Author: lbostgadmin
Suicide bombing blow to peace bid: monitors
Apr. 25 (AFP) – A suicide bombing aimed at Sri Lanka’s army chief was “another serious blow” for a fragile ceasefire and attempts to broker peace between the government and Tamil rebels, Scandinavian truce monitors said Tuesday.“This attack is yet another serious blow to the ceasefire agreement and the peace process,” the Scandinavian-run Sri Lanka […]
Blasts heard in Sri Lanka rebel territory after suicide attack
Apr. 25 (AFP) – Loud explosions were heard in rebel-held parts of Sri Lanka Tuesday after the government accused Tamil Tiger guerrillas of a suicide bombing which critically wounded the army chief, residents and the military said.The blasts were reported from Sampur, an area of the troubled Trincomalee district, regional police chief Rohan Abeywardena said […]
Washington condemns attack on army headquarters in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, Apr. 25 (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday condemned the attack against an army headquarters in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo and called the suicide blast a provocation by the Tamil Tigers. “This is clearly an act of terror, which we condemn,” the State Department’s deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters. “It is an […]
Wide Berth
Apr.25 (LBO) – Virtusa Corp., the U.S. based software development company, Tuesday announced plans to invest 15 million dollars to expand operations in Sri Lanka. The investment plans forms part of Virtusa’s strategy to invest 48 million dollars in Asia for the fiscal year 2006-7, which includes 33 million dollars in India. “Most of the […]
Eagle Eyes
Apr.04 (AFP) – Counter terrorism and anti-money laundering experts from South Asian nations began training with US experts in Colombo on Tuesday, the US embassy said.Some 40 South Asian regulators and lawmen from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka were attending the study sessions organised by the US department of justice and the Federal Bureau […]
Old Ghost
GENEVA, Apr. 25 (AFP) – The spectre of failure has returned to haunt the World Trade Organisation, as negotiators prove unable to maintain momentum in the Doha Round talks and developing countries warn that no deal is better than a bad deal.The 149-nation WTO has acknowledged that it will miss an April 30 deadline for […]
Kenyan tea sector recovering from searing drought
NAIROBI, Apr.25 (AFP) – Kenya’s tea sector is rebounding from a searing drought, with production of the country’s largest export shooting up 72 percent between February and March, officials said Tuesday. However, export earnings continue to suffer and the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) said the huge boost was unlikely to make up for a […]
Copper forges record 7,000 dollars per tonne
LONDON, Apr.25 (AFP) – The price of copper leapt to the highest-ever level here on Tuesday, spurred by massive investment and speculative demand.Three-month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange touched 7,040.00 dollars per tonne — the highest point since copper was first listed in its current format in 1870.The price of copper, used for […]
Thailand seeks bigger share of booming business tourism market
SINGAPORE, Apr.25 (AFP) – Thai tourism officials on Tuesday launched a regional campaign to promote the kingdom as Southeast Asia’s premier convention and exhibition hub, setting up a rivalry with major players Singapore and Hong Kong. Business tourism is a growing sector in the travel industry and Thailand — already with a worldwide reputation among […]
Scout Partner
DHAKA, Apr. 25 (AFP) – Cash-strapped national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is looking for a strategic partner to revive its financial fortunes, a minister said Tuesday.“We are seriously looking for strategic partners so that we can share management and aircraft with a reputed airline to make Biman a profitable corporation,” junior civil aviation minister Mirza […]
Ignorance Bliss
SINGAPORE, Apr. 25 (AFP) – The Philippines, Singapore and Japan escaped the 2004 tsunamis which devastated much of Asia but some potential travelers believe otherwise, a survey released Tuesday found. The poll of thousands of respondents across 10 global markets found that an average of 18 percent said several destinations untouched by the tragedy were […]
Fitch changes rating scales for Sri Lanka
Apr.25 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka Tuesday announced changes to their national ratings scale for Sri Lanka to be line with the agency’s global definitions. National ratings are designed for use of investors in local markets, and also give an indication as to the creditworthiness for rated entities in the country. The best risk within […]