Hard Times

May 10 (LBO) – Domestic airlines say soaring fuel costs may force a hike in ticket fares, but any increase may also scare away dwindling numbers of travellers to the North. “We are in discussions to raise fares, but we are worried about the situation in the market.We are concerned that by raising fares we […]

Face Lift

May 10 06 (LBO) – The government planning to re-surface the runway of the main international airport of the country, an official said. Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, H M C Nimalsiri said that a team of Sri Lankan engineers was working on the project to re-surface the runway. The Bandaranaike International Airport […]

‘s front line

SAMPUR, Sri Lanka, May 9 (AFP) – A smiling Sri Lankan army soldier lifts a thin metal barrier and you head toward Tamil Tiger rebel territory.Troops from the two sides are surprisingly close, about the length of a football pitch, on this edgy ceasefire line in northeastern Sri Lanka. Violence between government and rebel forces […]

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COLOMBO, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels Tuesday sought foreign help to halt alleged military attacks against them and warned that the island could face “doom” if they decided to retaliate.The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) appealed to Japanese envoy Yasushi Akashi to persuade the Sri Lankan government to […]

Sri Lanka extends emergency rule amid Tamil protests

May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s parliament Tuesday extended by a further month the state of emergency it declared nine months ago despite protests by minority Tamil legislators.The parliament unanimously approved the extension, officials said. Legislators from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) protested the emergency and boycotted the debate on the tough laws. The […]

Sri Lanka troops recover suspected Tamil Tiger munitions

May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops recovered Tuesday seven Claymore mines, guns and a large quantity of ammunition belonging to Tamil Tiger guerrillas, the defence ministry said.The mines weighing 70 kilos (154 pounds) were found in the northern Jaffna peninsula together with two automatic assault rifles, hand grenades and remote-controlled detonating devices, the […]

Moody upbeat despite de Mel attack

LONDON, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody was in relaxed mood Tuesday despite coming under fire from newly-appointed chief selector Asantha de Mel just days before the first Test against England here at Lord’s. “I’ve lodged nothing,” said Moody, denying reports coming out of Sri Lanka that he’d made an official […]

Sri Lanka Cricket back with a blast

May 09 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Cricket Tuesday said its financial health is back on a strong wicket after securing new commercial sponsorships from the sale of television rights and ongoing tournaments. Overall Sri Lanka Cricket Board has mange to come up with very strong figures in their financial standing compared to last 4-years. For […]

‘s Banyan Tree resort and spa chain plans public listing

SINGAPORE, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Singapore-based luxury resort and spa chain Banyan Tree has outlined plans for a public listing to raise funds for further international expansion. The company intends to raise more than 100 million Singapore dollars (64 million US) from the proposed listing, it said in a preliminary prospectus late Monday. It […]

Russian caviar risks extinction

MOSCOW, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – It can be a delicacy or status symbol, a cure-all, or even an aphrodisiac, but ecologists are warning that Russian caviar could disappear altogether as the Caspian Sea’s sturgeon population reaches dangerously low levels. The WWF conservation group has for the past few months waged a campaign to persuade […]

Flying robot attack “unstoppable”: experts

PARIS, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – It may sound like science fiction, but the prospect that suicide bombers and hijackers could be made redundant by flying robots is a real one, according to experts. The technology for remote-controlled light aircraft is now highly advanced, widely available — and, experts say, virtually unstoppable. Models with a […]

Sri Lanka seeks foreign pressure on Tigers

NEW DELHI, May 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told reporters in India Tuesday that foreign help is needed to pressure Tamil Tiger rebels back to peace talks to save a fragile ceasefire.Samaraweera, in New Delhi on a two-day visit to brief the Indian government on the faltering peace efforts, said […]

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