Debt levels likely to ease further: CB Governor

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor said overall debt levels are likely to improve further after data showed the nation managed to hit the debt-to-GDP...

What can we learn from our mistakes in running a business?

Mistakes form an integral part of our business lives. Some would even go as far as to label the mistakes as learning experiences and rightly so too. Mistakes define our businesses and often, the roads we have chosen over the years.

Touchwood given further time on undertaking by senior counsel

The Commercial High Court yesterday gave former Chairman/CEO of Touchwood PLC Lanka Kiwlegedara time till August 25th, to submit statement of affairs and all other documents pertaining to Touchwood PLC, upon the firm undertaking given by Counsel Nihal Fernando PC.

Tamil Nadu fishermen issue affecting India-SL ties

August marks the death anniversary of the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, a remarkable Foreign Minister brutally assassinated by the LTTE.

Market buoyancy continues  

The recent market rally which has blessed the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is now more than two months old,...

Government meddling in banks destroys value

Increasing government interference in banks destroys their value because the poor governance makes it difficult for such banks to raise capital at competitive rates, according to a top HSBC official from the Asia Pacific region.

Brics Bank and Bretton Woods

The Bretton Woods conference aimed to reshape the international financial system and end the protectionism that,..

Ceylon Chamber calls for inclusive growth

At a time when Sri Lanka is all out to double its per capita income beyond US $ 7,000 by 2020,...

Port City to be extended up to Mount Lavinia

The much hyped ‘Port City’ project, which will reclaim at least 252 hectares of sea in front of Galle Face,...

Effective planning and execution take pain out of meetings

One particular area of managerial activity holds the greatest promise of productivity improvement – conduct of meetings.

CB approves 19 merger proposals

During the first seven months of the year, Central Bank’s monetary board has principally approved as much as 19 consolidation proposals,...

Asian stocks slip after major US sell-off

Asian markets ended their recent rally yesterday after the Dow posted its biggest single sell-off since February on weak eurozone data and as news of Argentina’s debt default shook the market.

Why mentoring matters

It is often said that behind every successful career woman (or man, if it is grammatically correct) is a mentor.

Court orders Touchwood to submit documents by August 7

The Commercial High Court yesterday ordered former Touchwood PLC Chairman/CEO Lanka...

Is blocking websites making telecom share prices vulnerable?

Significant concerns have been raised over Sri Lankan Internet service providers (ISPs) blocking news-related websites. Currently, there are two ISPs listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Watch inflation and get ready for rate adjustment: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the authorities to closely watch the inflation and get ready for a rate hike as the long lag between the monetary policy actions and their effects in Sri Lanka could push the inflation up.

Further easing no healer for dismal credit growth: StanChart

Further easing of the monetary policy may not solve the problem of extremely low private credit growth, which fell to more than a four-and-a-half-year low of 2.2 percent in May 2014, compared with 3.3 percent a month earlier, according to Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart).

Sri Lanka’s external vulnerability still high, but improving: Moody’s

Sri Lanka’s short-term debt obligations against its official reserves - a measure of the country’s external sector vulnerability - still remains elevated but the United States-based rating agency said it was.......

Making effective Time Management your organization’s top priority

In today’s climate of corporate down-sizing, professionals find themselves taking on more and more responsibilities. This work gives readers a creative alternative to working harder over longer hours.

Understanding technical jargon in equity research reports

The article published last week addressed the responsibilities of investors. We discussed the benefits of working with your investment advisor and familiarizing yourselves on the performance of the company.

SEC asks brokers, margin providers to cut lending rates

Market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked stockbrokers to reduce interest rates charged on broker credit and margin trading in line with policy interest rates of the Central Bank.

IMF cuts 2014 global growth forecast, sees rising risks

The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that geopolitical risks in Ukraine and the Middle East are looming over a global economy already hit by slowdowns in the US and China.

Rally continues, market breather might be around the corner

During the first three weeks of July the All Share Price Index (ASPI) has continuously gained increasing by 343 points with one single day been the exception in which the index lost just 20 points.

SL derivatives market to open up this year

After years of stagnation, Sri Lanka for the first time will open up its derivatives market particularly for foreign exchange, before the end of this year, according to a top official of the Sri Lanka Forex Association (SLFA).

In pursuit of a good hotel manager

Recently someone contacted me to find out if I knew of anyone who could be recommended to    manage their hotel. Apparently, the owners had looked at several candidates and found none to be a suitable fit.

Target jumble!

As in many other instances, the country’s two most prominent official economic institutions—the Treasury and the Central Bank recently gave two different per capita income targets to be achieved in 2020, leaving the public to wonder which one is the correct figure. 

Growth woes in the West getting worse?

Global activity in the 1st quarter strengthened and was expected to improve further, according to the April 2014 WEO, with much of the impetus for growth coming from advanced economies.

Deshodaya to acquire George Steuart Finance for Rs.375mn

Sarvodaya-owned licensed finance company, Deshodaya Development Finance Company Limited (DDFC) said yesterday that they would acquire 75 percent stake of George Steuart Finance PLC (GSF) controlled by the high net worth investor Dilith Jayaweera for a consideration of Rs.375 million.

Bull run and investor’s responsibility

The year 2014 is a promising year for the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The CSE has recorded a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 14 percent in the broad market index while the S&P SL 20 Index has experienced a growth of 15 percent in the current year.

Create a high performance organisation with wisdom of effective work teams

J. Richard Hackman (1940-2013), a professor of social and organisational psychology at Harvard observed: “The more common reason for sub-standard work group performance is that managers make serious mistakes in designing, supporting and leading teams.