Policy recommendations for competitive Global Port City

The success of the Colombo Port City is not dependent on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill (“Bill”) itself, but in building an ecosystem that fosters sustainable financial industry growth.

Like Singapore to ASEAN and Hong Kong to China, Colombo Port City is gateway to South Asia

Ahead of the parliamentary debate on the Port City Economic Commission Bill, Director – Sales and Marketing of the Port City Yamuna Jayaratne spoke to Mirror Business about the economic importance of the project and the plans in place for its attraction. Excerpts of the interview are as follows.

COVID-19 Diaries: Sri Lanka needs a resilient logistics system

Logistics carry dreams. Back in 2007, when I applied to graduate schools in the United States, nothing could beat the excitement of handing over my applications to FedEx,

Sri Lanka needs to focus on an export and investment drive, says Dinesh

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody points out that the private sector is the engine of economic growth.

Sri Lanka tourism on reverse gear with proposed new Act

There’s mounting opposition from all fronts against the government’s plan to change the existing Tourism Act. Having been a member of the team that helped draft the current act around 15 years ago, I felt that I should also lend my voice to the ‘chorus of objections’.

Palm oil ban in Sri Lanka: Is it sustainable?

Sri Lanka’s edible oil market has received considerable attention in recent weeks due to a series of events: the banning of palm oil importation in a bid to promote the coconut industry, detection of aflatoxins in imported coconut oil, importation of coconut kernel chips, issuing licence for palm oil imports and banning of oil palm cultivation.

Sri Lanka eyeing to draw Omani and Qatari investments to rupee bonds: Cabraal

The State Minister of Money & Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal recently completed a visit to Oman and Qatar as the special envoy of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, heading the country’s delegation to the oil-rich two Middle-Eastern nations.

Creating a culture of creativity: The importance of Intellectual Property Rights

On the 26th of April each year, Intellectual Property (IP) Day is celebrated to draw public attention to the importance of IP rights in fostering creativity and innovation.

Our aim is to take Chrissworld to a billion rupee top line as the first step: Chairman

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has approved, an application submitted by Chrissworld Limited, for the listing of its Ordinary Voting Shares by way of an offer for subscription, and Initial Public Offering (IPO) is due to be opened on April 27th. This is a distinct IPO as it is the first company to be listed on the Empower Board of the CSE. Following is a brief interview with Chrissworld Chairman Christo Perera.

The Colombo Port City we need

Deng Xiaoping, China’s great reform leader, faced a serious problem in the 1970s. Thousands of young Chinese were crossing to Hong Kong, risking their lives. Rather than cracking down on the migrants, Deng sought to understand why they were migrating. Clearly the economic opportunities in Hong Kong were greater than in mainland China.

A global economic revival imminent in 2021, says PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey

The pandemic has disrupted how organisations operate across a multitude of industries, transforming global systems in ways that have never been explored.

Sri Lanka’s present and future fortunes intrinsically linked to ocean resources

The current and future prosperity of Sri Lanka is intrinsically linked to its coastal, marine and mineral assets or neglected ocean resources. Fisheries and tourism can be two main pillars of its gross domestic product (GDP) economy and source of employment.

Why customer-centricity should be top priority

Businesses have always followed the golden rule of treating customers as gods and kings. Yet, today this group of divine royalty holds more power than ever and thus is more in command of how organisations must operate.

Sri Lanka at GSP Engagement Week Virtual Conference – An Overview

During the Week of 22 - 25 March, the GSP Hub which is a European Union (EU) funded project launched in 2020 hosted an important virtual engagement relating to the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP)to increase awareness, transparency, and to engage with stakeholders of GSP.

Proceed with caution: Is Sri Lanka’s approach to import substitution sensible?

In the immediate aftermath of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented health and economic crises it unleashed, there was a widespread backlash in sentiment against globalisation and open economic policies. The greatly increased human mobility associated with these phenomena was blamed for the rapid spread of the virus to all parts of the globe.

Managing divergent recoveries

It is one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and the global community still confronts extreme social and economic strain as the human toll rises and millions remain unemployed.

Privatisation of public data: Sri Lanka Customs as a case in point

Data collected and held by government agencies is a valuable ‘public asset’. Properly utilised, such data can help the private and public sector better contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic growth.

Sri Lanka’s health financing challenge: Why smarter spending is key

Across the globe, the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a new urgency around healthcare systems and universal health coverage – the access to high-quality and affordable healthcare services for all, as and when needed.

Sri Lanka’s rejection of UNHRC resolution: A shift towards China

In Geneva, a tough resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka was passed with 22 votes out of 47 countries supporting the resolution.

Bridging the gap: Unlocking untapped potential in SL’s agricultural exports

Before the 1970s, agriculture exports accounted for more than 75 percent of Sri Lanka’s total exports while industrial exports were around 15 percent.

Strengthening domestic coconut industry to regain its humble reputation

COVID’s full impact on the Sri Lankan economy is yet to be felt. However, it is clear that the impact of the outbreak may already being felt. For instance, the export sector, critical to the economy, is now bracing for impact.

South Asian economies bounce back but face fragile recovery: World Bank

Prospects of an economic rebound in South Asia are firming up as growth is set to increase by 7.2 percent in 2021 and 4.4 percent in 2022, climbing from historic lows in 2020 and putting the region on a path to recovery.

A healthy Indian Ocean feeds, protects, and connects all South Asians

It is the oceans that engendered life. The lives of humans remain connected to the seas, making the good health of the seas and the efficient management of sea-based activity essential elements for the wellbeing of people and nations.

Litro Gas remains firmly committed to global standards and safety procedures: Director

Jayantha Basnayake, Director –Health, Safety & Environment- Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. in this interview speaks about key HSE functions at Litro Gas, its impact on the company, community, customers and all stakeholders, global parameters on safety in the LPG industry, meeting the challenges posed by COVID-19 etc.

Government pushes panic button on FDI?

Recently, the government announced a plan to obtain the services of a foreign constancy firm to promote foreign direct investment (FDI).

Talking Tobacco: How reduced consumption benefits household

The substantial health and economic costs of tobacco consumption are well recognised. Tobacco use increases a household’s expenses, diverting a family’s limited resources away from basic needs such as health and education.

Sri Lanka, a smugglers’ paradise

The Research Intelligence Unit (RIU) has been conducting ongoing research into the growth of illicit markets in Sri Lanka as they represent the biggest sources of revenue leakage for the government. Herein some insights shared from the most recent report.

Govt. urged to take necessary action to register direct sales marketing firms

Currently in Sri Lanka, there is a host of criticism about the direct selling industry, resulting in conflicts between people. Are these direct selling companies genuine?

Forest restoration: Where does Sri Lanka stand?

This year, the International Day of Forests is marked under the apt theme ‘Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being’. Forest restoration is one of the priority areas for mitigating the effects of climate change.

Five reasons why South Asia is coming together to beat marine plastic pollution

Collaboration, cooperation, consensus – these words are seldom used when describing the interactions of the eight sovereign nations that make up South Asia. For a variety of reasons, South Asia is considered the least integrated region in the world with restrictions on the movement of people, goods, services and capital.