Asia Pacific: Reset for qualitative change

Permeated by many turbulent events in May 2014, East Asia served as the milieu for events from the coup d’état in Thailand, to maritime cooperation for the Indonesia-Vietnam boundary between President Susilo and the Prime Minister of Vietnam,.......

Sri Lanka tries to dispel shadow of war clouding its economy

BBC: Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, has good reason to be pleased. The bank has achieved much in recent years. Inflation is coming down and is below 5 percent. Interest rates are lower too. Foreign exchange reserves have never been higher,.....

Sri Lanka to host second int’l fund managers forum in October

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to hold Sri Lanka’s second international fund managers forum this October at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel.

Mobitel joins hands with Central Environment Authority (CEA) for the launch of e-Waste Management We

The National Mobile Service Provider Mobitel has joined hands with the Central Environment Authority (CEA) for the launch of the e-Waste management project, under the slogan “An e-waste free Sri Lanka” to support the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of electronic waste products.

Lucky Lanka to enter bourse soon with Rs.300mn IPO

Leading dairy products manufacturer Lucky Lanka Milk Processing Company Limited, based in Southern Sri Lanka, is planning to raise approximately Rs.300 million via an initial public offering (IPO) shortly, Mirror Business

Sri Lankan economy remains on target: IMF

The Sri Lankan economy remains on target for 7 percent growth in the short to medium term; however low tax revenue, high public debt and potential climate and external shocks continue to generate down-side risks, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Head Todd Schneider.

55 words or 10 phrases customers rarely hear!

When someone thanks you, the courteous and polite reply is, ‘you’re welcome’. If you hold the door open for someone and they say ‘thank you’, respond ‘you’re welcome’. It feels great to hear it and great to say it.

Are our children leadership material?

Recently, Bill and Melinda Gates were highlighted in the media for the normal childhood they were said to be keen to give their children. When you are the richest man in the world, it would be prudent to assume that you would indeed want your children to have a normal childhood...

Govt. to ‘relieve’ state banks from investments in SriLankan airlines

In a bid to strengthen the balance sheets of the main three state banks—Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank and People’s Bank, the government has decided to buy back the investments these banks have made in the ailing national career, SriLankan Airlines.

NelFarms launches new corporate brand identity

The new NelFarms (Noorani Estates (Pvt.) Ltd) logo and corporate brand identify were unveiled by Noorani Estates (Pvt.) Ltd Director Noordeen Sethwala at Ramada Hotel, in the presence of the company’s board of directors, senior management and distinguished guests, recently.

FDIs in 1Q doubles; minister confident of achieving elusive US $ 2bn target this year

Despite failing to achieve the target of US $ 2 billion in foreign direct investments (FDIs) last year, Investment Promotions Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said they are confident of their ability to exceed the mark of US $ 2 billion this year.

Total govt. debt increases by Rs.793bn in 2013

The total government debt increased to Rs.6793 billion in 2013 from Rs.6000 billion in 2012, according to the 2013 annual report of the Finance and Planning Ministry released yesterday.

“Meet…Discuss…Succeed” Galle Face Hotel launches new Meetings, Seminar and Conference Center in the

Galle Face Hotel amidst extensive restoration of the landmark building will open doors to a new meetings and conference centre on July 1st 2014.

Pakistan likely to expand FTA trade with Sri Lanka

Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s second largest trade partner in the region, has indicated interest in expanding its free trade agreement (FTA) trade with the island, creating growth in bilateral trade, which already exceeds the US $ 460 million mark, according to Sri Lanka’s trade ministry.

Total Govt. Debt increases by Rs.793bn in 2013

The total government debt increased to Rs.6793 billion in 2013 from Rs.6000 billion in 2012, according to the 2013 annual report of the Finance and Planning Ministry released yesterday.

Changing face of Sri Lanka tourism

There is no doubt that tourism in Sri Lanka is currently growing in leaps and bounds, with the cumulative arrivals up to April 2014 amounting to 534,132, which is an overall growth of 27 percent year-on-year (YoY). Hence, it is quite possible that the arrivals to the......

Rubber industry needs a production improvement plan

Many factors have been influencing the natural rubber (NR) industry in the past quarter of a century. Growth in population and the development of world economy have enhanced the demand for goods and services, including rubber products.

India Modified: Any lessons for Sri Lanka?

Narendra Modi’s dramatic victory has given him a resounding mandate to pursue his pro-growth/pro-business agenda. He campaigned unreservedly on a strongly developmental platform. The results indicate that the majority of Indians want higher growth, lower inflation and less corruption.

Foreigners confident and continue buying at Colombo bourse

Month to date, May 2014 has been rather encouraging for the Colombo bourse with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 57 points (or 0.9 percent) while recording a healthy average daily turnover of Rs.1.4 billion.

John Keells net profit down 3% in FY13/14

The net profit of the premier blue chip John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) for the year ended March 13, 2014 (FY13/14) fell 3 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.11.7 billion. Last year’s profits were boosted by Rs.2 billion fair value gain, which had declined to Rs.470 million in FY13/14.

Why companies must invest in leadership

Effective leaders in organisations bring together both individuals and organisations to solve customer and organisational problems. But, there is a difference between leaders and leadership. Leaders refer to individuals who have unique capabilities to guide the behaviour of....

March exports jump 28.6%; trade gap narrows 15.5%

Sri Lanka’s March trade deficit contracted 15.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 602.2 million amid higher export earnings and moderate import expenditure, the latest data released by the Central Bank showed.

Sri Lankan tea players to benefit from world’s aging population: report

Sri Lanka’s tea sector players are likely to benefit from the new demand coming from the ageing population in the global market place, particularly from countries such as Japan, Europe and the US, according to a recent study by the Business and Information Division of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

March exports jump 28.6%; trade gap narrows 15.5%

Sri Lanka’s March trade deficit contracted 15.5 percent year-onyear (YoY) to US $ 602.2 million amid higher export earnings and moderate import expenditure, the latest data released by the Central Bank showed.

Starcom Worldwide continues to drive innovative media solutions

Starcom Worldwide Sri Lanka continues to drive excellence in media solutions in Sri Lanka with its executions of award-winning campaigns conceptualized by Leo Burnett Solutions Inc.

Credit dilemma: monetary and financial system stability in Sri Lanka

February 2014 marked five consecutive years of single-digit rates of inflation in Sri Lanka – supposedly the longest spell in the country’s post-independence history. Quite rightly, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) can take its share of......

Project management can be demystified with today’s techniques

Now that a solid project plan is done, the team can begin executing the project against their assigned tasks. This is the stage where everyone actually starts doing the work.

Stock-picking strategies

When it comes to personal finance and the accumulation of wealth, a few subjects are more talked about than stocks. It’s easy to understand why: playing the stock market is thrilling. But on this financial roller-coaster ride, we all want to experience the ups without the downs.

From a bloated public service to higher productivity and incomes for public servants

Since the mid-60s, the public service has been subject to a high degree of politicization under successive regimes. During the 70s and 80s, the public service cadre and recruitment procedures went through many changes primarily to serve the partisan objectives.

Guarantee on pawning loans credit positive for banks: Moody’s

Moody’s Investor Services said the credit guarantee scheme on pawning loans proposed by the Central Bank (CB) would have a positive impact on banks’ credit ratings.