From an untouchable child bride to CEO – Story of a real life slumdog millionaire

Her story is right out of the blockbuster movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. In a society that still treats its daughters...

India, Sri Lanka & Maldives: Chinese influence and regional maritime security issues

China and India continue to vie for maritime influence, as influence over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) remains both commercially and strategically advantageous. However, India’s recent strategy includes developing regional cooperative maritime frameworks that focus on security as a preventative hedge on Chinese incursions.

Should sustaining rapid growth remain elusive?

 The end of the conflict has raised expectations regarding the growth prospects of the country. However, a lesson to be drawn from the experience of 2010 and 2011 is that a sustained accelerated growth trajectory cannot be achieved by demand management policies alone i.e. adjustments to monetary, fiscal and exchange rate policies.

Are our hotels overpriced?

In 2012, Sri Lanka received a million arrivals. The target for 2013 is to attract 1.25 million visitors. Arrivals in the first half of this year totalled 512,281, which is up 13.1 percent over the 452,867 achieved last year for the same period.

Duchess of Cambridge - Reinventing motherhood in the 21ST century

Some things in life will never go out of fashion as the world’s most photographed after her late mother-in-law...

Global rubber industry’s recent performance

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) in it’s report released recently has said that the world total rubber consumption increased sharply in January 2013, rising to 26.1 million before falling down to 26.0 million tonnes in March 2013, as measured by the moving annual total (MAT).

Greater accountability needed in State Enterprises

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) says that some state enterprises have caused a loss of Rs. 15 billion to the Treasury. Today there are around 235 state enterprises in Sri Lanka.

Are you a less sophisticated investor?

This article will unfold an ideal investment opportunity for less sophisticated investors. There are many ways in which an individual could invest in the stock market. One such method would be through unit trust (UT).

From crisis to sustenance : It’s not a matter of meeting but exceeding customer expectations

If you are in selling or servicing business, very likely, your organisation would have already implemented one or more customer-focused strategies and some form of customer service system. At some point, you or your organisation has probably been asked the question

South Asia confronts displacement

Thankfully, the eventual impact of Cyclone Mahasen on South Asia was softer than feared before it struck land this...

How will China tackle economic slowdown?

Both Japan’s post-World War II recovery and China’s resurgence over the last three decades were export-driven. Manufacturing, based on low-cost labour, was the key determinant of the initial transformation process in both instances.

Sri Lanka bets on high-end casinos to boost economy

AFP: Multi-million-dollar casinos planned for Colombo have boosted Sri Lanka’s ambitious hopes of becoming Asia’s new gambling hotspot, but the projects still face political and religious opposition.

Moody’s says Asian banks’ asset quality weakening

The credit quality of banks in the Asia Pacific has likely hit a cyclical peak and many of the region’s lenders will suffer a drop in asset quality over the next 1-2 years as interest rates rise, Moody’s Investors Service warned on Tuesday.

Forward guidance more than passing fashion for central banks

“Watch what we do, not what we say,” was the central bank mantra for generations. But no more.

Inclusive and sustained growth in Asia: The role of fiscal policy

Fiscal management has improved in Asia over the past decade. It has become more responsive to economic conditions and thereby helped stabilize growth, especially during the global financial crisis.

Investing in stock market: Is your money in safe hands?

We invest our hard earned money in the equity market in order to reap high returns. Money is invested through a licenced stockbroker firm. There are licensed investment advisors attached to these firms. They are expected to advice clients on suitable investment opportunities.

From crisis to sustenance : Finding the right customer is not rocket science

Ask someone why they bought a certain brand of prestige car. What do you hear? “I’ve got to keep up my status”, “I thought I’d look good in it”, “Makes me look successful”.  You wouldn’t get answers like “handles really well” or “It has a low rate of depreciation” or maybe “It’s got a really good sized boot”.

Laksala to open landmark store in Colombo Museum premise

With the objective of popularizing and promoting the Sri Lankan handy-crafts industry both locally and...

Defining luxury in the hospitality industry

The blurb appearing in a hotel advertisement that said, “Please cast your valuable vote for the Kxxxxxxxx Hotel in the 2013 World Luxury Hotels Awards...” caught my eye and immediately had me thinking.

Will Asia’s largest FTA make a difference?

The first round of negotiations to establish the Asian Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) -- a free trade agreement (FTA) across ASEAN+6 (the 10 ASEAN members plus Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India and New Zealand) -- was held in Brunei in May. The RCEP idea was first proposed by Indonesia during its chairmanship in 2011.

Reviving agriculture: The case for a fundamental rethink

The 35 years since liberalization of the economy has seen repeated cycles of the economy overheating once growth exceeds 6 percent. Growth of 8 percent or more is necessary over a sustained period to achieve economic transformation similar to that achieved by a number of countries in East and South East Asia.

To GSP or not to GSP, that is the question

The European Union’s (EU) Generalised System of Tariff Preferences (GSP) is a scheme where the EU grants developing countries such as Sri Lanka duty free or preferential duty access to the EU market for a selected number of products. What is GSP Plus?

Role of good governance in achieving economic success

In the Best Interest of my Country is the fourth Volume of Dinesh Weerakkody based on his regular columns in the print media.   Starting in 1990 with the first volume, he proceeded to bring out the second volume in 1993 and the third in 1996.

GSMB: Issuance of mining permits, exploration licenses and consultancies

As a former Director of the Geological Survey Department (Present GSMB) I have critically analyzed the Minerals Yearbook 2012 released by the Director General GSMB in August 2012.

Drought resistant coconut trees an urgent need: Coconut growers

Climate change has invariably taken its toll on the country’s coconut cultivation considerably and thus, the growers are calling for drought and temperature resistant coconut plants as an urgent need.

We aren’t obliged to honour Indo–Lanka Accord

By Udaya P Gammanpila Shiv Shankar Menon is Indian Prime Minister’s all-powerful National Security Advisor.  He has served as Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.  In fact, in certain cases, he has acted as a de facto Ambassador for Sri Lanka in India defending Sri Lanka within the Indian circles. 

Are women less susceptible to corruption?

With half of the world’s population being female, gender equality in political representation has...

How large is Sri Lankan global middle class?

In Sri Lanka, there is evidence of a growing middle class. The incidence of poverty in the country has sharply come down over the past decade. There are indications of growing demand for advanced services and luxury products.

Capital market: An engine of growth?

A capital market is a significant aspect of every financial market. It is a market in which institutions and individuals trade financial securities. It comprises of the equity, bond, debt and derivative markets. A capital market comprises of both primary and secondary markets. A primary market is a market that issues new securities.

From crisis to sustenance Strategy is not just beating your competition

Business is a cricket game and only the team with the best players will win. To beat the competition will require everyone’s collective effort. It’s not just a task for the marketing department or top management; it’s everyone’s responsibility. So, as one of the marketers of your business