Author: lbostgadmin
Sri Lanka needs monitoring mission: rights group
Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka urgently needs an international rights monitoring mission following Colombo’s decision to pull out of a ceasefire pact with Tamil rebels, a London-based rights group said Saturday.The Minority Rights Group International said Colombo’s decision to formally withdraw from the ceasefire deal with the rebels would result in escalating violence. […]
The sniper of Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Through the sights of a high-powered rifle the silhouette of a soldier takes shape in the window of a concrete watchtower.A shot rings out and the body collapses like a puppet, falling from view. Juba has struck again. A new video of the mysterious marksman of the Islamic Army […]
Free Trade
Jan 05, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and India have reached agreement on improving access for the island’s exports like tea to the Indian market but have yet to conclude a deal on trade in services, trade officials said. The latest round of talks between the two neighbours on a new trade deal ended in […]
Kala Pola
Jan 05, 2008 (LBO) – An annual open air art fair in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo will see more than 300 artists and sculptors displaying their creations and also be a meeting place for thousands of art lovers and buyers, its organizers said. The Kala Pola or ‘art marketplace’ is being held for the […]
Gassing Up
Jan 04, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s second cooking gas retailer raised prices by 17 percent Thursday on a formula approved by the consumer authority while the minister in charge said advance notice of price increases should not be given. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has not raised prices since July. After fuel prices were fixed, […]
” by end of truce in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – The United States on Thursday said it was “troubled” by the Sri Lankan government’s decision on Wednesday to end its 2002 truce with Tamil Tiger rebels, and urged both sides to avoid further fighting. “The United States is troubled” by the Sri Lankan government’s decision, State Department spokesman Sean […]
Sri Lanka needs UN monitors, says rights group
WASHINGTON, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – Human Rights Watch called Thursday for a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka in the wake of the breakdown of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tamil Tiger secessionists.The New York-based group said new monitors were needed to replace the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring […]
”’s role in peace deal
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is looking at redefining the role of Norway in the county’s peace effort following its decision to terminate a truce with the Tamil Tigers with effect from January 16, 2008, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a news conference Friday. .Updated The Sri Lankan government Thursday formally notified Norway […]
Obama beats Clinton in Iowa, Huckabee top Republican
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – Democrat Barack Obama triumphed in the first 2008 White House nominating contest Thursday, dealing a severe blow to Hillary Clinton’s hopes and boosting his own chances of being the first black US president.“We are choosing hope over fear.We’re choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message […]
Sri Lankan tea may be lifted by Kenyan unrest
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices could be pushed higher if violence in Kenya, the world’s biggest tea exporter, disrupts supplies to the world market, trade officials said. The violence in Pakistan, a big tea consumer nation, could on the other hand dampen demand, they said. There has been no impact yet […]
Sri Lanka needs better budgets for low inflation: central bank
Jan 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank governor Nivard Cabraal said better budgets were needed to lower inflation, as heavy government borrowings made it difficult to conduct effective monetary policy. “The conduct of a successful monetary policy, while facing a high budget deficit is a challenging task,” he said in a speech outlining […]
Record Highs
NEW YORK, Jan 2, 2008 (AFP) – Oil prices spiked to record closing highs within striking distance of 100 dollars a barrel Wednesday, triggering inflation jitters that weighed on the US stock market. “Crude prices are drawing some support from (expectations of) a further decline in crude stocks in a weekly US inventories report,” said […]