Harbour Moves

July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Colombo port plans to order more quay-side gantry cranes, mobile cranes and tractors to boost productivity and cope with increasing cargo flows, a senior official said.Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya said the new equipment acquisition was part of the ports efforts to improve efficiency and the port’s […]

‘s Ranatunga urges players not to ignore Tests

July 16, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s legendary former captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Wednesday urged players to preserve Test cricket in the face of the challenge posed by the lucrative Twenty20 format.Captains of India and Sri Lanka, who begin a three-Test series here next week, endorsed Ranatunga’s comments. “As cricketers, the ultimate challenge for most […]

My Phone

July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Tigo, a unit of Millicom International Cellular is issuing plastic-card ownership certificate in response to anti-terror rules, which can be piggy-backed to give additional benefits to customers, an official said. The new regulations introduced by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka require mobile customers to give on […]

Peninsular 3G

July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Dialog Telekom, a unit of Telekom Malaysia, said it had launched third generation (3G) mobile services allowing video calling in the island’s northern Jaffna peninsular. Dialog’s video calling comes with a conferencing facility that allows users in six different locations to talk. Dialog says is 3G network now […]

Sri Lanka scrambles to stop Japan travel warning

July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is scrambling to head off an imminent travel warning from Japan, in a bid to save the struggling tourism industry from a new blow, a top official said.Tourism secretary George Michael said Sri Lanka has learned of an imminent travel warning from Japan and tourism minister Milinda Moragoda […]

Team USA includes several athletes who previously failed doping tests

INDIANAPOLIS, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Reigning Olympic 100 metre champion Justin Gatlin was noticeably absent when the USA’s track and field team for Beijing was officially named on Monday.Gatlin, who is serving a four-year ban for using steroids, tried unsuccessfully last month to get the US courts to permit him to compete in the […]

India have batsmen to counter Mendis, says Kumble

CHENNAI, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – India captain Anil Kumble said Monday he was confident his experienced batsmen will see off the threat posed by spinner Ajantha Mendis in the Test series in Sri Lanka. The Indian players found Mendis virtually unplayable in the recent Asia Cup final in Karachi, where the spinner grabbed 6-13 […]

Sri Lanka electricity utility gives Siemens deal to upgrade distribution

July 15, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state power utility, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), has given Siemens Energy a 5,309 million rupee (31 million Euro) contract to modernize and expand the medium-voltage distribution network of the capital Colombo.The contract includes expanding and modernizing a 33/11-kV transformer substation, the delivery, installation and commissioning of several medium-voltage […]

More Time

July 15, 2008 (LBO) – Directors of Sri Lankan banks would get three more years to meet term and age limits imposed by the Central Bank after a court ruling confirmed the rules with extended transitional provisions, the financial regulator said in a statement. Court has directed new rules with the amendments to be issued, […]

‘s Tharanga included for India warm-up tie

July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga was on Monday given a chance to stake his claim for the upcoming home Test series against India after being named in the 12-man squad for a warm-up match against the tourists.Sri Lanka Board XI squad: Jehan Mubarak (capt), Mahela Udawatte, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, […]

Names to look out for at Beijing Olympics

PARIS, July 13, 2008 (AFP) – AFP Sports Service has chosen a selection of athletes who could be grabbing the headlines during the Beijing Olympics:- ATHLETICS Muna Lee (USA) – Two weeks after her car was struck by a drunken driver and her shoulder was hurt, this thin 27-year-old speedster known more for her 200m […]

Sri Lanka yet to resolve England tour crisis

July 12, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan cricket’s governing body has yet to resolve the crisis over next year’s England tour that clashes with a more financially lucrative tournament in India, officials said Saturday.A source at Sri Lanka Cricket dismissed local media reports indicating the board had agreed to allow players to take part in […]

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