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.

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 re

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?

Sri Lanka’s Tile and Sanitaryware Importers Association (TSIA) yesterday claimed that the current suspension on tile imports is indirectly paving the way for the creation of a duopoly in the country’s tile market, at the expense of the consumer,

The Cabinet of Ministers this week gave the approval for a proposal to lift the suspension on ceramic imports, which remained banned for nearly a year, after the industry stakeholders met with the Treasury Secretary earlier this month, seeking redres

To shore up the country’s image as a preferred investment destination, the Sri Lankan government plans to obtain the assistance of an international consulting firm for the promotion of the country’s improving investment and business climate to pr

National Authority of Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said his institution has sought clarification from the Attorney General’s Department with regards to the ‘Ayurvedic Cinnamon Cigarette’ that is being manufactured a

Tugboats and diggers are working to refloat a giant container ship that has blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest trade routes. The owners of the 400m-long (1312ft) vessel say it ran aground sideways after being hit by strong win

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday presented the National Minimum Wages Amendment Bill to Parliament, under which the government seeks to increase the monthly and daily minimum wages of workers.

Renewable energy giant WindForce Limited (WIND) said its Initial Public Offering (IPO) worth Rs.3.2 billion, which officially opened yesterday on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was oversubscribed on the opening day.

The government plans to bring in new legislation to set up a commission to look into the underutilised assets such as state lands and delayed condominiums, to be put to productive use.

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, aimed at setting up a special economic zone in Colombo Port City built by China, is expected to be submitted to Parliament, as the Legal Draftsman has completed the drafting of the bill specifying the p

Tugboats and diggers are working to refloat a giant container ship that has blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

Labour Minsiter Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday presented the National Minimum Wages Amendment Bill to Parliament, under which the government seeks to increase the monthly and daily minimum wages of workers

Renewable energy company, WindForce Limited (WIND) said its Initial Public Offering (IPO) worth Rs.3.2 billion, largest IPO since 2011, which opened today on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was oversubscribed on the opening day.

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.

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

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export earnings reached a five-year high barely missing the US$ 1 billion mark in February as exports recovered from the second COVID-19 wave that emerged in the final quarter of 2020.

Softlogic Holdings subsidiary Odel PLC yesterday said it entered into an agreement with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to lease,

The Bolagala Floating Agro Tourism Resort in Katana, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, has received approval from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to open its doors in June.

The sector-wise breakdown of non-performing loans (NPLs) showed that manufacturing sector had recorded the highest rate among others such as agriculture, trade, tourism, construction and consumption.

R I L Property PLC will not suspend BreadTalk operations as announced, as the company is now in negotiations with a potential investor, who intends to acquire franchise rights.

A multi-pronged approach is required to rebuild the hard-hit economy, which was already on downward path even before the pandemic struck, according to senior economist and former central banker Dr. W. A. Wijewardena.

In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of businesses, the private sector has proposed an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative to be adopted as a more cohesive alternative to address the environmental issues created by flexible packa

On a crisp spring day in 1940, under the shadow of the Badshahi Mosque, in a city that has been at the heart of the Muslim subcontinent for centuries, a group of men resolved to create a separate homeland for their people.

Softlogic Holdings subsidiary Odel PLC has entered entered into an agreement with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to lease, operate and mange Arcade Independence Square for a period of 10 years commencing from April 1, 2021, with an option to r

R I L Property PLC will not suspend the operations of BreadTalk as announced last week, as the company is now in negotiations with a potential investor, who intends to acquire the franchise rights.

The Bolagala Floating Agro Tourism Resort in Katana, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, has received approval from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to open its doors come June.

Present animosity against China or India must be stopped, said senior economist Dr. W. A. Wijewardena, if Sri Lanka is looking to become a developed country in the next generation, an ambition which requires a series of fixes in the economy.

Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana has ordered to establish the Kithul Development Board, to regulate and develop kithul (fishtail palms) as a main plantation crop in Sri Lanka.