruwan Perera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, […]
China sets 2008 inflation target at 4.6 percent
SHANGHAI, Jan 14, 2008 (AFP) – China has set an initial inflation target of 4.6 percent for 2008, up from three percent last year, state media reported Monday, reflecting a recent spike in the prices of consumer products. The National Development and Reform Commission also set a target for economic growth this year of eight […]
Maldives economy slows in 2007: central bank
MALE, Jan 14, 2008 (AFP) – Economic growth in the Maldives slowed to 6.6 percent in 2007, the islands’ central bank said Monday as high oil prices and a drop in the fish catch impacted on the economy. Economic growth, down from a staggering 19 percent in 2006, was however better than the 5.5 percent […]
Sri Lanka Union Assurance tops regional accounting awards
Jan 14, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Union Assurance has won a top South Asian breitling replica watch regional award for its annual report soon after it bagged a top spot in a competition run by the island’s own accounting body. The South Asian award came just after the Union Assurance won ‘Overall Best Annual […]
No Justice
Jan 14, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan man has been released from prison after spending 50 years on remand, his lawyer said Monday.D.P. James, now 80, was arrested in August 1958 for attacking and wounding his father with a knife. He was sent to jail, then moved to a psychiatric hospital, and then discharged […]
Sri Lanka stops pepper exports to India under free trade deal
Jan 14, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has stopped exporting pepper under the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) because of restrictions imposed by India, a top exporter has said. Gulam Chatoor, former chairman of the Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association said India’s imposition of a cap of 2,500 tonnes a year on […]
Sri Lanka bonds up again, bills lower
Jan 14, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka bonds edged up slightly Monday but 3-month bill yields are expected to move down further at Wednesday’s auction, dealers said.In the secondary market 3-month bills were trading at 18.45/19.00 percent against a weighted average of 20.12 percent at the last auction, while 6-month bills were quoted at 18.90/19.25 […]