Category:
Babel
July 8, 2014 (LBO) – Google has added Sinhalese, spoken by a majority of residents in Sri Lanka to its Gmail webmail service along with 13 other languages. The display language can be changed by going to settings and choosing from a dropdown menu. Gmail is already available in 58 languages, and today we’re bringing […]
Football: History hangs heavy as Dutch, Argentina clash
SAO PAULO, July 8, 2014 (AFP) – Fuelled by decades of hurt, Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Arjen Robben’s Holland will carry competing motivations into Wednesday’s tantalising World Cup semi-final showdown at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena. Argentina, who last reached the final in 1990, will be determined to pay appropriate homage to former great Alfredo Di […]
‘s asylum-seeker plans
SYDNEY, July 7, 2014 (AFP) – A High Court on Monday barred Australia from handing back a boat carrying 153 asylum-seekers to Sri Lanka, a day after Canberra returned another vessel to Colombo following a week of secrecy.The Tamil Refugee Council has claimed at least 11 of those on board have been tortured by Sri […]
” rating confirmed on lower inflation, better SOE balances: S&P
July 8, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ‘B+’ rating was confirmed with a ‘stable’ outlook on lower inflation and better state enterprise performance despite weak institutions and high debt service, Standard and Poor’s, a rating agency said. S & P said there was a marked improvement in state-run Ceylon Electricity Board and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation […]
Sri Lanka demand for water pipes, electrical switches seen recovering
July 08, 2014 (LBO) – Demand for water pipes and electrical switches have weakened during the past year, but appear to have bottomed out, Central Industries, a maker of plastic-based water supply and electrical products has said.“The PVC industry is currently plagued with overcapacity as anticipated growth in demand in the post conflict era has […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.3-pct
July 07, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed 0.33 percent higher starting the week with a positive note despite net foreign selling, brokers said. Ceylinco Insurance closed 74.70 rupees higher at 1,399.90 rupees and Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 10 cents lower at 4.00 rupees. Oil palm firms Bukit Darah closed 19.70 rupees lower […]
Sri Lanka tourist boom boosts beer sales
July 7, 2014 (LBO) – Strong tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have boosted beer sales, with demand brimming over during the high season in popular tourist spots, the island’s top beer maker said. Sri Lanka has seen a strong increase in budget tourists who interact directly with the small businesses and enterprises. “Unlike in the […]
Football: Brazil players ready to cope in Neymar absence
TERESÓPOLIS, July 7, 2014 (AFP) – Willian and Bernard, the two leading contenders to replace Neymar in Brazil’s World Cup semi-final line-up against Germany insisted on Sunday that the team can still win the competition without their star player. “Neymar sets the standard for us.He is capable of deciding any game, so playing without him […]
Australia hands asylum-seekers back to Sri Lanka
SYDNEY, July 7, 2014 (AFP) – Canberra confirmed Monday a boat load of Sri Lankan asylum-seekers who attempted to reach Australia have been handed back to Colombo, sparking sharp criticism after a week of secrecy.“Australia’s international obligations are reliant upon a credible processing system and we have deep concerns about how that could have been […]
Football: Krul saves Netherlands as Costa Rica downed
BRASILIA, July 6, 2014 (AFP) – Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero as the Netherlands beat Costa Rica to seal a showdown with Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup semi-final lineup Saturday.Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal stunned onlookers at Salvador’s Fonte Nova Arena by bringing on Krul to replace Jasper Cillessen in the final […]
Cricket: South Africa bat against Sri Lanka in first ODI
COLOMBO, July 6, 2014 (AFP) – South Africa captain AB de Villiers won the toss and chose to bat in the first of the three-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.Star all-rounder Jacques Kallis was ruled fit to play after overcoming a neck injury that he picked during one of the […]
Australian minister to visit Sri Lanka amid boat dispute
COLOMBO, July 6, 2014 (AFP) – Australia’s immigration minister will visit Colombo this week for talks on illegal immigration following international concern at his country’s handling of Sri Lankan asylum-seekers, it was announced Sunday.The US and European Union member states have said rights abuses against the ethnic Tamil minority continued even after the war’s end […]