We strive to create new market space with innovative offerings: SLT CEO

Dileepa Wijesundera, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sri Lanka Telecom PLC during a recent interview reflected his un-dogmatic approach to his triple value propositions for the SLT in the next five years; namely the People Proposition, the Value Proposition and the Profit Proposition. 

Pathfinder hypocrisy or bias on the part of the author?

?Dr. Priyanga Dunusinghe has made a substantive contribution to the discussion on Indo-Lanka economic relations in his article entitled ‘Hypocrisy or backing Indian deals: Will Pathfinder Foundation find the correct path?’. 

Hypocrisy or backing Indian deals: Will Pathfinder find the correct path?

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) generally issues very useful analytical pieces on Sri Lanka’s much-needed economic reforms and promotes economic

Census and Statistics Department releases rebased 2Q15 GDP data

?Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) released yesterday, the preliminary estimates of the current and constant annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter (2Q) 2015 based on production approach following rebasing exercise undertaken by the Department.

Auditors: Watchdogs, bloodhounds or whistle-blowers?

Sri Lanka’s securities watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is contemplating introducing new laws,...

Ranil Wickremesinghe visit: Can India and Sri Lanka build bridges over troubled waters?

Indian Express: In Sri Lanka, it is known as “doing puja to New Delhi”, but that notwithstanding, newly elected Sri Lankan leaders have a tradition of making the Indian capital their first port of call.

The exporting problem of SMEs: Finance is one solution

Since the turn of the century, not only have Sri Lankan exports declined as a share of its gross domestic product (GDP), but also in terms of its global share. 

Developing superior planting materials is the way forward

Following are excerpts of the speech delivered by Planters Association (PA) Chairman Roshan Rajadurai at the 161st Annual General Meeting  held recently.

Indo-Lanka relations: Building confidence and boosting bilateral cooperation

A series of high-level visits during the course of this year have formed the basis of attempts to reset Indo-Lanka bilateral relations.

Lanka Transport obtains highest price for ‘F.F.E.X. Special’ tea

?Ratnayake Tea Factory owned by Lanka Transport Private Limited in Deniyaya was able to obtain the highest price for ‘F.F.E.X. Special’ tea at the Colombo tea auction held last week. A maximum price of Rs.4,900 was received for one kilogramme of tea produced by the factory. 

‘Teanomics’ reveals the way forward strategy at TEA AGM

The Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) held its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Cinnamon Grand hotel recently, amidst a great number of distinguished guests and fellow members of the tea trade. 

Benefitting from the Korean Miracle and diversifying our economic relations

The Republic of Korea’s (ROK) development record is arguably the most impressive since the end of the Second World War. 

More from less: Making resources more productive

The struggle to make the most of the world’s resources has many fronts—something worth remembering even as headlines trumpet the supposed end of the “commodity supercycle.” 

Effective risk management process essential to realize vision of new government

You have today, during the opening session of the 8th Parliament, in announcing the Policy Statement of the new National Unity Government,

Human rights now at centre stage of businesses: Cherie Blair

The observance of human rights and ethical business practices would profit all businesses and help in the equal distribution of the dividends of economic...

Think tank appraises President on the economy; highlights the need for urgent policy actions

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) at the outset wishes to emphasise the need for the government (the President, Prime Minister, his Cabinet as well as the heads of institutions dealing with key economic sectors) to operate in a well-coordinated and consistent manner.

China market chaos blamed on exodus of regulatory ‘turtles’

REUTERS: At the height of the 2008 financial crisis, as Wall Street slashed jobs, Beijing took advantage of the disarray to poach top Chinese financial talent from overseas to help reform its stock markets

Structural change of Sri Lankan economy and policy implications

Structural change is the process by which the distribution of economic output, the total of all sectoral shares with respect to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), shifts from one sector to another. 

Who spends most in Sri Lanka? European or Asian tourists?

Western Europe has been a key tourist market since the opening up of Sri Lanka to the world economy in 1978. Especially after the ending of the civil war in 2009, the strategic importance given to the tourism sector in the country has been rising. 

East Africa: The next hub for apparel sourcing?

In the past two years, a number of European companies—among them, H&M, Primark and Tesco—began sourcing some of their garments from Ethiopia. 

Keeping good ties with all regional powers in the interest of Sri Lanka

During Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections last week, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat, ending his hopes of returning to power as Prime Minister. With President Maithripala Sirisena’s power further strengthening, some media believe this marks a new era for the country.

Facilitating trade between Sri Lanka and India

Irrespective of whether the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ILFTA) is going to be extended to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) or not, one cannot ignore the importance of the Indian market for Sri Lankan exporters.

China’s slowing economy: What’s wrong?

AFP: Asian stocks nosedived yesterday, led by sharp falls in Shanghai as concerns mount over the health of China’s economy -- the world’s second largest.

Macroprudential policies keeping Asia stable

Before the 2008 global financial crisis, bank monitoring focused primarily on risks to individual institutions, or what are generally referred to as prudential risks.

Can Asia keep growing through middle income?

About a decade ago we observed that there was no easily communicable growth strategy we could recommend to policymakers in the middle income economies in Asia.

Sri Lanka needs separate ministry for construction industry: CCI Chief

?Following are excerpts of the speed delivered by Chamber of Construction Industry President Dr Surath Wickramasinghe at a recent seminar organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka themed “Construction Industry and the way forward”

Why are we so afraid of India?

In recent days, important voices have been raised about the dangers of completing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India and constructing a land bridge between the two countries.

What does the Iran nuclear deal mean for South Asia?

As reports on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement between Iran and the P5+1 — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany

Increasing exports to US $ 50bn

At the Sri Lanka Economic Summit held recently, the Prime Minister has indicated that a systemic approach is necessary to achieve the target of US $ 50 billion exports annually. Dinesh Weerakkody responding to this (reference August 10, 2015, Mirror Business)...

Time to stop playing politics with education

The Constitution of Sri Lanka stipulates that education is a fundamental right. The population has achieved a literacy rate of 98.1 percent.