Cook keeps England afloat in Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – Alastair Cook hit an unbeaten half-century as England began a long vigil to avoid defeat in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka here on Friday.The tourists, following on 418 runs behind after being dismissed for a new low of 81 against Sri Lanka in the […]

No play after lunch in England-Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 21, 2007 (AFP) – A heavy downpour that began at the lunch interval washed out the afternoon session on the fourth day of the third and final cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka here on Friday. Continued wet weather has been forecast for the next 48 hours. The ground was […]

Sri Lanka insurers may escape sweeping downgrades over govt. move: Fitch

Dec 21, 2007 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings says Sri Lankan insurance firms may avoid sweeping downgrades after the government partially rolled back plans to force firms to re-insure with the state. “It is now envisaged that no insurance ratings in Sri Lanka will be affected by the introduction of the fund.” Sri Lanka only has […]

Banished Sri Lankan air chief to run firm from Dubai

Dec 21, 2007 (LBO) – SriLankan Airlines chief Peter Hill would continue to run the airline from Dubai after his resident visa in the island was revoked by the government, managing shareholder Emirates Airlines said. SriLankan Airlines is 43.6 percent owned by Dubai-based Emirates air, and Hill was seconded to the airline in 1998 after […]

Literary Climate

Dec 21, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s second international literary festival in Galle next year will focus on the theme climate change and would reach out to get a new generation interested in English, its organizers said. The Galle festival was named as one of the best literary festivals in the world, by the American […]

Watching Brief

Dec 21, 2007 (LBO) – Lanka Rating Agency said Friday it had placed BB3 rated Multi Finance Company on rating watch, pending a take-over from the Ceylinco group. Multi Finance, a small privately held finance company founded in the 1974, will initially get a 70 million rupee capital injection from Ceylinco Shriram Securities Holdings. Ceylinco […]

Easier Shipments

Dec 21 (LBO) – The threat of higher freight rates on Sri Lankan exports to Europe is easing, former Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council chairman Jayanath Perera said. Exporters were forced to pay high rates six months ago when a surge in Chinese exports led to space shortages for Sri Lankan cargo on ships calling Colombo […]

Not Resident

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s immigration authorities have informed Sri Lankan airlines Thursday, that its chief executive Peter Hill’s resident visa has been cancelled, an official said. Hill had started his carrier as a trainee at British Airways forerunner British Overseas Airline Corporation in 1961. Hill, a Briton, was appointed by Emirates airlines, […]

Financial Health

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s financial sector has so far been resilient in the face of shocks but risks are increasing as the economy heads for tough times, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. Rising interest rates likely to affect profitability of banks while credit quality is weakening as a result of […]

Northern Hunt

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka plans to invite oil companies to explore for petroleum deposits in new areas in the north of the island, a senior minister said, where Tamil Tiger rebels are active. The petroleum ministry has been given the government nod to kick off exploration in the Sri Lankan side of […]

Sri Lankan Airlines okayed to train techies by EU

Dec 20, 2007 (LBO) – The aviation safety agency of the European Union has certified Sri Lankan Airlines to train maintenance technicians, the airline said Thursday. “SriLankan Airlines is now one of the few companies in Asia to receive the globally recognized EASA 147 certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, to provide training in […]

‘s Jayawardene, Dilshan punish England fumbles

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 19, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was one run away from becoming his country’s leading centurion as England paid dearly for missed chances in the third Test here on Wednesday.Jayawardene was unbeaten on 99 as Sri Lanka took their overnight total of 147-4 to 287-6 by tea on […]

Page 964 of 1353