Sri Lankan, South Asian leaders say must “root out terror” for economic progress

NEW DELHI, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian nations must “root out terrorism” to turn around the fortunes of their underperforming trading bloc, the countries’ leaders told a regional summit here on Tuesday. Economic progress in the troubled region, home to nearly 1.5 billion people or one-fifth of humanity, is impossible without overcoming security […]

Sri Lanka says 23 Tiger rebels killed after bus bombing

April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan security forces have killed at least 23 Tamil Tiger rebels in fresh fighting in the island’s east following a deadly bus bombing, the defence ministry said Tuesday.“In the limited humanitarian operation on the west and south of Batticaloa, we have found 10 bodies of the LTTE cadres,” spokesman […]

ICRC condemns Sri Lanka bus attack

GENEVA, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – The international Red Cross on Tuesday condemned a bus bombing on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast which left 16 people dead, including three children, and injured 25 others. “The International Committee of the Red Cross deplores the civilian casualties caused by an attack yesterday on a civilian bus in Ambalangoda, […]

Fleming ton sees New Zealand home against Bangladesh

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming’s 102 not out set the seal on a comprehensive nine wicket victory against Bangladesh in the World Cup Super Eights match here Monday as his side moved a step nearer the semi-finals. Bangladesh next play South Africa in Guyana on Saturday with […]

Pietersen wary of silent assassin Murali

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Kevin Pietersen may have once disdainfully reverse-swept Muttiah Muralitharan for six but that hasn’t lessened the England batsman’s respect for the Sri Lankan spin wizard. “Against Sri Lanka or Australia you cannot slip up for five or 10 overs in the one-day game, you’ve got to nail […]

New Zealand skipper Fleming eager for Aussie clash

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming cannot wait to play Australia after his side drew level on points with the reigning champions in the second round of the World Cup following a crushing nine-wicket victory against Bangladesh. “Three in five days (New Zealand play Ireland in Guyana on […]

‘s Bashar still searching for right mix

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said his side had still to find the right approach to building a score after their nine-wicket World Cup Super Eights defeat against New Zealand. “Whoever wins the World Cup this time will have to work very hard.” During their 10-wicket reverse in […]

China sees “historic opportunities” in South Asia

NEW DELHI, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – China declared Tuesday that South Asia was on the brink of “historic opportunities” and sought stepped up cooperation with the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the statement as he welcomed Beijing’s new observer status at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). “We all belong […]

‘s inflation promoters call for higher minimum wage: report

April 02, 2007 (LBO) – A trade union connected to a Sri Lankan political party whose policy influence expanded the budget deficit and drove inflation to very high levels in the last three years is now calling for a higher minimum wage, reports said. But agitation for salary increments also usually follows high inflation. Updated […]

Bus bomb kills 15 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – At least 15 people, including a child, were killed and 25 wounded when a bomb ripped through a crowded bus in eastern Sri Lanka Monday, officials said. The defence ministry immediately accused Tamil Tiger rebels of setting off the bomb, while the rebels denied they were responsible. Passengers were […]

Windies face exit after 113-run thrashing by Sri Lanka with Sanath ton

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sanath Jayasuriya dealt a potentially fatal blow to the West Indies’ semi-final hopes with a blazing century to set up Sri Lanka’s 113-run win in the World Cup Super Eights match here on Sunday.Sri Lanka: U. Tharanga b Powell 8 S. Jayasuriya b Powell 115 K. Sangakkara c […]

” in huge Solomons quake, tsunami

HONIARA, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – A powerful undersea earthquake unleashed a tsunami that pounded the Solomon Islands early Monday, flattening villages and killing at least six people and sparking scenes of panic, officials said.Witnesses said the wall of water triggered by the 8.0-magnitude quake was up to five metres (16.5 feet) high and swamped […]

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