Tamil Tigers call for sporting boycott of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, April 10, 2007 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels Tuesday backed an Amnesty International campaign to shame Sri Lanka’s government during the cricket World Cup and said it should be extended to a full sporting boycott of the island.Sri Lanka are due to host a high-profile cricket series against England later this year.The London-based rights […]

Bus and beer truck crash kills 17 in Sri Lanka

April 10, 2007 (AFP) – At least 17 people died when a crowded bus and a truck transporting beer crashed head on in southern Sri Lanka Tuesday, police said.Most of the victims were trapped and burnt to death as the bus caught fire at Induruwa, about 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of Colombo, police said. […]

ICRC concerned about worsening situation in Sri Lanka

GENEVA, April 9, 2007 (AFP) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) voiced concern Monday about the worsening situation in Sri Lanka, urging all sides to respect humanitarian law.“The number of casualties caused by deliberate attacks on civilians has sharply increased in northern and eastern Sri Lanka,” the ICRC said in a press […]

Power Drive

April 09, 2007 – Sri Lanka Monday officially kicked off work on building a Japanese funded hydro power project in the island’s central hills, which will add 150 mega wattes of power to the national grid, the Japanese embassy here said.The 33.27 million dollar yen or 30 billion rupee Upper Kotmale project got off the […]

Hedge Win

April 09, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s petroleum utility will get a 33 million rupee payment this week on the expiry of its first hedging contract for imported diesel, a top official said. Last month the utility raised petroleum prices by 7 rupees a litre (about 30 rupee a gallon). Updated The utility first bought […]

Port Builders

April 09, 2007 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is having a pre-bid meeting Tuesday with private investors keen on building container terminals in Colombo’s new south port whose infrastructure work has attracted interest from 30 investor consortia, an official said. SLPA chairman Saliya Wickramasooriya said Monday the original date for opening bids […]

Sri Lanka steps up security as fresh fighting kills seven

COLOMBO, April 8, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan stepped up security Sunday over fears of bomb attacks ahead of the traditional New Year festivities this week while the military said six rebels and a soldier were killed in fresh fighting. A government soldier was killed in a confrontation with Tamil Tiger rebels in the north […]

‘s top taxman tells tax payers

April 07, 2007 (LBO) – Tax payers need not fear the Inland Revenue Department, according to Sri Lanka’s chief tax officer who faces the daunting task of raising more revenue for a country that is already projecting a budget deficit as big as 9.2 percent of the economy. The department wants to be tax payer-friendly […]

Eight killed in Sri Lanka bus blast

by Mel Gunasekera COLOMBO, April 7, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels detonated a roadside bomb on Saturday, killing eight passengers on a bus and wounding 25, the Sri Lankan government said, marking the latest violence on the island. Security has also been intensified across the island’s northern and eastern regions in a bid […]

Tigers, troops claim heavy damages after sea battle

COLOMBO, April 6, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy and Tamil Tiger rebels fought a sea battle off the island’s northwestern coast on Friday with both claiming heavy losses for the other side.Naval patrol craft engaged five boats of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) off the coastal district of Puttalam and one was […]

Scenting Oil

April 6 (LBO) – The top official in charge of Sri Lanka’s search for oil has told the corporate sector to be ready to provide the support service and skills required by an offshore petroleum industry. Three of the eight remaining blocks will be opened for bidding this year, with the others following in a […]

Sri Lanka asked to get house in order ahead of opening up services

April 06 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is hoping to open its service sectors to neighboring India, but analysts say the country should first get local regulations in order. The two countries are in talks to allow exchange of services, including limited exchange of professionals, under an agreement to be signed by June this year. But […]

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