Plantations should go for multicropping systems

Multiple cropping is not a new subject, although it is not popular in the plantation areas. It is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same space during a single growing season.

A sweet Asian fruit tempts the troubled soft drink industry

An obscure melon once cultivated by Buddhist monks in China to sweeten tea could give the US $ 8 billion U.S. diet soda industry a shot at winning back consumers concerned about artificial ingredients.

Governance of financial institutions, key to governance architecture

A few public policy issues have moved from the wings to centre stage as quickly and decisively as corporate governance. The regulators all over have made efforts in recent years to refine their views on how financial institutions should be organised and governed.

Nurturing ethnic harmony for sustainable development

Sri Lanka’s National Program for Ethnic Harmony, the most active program in Sri Lanka working towards nurturing harmony between ethnic groups launched a program on Sinhala –Muslim harmony recently.

Backlash over India-US diplomat row fuels investment fears

AFP: A furious anti-US backlash in India over the arrest and strip-search of one of its diplomats threatens to further scare off foreign investors already baulking at what they see as a hostile climate, analysts say.

Understanding what makes ‘a good guest experience’

The most recent probe on planet Mars by NASA reveals the existence of a dry lake that possibly held water thousands of years ago. Describing the findings as ‘extremely exciting’, a biologist when interviewed on.........

Integrated tourism development is the way forward: CCI President

Following are excerpts of  the speech made by Chamber of Construction Industry President Dr Surath Wickramasinghe  during the launch of the Build Sri Lanka 2014 and the Construction Industry Trade and Business Directory 2014 /2015 at Hotel Taj Samudra.

SEC amends director dealing disclosure rules

The capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a directive amending the disclosure requirements on share dealings by directors of listed entities, and these new rules will come in to force from April 01, 2014.

Oil prices up on escalating South Sudan violence

Crude edged higher in Asian trade yesterday on supply concerns following escalating violence in oil-producer South Sudan, but gains were capped as dealers sat on the sidelines awaiting fresh leads after the festive season.

First passenger vessel at MRMRP port

The luxury cruise liner MV Voyager called at Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMRP) in Hambantota recently, creating history as the first cruise vessel to call at the port.

SEC to amend disclosure rules on director dealings

The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to amend the listing rules pertaining to disclosures on director dealings, to chuck out some ambiguities that have fuelled late disclosures by some parties.

SEC educates Criminal Investigation Department

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) as the regulator of the capital market of Sri Lanka is committed towards promoting, developing and maintaining a capital market that is fair, efficient, orderly and transparent.

Borderlands Circumnavigates Sri Lanka by Kayak to Celebrate 10th Anniversary!

Sri Lanka’s leading adventure company, Borderlands, will be marking its 10th year in the country by organizing the first ever planned circumnavigation of the island by kayak, with Mount Lavinia Hotel playing host to the inaugural paddle.

Despite CHOGM, November tourist arrivals up only 3%

Tourist arrivals to the island grew only 2.8 percent in the month of November compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, the data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism showed

US Federal Reserve tapering: A soft landing?

The buying program (QE3) following a meeting of its Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) last week. Its purchase of US bonds ($40 billion) and mortgage-backed securities ($35 billion) has been reduced by $10 billion from $85 billion to $75 billion a month.

Labour crisis in apparel industry Is costly technology or humane HR best practices the solution?

The era of the closed economy of the left oriented state of 1970- 1977 saw only the domestic garments under the Brand names of Hentley, Maxim, Benhur and later the Duro products of Dasa Industries.

Reimagining and simplifying landscapes – SAP AG

“Software is like rivers; the world has been transformed by software, flowing and connecting, much like the rivers that have acted as great connectors of society,” says premier Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions provider - SAP AG’s Executive Board Member (Products and Innovations), Dr. Vishal Sikka.

SEC issues directive on minimum free float

Having conducted three rounds of public consultations, capital market watchdog the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last Friday issued a directive on minimum public float as a continuous listing requirement effective from January 01,2014.

First female CEO of an automaker set to lead GM

 General Motors (GM), America’s iconic automaker, has been one to stick to tradition, in typical Detroit fashion. Yet, it broke new ground recently when it announced the appointment of Mary Barra as its CEO – the first woman to head one of the world’s largest automakers.

Dipped Products to invest in new glove manufacturing facility in Biyagama Zone

Dipped Products PLC, the rubber glove manufacturer of Hayleys Group said it is investing in a new facility at the Biyagama BOI Zone, where commercial operations are expected to commence from mid April 2014.

Trade chambers should be more vocal in policy issues: Mathai

All Sri Lankan trade and business chambers must work together to foster improved standards of debate and discussion around economic and even social policy according to outgoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Dr. Koshy Mathai.

Expolanka divests 38% stake in APIIT for Rs.664mn

Expolanka Holdings PLC yesterday sold a 38 percent stake in Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (Pvt.) Limited (APIIT) to a Malaysian private equity fund in a deal worth Rs.663.7 million.

Aitken Spence invests US $ 30mn in ‘Heritage Grove’ luxury villa

Aitken Spence, the blue-chip conglomerate which has a strong presence in Sri Lanka’s commercial sector as well as the region, recently announced the launch of its upmarket luxury complex ‘Heritage Grove’, aimed at providing the ideal lifestyle for those wanting to spend the autumn of their lives in ultimate comfort.

Subway to make Lankan entry in 2014

The Subway restaurant chain, the largest submarine sandwich chain in the world, will launch its first restaurant in Sri Lanka in 2014.

Coconut industry needs long-term development plan

Sri Lanka’s coconut production during the year 2010 fell down by 536 million nuts Year-on-Year to stand at 2317 million nuts, marking the lowest annual production recorded in nearly 15 years.

Bali Declaration: Breathing life into Doha Round corpse

Two years ago, it was officially announced that the Doha Round had reached an impasse after 10 years of negotiations. Pascal Lamy, who was then Director-General of the WTO, admitted this publicly.

Sampath Bank launches first “Cardless Cash ATM”

Sampath Bank , the pioneer in introducing many an innovation to the Sri Lankan banking sector yesterday launched its latest state-of-the-art banking facility “Cardless cash ATM” for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Lankan spice exports up 40% during Jan-Oct

Export of Sri Lankan spices increased sharply to 40.4 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) from January to October of this year, boosted by a drastic rise in exports of pepper and Cloves, according to Spices & Allied Products Producers’ & Traders Association (SAPPTA) statistics.

Sri Lankans and irregular migration: A journey to die for?

On December 3, 2013, the Australian government announced a new policy that aimed to further discourage the arrival of irregular migrants in Australia. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced that effective immediately, the government has put a cap on permanent protection visas for asylum seekers arriving by boat.

Driving Sri Lanka’s tourism industry vision

Peer-to-peer market needs accommodations, cars/parking, eating and experiences. Sri Lanka is well represented in the accommodations with rooms and houses across the country and rates ranging from US $ 10 to US $ 695 per night.