Sri Lanka goes dark in nationwide blackout

July 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Historical monuments, several government buildings and many households turned dark Friday evening as Delhi voluntarily switched off the lights for an hour to save power and become environment friendly. Exactly at 8.30 p.m., the Delhi secretariat, old secretariat, Humayun's Tomb, the Archaeological Survey of India building and several other government offices went for a voluntary blackout, abiding a call from Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to save power.

July 28th, 2009 COLOMBO - Bharti Airtel Lanka, a subsidiary of India's telecom major Bharti Airtel, Tuesday said it has crossed the one million customer-mark in Sri Lanka. The company has achieved this milestone within six months of the launch of its services in the island country.

July 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Concerned over the plight of the displaced people in Sri Lanka's northeast, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday announced Rs.500 crore ($100 million) for the rehabilitation and relief of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the island nation. While expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, Mukherjee announced an allocation of $100 million for the welfare of the around 300,000 Tamil civilians housed in various camps in Sri Lanka following the end of the decades-long insurgency.

May 21st, 2009 COLOMBO - Sri Lanka has described Pakistan 'as a true friend' after Islamabad congratulated Colombo following the decimation of the Tamil Tigers. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein A.

May 4th, 2009 Sri Lanka names squad for T20 World CupCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka named uncapped all-rounder Isuru Udana in a 15-man squad on Monday for next month's Twenty20 World Cup in England. The tournament will be the first tour since the team came under a terrorist attack in Pakistan while playing in a test series in March.

April 20th, 2009 COLOMBO - At least 17 people were killed in a suicide bomb blast in Sri Lanka Monday, the defence ministry said.

March 20th, 2009 COLOMBO - The Kachchativu island, lying midway between India and Sri Lanka, is to be declared as a sacred area, a Sri Lankan minister has said. Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Dinesh Gunawardena made this announcement about the island in the Palk Strait off Rameshwaram in parliament Thursday, the government information department said.

February 10th, 2009 COLOMBO - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that he would like to step down after the forthcoming tour of Pakistan. SLC chief-executive Duleep Mendis told IANS that Jayawardene expressed his desire to quit as captain after the Test series in Pakistan.

February 2nd, 2009 COLOMBO - India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the third One-day international of the five-match series at the Premadasa Stadium here Tuesday. India lead the series 2-0 and didn't make any change in the team that won the second ODI.

January 30th, 2009 COLOMBO - India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the second One-Day International here Saturday and took a 2-0 lead in the five-match cricket series.

January 27th, 2009 DAMBULLA - India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the first One-day International at the Ranagiri International Stadium here Wednesday. Gautam Gambhir top scored with 62 and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained unbeaten on 61 as India achieved the target of 247 in 48.1 overs.

January 27th, 2009 DAMBULLA - India won the toss and opted to field against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international cricket match here Wednesday. India opener Virender Sehwag has been left out with a glute injury he picked up during Tuesday's practice and has been replaced by Rohit Sharma.

January 12th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - Sri Lanka is an ideal tourist destination for people from India as it offers an experience 'Indians want', senior officials from the nation said here Tuesday. 'I see India as our biggest source of market as our product offering is very close to what the Indians want,' Bernard Goonetilleke, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, told reporters here.

January 8th, 2009 COLOMBO - Three Air Force personnel and four civilians were killed Friday morning in a Claymore mine explosion in eastern Sri Lanka, defence officials said.

December 22nd, 2008 COLOMBO - Sri Lanka Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge Tuesday dissolved the interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket headed by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga. Lokuge told IANS that the interim committee has been dissolved with immediate effect.