Category:
India have batsmen to counter Mendis, says Kumble
CHENNAI, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – India captain Anil Kumble said Monday he was confident his experienced batsmen will see off the threat posed by spinner Ajantha Mendis in the Test series in Sri Lanka. The Indian players found Mendis virtually unplayable in the recent Asia Cup final in Karachi, where the spinner grabbed 6-13 […]
Team USA includes several athletes who previously failed doping tests
INDIANAPOLIS, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Reigning Olympic 100 metre champion Justin Gatlin was noticeably absent when the USA’s track and field team for Beijing was officially named on Monday.Gatlin, who is serving a four-year ban for using steroids, tried unsuccessfully last month to get the US courts to permit him to compete in the […]
Sri Lanka shares end higher
July 14, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan share prices ended higher Monday with gains in heavyweight Sri Lanka Telecom and John Keells Holdings pushing up the indices.Brokers said a slight recovery anticipated this week would offer profit taking opportunities for investors who bought during the downturn. The All Share Price Index ended up 0.80 percent […]
Sri Lanka food firm and IFC to push dairy farmers up the value chain
July 14, 2008 (LBO) – The foods division of Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings (JKH) has tied up with dairy farmer co-operatives to set up facilities to add value to raw milk, in a move which is backed by the World Bank’s private sector arm, the company said. Gilles Galludec, IFC Country Manager for Maldives […]
Sri Lanka busts fertilizer subsidy budget in five months
July 14, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has spent almost a year’s allocation for a populist fertilizer subsidy in just five months, the finance ministry said in a report, indicating that more than 30 billion rupees would be needed to maintain it till the year end. Policy Stampede In recent years policy makers and senior […]
Sri Lanka gets Canadian support for disaster planning
July 14, 2008 (LBO) – Canada has given Sri Lanka support to train officials from government and non-governmental organisations in responding to natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean which devastated parts of its coastline. High Commissioner for Canada, Angela J. Bogdan, said the devastating impact of the tsunami and other natural disasters in many […]
US Treasury unveils support for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson unveiled measures Sunday to bolster key US housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were given Federal Reserve oversight and bigger credit lines.Paulson said the “central role” the two play in real estate financing meant they should continue to respond to shareholders, and […]
Emirates chief slams British, EU aviation policies
LONDON, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – The president of Emirates airline on Monday criticised the policies being imposed by Britain and the European Union on airlines that he said were stifling moves towards greater efficiency.In a comment piece in the Financial Times, Tim Clark wrote that the aviation industry was going through “the greatest crisis” […]
Computer headset lets brain control action
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2008 (AFP) – It’s mind over machine: a US high-tech company has created a headset allowing computer game lovers to use their thoughts to move mountains and make objects disappear on screen.Emotiv, a San Francisco-based startup that marries neuroscience and computer engineering, says its EPOC gaming headset offers only a glimpse […]
‘s Tharanga included for India warm-up tie
July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga was on Monday given a chance to stake his claim for the upcoming home Test series against India after being named in the 12-man squad for a warm-up match against the tourists.Sri Lanka Board XI squad: Jehan Mubarak (capt), Mahela Udawatte, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, […]
Iran tops Sri Lanka donors up to May 2008, displacing Japan
July 14, 2008 (LBO) – Iran emerged as the biggest lender to Sri Lanka, displacing traditional top donors Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the five months up to May 2008, aid commitments disclosed by the finance ministry show. Germany, which had earlier said it was cutting off aid to the island owing […]
Battle Values
July 13, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Stassen group controlled by tycoon Harry Jayewardene had been valued at over 24 billion rupees (228 million US dollars) by his partners who are in courts to force a buyout of their interests, a media report said. The Sunday Island newspaper said V P Vittachchi, R K Obeysekera […]