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Policeman killed in Sri Lanka blasts
May 16, 2006 (AFP) – A policeman was killed and two others wounded Tuesday in two claymore mine explosions in Sri Lanka’s restive north-eastern district of Trincomalee, the military said.The blasts were aimed at officers who were clearing the main road of mines at Thampalakamam, a military official told AFP. The injured constables were rushed […]
Lame Excuse
May 16 (LBO) – A top economist tells Sri Lanka not to delay petroleum pricing reforms by taking cover behind potential oil reserves. Sri Lanka is a net oil importer, with a fuel bill in the region of 1.6 billion dollars (160 billion rupees) last year, over 800 million dollars the year before, driven upwards […]
War fears batter investor confidence in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, May 16, 2006 (AFP) – Fears Sri Lanka could return to civil war have punched a hole in investor confidence and wiped millions of dollars off the value of local shares, analysts said Tuesday The tiny Colombo Stock Exchange has shed nearly 53 billion rupees (5.3 million dollars) of its value since the crisis […]
New guide aims to erase ‘ugly American’ image
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – Don’t be so loud.Listen. Dress up. Those are among the tips offered to US business executives traveling abroad in a new guide aimed at countering the image of the “ugly American”.Launched this month by a non-profit group concerned about mounting anti-Americanism worldwide, the “World Citizens Guide” has 16 suggestions […]
Sri Lanka leaves interest rates at current levels for fifth straight month
May 15, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank opt to maintain its policy rates for the fifth straight month Monday amidst a possible bottoming out of inflation, though private sector credit demand has shown little signs of abating.The repurchase rate, which drains the money from the banking system, stays at 8.75 percent, while the […]
Solid Innings
May 15, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) said Monday, group net profits for the first quarter of 2006 topped 1.3 billion rupees, despite continued losses from its mobile subsidiary and a levy on international calls. At the close of Monday’s trading SLT’s shares dipped 0.25 rupees or 1.9 percent to 13.00 rupees. -by […]
Aviation sector faces a critical five years: industry
SINGAPORE, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – The commercial aviation sector faces a critical five years where the two key players, airlines and airport operators, must take the initiative to innovate ahead of a new era in passenger travel, industry experts said Monday Those who refuse to adapt will be left behind and could become takeover […]
” image
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – Don’t be so loud.Listen. Dress up. Those are among the tips offered to US business executives traveling abroad in a new guide aimed at countering the image of the “ugly American”.Launched this month by a non-profit group concerned about mounting anti-Americanism worldwide, the “World Citizens Guide” has 16 suggestions […]
BBC World Service radio attracts record listeners
LONDON, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – Record numbers of radio listeners are tuning into the BBC World Service, the public broadcaster said on Monday.The Service is attracting an average of 163 million listeners per week to its 33 language services during 2006, up from 149 million last year. The new high beats a previous weekly […]
New Japan breeds slacker generation
TOKYO, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – “A salaryman can never have high hopes,” Takao Kimijima says on a Tokyo street as he finishes a puff on his cigarette outside his non-smoking building.The soft-spoken 30-year-old is not among the needy but a dark-suited corporate researcher who earns five million yen (45,000 dollars) a year, slightly above […]
Malaysian schools offer daily report card — on SMS
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysian parents anxious to know what their children are up to at school will soon be able to receive daily SMS text messages from schools. The service is being offered at 88 schools in a pilot project but will be made available nationwide over the next two years. […]
Cricket Board wins Premadasa Stadium on a 30-year lease
May 15 (LBO) – A proposed lease of the state owned R. Premadasa Stadium to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLCB) for maintenance, has got Cabinet approval. -Anupa Perera- “The Cabinet has approved the lease of the Premadasa Stadium to the Cricket Board for a 30 year period for an annual lease rental of two […]