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Criss-crossing Sri Lankan parliamentarian complains of death threats
April 04, 2007 (LBO) – A rebel parliamentarian who re-joined Sri Lanka’s opposition after a brief stint as a deputy minister, told parliament Wednesday that he was receiving death threats, while his former fellow rebels labeled the move as childish. œIf he joined the government only for the glory of a position and the attached […]
Uproar in Sri Lanka Parliament over South Asian common currency
April 4, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Parliament Wednesday witnessed an uproar over President Mahinda Rajapakse’s proposal for a single currency for SAARC nations. However, amidst differences over trade, the region continues to clock an average of eight percent economic growth. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe demanded a Parliamentary debate over Rajapakse’s statement at the SAARC […]
‘s former cricket chief jailed
COLOMBO, April 4, 2007 (AFP) – A court sentenced Sri Lanka’s former cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala to two years in jail Wednesday for breaking the island’s immigration laws, officials said. Sumathipala was charged with taking an alleged underworld leader named Dhammika Amarasinghe to England on forged travel documents to watch the 1999 cricket world cup. […]
Sri Lanka jets hit Tamil Tiger sea base
COLOMBO, April 4, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan warplanes bombed a key Tamil Tiger naval base in the island’s northeast Wednesday, the defence ministry said.Israeli-built Kfir jets pounded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam base at Puthukudirrippu, a ministry spokesman said. There was no immediate reaction from the Tigers. Sri Lankan warplanes have been routinely […]
Sri Lankan troops kill six Tigers in fresh clashes
COLOMBO, April 4, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops have shot dead six Tamil Tiger rebels in clashes in the island’s embattled northern and eastern regions, the defence ministry said Wednesday. More than 4,000 people have been killed in the latest upsurge of fighting that began in December 2005 despite a truce arranged in 2002. […]
Sri Lanka bans cruelty to bulls in April races
April 04, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka announced a cracked down on cruelty to bulls at cart races during next week’s New Year celebrations, President Mahinda Rajapakse’s office said Wednesday. Cart rallies are common during Sri Lanka’s traditional two day New Year celebration, which starts on April 13, but animal rights activists say the carriages […]
More foreign aid needed to reach Millennium Development Goals: UNDP
April 04, 2007 (LBO) – Aid to poor countries has fallen since 2005, threatening the achievement of Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) the head of the United Nations Agency that promotes sustainable development has said. In Sri Lanka for example, analysts say almost all the long-term investments in infrastructure are financed with foreign aid, while 49 […]
’s rising foreign commercial loans
April 4, 2007 (LBO) – Increased reliance on foreign currency loans by Sri Lanka’s government and private sector could spell danger ahead if they are not managed properly, the Central Bank has said in its annual report. High foreign non-concessional borrowings could increase the vulnerability of the external sector to various shocks, the bank warned […]
China sees “historic opportunities” in South Asia
NEW DELHI, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – China declared Tuesday that South Asia was on the brink of “historic opportunities” and sought stepped up cooperation with the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the statement as he welcomed Beijing’s new observer status at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). “We all belong […]
‘s Bashar still searching for right mix
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said his side had still to find the right approach to building a score after their nine-wicket World Cup Super Eights defeat against New Zealand. “Whoever wins the World Cup this time will have to work very hard.” During their 10-wicket reverse in […]
New Zealand skipper Fleming eager for Aussie clash
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming cannot wait to play Australia after his side drew level on points with the reigning champions in the second round of the World Cup following a crushing nine-wicket victory against Bangladesh. “Three in five days (New Zealand play Ireland in Guyana on […]
Pietersen wary of silent assassin Murali
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, April 3, 2007 (AFP) – Kevin Pietersen may have once disdainfully reverse-swept Muttiah Muralitharan for six but that hasn’t lessened the England batsman’s respect for the Sri Lankan spin wizard. “Against Sri Lanka or Australia you cannot slip up for five or 10 overs in the one-day game, you’ve got to nail […]