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Sri Lanka approves Indian power cable link
July 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to link Southern India and Sri Lanka through a submarine power cable, a senior minister said.The high voltage direct current link cable was proposed by Power Grid Corporation of India to link Dhanushkodi with Talaimannar in north western Sri Lanka. The […]
India mobile phone giant Bharti Q1 profit up 34 percent
MUMBAI, July 24, 2008 (AFP) – India’s top mobile phone company, Bharti Airtel, said its first-quarter net profit increased by a better-than-expected 34 percent, as subscriptions rose in the world’s fastest-growing wireless market.Net profit for the three months to June was 20.25 billion rupees (470 million dollars) from 15.12 billion rupees for the same period […]
Vietnam inflation hits 27 percent, trade gap widens
HANOI, July 24, 2008 (AFP) – Vietnam’s annual inflation rate hit 27 percent in July, the government said Thursday, as rocketing food and fuel costs saddle its economy with one of Asia’s toughest battles against rising prices. The figure was only a little higher than June’s 26.8 percent, but the government’s decision earlier this week […]
Japanese business chief calls for change of government
TOKYO, July 23, 2008 (AFP) – One of Japan’s top business leaders called Wednesday for a change of government to shake up Asia’s largest economy, which faces major challenges from a shrinking population. Democracy is still “immature” in Japan, where the Liberal Democratic Party has ruled almost continuously since it was created in 1955, said […]
Oil tumbles to US$124 a barrel after Plosser hints at rate hike
NEW YORK, July 23, 2008 (AFP) – Oil prices tumbled Wednesday as supply concerns eased after a bigger-than-expected increase in gasoline reserves was reported in the United States.The threat to supply from Hurricane Dolly in the Gulf of Mexico diminished as the storm veered away from offshore oil installations. New York’s main contract, light sweet […]
Sri Lanka on top as Jayawardene emulates Bradman
July 24, 2008 (AFP) – Mahela Jayawardene equalled former Australian legend Don Bradman’s record of nine centuries at one venue to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position in the opening Test against India here on Thursday. Skipper Jayawardene cracked a stylish 136 to help his side post 422-4 in the first innings at stumps […]
Sri Lanka boosted by Warnapura, Jayawardene
July 24, 2008 (AFP) – Malinda Warnapura completed an impressive century to help Sri Lanka reach 205-2 in their first innings at lunch on the second day of the opening Test against India here on Thursday.The left-handed opener reached his second Test hundred in five matches when he cut fast bowler Ishant Sharma for his […]
Probe raises concerns over Olympic drug test – BBC
LONDON, July 24, 2008 (AFP) – Major doubts have been raised over a key doping test just weeks before the Beijing Olympics, according to a BBC probe released on Monday – sparking fears that cheats are going undetected. The investigation found that World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratories are classing positive tests for the blood-boosting drug […]
Sri Lanka marks 25 years since deadly riots
July 24, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka will on Friday mark a quarter of a century since the country’s worst ethnic riots claimed scores of lives, but 25 years on there is little prospect of peace on the island.In July 1983, the country — where ongoing fighting in a civil war between Tamil rebels and […]
Sri Lanka stocks recover slightly
July 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up Wednesday, ending several days of losses, on thin turnover with brokers saying sentiment remained weak over worries high inflation and interest rates would hit corporate earnings. The All Share Price Index closed up 0.77 percent (17.90 points) at 2,356.53 while the more liquid Milanka gained […]
Rail Loan
July 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has inked a deal with India’s Export-Import Bank of India to borrow 100 million US dollars to upgrade a coastal rail track and buy rolling stock, the island’s finance ministry said. A credit agreement for 100 million US dollars was signed between finance ministry secretary P B Jayasundera […]
Sri Lanka tea output grows by over 18 pct
July 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s tea production rose by 18.2 percent to 171.3 million kilograms (376.9 million pounds) during the first half of this year, the Sri Lankan Tea Board said Wednesday. Production in June was 27.3 million kilograms, up 16.2 percent from the 23.5 million kilos during the same month last year. […]