Pakistan sight win after rookies tame Sri Lanka

GALLE, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – Debutants Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal combined to wreck Sri Lanka’s batting and put Pakistan on the road to victory in the first cricket Test here on Monday. The pace-spin duo grabbed three wickets each as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 217 in their second innings on the […]

Listing Deadline

July 5, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s registered finance companies will have to be listed by June 30, 2011 as part of a prudential regulation framework promoted by the Central Bank, a media report said.The Sunday Island newspaper quoted Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal as saying that out of 34 registered finance companies only eight […]

‘s Arugam Bay waves again

July 6, 2009, ARUGAM BAY (LBO) – Arugam Bay in eastern Sri Lanka is coming to life after the end of a 30-year war in Sri Lanka cleared the way for surfers from around the world to ride its waves again.Hotels in the area were packed to capacity this week when surfers flocked to the […]

Sri Lanka rules out removing rice price controls

July 06, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government which restricts the import of rice and has imposed high tariffs on substitute carbohydrates says ‘price controls’ on rice will remain, blaming a milling oligopoly for high prices. Potatoes are charged a 15 rupee tax per kilogram. The government also allocates money to buy rice to keep […]

” return to 9.0 percent growth

NEW DELHI, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – India’s finance minister targeted a return to 9.0 percent economic growth “at the earliest” in a budget speech Monday that suggested the country had seen off the worst of the global financial crisis.But in announcing increased funding for farmers and poverty alleviation programmes, Pranab Mukherjee also warned that […]

Australia pressures Malaysia on people-smuggling

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – Malaysia on Monday appealed for international help to curb people-smuggling, amid talks with Australian leaders who are pushing for action to close down illegal migration routes.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is due to arrive here later Monday to pressure Malaysia on the thousands of illegal immigrants hit by wars […]

Pakistan chase 168 to win first Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – Pakistan faced a target of 168 runs to win the first cricket Test after bowling Sri Lanka out for 217 in their second innings after tea on the third day on Monday. Tharanga Paranavitana top-scored with 49, while fast bowler Mohammad Aamer and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal picked up three […]

Sri Lanka wipe out deficit in first Pakistan Test

GALLE, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka batted cautiously on a lively wet pitch to cancel Pakistan’s 50-run lead on the third day of the first cricket Test here on Monday.The hosts took their second innings from the overnight 0-0 to 70-2 by lunch and now lead by 20 runs with eight wickets in […]

India offers US$100mn for Sri Lankan Tamils

NEW DELHI, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – India on Monday offered 100 million dollars for the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians displaced by conflict in Sri Lanka. India is home to millions of Tamils in southern Tamil Nadu state, which is separated by a narrow strip of sea from Sri Lanka.“I propose to allocate […]

Keel Laying

July 05, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shipyard Colombo Dockyard said it has laid the keel for construction of the third Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessel for Greatship India.The vessels can undertake multi-purpose roles such as transportation of pipes, fresh water, diesel oil, bulk cement, stores, equipment, moving men and materials between platforms and shore, and […]

Lease Rating

July 05, 2009 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka said it has confirmed the Commercial Leasing Company (CLC) national rating at ‘A-(lka)’, with a stable outlook. Ficth said in a statement CLC’s rating reflects its fairly strong financial profile, good asset quality and implied support assumed to be available from its parent, Lanka ORIX Leasing Company […]

Media Muzzle

July 05, 2009 (LBO) – Fresh attempts by Sri Lanka’s government to muzzle the press and block the freedom speech of the people through a draconian law will hurt the economy and corporate sector, a senior lawmaker and commentators have warned. “This archaic law’s provisions effectively ban the reporting of matters as sweeping as those […]

Page 2077 of 3391