Category:
900 killed in Sri Lanka since December
July 19, 2006 (AFP) – At least 900 people have been killed in a surge of violence in Sri Lanka since December that has left a four-year-old Norwegian-brokered truce in tatters, a monitoring official said Wednesday.Clashes between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels erupted soon after the election late November of President Mahinda Rajapakse. A […]
Sweden bids to save Sri Lanka ceasefire amid surge of violence
July 19, 2006 (AFP) – Sweden Wednesday launched a fresh effort to salvage Sri Lanka’s troubled truce as ceasefire monitors reported at least 900 people killed in a surge of ethnic violence since December.Swedish envoy Andres Oljelund met Sri Lankan officials here and was set to hold discussions with Tamil Tiger rebels ahead of a […]
Two killed, 15 wounded in Sri Lanka blast
July 19, 2006 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels set off a powerful mine in northern Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing two security personnel and wounding 15 people, a military official said.The blast hit a bus transporting troops and police in the Jaffna peninsula, military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said. “An officer and a soldier were […]
Suspected suicide bomber held in Sri Lanka
July 19, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police have arrested a suspected Tamil suicide bomber and three would-be accomplices in President Mahinda Rajapakse’s home constituency, the defence ministry said Wednesday.The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, had undergone training with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), defence ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said. “We […]
Sri Lanka’s rights watch dog slammed for dropping investigations
July 18, 2006 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan watchdog has halted its probes into the disappearance of thousands of people so that the government can avoid paying compensation, the Asian Human Rights Commission charged Tuesday. with best prices today in the USA with best prices today in the USA pharmacy Sri Lanka’s Human Rights […]
Sri Lanka’s rights watch dog slammed for dropping investigations
July 18, 2006 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan watchdog has halted its probes into the disappearance of thousands of people so that the government can avoid paying compensation, the Asian Human Rights Commission charged Tuesday.Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission (HRC), appointed and funded by the government, has shelved some 2,000 current probes into people who […]
Lanka Rating Agency rates Arpico Finance BB2
July 18, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Arpico Finance Co. Ltd has secured a BB2 rating for its long-term senior debt from Lanka Rating Agency. “Our rating reflects Arpico’s weak asset quality, delicate performance and marginal capitalisation,” the rating agency said Tuesday. Arpico, a small finance company quoted on the Colombo Stock Exchange, has been […]
Public Smoke
July 18, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s monopoly cigarette maker has asked for six months to enforce a public smoking and advertising ban, following legal amendments to anti-smoking laws that were passed in July. The amendments to the National Tobacco and Alcohol Authority Act softens some of the rules on public smoking in hotels, restaurants […]
Malaysian ministers ask their drivers to slow down after fines blitz
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysian ministers have asked their drivers to stick to the speed limit after several ministers, including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, racked up numerous unpaid traffic fines.Deputy Transport Minister Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar told parliament the cabinet had resolved that ministers and deputy ministers were not exempt […]
New York Times to shrink pages, staff
NEW YORK, July 18, 2006 (AFP) – The New York Times said Tuesday that in 2008 it will narrow down its pages by 38 milimeters (1.5 inches), close a printing operation in New Jersey and slash its staff by 250 workers to save 42 million dollars a year The measures that will go into effect […]
Standard Chartered set to take over Pakistan bank
KARACHI, July 18, 2006 (AFP) – Emerging markets giant Standard Chartered is completing a deal to buy Pakistan’s Union Bank in what would be the South Asian country’s largest corporate takeover, banking officials said Tuesday. The British-based bank plans to acquire a 49 percent stake in the company from a Saudi investor, they said. “Due […]
Sri Lankan maid killed as Israel pounds Lebanon
BEIRUT, July 18, 2006 (AFP) – Israeli jets pounded Lebanon with a blistering wave of deadly raids under cover of darkness on Tuesday, the seventh day of an assault that has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing for their lives.Helicopters, plus ferries and other passenger ships were being commandeered to pick up foreign nationals […]