Category: Industry
Bowled Over
March 14 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s power utility is on a drive to provide uninterrupted supply to the country, while facing googlies from depleting hydro reserves, technical glitches, and higher demand from world cup cricket viewers. Meanwhile, the utility’s engineers union has also been warning that additional thermal plants may be needed to bridge a […]
Windies storm to opening World Cup win
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 13, 2007 (AFP) – West Indies, bidding to become the first host nation to win the World Cup, got their campaign off to a dream start on Tuesday with a 54-run win over Pakistan. Brian Lara’s side, who were restricted to 241-9 off their 50 overs, bowled out Inzamam-ul-Haq’s unpredictable Pakistanis for […]
” in Cup opener
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, March 14, 2007 (AFP) – If ace Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan sends down a ‘doosra’ in the opening World Cup Group B match here on Thursday, many Bermudian batsmen will struggle to read it. All the four Group B sides have arrived here and had workouts in bright sunshine on […]
Suntel Sale
March 14 (LBO) – Seven suitors are chasing Sri Lanka’s wireless operator Suntel, but its parent Telia of Sweden may even consider a stock market listing in Colombo if a sale does not go through, a top official said. TeliaSonera, the holding company of Overseas Telia which owns Suntel, is among six firms listed for […]
No Skin
March 14, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka banned on Wednesday the use of naked or semi-naked models in advertising, saying it was seeking to protect those offended by public nudity.The Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced the ban through notices in Sinhalese-language newspapers, warning advertisers against the use of unclothed males or females. The ministry statement […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Plastic Money
March 13 (LBO) – Visa International will give Sri Lanka’s 1.5 million plastic card market a boost, by issuing mini debit cards with Sampath Bank, officials said. Sampath says the card will be issued to all new customers who open accounts with the Bank and will be available to existing account holders. They could also […]
Southern Harbour
March 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Monday signed up two Chinese firms to build the proposed Hambantota Port in Southern Sri Lanka, with financing expected from the Chinese government. SLPA hopes the project will provide 6,000 direct employment and 50,000 indirect employment opportunities in the area, with nearby Matara, Ratnapura and […]
Sobers declares 2007 World Cup open
DANIEL TOWN, Jamaica, March 12, 2007 (AFP) – The 2007 Cricket World Cup, the first to be held in the Caribbean, was opened here on Sunday in a three-hour, two-million dollar opening ceremony. Sir Garfield Sobers, arguably the greatest player the game has ever known, declared the 16-team, 49-day, 51-match tournament open. “On behalf of […]