SOEs within Minimum Programme for Economic Recovery

Following is a detailed response to the article headlined ‘Common minimum programme for economic recovery’, compiled by the National Movement for Social Justice, published on June 13, 2022.

Sri Lanka has 50% more vehicles than we should!

Private motorisation has been Sri Lanka’s preferred mode to solve its mobility needs. Not much thought has been given to the public transport systems in recent times, which over the years were systematically neglected and relegated to the poor to use.

Beating ongoing fuel and energy crisis

The shortage of fuel and energy has brought the whole of Sri Lanka to a standstill and its citizenry of all walks to mile-long queues. It disrupts social movements, economic activities, business and production of all scales in all the sectors.

Strategy for restoration and rebuilding Sri Lanka’s agri-food sector

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has caused immediate uncertainties regarding whether (a) required food supplies are and will be available, (b) the agri-food sector is and will be able to sustain the livelihoods of those engaged in crop, livestock and poultry farming, fishing, food manufacturing, food distribution and allied activities and (c) the agri-food sector is and will be able to provide food security for those most affected by the crisis.

Taxing tobacco: Benefits and burdens of beedi taxes to SRI LANKA’s economy

Sri Lanka is in the midst of a sharp economic downturn, the proximate causesowing to its long-standing problems of twin deficits on both the external accounts and domestic government budgets.

Slea proposes measures to overcome economic crisis

Sri Lanka is currently undergoing an unprecedented economic crisis caused by the depletion of foreign exchange reserves and government revenue, as well as by a sovereign debt crisis.

Sri Lanka needs sustainable fuel bill for road transport

There is a great mismatch in the spend between Sri Lanka’s total imports and fuel imports. According to available data, we have spent US$ 3,269 million on average annually on fuel imports, between 2014 and 2018.

“We believe in Sri Lanka’s resilience,”says Calzedonia President

Despite the economic crisis Sri Lanka finds itself in today, Sandro Veronesi, President of Calzedonia, one of Italy’s leading retail chains, has great faith in the resilience of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.

Political economy of fiscal policies and regulations to promote healthy diets in Sri Lanka

The non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have posed a critical health challenge for Sri Lanka for several decades. Estimated to account for 83 percent of all deaths in Sri Lanka today, the NCDs have serious health and economic consequences for both individuals and the country.

Sri Lanka needs a road map to convince private creditors

Having sat in bank board debt recovery committees for over a decade, debt restructuring is certainly not a pleasant task because it is a very stressful exercise for the defaulting party.

Unlocking Sri Lankan government organisations

Digitalisation of government services is seen as a vital mechanism for cultivating public services, making the government more transparent and accountable, enlargement of public participation and facilitating the sharing of information among the public. The primary purpose of the government organisations is to provide services to the public.

Sri Lanka tourism – Catch 22 situation for government?

Sri Lanka tourism is yet again going through severe crisis. But this time the crisis is multifaceted and of unprecedented proportions. Many service providers are barely managing to survive, with several expected to ‘go under’ in the next few months.

Recommendations for urgent action from agripreneurial community to mitigate impending food crisis

There are constant dire warnings of impending food shortages citing many causes and blames on past actions. While it is useful and wise to be forewarned, the warnings alone will not avert the possible shortages. What is required is for those able and willing to engage in cultivation and other relevant activities, as best as possible using the available and deployable resources, instead of just lamenting and demanding inputs that may never come.

Global oil price volatility: How can Sri Lanka cope?

Global oil prices are in the headlines once again with crude oil prices soaring following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Global crude oil prices have shot up; the Brent increased by around 22 percent to US$ 114 a barrel at the end of May 2022, from a low of US$ 93 a barrel in early February 2022.

DIMO’s DI-Solar introduces way to utilise solar PV generated power during outages

DIMO recently introduced DI-Solar, a revolutionary solution, enabling the power generated through the existing solar PV systems to be utilised during the prevailing daytime power interruptions, thereby preventing the power wastage.

Will government forget the formula on cigarette taxation again?

Sri Lanka is presently facing the most severe economic crisis in its history. The main problem is that Sri Lanka’s debt has become unsustainable.

Smuggling, burdening the economy

As the nation awaits a new budget with the hope of finding relief amid heavy economic pressures, it is now imperative authorities focus on wider aspects of governance to prevent further outflow of valuable revenue.

Power crisis: Policy overdose, institutional hegemony and lotus-eaters

In Greek mythology, the lotus-eaters were inhabitants of an island where the primary food was lotus fruits and flowers and was a narcotic causing them to sleep in peaceful apathy. The indulgence in pleasure keeps lotus-eaters away from dealing with practical concerns.

Private tutoring amid Sri Lanka’s economic crisis: Issues faced by students

Sri Lanka’s education sector, still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, now faces acute challenges, due to the current political and economic crises.

Can Ranil Wickremesinghe solve economic crisis?

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) resigned on May 09, 2022, soon after sending mobs to attack the peaceful protesters at Galle Face (dubbed Gotagogama).

Sri Lanka as a woman: A guide for non-economists on current economic issues

There are macroeconomists and the rest of us. The former, having studied the nuts and bolts of economics, understand Sri Lanka’s current issues, or they do show.

Soaring food, fuel ramp up social unrest risk for emerging markets

Rising fuel and food prices look set to stoke an ‘inevitable’ rise in civil unrest, with developing middle-income countries such as Brazil or Egypt particularly at risk, a report by a risk consultancy said.

Gota Go Gama, One Galle Face and the country’s Youth

“Country is facing one of the most difficult and challenging economic, political and socially decisive times in its history …… Government has erred by banning use of chemical fertilizer and not going for a program with IMF earlier”…..These are not my words.

How can construction industry survive with present economic crisis?

The big question in the minds of many is for how long the local construction industry, which employs 650,000 workers direct and another 325,000 indirectly, could survive without a total collapse due to the multiple shocks it had to face during last 2 years.

Export outlook dims amidst economic challenges, says latest CCC-USAID Export Barometer Survey

The findings from the latest biannual Export Barometer Survey indicate that the exporters are losing confidence in the industry’s outlook,

Strategies for immediate aftermath of political and economic disruption

At present, Sri Lanka is faced with an unprecedented set of challenges brought on by its own historical behaviour. For years,

SriLankan sets record straight on proposed leasing of new aircraft

SriLankan Airlines Ltd welcomes and respects the rich debate in the public space on matters concerning the operation of the airline in general and the ‘Notice of Procurement’ for the lease of aircraft in specific. The board and management are of the opinion that the discussion on these topics would benefit from more full information.

Survey reveals widespread pessimism Lankans have about their future

This report presents the latest findings of the Confidence in Democratic Governance Index (Wave 2) conducted by Social Indicator (SI), the survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Organic fertiliser transition in Sri Lanka: Farmers were providing an early warning of a food shortage

On April 22, 2021, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced a ban on the importation of chemical fertiliser to make Sri Lanka “the first country in the world to be free of chemical fertiliser”. The decision was passed into law by a gazette published by the Finance Ministry on May 06, 2021.

Sri Lanka post-bankruptcy; impact on banks?

Sri Lanka technically became bankrupt when it announced a temporary suspension of repayment of all external debt of around US $ 50 billion, saying the country can no longer honour its commitment, owing to weak financial reserves caused by external and internal shocks.