Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka minister dies after blast
Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan government minister D.M. Dassanayake died in hospital Tuesday after his convoy was hit by a powerful roadside bomb near the capital, doctors said.The minister for nation building suffered severe head injuries in the attack and died while undergoing surgery, doctor Lalini Gunasekera said. Police said a fragmentation mine […]
Sri Lanka called on to offer greater devolution to Tamils
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – The European Union (EU) has stepped up pressure on Sri Lanka after the government withdrew from the truce with the Tamil Tigers, with its external relations chief calling for a peace deal that goes beyond previous “failed” offers. The EU’s Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner […]
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BRUSSELS, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – The European Union on Monday called on the Sri Lankan government to offer “substantive devolution” to Tamil rebels as fierce fighting, renewed since Colombo scrapped a ceasefire, claimed more victims.The Slovenian EU presidency voiced deep regret at the Sri Lankan government’s decision to end the truce with the rebel […]
Maldivian president escapes assassination bid: minister
Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – The president of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, escaped an assassination attempt Tuesday, a senior minister told AFP. “The president was greeting people when a young boy pulled out a knife and tried to stab him in the stomach,” Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed said by telephone from the island capital […]
Maldives president saved by 15 year old: report
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was saved by a 15-year old youth as he was stabbed by a man who had a knife concealed inside a national flag, a report said. The boy Mohamed Jaisham was treated for injuries to his hand, Minivan News, an online news service from the […]
Qatar Airways plays down Sri Lankan interest: report
Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways has played down its interest in Sri Lankan Airlines after its current managing shareholder Emirates, announced a sell out of its equity stake, reports said. Though suffering a 4.7 billion loss and badly hit by war risk insurance it managed to survive by using Maldives […]
Sri Lankan Airlines to be run by government again: official
Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will take the reigns of SriLankan Airlines after a management agreement with Emirates Airlines ends in March 2008, the head of the island’s investment promotion office said. “The president has decided that the government will run SriLankan Airlines from April,” Board of Investment chief Dhammika Perera told […]
Tech Crime
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka needs more trained investigators to probe computer crimes and common policies and laws to combat electronic crimes which can extend across borders, legal professionals have said. “We also can adopt common directives similar to the EU, otherwise countries in Asia and the Pacific will not be able to […]
Sri Lanka expects tourism boost from devout visitors
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – The arrival of a spiritual leader and his followers for a religious ceremony in Sri Lanka will boost foreign visitors in January, the war ravaged island’s tourism promotion officials said Tuesday. Some 30,000 members of the Bohra community are expected for the 10-day Ashara Mubaraka ceremony starting January 9. His […]
Sri Lanka slams Nordic nations over truce remarks
Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Monday took exception to a statement by Nordic nations which voiced distress over the situation in the Indian ocean island, where the government abrogated an Oslo-arranged truce.With fighting escalating in recent months, Colombo now believes it has the upper hand over the rebels and is in a position […]
Iran to have bigger budget despite 19 percent inflation amidst massive oil subsidies
TEHRAN, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he was seeking a 17 percent spending increase in the budget for the next Iranian year, amid concerns the government’s expansionary policies are stoking inflation.Unveiling his budget plan to parliament, Ahmadinejad argued that ordinary people in OPEC’s number two oil producer needed to see […]
China defends sovereign wealth funds
BEIJING, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – China defended the role of sovereign wealth funds, responding to fears that its own fund, China Investment Corp, might destabilise global markets, state media said Monday.It is in charge of 200 billion dollars — roughly one seventh of China’s forex reserves — and could potentially see even more funds […]