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‘s Vaas planning retirement in a year
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 25, 2008 (AFP) – Chaminda Vaas has plans to end his distinguished international career for Sri Lanka in a year’s time.The left-arm fast-medium bowler collected three wickets for 45 from 22 overs to help his side restrict West Indies to 269 for nine, replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 476 […]
Sri Lanka in control of cricket test
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka seized control of the opening Test against West Indies on Monday although their hosts need eight more runs to avoid the follow-on. West Indies, replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 476 for eight declared, reached 269 for nine when stumps were drawn on a […]
Sri Lanka opposition parties to contest Eastern provincial polls
March 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the minority Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have decided to contest the upcoming elections in the eastern province, party officials said. The UNP boycotted local government elections in the area earlier this month, in a move that proved controversial with some […]
‘s deafening silence on Tibet and gratitude to S Mahinda Thero
March 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is maintaining a diplomatic silence on the recent Chinese crackdown on protests in Buddhist Tibet as China is one of its main arms suppliers in the war against Tamil Tiger separatists, analysts say. “¦when the Buddhists in Tibet cry for their freedom, shouldn’t Sri Lanka, being a Buddhist […]
Petro Move
Mar 25, 2008, (LBO) – India’s Bharat Petroleum says it is looking for opportunities in Sri Lanka’s aviation and retail fuel sectors after launching its ‘MAK’ brand lubricants partnering with a top auto dealer in the island. “We hope that we will also be given an opportunity to enter the main product market which is […]
Sri Lanka dollar risk rates shoot up as banks chase US currency
Mar 24, 2008 (LBO) – Premiums above benchmark rates for dollar loans in Sri Lanka’s interbank markets have rocketed as a global credit crunch made the US currency dearer and local demand was boosted by an active swap market, bankers said.. “Banks were borrowing in the interbank market at around 15 basis points above the […]
Sri Lanka stocks slump; money rates spike despite cash injections
March 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks slumped Monday with trades in index heavy Sri Lanka Telecom dominating turnover as speculation swirled about an imminent sale by major shareholder NTT Communications of Japan. Brokers said speculators were yet to get back in full swing following a weekend extended by two religious holidays. The All […]
Pending Deal
March 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom, the island’s dominant fixed access operator has not been informed of a date for the sale of a stake held by major shareholder NTT Communications of Japan, a top official said. SLT’s new chairperson Leisha De Silva Chandrasena, who represents the interests of the government of Sri […]
Tele Deal
March 24, 2007 (LBO) – Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, Japan’s largest phone company, is tipped to sell off its flagship investment in Sri Lanka as early as this week, to the owner of Malaysia’s biggest mobile operator. “Supreme Court has allowed the sale to proceed, and we expect the Malaysian investor to wrap up the […]
Emirates starts airborne mobile phones
Mar 24, 2008 (LBO) – Emirates airline has commercially launched an in-flight mobile telephone service costing 27 million dollars, partnering with the communications firm AeroMobile, the carrier said. “The first authorised mobile phone call made from a commercial flight was made today at 30,000ft enroute to Casablanca, onboard an Emirates Airbus A340-300 aircraft,” the airline […]
Singapore inflation in February 2008 highest since breaking hard peg
SINGAPORE, March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Singapore’s inflation rate struck an annual 6.5 percent in February, pushed up by higher food and housing costs, the government said Monday.Despite the surge, the government said underlying inflation remained stable and maintained its inflation forecast of 4.5-5.5 percent for 2008. Inflation for 2007 was 2.1 percent. Higher costs […]
Afghanistan to privatise national telephone firm
KABUL, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Afghanistan said Sunday it planned to sell up to 80 percent of its telecommunications arm in one of the most ambitious parts of the country’s ongoing privatisation programme. Bidders must register their interest in purchasing part of Afghan Telecom by April 4 and the tender process was expected to […]