Category:
Tigers, troops claim heavy damages after sea battle
COLOMBO, April 6, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy and Tamil Tiger rebels fought a sea battle off the island’s northwestern coast on Friday with both claiming heavy losses for the other side.Naval patrol craft engaged five boats of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) off the coastal district of Puttalam and one was […]
US busts Asian network seeking arms for Tamil Tigers; Singapore man pleads guilty
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2007 (AFP) – US authorities said Thursday they had busted an arms-trafficking gang, arresting six Asians who had been trying to smuggle weapons from the United States to Tamil Tiger rebels.Singapore man Haniffa Bin Osman, 55, was the latest person to plead guilty in the investigation which saw undercover agents track the […]
Scenting Oil
April 6 (LBO) – The top official in charge of Sri Lanka’s search for oil has told the corporate sector to be ready to provide the support service and skills required by an offshore petroleum industry. Three of the eight remaining blocks will be opened for bidding this year, with the others following in a […]
Sri Lanka civil servants to get new cars at low prices
April 6, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka is offering drastic customs duty cuts to help over 20,000 civil servants import new cars, the finance ministry said Friday. The move was to fulfil an election promise made in 2005. Senior public officials, including police and military personnel, with over five years of service will be entitled […]
Fuel prices will not affect essential food prices during the season: Minister
April 06, 2007 (LBO) – The prices of essential food items that have been set a retail price during the New Year season will not be affected if fuel prices go up since all have already been imported, a government minister said. Food items such as chillies, onions, dhal, potatoes, sugar, types of grain, sprats […]
Sri Lanka asked to get house in order ahead of opening up services
April 06 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is hoping to open its service sectors to neighboring India, but analysts say the country should first get local regulations in order. The two countries are in talks to allow exchange of services, including limited exchange of professionals, under an agreement to be signed by June this year. But […]
Second Landing
April 4, 2007 (AFP) – Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Wednesday said it will resume flights to Sri Lanka after suspending services following a rebel attack on an airbase next to the island’s only international airport. “Safety is always our top priority,” chief operating officer Tony Tyler said, adding that Cathay would resume services from […]
Talk Only
NEW DELHI, April 5, 2007 (AFP) – Conflict-ridden South Asian nations made little headway in fighting terrorism or boosting trade at a summit this week despite repeated calls for action, analysts said Thursday. The eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SSARC) ended a two-day summit Wednesday with a declaration that underscored an “urgent need” […]
Whatmore emerges as frontrunner to succeed Chappell
NEW DELHI, April 5, 2007 (AFP) – Another Australian — Dav Whatmore — has emerged among the frontrunners to succeed Greg Chappell as coach of India, one of the hottest and toughest jobs in cricket. “I’m definitely interested,” Whatmore told Thursday’s Times of India. India, one of the pre-tournament favourites, were upset by Bangladesh in […]
Knife-edge finishes will boost Sri Lanka, says Jayawardene
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 4, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene believes the two heart-stopping finishes against South Africa and England can inspire his team’s push to the World Cup title. Sri Lanka lost by one wicket to South Africa last week but turned the tables on England by clinching a nerve-shredding last […]
Sri Lanka troops find mine on airport road
April 5, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan security forces on Thursday found a powerful landmine in a shop along the main road to the island’s only international airport, police said.Over 60,000 people have since been killed in the Tamil separatist conflict and diplomatic attempts to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table have ended […]
Seven killed in Sri Lanka violence
COLOMBO, April 5, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead four civilians in eastern Sri Lanka on Thursday, the defence ministry said, as the military reported killing three guerrillas. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) gunmen opened fire on farmers in Polonnaruwa district as they travelled to sell their rice crops, the ministry […]