Author: lbostgadmin
China to cut exports, boost consumption and relax exchange controls
BEIJING, June 22, 2007 (AFP) – A rise in the value of China’s currency will not in itself be enough to narrow the nation’s yawning trade surplus, a senior central bank official was quoted as saying in state media Friday.The licence scheme, know as qualified domestic institutional investors (QDII), has so far been restricted to […]
University regrets giving doctorate to money printer
NEW YORK, June 21, 2007 (AFP) – The University of Massachusetts on Thursday rebuked Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who was awarded an honorary degree by the university in 1986.The university board cited in a statement Mugabe’s award of an honorary degree by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1986 “for his actions as a ‘humane […]
” by printing money to 1.5 million percent inflation: US
LONDON, June 22, 2007 (AFP) – Zimbabwe’s government is “committing regime change on itself” with its failing economic policy which has sapped faith in the regime from the population, the US ambassador to Harare said in an interview published Friday. Mugabe however blames the woes on targeted sanctions imposed on himself and members of his […]
Women Power
June 22, 2007 (LBO) – More women are joining the construction industry, attracted by the higher wages that have risen with the boom in building activity, a senior industry official said. Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, Secretary General of the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI), said new training centres being set up by the organisation were attracting female […]
Sri Lanka tea trade wins demand on export tax usage
June 22 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea trade has won a greater say in how funds raised from a tax on tea exports are spent by the government, a senior industry official said. . Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) chairman Tyeab Akbarally said the government had acceded to industry demands and agreed to give it […]
Sri Lanka tourism plummets in May
June 22, 2007 (LBO) – Visitors to Sri Lanka plummeted 40 percent in May with Europe and East Asia showing steep falls, as an intensifying conflict, travel advisories and air raids on the capital scared away foreigners. Most listed hotel firms are reporting losses, but major operators who have operations in the Maldives have managed […]
Still Trying
June 21, 2007 (AFP) – The tsunami-devastated Galle International Stadium may not be ready to host the first Test against England later this year.England are scheduled to play at the ground, one of the world’s most picturesque cricket venues, overlooked by a centuries-old Dutch Fort, at the start of December. However, a senior official connected […]
Tiger aircraft in Sri Lanka a concern: Indian FM
SINGAPORE, June 20, 2007 (AFP) – India’s improved bilateral relations with the United States are not intended to try and contain the growing might of China, the Indian foreign minister said Wednesday in Singapore. Mukherjee arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day visit.On Wednesday, he met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and delivered […]
Sri Lanka under fire over Internet censorship
June 21, 2007 (AFP) – Media rights groups attacked Sri Lanka’s government Thursday for blocking domestic access to a website favouring the Tamil Tiger rebels and for saying it would like hackers to disable the site.Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Colombo should immediately unblock the Tamilnet.com website. “Sri Lanka’s Internet service providers have been blocking […]
Media rights bodies condemn Sri Lanka net censorship
June 21, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s top media rights body has condemned a statement by a minister who made remarks about hacking a Tamil news website which was blocked by at least two of the country’s top telecom firms, reportedly on government orders. The full statement is reproduced below: The Free Media Movement (FMM) […]
Sri Lanka UK relations strong as Queen celebrates birthday
June 21, 2007 (LBO) – Relations between Sri Lanka and Britain remained strong with a shared history, cricket and economic ties binding the two nations, the British High Commission said on the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. “The more we see others in this way, the more we can understand them and their points of […]
Sri Lanka rebel lawmakers claim wider support
June 21, 2007 (LBO) – Rebel lawmakers of the ruling party are claiming wider support to become a moderate “third force” in Sri Lanka’s politics, and said they would initiate talks with other opposition parties soon. Samaraweera is closely associated with Kumaratunga. Mangala Samaraweera, who was sacked by President Mahinda Rajapakse earlier, said the rebels […]