Controversy over Chinese investment in Sri Lanka

Chinese investment in Sri Lanka is causing major problems for Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena and has become a point of tension in Sri Lanka–China relations.

Chamber calls for national policy on construction

?Following are excerpts of  the speech delivered by Dr Surath Wickramasinghe - President of Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka during the Inauguration of Build SL 2015. Following are excerpts of  the speech delivered by Dr Surath Wickramasinghe - President of Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka during the Inauguration of Build SL 2015. I believe, some of the issues I am raising may not be opportune in the light of an

Renewables the best way to solve Asia’s energy dilemma

Asia is expected to become the largest energy consuming region in the world well before 2050. At the same time,...

Quality and relevance of our HR a growing concern: Dinesh

?Dinesh Weerakkody is Chairman of the apex National Human Resource Development Council and an Advisor to the Prime Minster’s Policy Planning, youth affairs and Economic Affairs Ministry. 

CBSL-RBI Swap: Support in time of need

?The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stepped in to provide timely support to Sri Lanka when its external finances were deteriorating and the currency was under pressure. 

What AIIB can learn from World Bank shortcomings

To understand the impetus for launching the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), look no further than China’s concern that the governance structure of existing international financial institutions was evolving too slowly. 

Support builds for crucial renminbi move

 Political momentum is building behind an International Monetary...

Has Asia’s debt risen too quickly?

In recent years, Malaysia, Singapore, and Pakistan have experienced rapid credit growth that brought...

Finding path to true democracy in Sri Lanka

“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.

Climate change sparks tension in India’s tea gardens

REUTERS: Usha Ghatowar smiles wryly when asked about the pay she earns picking leaves at a colonial-era tea garden in India’s Assam. “Do you think 3,000 rupees (US $48) are enough when your monthly expenses can be double that?” 

SEC Chief says effective corporate governance is about intellectual honesty

?Following are excerpts of the speech delivered by Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Thilak Karunaratne, at the Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Corporate Directors Programme, jointly conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and SEC.

Power sector policy interventions in view of coal power generation

Now that coal has become the major source of fuel for the generation of electricity, we need to rethink on the tariff policy of the power sector. 

Learning from disasters

Nepal’s unfolding earthquake tragedy follows a string of recent catastrophes in Asia and other regions of the world, all underscoring the need to step up efforts to improve responses to disaster relief, recovery and rehabilitation—and for mitigating future catastrophes.

Construction of 75 houses for Meeriyabadde landslide victims commences

?Construction of 75 houses for landslide-affected families in Meeriyabadde has commenced with the initiative taken by the Plantation Infrastructure Development Ministry. 

Tea, rubber prices fall linked to global trend: Planters’ Association

The drastic fall in local tea and rubber prices – which has led to major losses for Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) – is part of a broader global trend of decline in commodity prices, which is not expected to reverse in the near future, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon points out.

Years have gone by, but moments haven’t changed

Ten years ago, when Sri Lanka had to face an unknown giant, Tsunami, little did we know that lives would change in massive ways.  The kid who lost both her parents is now 10 years old, but now an orphan.

Going beyond Indo – Sri Lanka FTA: An opportunity not a threat

?The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has the concept of Nation 1st; Private Sector 2nd; and Companies 3rd at the heart of all its policies, advocacy and activities. 

We will continue to make investments: New Nestlé Lanka MD

Mirror Business sat down with Nestlé Lanka PLC’s new Managing Director Shivani Hedge, who took over local operations on February 1st 2015.  She succeeded Ganesan Ampalavanar, who served in this capacity for 2 years before taking up the reins at Nestlé Vietnam.

Hard money, soft standards? Tough questions for China’s new bank

?AFP: China scored a diplomatic coup by enticing almost 50 countries including key US allies to join its new development bank. But analysts say authoritarian Beijing now faces a daunting task managing a multilateral...

UNDP supports National Plan of Action for plantation community’s social development

?The Plantation Infrastructure Development Ministry is mandated with the responsibility to uplift the economic, social and living conditions of the plantation community which comprises of over 260,000 families in the plantation regions of Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces.

Passive investor to partner in crime: How China lost the plot in Sri Lanka

The sprightly 30-something engineer at Hambantota port reels off the benefits of this port-industrial complex on the southeastern tip of Sri Lanka about 240km from the capital Colombo.

Indo-Lanka FTA bottlenecks should be eased before CEPA: Chamber

?According to a media report, a high-powered Bilateral Committee is to be set up to prepare a new draft frame work for fresh negotiations between India and Sri Lanka related to the CEPA. 

Lee Kuan Yew: death of an outstanding statesman

Lee Kuan Yew was quite simply, and unquestionably, one of the outstanding national leaders of the last hundred years.  He worked on a small canvas, but what he achieved in tiny Singapore not 

Can’t see the wood for the trees?

?Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe presented the 19th amendment to the 1978 constitution in parliament on March 24th and the Bill, if approved by parliament will make the Prime Minister the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers with powers to appoint its ministers.

Overcoming gender discrimination in India

It is a bitter irony that the International Women’s Day came right on the heels of the controversy about the government ban on a BBC documentary about the fatal 2012 gang rape of a young Indian woman known by the pseudonym ‘Nirbhaya’.

Life After Odel: 61st LBR LBO CEO Forum Odel was sold at “right time” for want of change: Otara

Otara Gunewardene, one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, was the invitee at the 61st LBR LBO CEO Forum held at Cinnamon Grand this week. 

ADB sees strong growth for developing Asia in 2015 and 2016

?Developing Asia will maintain its strong economic growth in 2015 and 2016 supported by soft commodity prices and recovery in the major industrial economies, says a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.

Water for sustainable development: Addressing water issues in Sri Lanka

?One does not need additional explanations to highlight the importance of water for every human’s survival. In addition to being a basis for our survival, it is also at the core of sustainable development. 

Integrated water management and sustainable urbanization in Sri Lanka

World Water Day 2015 was celebrated yesterday (March 22) under the theme ‘Water and Sustainable Development’. In this article to mark the day, Chatura Rodrigo and Athula Senaratne highlight the importance of integrated urban water management (IUWM)....

NAMAL felicitates retail sales stars

?National Asset Management Ltd (NAMAL) felicitated their retail sales team for their dedication and performance excellence at their annual “Retail Sales Achievers Awards” held recently.