China on brink of becoming dominant sporting power

BEIJING, July 28, 2008 (AFP) – China is on the brink of becoming the most dominant sporting power in the world, with expectations running high that they will bounce the United States from the top of the Olympic medal table.At Athens four years ago, China finished with 32 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze medals […]

Sri Lanka shifts site of planned second international airport

July 28, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ports and aviation ministry has stopped work on a controversial new international airport in the island’s south and decided to shift it to a new location. Sri Lanka has only one international airport at present and needs a second one under international air safety rules so flights can […]

Combined Entity

July 28, 2008 LBO) – Sri Lanka’s finance ministry plans to bring a proposed new law to amalgamate six regional development banks (RDBs) to parliament early next month, a senior official says. The main stake holders of the banks last week gave the green light to the proposed act which is now being examined by […]

‘s Mendis says he owes it to Murali

July 27, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis said that team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan played a key role in his success against India in his debut Test here. Mendis took eight wickets in the match as Sri Lanka thrashed India by an innings and 239 runs to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-Test […]

Aromatic Growth

July 27, 2008 (LBO) – Cosmetics manufacturer Oriflame says the market for its products in Sri Lanka grew by almost half in 2007, more than the average growth rate of markets in the Asian region.Oriflame Cosmetics is present in 59 countries with a sales force of 2.3 million independent sales consultants. “This means there is […]

India crash to big defeat after Murali-Mendis magic

July 26, 2008 (AFP) – Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis made a mockery of India’s strong batting reputation as Sri Lanka won the opening Test by a record innings and 239 runs here on Saturday.But Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene requested the officials to review the decisions under a new experimental rule and they changed […]

Military hardware close to venues proves tourist trap

BEIJING, July 26, 2008 (AFP) – “What is that?” asked a surprised and intrigued local resident as he looked at the missiles deployed near the main Olympic stadia in Beijing.Retired 55-year-old Ji Xiu had taken advantage of the new number six bus route to cross from her home on the opposite side of Beijing with […]

Bunker mentality as Beijing readies for Games

BEIJING, July 25, 2008 (AFP) – Its ancient city walls were demolished decades ago, but with the Olympic Games fast approaching Beijing is raising a new defence that is echoing those long-gone fortifications.The capital has gone into fortress mode for next month’s Games, with police checkpoints choking road traffic into Beijing, tightened security across the […]

”s collapse

July 25, 2008 (AFP) – Muttiah Muralitharan triggered India’s collapse with four quick wickets to boost Sri Lanka’s hopes of enforcing a follow-on in the third Test here on Friday. The wily off-spinner grabbed 4-38 as India struggled to reach 159-6 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to Sri […]

‘s June quarter profits hit by floods

July 25, 2008 (LBO) – Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills, which supplies knitted fabric to Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, said June quarter net profit fell 19 percent to 705,228 US dollars (76 million rupees) after floods disrupted production.The company, a unit of the Hayleys group, said in a statement turnover grew 14 percent to 14.9 million […]

Transworks Project

July 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will look for private investors to develop prime state property in the heart of the capital Colombo, who would be expected to build a two-tower high rise which could cost around 200 million US dollars, a senior minister said. The land is the so-called Transworks Square, a four […]

Retirement Plan

July 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankans must start making specific plans to save and invest money early enough to help at the time of retirement or in an emergency, financial sector professionals say. Having a structured savings scheme automatically reduces the reliance on debt, Premaratne says. Most young people have not planned their future […]

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