Category:
‘s gaming boom: industry
SINGAPORE, July 24, 2006 (AFP) – Casino gaming is increasingly accepted as a revenue stream for Asian governments and the sector is set to continue growing phenomenally with Macau leading the way, industry players said Monday. From Australia to Singapore and other Asian countries, the region’s governments now recognise that integrated gaming “resorts”, offering casino […]
Romantic proposals to get hitched being ditched: British poll
LONDON, July 24, 2006 (AFP) – The classic romantic wedding proposal where a man offers his would-be fiancee an engagement ring while down on bended knee, is going out of fashion, according to a British survey published Monday. Nearly one in three British couples just “agree together” to get married, according to a survey of […]
Sri Lanka seeks help for tens of thousands in Lebanon
July 24, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka is seeking urgent help to evacuate workers trapped in Lebanon, despite the vast majority of its estimated 80,000 nationals there apparently not wanting to leave, officials said Monday.Sri Lanka has by far the largest number of foreign workers in Lebanon working mostly as housemaids, truck drivers and child-minders, […]
Tamil politician shot dead in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, July 24, 2006 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead a pro-government Tamil politician in Sri Lanka’s main city of Colombo Monday, police said. A lone gunman killed Mark Kanapathipillai of the Eelam Democratic People’s Party (EPDP), police said adding that the victim was a close associate of party leader Douglas Devananda. The […]
Empty Tank
July 24 (LBO) – An ongoing strike by trade unions at Sri Lanka’s petroleum distribution facility could cripple supplies at fuel sheds, if it continues over the next few days, top officials said. Unions are demanding the removal of a newly appointed chairman to a common infrastructure facility, Common Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd (CPSTL). The […]
Burgeoning trade ties no guarantee of Asian peace: analysts
SINGAPORE, July 23, 2006 (AFP) – Burgeoning economic links through a web of free trade agreements (FTAs), financial cooperation and investments may reduce the risk of war in Asia but are no guarantee of peace, analysts say.Nationalist sentiments and historical animosities between major Asian countries could sideline economic considerations should tensions come to a boiling […]
Sri Lanka security alert as Tigers mark Black July
July 23, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Sunday stepped up its already tight security arrangements in the capital as Tamil Tiger rebels marked “Black July,” or the 23rd anniversary of anti-Tamil riots here, police said.Police and troops set up more road blocks and tightened security at key installations amid fears that the Liberation Tigers of […]
Back Onboard
July 22, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main port is limping back to work following government assurance to consider striking workers demand for a pay hike, an official said Saturday. “The unions called off the strike after a government delegation led by the shipping minister agreed to resolve the issue of a salary increment within […]
Lace Curtain
July 22, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to form a national media policy to regulate content aired on local television channels, President Mahinda Rajapakse said Saturday, during a meeting with heads of local broadcasting stations. Rajapakse said a consultative committee will also be formed on Monday to iron out procedures and regulations that will […]
Cooking oil cars turn the table on high fuel prices
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 (AFP) – A growing number of Americans are setting up mini-refineries in their homes to produce biodiesel, a fuel made from waste cooking oil which is cleaner and cheaper than the petrol sold in gas stations.The sky-high price of crude oil is scaring everyone. Biodiesel has Hollywood backers like actress Julia […]
Drifting Away
July 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main export industry is reeling due to the ongoing strike at the Colombo port, amid moves by feeder vessel operators to hike rates to recover losses, officials said Friday. The island’s 2.5 billion dollar clothing industry is unable to meet buyers’ deadlines and is contemplating taking legal action […]
New Proposals
July 21 (LBO) – The government is planning to amend a controversial levy on imported television programs and commercials, with concessions for English programming, a senior official said. There will be concessionary amendments to the new levy. The proposed amendments have to be approved by President Mahinda Rajapakse, R T L Weerasinghe, Senior Tax Advisor […]