Talk Time

Feb 06, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka telco Lanka Bell has slashed international tariffs to India to 7.00 rupees from the earlier 12.00 a minute for fixed phones and 25.0 rupees for mobiles, the company said. “With this new rate Lanka Bell becomes the Sri Lankan telecommunication company that offers the lowest call charges to […]

Black wolves got their hue from domestic dogs

WASHINGTON, February 5, 2009 (AFP) – Black wolves, found nearly exclusively in North America, likely inherited their coats from breeding with domestic dogs, according to a study published Thursday.The dogs of the earliest Native Americans or of European immigrants probably contributed to the genetic variability of their wild counterparts, researchers from Stanford University and the […]

Sri Lankan troops take more Tiger bases

February 6, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops captured several Tamil Tiger supply bases on Friday, a day after overrunning the rebels’ last and largest naval base, military officials said. There has been growing concern for the safety of civilians amid reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross that “hundreds” have already been […]

‘s record-smashing Murali reveals secret of success

February 6, 2009 (AFP) – History-making Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan says mental toughness and hard work are the keys to success in international cricket.“It’s not all that sweet. It’s not easy to go on for such a long time because you have your ups and downs,” said Muralitharan, 36, after becoming the highest wicket-taker […]

Sri Lanka mob stones Red Cross office

February 6, 2009 (AFP) – A mob stoned the main office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Friday, smashing windows, a spokeswoman told AFP.The crowd of protestors, estimated to number around 200, shouted slogans, including “ICRC go home,” before being dispersed by police, spokeswoman Sophie Romanens […]

Sri Lanka rupee touch 114.05 in tom trade; CB T-bill stock Rs162bn

Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – The US dollar touched 114.05 rupees in active ‘value tomorrow’ dealing with a state bank on the buying side Thursday, despite official intervention at a lower rate on spot trades, dealers said.The spot dollar – which is settled two market days later – is closely watched by authorities, with a […]

Sri Lanka stocks slump

Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares slumped Thursday, dragged down by losses in blue chips with trading likely to remain choppy as investors take advantage of market upturns to book profits, brokers said. Brokers said that although military gains against the Tigers could end the war and restore economic stability, the global slowdown […]

Port Bids

Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has issued a long-awaited call for bids for a container terminal in a new deep-draft port being built next to the existing Colombo harbour. Bids will be opened by the Cabinet appointed negotiating committee on behalf of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on May 19. […]

Sri Lanka Galle literary festival; journeys back in time

Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – A blond woman in China with an unusual history; airline passengers armed to the teeth, crowded into a rickety Russian plane in Afghanistan, are an unlikely combination to encounter on a single journey.Award winning British travel-writer and novelist Colin Thubron, – one of whose latest works is Shadow of the […]

Darwin at 200: World salutes founder of evolutionary theory

PARIS, February 5, 2009 (AFP) – Two hundred years ago, in a wealthy household in rural England, a child was born who, in a quiet, dogged and utterly peaceful way, was destined to become one of the greatest revolutionaries who lived. Armed just with a pen, Charles Darwin reforged our concept of Nature and humanity’s […]

‘s biggest snake found in Colombia

PANAMA CITY, February 5, 2009 (AFP) – Scientists have found a 60-million-year-old fossil of the world’s largest snake, a 13-meter (42-foot), one-tonne behemoth dubbed Titanoboa, in a coal mine in Colombia, the US Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute said Wednesday. “The discovery of Titanoboa challenges our understanding of past climates and environments, as well as the […]

Sri Lanka combatants must declare truce, evacuate civilians: Canada

Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – Canada has called for the warring parties in Sri Lanka to declare a truce to evacuate the wounded civilians and for the Tigers to lay down arms. Meanwhile several hundred civilians have crossed over to government controlled areas in recent days. “We continue to believe that the conflict cannot be […]

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