Category:
Foreign experts slam Sri Lanka over slow rights probe
June 11, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka was Monday accused of dragging its feet despite a promise to tackle major human rights violations, as Western diplomats warned they will deny visas to security personnel linked to abuses.An 11-member panel of international experts said a presidential commission of inquiry into cases including the massacre of aid […]
Deviltry
June 10, 2007 (LBO) – A popular folk story talks of a villager and a chance meeting of a demon in the forest and using his craftiness to get the demon to work for him. Therefore, the use of inflation as a measure for funding government budgets is not an advisable strategy for any government. […]
”’: PM
June 10, 2007 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels have rigged up a truck with over a tonne of explosives that could blow up half of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake claimed Sunday.The authorities received information about the truck bomb following the discovery last week of over 1,000 kilogrammes (2,200 pounds) of plastic explosives […]
Sri Lanka premier apologizes for evicting Tamils
June 10, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s prime minister on Sunday apologised to ethnic minority Tamils for evicting them from the capital, promising there would be no repeat of the controversial operation.“That is why I am expressing regret and apologising on behalf of the government.” “It was a big mistake,” Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told reporters here, […]
Precipice
June 10, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is on the brink of the dangerous path of petrol and diesel rationing, which will give set amounts of subsidized fuel to users, reports said. Related Story Rata Perata: Oil-rich Iran to ration petrol to get out of subsidy fiasco Updated The weekly Nation newspaper said the government […]
Oil Oil everywhere…
TEHRAN, June 6, 2007 (AFP) – Iran hopes to begin a much-delayed plan to ration petrol in the next two weeks amid continued uncertainty over its launch date, officials said on Wednesday. The plan, aimed at reducing colossal subsidies paid by the state to finance oil-rich Iran’s frenzied petrol consumption, envisages forcing consumers to pay […]
Putin calls for revolution in world economic relations
SAINT PETERSBURG, June 10, 2007 (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for a revolution in world economic relations, saying institutions created by the West were “archaic, undemocratic and inflexible.” Speaking to an audience of world leaders and top chief executives at a showcase business forum, Putin said the emergence of developing economies […]
Personal Identity
June 09, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka would soon be sounding out operators on making mobile telephone numbers portable, telecom minister Rauf Hakeem said. “In Andra Pradesh, base stations for which approvals are not given in a fixed time, or not objected to, are considered given,” Hakeem said. “We need to be pro-active in reform, […]
Sri Lanka cricket chief bailed over share scam
June 9, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket chief Jayantha Dharmadasa was granted 100,000 rupees (910 dollars) bail by the commercial court of Colombo over his alleged role in manipulating share prices.Dharmadasa, who heads Sri Lanka Cricket, the governing body of the sport, his son and seven others are charged with illegally boosting the share […]
Sri Lanka Cricket in new attempt to dump chief selector
June 8, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket administration Friday made a fresh attempt to dump chief selector Asantha de Mel in a row over the controversial Abu Dhabi one-day series. “I have time till end July to make the final decision,” Lokuge said. “I shall see what I should do then.” Sports Minister Gamini […]
Sri Lanka troops kill 30 Tigers in east
June 9, 2007 (AFP) – At least 30 Tamil Tiger rebels and one soldier were killed when Sri Lankan troops overran four guerrilla jungle bases, the defence ministry said Saturday.Soldiers captured the bases of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during an offensive late Friday and early Saturday in the eastern Batticaloa district, the […]
Japan will not halt aid to Sri Lanka; hoping for peace
June 9, 2007 (AFP) – Japan’s special envoy to Sri Lanka ended a four-day visit Saturday saying he was still hopeful that the island’s tattered peace process could be salvaged.The LTTE has been fighting for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in a 35-year old ethnic conflict that has claimed over 60,000 lives. Yasushi Akashi, […]