Category:
Sri Lanka exports up on commodity boom
June 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports grew 14.7 percent helped by strong prices for tea, while apparel exports grew by a slow 5.3 percent and the trade deficit expanded 92 percent on higher oil and capital goods imports, official data showed. The Central Bank said April export earnings increased 14.7 percent to 610 […]
Britain warns of high attack risk in UAE
DUBAI, June 16, 2008 (AFP) – Britain has warned of a high risk of a terror attack in the United Arab Emirates, the booming oil-rich Gulf state and regional economic and tourst hub that is home to several million foreigners.“There is a high threat from terrorism.We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks […]
Samsung unveils touch-screen smart phone
SINGAPORE, June 16, 2008 (AFP) – South Korea’s Samsung on Monday unveiled its latest smart phone, a touch-screen model to be commercially launched in Southeast Asia this week.The Omnia, which means “everything” in Latin, comes with a five megapixel built-in camera, 3.2-inch (eight-centimetre) screen as well as video functions, the company said. With its touch-sensitive […]
‘ review system
NEW DELHI, June 16, 2008 (AFP) – An experimental rule allowing players to seek a second opinion on umpiring decisions will be put on trial during India’s upcoming series in Sri Lanka, officials said on Monday. The rule says a batsman or fielding captain may request the review of any decision taken by on-field umpires […]
Sri Lankan tea pluckers not reaping benefits: study
June 15, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea estate community, which plucked the leaf that kept the economy afloat for more than a century, has not reaped the benefits of the trade, says a new study on the link between trade and poverty. “The estate sector in Sri Lanka is a prime example of trade […]
Sri Lanka says Tiger base hit, 17 dead in clashes
June 15, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan war planes destroyed a suspected Tamil Tiger logistics base in the island’s northeast Sunday after ground battles left 15 guerrillas and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said.Air force fighter jets pounded a “logistics base and combat vehicle conversion plant” in Mullaitivu district early Sunday, the ministry said. […]
and military secrets at the Bagram bazaar
BAGRAM, June 15, 2008 (AFP) – “I don’t really know what it is for,” says a salesman with some embarrassment, despite the explicit illustrations on the bottle of “Long Love Spray”.Alongside it on the shelf of a tiny shop in the bazaar at Bagram is a “special sex” gel as well as distinctive blue pills […]
G8 finance chiefs send message to oil speculators: analysts
OSAKA, June 15, 2008 (AFP) – Group of Eight finance chiefs sent a warning signal to oil speculators this weekend, highlighting the inflation threat to the global economy in an attempt to cool red-hot energy prices, analysts said.Although the finance ministers said it was unclear how much influence speculators wield over energy markets, their remarks […]
Cash strapped Sri Lanka Cricket sinks deeper into debt: report
June 15, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Cricket, the island’s richest sporting body, is currently surviving on a 7.5 million dollar overdraft, a media report said. The triangular series had been due to take place in August 2006 between the hosts, South Africa and India. India stayed to play Sri Lanka, but rain disrupted the […]
Sri Lanka returns orphaned baby elephants to the wild
UDAWALAWE, June 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Saturday released eight orphaned baby elephants into the jungle after rescuing them from near certain death, wildlife officials said. Official figures show about 150 are killed annually by villagers whose crops are destroyed by marauding elephants that claim the lives of 50 farmers each year. Many […]
Jumbo Release
UDAWALAWE, June 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Saturday released eight orphaned baby elephants into the jungle after rescuing them from near certain death, wildlife officials said.Many of those elephants cared for by the wildlife officials have been injured after being struck by trains or shot by farmers. Others are rescued from pits into […]
Smoking Out
June 14, 2008 (LBO) – Laugfs Eco Sri, a unit of Sri Lanka’s Laugfs gas distributor, plans to launch a sample testing centre next month to test vehicle exhaust emissions ahead of the imposition of new emission standards. The government has said vehicles that do not meet proposed exhaust emission standards will not be given […]