Category:
Competitive Drive
March 13 (LBO) – Intense competition among Sri Lanka’s telcos will drive growth, with Dialog leading the pack and lifting earnings of its parent Malaysia Telecom, the investment bank Morgan Stanley said in a report. Sri Lanka is expected to top foreign contribution to Malaysia Telekom with 13 percent, followed by Bangladesh at six percent […]
Armed police sent in to tackle latest Chinese riot
BEIJING, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – Police poured into a central Chinese city to quell riots sparked by rising bus fees, residents said Tuesday, in the latest incident to highlight rising social pressures in the fast-changing country. Detachments from the People’s Armed Police joined local security forces in Yongzhou city in Hunan province overnight Monday, […]
‘s interest
SEOUL, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun said Tuesday his government could scrap free trade talks with Washington if Seoul’s economic interests are not properly reflected in a final deal. Roh instructed his cabinet to consider “real economic benefits” in forging a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, saying […]
Bookies fear Ashes rivals in World Cup betting bonanza
LONDON, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – One of Britain’s leading bookmakers is hoping anyone other than England or Australia wins the Cricket World Cup. William Hill has estimated that more than 100 million pounds will be gambled on the World Cup. “Considering England’s recent on-off form it might surprise people that England are our worst […]
‘s shadow follows India and Sri Lanka
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – Rahul Dravid and Mahela Jayawardene hope to step out of history’s shadow at the World Cup. India have not won the tournament since 1983 and this time round it is Dravid’s turn as skipper to attempt to break that long wait for a second title. The […]
Spin kings may give World Cup twist and turn
GROS ISLET, St Lucia, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – Just about the one thing captains at the World Cup seem to be agreed on is that pitches will generally be slow and assist spin bowlers. Last week both England skipper Michael Vaughan and Australia captain Ricky Ponting talked up the tournament prospects of their frontline […]
Senior Sri Lankan defence source warns of long campaign
March 13, 2007 (AFP) – A top Sri Lankan defence source warned Tuesday the current military campaign against the Tiger rebels could take up to three years as warplanes bombed rebel positions for a second day.There have been no comments from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which have been fighting for an independent […]
Sri Lanka says air raids kill eight Tamil Tigers
March 13, 2007 (AFP) – Eight suspected Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in strikes by Sri Lanka warplanes as part of a military offensive in the eastern Batticaloa district, the defence ministry said Tuesday. More than 4,000 people have been killed amid an upsurge in fighting since December 2005, despite the two sides agreeing to […]
Sri Lanka gets budgetary support grant from Japan
March 13, 2007 (LBO) — Sri Lanka has secured a 10.2 million dollar grant from Japan to support the island’s balance of payments, with the funds to be used to import goods and material, the Japanese Embassy said Tuesday.Japan, Sri Lanka’s biggest bi-lateral donor, had disbursed 198.8 million dollars from January to September 2006, according […]
Sri Lanka cash rates hit a new 32% high, equities slide
March 12 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s overnight cash rates hit a new high of 32 percent Monday, as the central bank stayed away from injecting liquidity through an open market auction, dealers said. On Friday morning rates hit 30 percent, before easing slightly, with a market short by about 1.9 billion rupees. Sri Lanka’s overnight […]
Striking Hot
March 12, 2007 (LBO) — Sri Lanka is pushing for greater access to the Chinese aviation market, when high level officials meet for bilateral air-services talks later this week, the foreign ministry said Monday.Sino-Lanka aviation links have been in place since 1959, though direct airlinks between both countries were established when SriLankan airlines started thrice […]
Claims Toll
March 12, 2007 (LBO) – Union Assurance net profits fell 41 percent in 2006, with high claims bill taking its toll, but gross premiums grew by 28 percent, the company’s annual accounts showed. The firm’s net profit after tax fell to 155 million rupees from 262 million of 2005. The surplus from life insurance activities […]