”’: Sri Lanka

June 22, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Thursday labelled as “impractical” a demand by Tamil Tiger rebels that European Union truce monitors on the troubled island be replaced within a month, saying more time was needed.“We are concerned that the LTTE has informed the Norwegian facilitator that the change…should be effected within one month, instead […]

Tamil Tiger faction recruiting more child soldiers: UNICEF

June 22, 2006 (AFP) – A breakaway faction of Tamil Tiger rebels has increased the recruiting of child soldiers, with 30 cases being reported in the past week alone, the UN Children’s Fund said Thursday.The agency called for the Sri Lankan government to take immediate action to halt the abduction and forced enlistment of children […]

Government non-committal on amending Sri Lankan truce

June 22, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s government Thursday remained non-committal to demands that a failing ceasefire agreement be amended so as not to restrict truce monitoring to Nordic nations.“There have been no discussions on this issue,” said Media Minister Anura Yapa, adding, though, that a request by the Tamil Tigers to remove monitors from […]

Sri Lanka’s city development agency to issue a billion rupees in bonds

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Urban Development Authority (UDA) plans to raise a billion rupees in bonds to finance an office development project, top officials said Wednesday.The UDA will appoint a banking partner within the next two months, Jayaweera said, with an issue date to be fixed, perhaps for later this year.“We are […]

Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs rise

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up during Wednesday’s treasury bill auction, as the Central Bank bought a further 3-billion rupees worth of paper for its stock of government securities.The bank offered 7.799 billion rupees worth of bills which came up for maturity, but accepted only 2.375 billion rupees from the […]

Malaysia objects to capital’s “third-rudest” status

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysia on Wednesday hotly disputed a global survey that found its capital Kuala Lumpur was the third rudest in the world, saying it was renowned for its friendly people.Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the widely publicised Reader’s Digest magazine survey of politeness levels in 35 cities could […]

‘s city development agency to issue a billion rupees in bonds

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Urban Development Authority (UDA) plans to raise a billion rupees in bonds to finance an office development project, top officials said Wednesday.The UDA will appoint a banking partner within the next two months, Jayaweera said, with an issue date to be fixed, perhaps for later this year.“We are […]

‘s borrowing costs rise

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up during Wednesday’s treasury bill auction, as the Central Bank bought a further 3-billion rupees worth of paper for its stock of government securities.The bank offered 7.799 billion rupees worth of bills which came up for maturity, but accepted only 2.375 billion rupees from the […]

Ships Ahoy

June 21 (LBO) – The Shipping Corporation has clinched a deal with Iran to buy an oil tanker and two container ships to begin feeder operations to the Colombo Port a top official said. There are several private feeder services carrying cargo to Colombo. The Shipping Corporation charters out its only two vessels. We are […]

Quiet Walk

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – State Bank of India plans to expand its reach in Sri Lanka, making use of an upsurge in business climate since the February 2002 ceasefire, a top official said Wednesday. The Indian giant has been present in Sri Lanka since 1864, but has been sort of a late comer to […]

Record tea exports Jan-May

June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka shipped more tea to overseas markets for the five month to May, earning a record 35 billion rupees, a commodity broker said Wednesday. For the five month period, the tropical island shipped 128.0 million kilos, higher than 112.76 million kilos sold during the same period 2005. The shipments helped […]

Web Net

SAN FRANCISCO, June 20, 2006 (AFP) – Fresh from a fight with US officials over the sanctity of online search information, Google on Tuesday joined an alliance of technology firms calling for federal legislation protecting consumer privacy.“Today we live in a digital economy where both beneficial and potentially harmful uses of personal information are multiplying,” […]

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