Category:
Christians celebrate Easter, pope calls for Tibet solution
CARACAS, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – From the streets of Caracas to a rain-soaked Saint Peter’s Square, Christians around the world celebrated Easter Sunday amid messages of renewal, peace and hope. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called for “solutions that will safeguard peace and the common good” in Tibet, the Middle East and Africa […]
Sri Lanka asks for new Pakistan schedule to stay in Twenty20 game
March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka have asked Pakistan to re-schedule a proposed one-day international series in order to allow their players to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a top official said here Monday. Chief executive of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Duleep Mendis said the team would tour Pakistan only if […]
Vaas, Jayawardene star as Sri Lanka declares at 476
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka collected the prized scalp of Chris Gayle to strengthen their hold on the opening Test against West Indies on Sunday after their captain Mahela Jayawardene posted his 22nd Test hundred. Left-arm fast-medium bowler Chaminda Vaas inflicted an early blow to the West Indies’ batting, when he […]
Heavy casualties in Sri Lanka fighting
March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Heavy fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and Sri Lankan troops in the north of the island over the weekend has resulted in heavy casualties, both sides said Monday.According to the defence ministry, clashes on Saturday and Sunday in the districts of Mannar, Vavuniya and Weli Oya left at least 100 […]
Sri Lanka should liberalize edible oil imports: coconut exporters
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exporters of value added coconut products are asking to authorities to free edible oil imports, so that profits from oil milling would fall, freeing more nuts for other industries. Sri Lanka’s coconut milk powder, coconut cream and desiccated coconut producers have been found their cost of production increasing […]
Censorship
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Books written by academics based in Sri Lanka which were printed abroad had been seized by the island’s customs authorities, in a move which could be a new form of censorship, a media report said. The Sunday Times newspaper said a book by economic researcher Mutukrisna Sarvanandan, from the Point […]
US, Russia, China in fierce battle to sell fighter jets in Asia
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – The United States is bracing for tough competition from Russia and China as cash-flush Asian economies look up to the trio for a new breed of fighter jets to beef up their air forces, experts say. Japan, India, Australia and South Korea are keen to have the most modern, […]
Asian giants seen keeping US trove despite dollar plunge
TOKYO, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – With the dollar plunging and the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates, markets are on alert for any signs that foreign investors, particularly in Asia, are buying fewer US assets.But while some private investors may be heading for the exit, analysts say the authorities in Japan and China look set […]
‘s Warnapura but Windies fightback
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 22, 2008 (AFP) – Three wickets in the final period, including the scalp of Malinda Warnapura for a maiden Test hundred of 120, wobbled Sri Lanka after their batsmen revelled in the opening Test against West Indies on Saturday. Left-hander Warnapura, opening the batting, maximised ideal conditions to give Sri Lanka a […]
Excess cash, peg to weak dollar fuel Gulf inflation
MANAMA, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Abundant liquidity, triggered by sharply higher oil revenues, and the effect of currencies pegged to a weakening dollar are fueling inflation in the Gulf region, economists say. And the situation is so serious that Gulf business leaders will meet in Bahrain on Monday to get advice from the International […]
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan hit by Twenty20 tournament
March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s proposed series of one-day internationals against Pakistan next month is in jeopardy due to a clash of dates with the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Sri Lanka had offered to play in the short series following a pull-out by Australia from a full tour of Pakistan in March-April due […]
‘s Warnapura plays down maiden Test hundred
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Malinda Warnapura feels he has a long way to go before anyone can put his name in the same bracket with Sanath Jayasuriya. The left-hander was speaking after he collected his maiden Test hundred against West Indies on the opening day of the opening Test at the Guyana […]