Author: lbostgadmin
Cable Cut
HONG KONG, Dec 27, 2006 (AFP) – Internet and phone services were disrupted across much of Asia on Wednesday after an earthquake damaged undersea cables, leaving one of the world’s most tech-savvy regions in a virtual blackout.“If there is too much traffic on that route, it might get blocked up and further slow down Internet […]
‘s warring parties on tsunami anniversary
Dec 26, 2006 (AFP) – The United Nations slammed Sri Lanka’s warring parties for stalling tsunami reconstruction efforts Tuesday as the island marked the second anniversary of the disaster by unveiling a Buddha statue. The outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan blamed both Colombo and the Tamil Tiger rebels for the violence that has slowed […]
Japan gives loudhailers to mark Sri Lanka tsunami anniversary
Dec 26, 2006 (AFP) – Japan Tuesday gifted loudhailers and life jackets to Sri Lanka’s police to mark the second anniversary of the tsunami which killed 31,000 people in the island.Japan’s ambassador here, Kiyoshi Araki, gifted the equipment to police chief Victor Perera in Colombo, the Japanese embassy said. It said Japan was also helping […]
Tsunami-hit Sri Lanka stadium to be rebuilt despite Warne failure
GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 26, 2006 (AFP) – Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne might have failed to deliver promised aid to rebuild the Galle stadium but officials Tuesday vowed to restore the picturesque venue. The Shane Warne Foundation (SWF) told the Galle International Cricket Club in June that a fund-raising event had been a flop and […]
Prayers, tears mark tsunami anniversary from Sri Lanka to Indonesia
BAN NAM KHEM, Thailand, Dec 26 (AFP) – With prayers and flowers and tears, from Thailand’s beaches to the islands of India, mourners paid tribute to their loved ones Tuesday on the second anniversary of the Asian tsunami. Emotional ceremonies across the region recalled the day when giant waves killed 220,000 people in a sweep […]
Piracy Charge
COLOMBO, Dec 26 (AFP) – The crew of a Jordanian cargo ship accused Tamil Tiger rebels Tuesday of piracy, saying the guerrillas had attacked their vessel after it developed engine trouble near a militant-held area.The rebels — in six boats — surrounded the Farah III and fired into the air as they boarded the vessel […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka tightens cash facility to banks from Jan 01
Dec 26, (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has restricted the use of its cash facility to the banking system, from January 01, in a further attempt to tighten liquidity and reduce inflationary pressure. The monetary authority told commercial banks that they will not be able to borrow cash through the reverse repo […]
Foreign banks lend dollars to Sri Lanka govt. at lower rates than locals
December 26, (LBO) – Sri Lanka has raised 100 million dollar syndicated loan from the international banks at a lower rate than previous dollar bond issues in the domestic market, the government’s debt office said. The loan came at a price of 75 basis points above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the total […]
Crew seeks return home as Jordanian ship runs aground
Dec 24, 2006 (AFP) – The Iraqi skipper of a cargo vessel that ran aground near Tamil Tiger-held territory in Sri Lanka asked Red Cross officials on Sunday to arrange the crew’s return home, the guerrillas said. The Jordanian-registered Farha III ship ran aground in northeastern Sri Lanka late Saturday, sparking a war of words […]
German freezes aid pledges to Sri Lanka to push peace talks
BERLIN, Dec 24, 2006 (AFP) – Germany said Sunday it will not offer the Sri Lankan government new aid until the peace process in the country advances and called on other nations to increase the pressure on Colombo. Overseas Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul told Berlin’s daily Tagesspiegel that Germany had been frustrated that its aid […]
’07
December 23, 2006 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund will close its office in Sri Lanka from mid next month, the global financial watchdog said Saturday. The office in Colombo is being wound up late January, when the term of its current resident representative, Luis Valdivieso ends. “The decision reflects the evolving nature of the […]
” crew from Jordanian ship, govt alleges piracy
Dec 23, 2006 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels said Saturday they had rescued 25 sailors from a crippled Jordanian ship off Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast, dismissing government allegations they had staged a “pirate attack”.The vessel, identified as the Farha III, was believed to be crewed by Jordanian and Egyptian nationals and was carrying 14,000 tonnes […]