Fernando fireworks see Lankans tame Lions

DERBY, May 22, 2011 (AFP) – Dilhara Fernando took three wickets for four runs as Sri Lanka completed their preparations for next week’s first Test against England with a morale-boosting 38-run win over the England Lions here on Sunday. Sri Lanka, who’d already beaten Middlesex, won on the fourth and final day after being made […]

Sri Lanka cautious on Pakistan tour

May 23, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket officials Monday reacted cautiously to an invitation to tour Pakistan, just two years after players were targeted in a deadly militant ambush in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced at the weekend that they had invited Sri Lanka to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and one […]

Sri Lanka Hayleys wind power plant to start in Sept

May 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s listed Hayleys group said a wind power plant it is building in the island’s north western coastal town of Kalpitiya will begin commercial operations in September 2011. The 10 MegaWatt wind plant is run by its unit Nirmalapura Wind Power (Private) Ltd. The Kalpitiya peninsula has another wind […]

Finance Growth

May 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s LB Finance said net profits for the March 2011 grew 83 percent to 391 million rupees from a year earlier, with strong growth in lending during the past year and a steep increase in other income, interim accounts showed. Its government securities portfolio rose modestly to 1.6 billion […]

Ton-up again for Sri Lankan duo as Lions struggle

DERBY, May 21, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana both scored their second centuries in as many matches as they warmed-up for next week’s first Test in Cardiff by hauling the islanders back into their contest against the second string England Lions. Dilshan (117) and Paranavitana (125), following on from […]

Pakistan urges Sri Lanka tour despite trouble

KARACHI, May 22, 2011 (AFP) – Pakistan have officially invited Sri Lanka to contest a home series in the hope that the two governments can sort out a tour due to start in October, an official said Sunday. Gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009 in Lahore injuring seven Sri Lankan players and […]

Cruise Call

May 22, 2011 (LBO) – India’s first cruise ship, Chennai flagged AMET Majesty will make calls on Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Trincomalee ports when it begins high seas cruises in June, a media report said. India is already the largest generator of tourists to Sri Lanka. Arrivals have boomed since the island introduced visa on […]

Sri Lankan air cargo goes electronic

May 20, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national carrier SriLankan Airlines has introduced electronic cargo booking and scanning facilities at the main international airport in Katunayake. Its cargo arm, SriLankan Cargo, is modernising its cargo centre at the international airport north of Colombo to improve operational efficiency and strengthening Colombo’s position as an air cargo […]

Ton-up Morgan, Patel pile on runs against Sri Lanka

LONDON, May 19, 2011 (AFP) – Eoin Morgan and Samit Patel both hit centuries in last-gasp bids to seal Test spots as England Lions piled up 394 for four on the first day of a four-day match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Morgan made 156 not out with Patel weighing in with an unbeaten 101 […]

SriLankan Airlines gets more fuel efficient aircraft

May 20, 2011 (LBO) – A brand new Airbus A320-200 aircraft delivered to SriLankan Airlines this week as part of its fleet expansion is more fuel efficient and would improve airline performance, the national carrier said. Chief executive Manoj Gunawardena said two more aircraft are expected to be delivered later in the year. “These aircraft […]

Secret Shoot

May 19, 2011 (AFP) – Under a cloak of secrecy, the first film adaptation of controversial author Salman Rushdie’s celebrated novel “Midnight’s Children” has finished shooting in Sri Lanka. Canadian director Deepa Mehta chose the South Asian island as a location instead of India or Pakistan, where the book is set, to avoid problems with […]

Sri Lanka seen more expensive than rival tourist destinations

May 19, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka appears to be priced at the top tier in hotel room rates compared to its regional rivals, a new report on the industry by Capital Alliance said. “However, there are a few key concerns that the industry should overcome to fully reap the benefits of the tourism boom. […]

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