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Sri Lanka troops advance on last Tiger hold-out: military
February 24, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan government troops were Tuesday advancing on the last urban area in the north of the island still in the hands of Tamil Tiger rebels, the military said.Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said soldiers were “on the fringes of Puthukkudirirppu,” a small town on a narrow strip of land in the […]
Sri Lanka probes origin of Tiger aircraft
February 24, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military said Tuesday it was trying to establish how the Tamil Tigers managed to buy light planes abroad, smuggle them onto the island and establish a rebel air force.According to the island’s defence ministry, the raid was the last air attack likely to be carried out by the […]
Younus smashes double century as Test heads for draw
KARACHI, February 24, 2009 (AFP) – Younus Khan notched a spectacular double hundred to help Pakistan avoid following on against Sri Lanka as the first Test headed towards a draw here on Tuesday. The new captain was unbeaten on 243 for his second Test double hundred which helped Pakistan move to 453-4 at tea on […]
Risky Behaviour
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s existing financial regulation are adequate to take action against unregistered finance firms who defraud customers, a former member of the central bank monetary board said.Deva Rodrigo said the recent collapse of unregistered finance companies had raised fears about the stability of the financial system. This was one of […]
Sri Lankan tea prices rise
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Tea prices rose sharply at last week’s Colombo auction with crops on the decline and the quality season which attracts overseas buyers in full swing, brokers said.The brightest seasonal Nuwara Eliya BOP teas moved up sharply by 50 – 100 rupees per kilo. The market also moved up sharply for […]
Migrant Move
SYDNEY, February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Australia will likely cut the number of skilled immigrants allowed into the country next year, following the global economic downturn, the government said Monday.“I expect the numbers of our programme to drop next year as a reaction to the economic circumstances,” Immigration Minister Chris Evans told reporters. He gave […]
EU urges humanitarian truce in Sri Lanka
BRUSSELS, February 23, 2009 (AFP) – European Union foreign ministers issued a joint call Monday for an immediate ceasefire between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels to allow aid in and civilians out of the conflict zone.“The EU is deeply concerned about the evolving humanitarian crisis and vast number of internally displaced people,” […]
Sri Lanka army rejects Tiger truce call
February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers appealed Monday for international action to halt a major offensive against their shrinking fiefdom, but the island’s military rejected any talk of a truce. With rebel forces cornered in the northeast of the island by a massive attack by government forces, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil […]
‘s Tamil Tigers say ready for ceasefire
February 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels Monday said they were ready to comply with international calls for a ceasefire but would not lay down their arms.With rebel forces cornered in the northeast of the island by government troops, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) appealed to foreign powers to step […]
Sixth Indian Tamil self-immolates over Sri Lanka war
CHENNAI, February 22, 2009 (AFP) – An ethnic Tamil activist committed suicide by setting himself on fire in protest against the war in Sri Lanka, Indian police said on Sunday. Siva Prakasam, 55, set himself ablaze during an anti-war rally on Saturday in Chennai, capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, a police spokesman […]
Sri Lanka exporters to get incentives as downturn worsens
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has unveiled an export incentive program based on maintaining revenues and employment, while emerging data shows contracting nominal values with manufacturers planning to trim workforces. Sri Lanka’s government is giving a 5 percent incentive payment in domestic currency to any exporter who can show 5.0 percent more export […]
Sri Lanka seen as China marketing hub
Feb 23, 2009 (LBO) – Chinese businesses are eying Sri Lanka’s regional and international trade concessions and strategic geographical location as a window into European Union and other Asian markets, a visiting Chinese trade official said. “The geographical location of Sri Lanka is good. It can be used as a window into other Asian and […]