Category: General Services

ABU DHABI, Jan 22, 2008 (AFP) – Gulf Arab states heavily dependent on an Asian labour force agreed on Tuesday with labour-sending Asian countries to join forces against the exploitation of expat workers from Asia.Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) labour ministers and counterparts from Asia are to propose an action plan to protect the welfare of […]

Jan 20, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lankan writers trying to break into the international arena are facing a barrier from foreign publishers who expect books themed on the three-decade long conflict in the island.She says budding authors also need publishers who provide guidance with good editors who will help spruce up a book. “The books […]

Jan 18, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan community organizations that come up with innovative ways to combat discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers would get World Bank support to develop and implement their ideas, an official said. More information on the Development Marketplace The World Bank is looking for “creative, innovative ways of carrying a message”, says […]

Jan 16, 2007 (LBO) — A roadside bomb in southeastern Sri Lanka that targeted a passenger bus had killed 23 and injured 67, the defence ministry said Wednesday, as a ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers officially drew to a close.The bus was traveling from the town of Buttala to Okkampitiya, an area bordering the Eastern […]

Jan 16, 2007 (LBO) – Two attacks on civilians in southeastern Sri Lanka left 28 people dead as a truce with Tamil Tigers ended Wednesday, while a roadside bomb injured three soldiers in a military vehicle, authorities said. Suspected Tamil Tiger guerrillas had attacked a group of farmers and killed two in a remote village, […]

Jan 13, 2008 (LBO) – A second catering firm has set up shop in Sri Lanka’s international airport in Katunayake, breaking a 30 year monopoly held by national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, officials said.The Thai food firm, Siam House, which supplies food to the state owned budget airline Mihin Lanka, opened its restaurant in the […]

Jan 11, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s overcrowded top state cancer hospital would get a 140 bed transit facility to house outpatients, the newly launched Colombo branch of a charity focusing on child patients said. Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC) Foundation was founded five years ago in Australia to support child patients at the National […]

Jan 09, 2008 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan leisure group is involving tourists in a reforestation project as the country’s main tourism promotion body attempts to position the island as an eco-friendly green destination. The Jetwing group says its ‘Eternal Earth’ project which was kicked off this week at their Hunas Falls Hotel nestled adjacent […]

Jan 09, 2007 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce ‘Trade Point’ electronic commerce gateway has been activated, enabling Sri Lankan small businesses to better access global trade opportunities, the chamber said Wednesday. The chamber was granted operational status as a fully operational trade point and the right to operate as a member of the […]

Jan 09, 2008 (LBO) – Rating agency Fitch assigned ‘A (lka)’ long term rating to Abans Private Limited in Sri Lanka with a stable outlook, the agency said Wednesday. Abans, owned by the Pestonjee family, has not put forward a clear succession plan nor introduced independent directors to its board, the ratings agency says. The […]

Jan 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s army overran Tamil Tiger fortifications in north-western Mannar while also engaging them on two other fronts in clashes that killed 23 guerrillas and one soldier since Sunday, the military said. Media Center for National Security said fighting was reported on separate fronts in Mannar, north-central Vavuniya and the […]

Jan 06, 2007 (LBO) – Emirates said it would stop managing Sri Lankan Airlines after March 2008, ending months of controversy and a troubled relationship that culminated with the island government canceling the visa of its resident manager in Colombo. .Updated “Emirates has notified the Government of Sri Lanka that it will not be renewing […]