Sri Lanka troops take key highway from Tigers

COLOMBO, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan forces have captured a strategic highway in the island’s restive eastern province which was under Tamil Tiger control for 15 years, the defence ministry said Thursday.Troops took control Wednesday of the A-5 road linking the town of Chenkaladi and Badulla in the central part of the island, […]

England hopes alive after win over Bangladesh

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 11, 2007 (AFP) – England thwarted another strong challenge from Bangladesh’s spinners to register a much-needed four-wicket win in a World Cup Super Eights match here on Wednesday. Mushfiqur Rahim (seven) also failed to live up to the expectations as Bangladesh were struggling at 65-6 before Hasan and Mortaza gave the total […]

Sangakkara puts his faith in Sri Lankan way

ST GEORGE’S, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara said it was vital his side kept faith with the style of cricket that won them the 1996 World Cup if they were to lift the trophy for a second time. Sanath Jayasuriya, still a key member of the side and Romesh Kaluwitharana, […]

‘s pay rise: report

HONG KONG, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz personally ordered the hefty pay rise given to his girlfriend at the bank, the Financial Times website reported on Thursday. It cited two people who had seen a memo from Wolfowitz to the head of human resources spelling out the terms of the […]

India test fires ballistic missile capable of reaching China

BHUBANESWAR, India, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – India on Thursday test-fired a nuclear-capable medium-range ballistic missile which can reach the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai, defence sources said. The launch of the Agni-III missile took place from Wheeler Island, 180 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the capital of eastern Orissa state. It was […]

‘s girlfriend deepens; no resignation yet

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2007 (AFP) – World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz Thursday apologized for making a “mistake” over hefty pay rises given to his girlfriend at the development lender, but refused to say if he might quit. “I made a mistake, for which I am sorry,” Wolfowitz told a press conference as an uproar intensified […]

Sri Lanka chases tea lovers, golfers to rebuild tourist image

April 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism promoters are trying to focus on niche markets, luring golfers and tea drinkers to visit the island after its image as a tourist destination was marred by renewed guerrilla violence. The tourism chief, Renton De Alwis, believes that focusing on repeat visitors who are aware of the […]

Road Bid

April 12, 2007 (LBO) – MTD Construction Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian construction firm that bought a Sri Lankan listed company last week, is eyeing a big highway construction project planned in the island, an official said. The company is already in “advanced talks” with the government on building the Kandy-Colombo highway, said Asanga Seneviratne, from […]

‘s February trade deficit narrows despite higher petroleum imports

April 11, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit narrowed to 144.5 million dollars in February despite oil import costs moving up, the central bank said Wednesday. The Central Bank said reserves had grown to 2,578 million dollars (2.9 months of imports) by end February with balance of payments surplus of 53 million dollars. The […]

Windies bow out after South Africa wins big

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 10, 2007 (AFP) – AB de Villiers slammed a maiden one-day international as South Africa beat the West Indies by 67 runs in a World Cup Super Eights match at the Grenada National Stadium Tuesday. The defeat effectively ended the hosts’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Opening batsman De Villiers, battling […]

Sri Lanka sweat on Malinga fitness; skipper denies Moody remarks

ST DAVID’S, Grenada, April 10, 2007 (AFP) – Record-breaking fast bowler Lasith Malinga is doubtful for Sri Lanka’s World Cup Super Eights clash against New Zealand on Thursday with an ankle injury. Malinga was not at Sri Lanka’s practice session at Sagesse Park here Tuesday and afterwards skipper Mahela Jayawardene told AFP: “Lasith has an […]

‘t deserve semi spot, says Lara

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 11, 2007 (AFP) – West Indies captain Brian Lara apologised to fans after his team’s World Cup hopes were shattered by South Africa in their Super Eights match at the Grenada National Stadium Tuesday.AB de Villiers slammed a maiden one-day international century to set South Africa on the way to a […]

Page 2395 of 3054