Spurned Tatas want apology from Orient-Express hotels

NEW DELHI, Dec 20, 2007 (AFP) – India’s Tata Group has demanded an apology from US-listed luxury hotel chain Orient-Express for rejecting its offer for a strategic tie-up on the grounds that its brand value might be diluted.Assocham, an Indian chambers of commerce body, slammed Orient-Express’s rebuff as one of “arrogance toward one of India’s […]

No play after lunch in England-Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – A heavy downpour that began at the lunch interval washed out the afternoon session on the fourth day of the third and final cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka here on Friday. Continued wet weather has been forecast for the next 48 hours. The ground was […]

Cook keeps England afloat in Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – Alastair Cook hit an unbeaten half-century as England began a long vigil to avoid defeat in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka here on Friday.The tourists, following on 418 runs behind after being dismissed for a new low of 81 against Sri Lanka in the […]

” England play in Sri Lanka

LONDON, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – After a dismal performance at the crease on Thursday in Galle, Sri Lanka, where they were bowled out for just 81 in the final match in the three-Test series, England’s cricketers will not want to eye the British newspapers. Described as “pathetic” and “spineless”, England were blasted in Friday […]

Sri Lanka claims killing 12 Tamil Tiger rebels

Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – Clashes across frontlines in northern Sri Lanka have left at least 12 Tamil Tiger rebels dead, the defence ministry said Friday.Artillery duels took place on the Jaffna peninsula, and in Weli Oya, Vavuniya and Mannar, the military said, placing their own losses at two soldiers injured and one missing during […]

Sri Lanka rupee closes higher on equity flows; money spikes

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka rupee closed higher against the greenback as money spiked in tight conditions Thursday, while the state debt office was again fishing for cash with short term bills offers, dealers said. Reserve money on Thursday was 270.4 billion rupees, marginally higher than the year-end target. Stocks closed marginally […]

Financial Health

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s financial sector has so far been resilient in the face of shocks but risks are increasing as the economy heads for tough times, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. Rising interest rates likely to affect profitability of banks while credit quality is weakening as a result of […]

Not Resident

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s immigration authorities have informed Sri Lankan airlines Thursday, that its chief executive Peter Hill’s resident visa has been cancelled, an official said. Hill had started his carrier as a trainee at British Airways forerunner British Overseas Airline Corporation in 1961. Hill, a Briton, was appointed by Emirates airlines, […]

Sri Lankan Airlines okayed to train techies by EU

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – The aviation safety agency of the European Union has certified Sri Lankan Airlines to train maintenance technicians, the airline said Thursday. “SriLankan Airlines is now one of the few companies in Asia to receive the globally recognized EASA 147 certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, to provide training in […]

‘s Deccan and Kingfisher airlines to merge

BANGALORE, India, Dec 20, 2007 (AFP) – India’s biggest discount carrier, Deccan, will merge with liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s upmarket Kingfisher Airlines to create the nation’s biggest domestic airline, officials said.The firm formed by the merger next year will keep the name Kingfisher, the flagship beer brand of Mallya’s UB Group, officials from the two […]

” but severely undervalued

WASHINGTON, Dec 20, 2007 (AFP) – The US government declined to name China a currency “manipulator” but said in a report Wednesday that the Chinese yuan remains severely undervalued against the dollar.The Treasury, in a semiannual report to Congress, maintained its position that China should quicken its pace of economic reforms that would help lift […]

Sri Lanka declare at 499-8 in final England Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 20, 2007 (AFP) – Skipper Mahela Jayawardene hit an unbeaten 213 as Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 499-8 before lunch on the third day of the final cricket Test against England here on Thursday.Sri Lanka, who lead the three-match series 1-0, have eight sessions to force a 2-0 scoreline […]

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