Stockbrokers write to CSE requesting brokerage fee hike

Sri Lanka’s stockbrokers have written to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) requesting a hike in the brokerage fees citing financial hardships they are currently undergoing amid relatively low market turnover levels, Mirror Business learns.

Hospitality industry cyber-crime risks

If you lose your hotel key or key card, most hotels are reluctant to hand you a new one without some proof of who you are. If you called to find out which room your sister is staying, no hotel should disclose this either, even if you are family.

IPCC scientists warn of human cause for global warming

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Environment   Programme (UNEP) for the purpose of assessing  scientific....

A path to end poverty

At this moment, more than a billion people live on less than US $ 1.25 a day. That is a stain on our moral conscience. We must help lift people out of poverty without delay, without prejudice, no matter the circumstance, no matter the locale.

Growing rubber in non-traditional areas need effective institutional support

Growing rubber in non-traditional areas need effective institutional support Strategic initiatives identified to reach the national targets in rubber production are, increasing productivity and extent under rubber cultivation.

Korean builders bag JKH’s integrated resort contract

John Keells Holdings (JKH) is reported to have selected a consortium led by South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction, for a contract worth US $ 522 million to build its integrated resort in Colombo, South Korean media reports said.

Mauritius keen to establish air links with SL

Mauritius, which is positioning itself to become an ocean economy, has expressed interest in signing an Air Services Agreement with Sri Lanka to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, a communiqué by Sri Lanka’s Industry and Commerce Ministry quoting Mauritius Foreign Minister Avin Boolell said.

IRCON to connect Pallai to Northern railway network soon

A ballast train reached Pallai, in Sri Lanka’s war-torn Northern Province achieving yet another milestone of the steadily progressing Northern Railway restoration project.

Sri Lanka will find difficult to borrow overseas in future: Economist

Sri Lanka will find it very difficult to borrow from abroad in the future due to the Fed’s stimulus tapering that is likely to happen sooner or later, which will pull back the excess liquidity in the global economy, according to a senior economist in the country.

ILFC-SriLankan sign lease agreement for 3 aircraft

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) signed a 12-year lease agreement with SriLankan Airlines for three A350-900 aircraft yesterday.

Beyond your pension: What should be done?

Life expectancy has reached 74.9 years in Sri Lanka today. This reflects the considerable successes the country has achieved in its social development during the post – independence era.

Japan to continue aid to Sri Lanka; Basil receives grand welcome

Japan will continue to help Sri Lanka’s economic progress by developing her infrastructure and human resources.

IMF argues against import substitution

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week warned against the populist policy of import substitution as it has often proved ineffective in accomplishing economic prosperity.

Amana planning CSE listing this year

Amana Bank is planning to list shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) before the end of this year.

Overseas remittance inflows heavily used for consumption: Economist

Migrant worker remittances received by Sri Lanka are almost entirely spent on consumption and are not mobilized in to investment generating activities, raising concerns over its ability to provide economic value addition in the long run.

Higher growth and governance go hand in hand: ADB

Governance reforms cannot be delayed if Asian nations are to promote higher growth, investment and poverty reduction, according to an update to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) flagship Asian Development Outlook report released yesterday.

Need for national plantation production policy

Various sources have come out with plantation crops viz Tea and Rubber production/ productivity figures over the last several years. However, more recently the accuracy of such figures has been disputed, mainly by the plantation companies. Whatever it may be, the plantation industry needs a national plantation crop policy to boost its production/ productivity by about 25 – 30 percent over a 5- year period and remain competitive in the globa

Harnessing tourism potential through targeted strategies

The dynamics of the Sri Lankan economy have changed enormously in the last decade. Particularly after ending the prolonged terrorism conflict, the growth outlook in Sri Lanka has been impressive with massive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts being carried out.

Balancing of financial leverage across Asia is vital

As emerging economies endure another episode of financial-market stress and volatility, it is appropriate to consider whether and how they might foster more stable conditions. External factors such as global growth and Fed policy matter and are beyond developing countries’ control; but this is not new. The interesting question is, are emerging economies now unusually vulnerable to global forces because their structural resilience has weake

T-bill yields flat; bids for short-term bills rejected

The Treasury bill yields remained more or less flat at yesterday’s auction with bids for three months and six months being rejected.

Ceylon Theatres spends Rs. 85mn to take cinemas to the North

Ceylon Theatres (Pvt) Ltd (Ceylon Theatres), the oldest theatre operator in the country and a subsidiary of C T Holdings PLC is now planning to expand its footprint taking their new generation film theatres to Jaffna.

Hemas appoints two new independent directors

Hemas Holdings PLC yesterday announced the appointment of two top professionals, Dr. Anura Ekanayake and Dinesh Weerakkody, as independent directors to its board.

Is the eco-system of Sri Lankan economy unfriendly to women?

Singapore’s Ex-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yu is a controversial figure. He is praised for having guided the grand economic transition of Singapore, and is still questioned for undemocratic practices in safeguarding his vote bank over a long period.

Central Finance Children’s' Savings account holders rewarded!

Central Finance Company PLC (CF) has introduced to its “CF Lamaa” children savings accounts yet another value addition.

Singaporean firm to set up state-of-the-art dialysis hospital

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BoI) signed an agreement with Singapore Dialysis Medical Group (Private) Limited to develop and operate a specialized hospital for kidney dialysis.

Japanese apparel market craving for more Lankan made supplies

Apparel exports must be expanded to cater to the growing demand for Sri Lankan made products in the Japanese market, according to Japan’s House of Councillors Member Yamatani Eriko.

IUU fishing in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar

A recent headline in a Sri Lankan weekly newspaper titled “Tamil Nadu  Exports Fish Robbed from Sri Lanka” prompted me to highlight the legal  implications  of such activity generally referred to as IUU (Illegal Unreported and or Unregulated) Fishing and......

Sri Lanka tourism now needs to look beyond 2016

The Sri Lanka Tourism Strategy for the period 2011 to 2016, launched in November 2011, aims to welcome 2.5 million arrivals by 2016. Not much is known on how the goal of reaching 2.5 million arrivals is to be achieved.

China launches free trade zone in Shanghai

AFP: China launched a free trade zone in its commercial hub Shanghai yesterday, state-media reported, with the project seen as a testing ground for much-needed reforms in the world’s second largest economy.

Amana Bank Launches Senior Citizen’s Savings Account

As a mark of respect towards the senior citizens of the country, Amana Bank introduced its very own Senior Citizen’s Savings Account on 1 October 2013 coinciding with World Elder’s day.