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Sri Lanka cautioned by Japan on military breakthrough
TOKYO, January 5, 2009 (AFP) – Japan, Sri Lanka’s top donor, was cautious Monday after the Tamil Tiger rebels’ capital fell, with an official saying that only a political solution could resolve the island’s ethnic war. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, part of the Sinhalese majority, vowed in a New Year’s address to crush the […]
Sri Lanka rupee quoted at 114.05/25 against greenback
Jan 05, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka rupee was quoted at a low of 114.05/25 against the greenback in intra-day trading Monday before recovering on dollar sales by a state bank that usually represents the Central Bank, dealers said.Banks parked 12.8 billion rupees at the central bank through an open market auction at an […]
Sri Lanka to review forex curbs in April: Central Bank
Jan 05, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka would review restrictions imposed on foreign exchange use in April 2009, the central bank said as the rupee continued to weaken against the greenback on liquidity injections made by the monetary authority. The central bank tightened limits on overnight trading positions of commercial banks, imposed penal interest rates […]
Sri Lanka shares weaken despite military gains
Jan 05, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares shed early gains to end 1.11 percent weaker Monday despite more military successes against Tamil Tiger rebels, with brokers saying the market is likely to remain quiet until investment funds return.The army made more gains Monday, seizing another town held by the rebels as they pushed deeper […]
Sri Lanka expects big coconut crop after heavy rains
Jan 05, 2009 (LBO) – Heavy rains in Sri Lanka last year should ensure an adequate coconut crop for 2009 that would be enough to meet the demands of both domestic consumers as well as export industry, a senior official said.“In the market at present more than 50-75 million nuts remain unsold.There are excess nuts.” […]
Cell Call
Jan 05, 2009 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka unit of Bharti Airtel would launch its operations on January 12, the company said, kicking off a media campaign Monday and taking full page advertisements in local newspapers. BOI said the firm has been approved by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and planned to start operations by December […]
Sri Lanka troops take strategic pass from Tigers: army
January 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops battling Tamil rebels Monday captured part of the highly strategic Elephant Pass in a second major success just days after taking the guerrillas’ political headquarters, the army said.Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said the southern part of Elephant Pass, a causeway linking the northern Jaffna peninsula to the […]
Sri Lanka troops keep up assault on last Tamil Tiger bases: army
January 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships moved against the remaining Tamil Tiger jungle strongholds after taking their political headquarters, the army said on Monday.Soldiers were fanning out from positions in the north of the island and heading towards remaining rebel pockets after seizing the Liberation Tigers of […]
Sri Lanka pile on huge lead in Bangladesh Test
CHITTAGONG, January 5, 2009 (AFP) – Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilan Samarweera smashed unbeaten half-centuries to put Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh here on Monday.Dilshan, who top-scored with 162 in the first innings, hit 81 while Samarweera scored 72 as the visitors reached 296-4 in […]
Sri Lanka consolidate in second Bangladesh Test
CHITTAGONG, January 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets before reaching 95-2 in their second innings at lunch on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh here on Monday. Sri Lanka lead the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the opener in Dhaka by 107 runs. The visitors, who made 384 […]
Cell Rules
Jan 04, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will issue new rules covering financial transactions through mobile phones, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said, as the island’s fast growing celcos join banks to offer new payment methods. “Given the increased usage of mobile phones for financial transactions, the Central Bank intends to issue new operating guidelines […]
Japan registers small tsunami waves after Indonesia quakes
TOKYO, January 4, 2009 (AFP) – Japan’s Pacific coast was lapped by minor tsunami waves Sunday after a string of powerful earthquakes off Indonesia, the country’s meteorological agency said.Waves up to 40 centimetres (1.3 feet) reached the Pacific coasts of islands from the Okinawan chain to the main island of Honshu, the agency said. The […]